From John Lennon's peace suite to Michael Jackson's baby balcony: The world's ten most rock'n'roll hotels

Welcome to The Hotel California: The Beverly Hills was immortalised by The Eagles' hit. Photo / Supplied.

"If these walls could talk" is the phrase that springs to mind when used in reference to the hotels listed below.

They are the places where rock stars have got up to all kinds of shenanigans, including motorcycling along corridors and throwing TV's out of bedroom windows.

Below is a pick of the world's most Rock 'n' Roll hotels.

Yoko and John Lennon gave peace a chance during a week-long 'bed in' at the Amsterdam Hilton, during March 1969. Photo / Getty

1. Where Lennon gave peace a chance

Hilton, Amsterdam

In March 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono used their honeymoon in suite 902 to stay in bed and promote peace. The world's media joined them. Now called the John and Yoko Suite, the room has Yoko-approved furnishings.

Rooms from NZ$380 (the John and Yoko Suite from NZ$2500). hilton.com

2. Join the hell raisers of Riot House

Andaz West Hollywood, Los Angeles

As the Continental Hyatt House (1967-1976), it was affectionately dubbed the Riot House. Led Zeppelin motorcycled along its corridors, Jim Morrison was ejected for hanging from a balcony and Keith Richards tossed his TV from the window of room 1015.

From NZ$580, westhollywood.andaz.hyatt.com

Michael Jackson and son on the balcony of his $40000 suite at the Adlon Hotel in Berlin, Germany. Photo / Getty

3. Go wild where Jacko went wacko

Kempinski Adlon, Berlin

Occupants of the Royal Suite get a view of the Brandenburg Gate. In 2002, Michael Jackson famously dangled his nine- month-old son over the suite's balcony to show his fans.

From NZ$570 (the Royal Suite from NZ$43350), kempinski.com

4. Take a throne at Jay Z's hotel

Mercer Hotel, New York

In 2011 rappers Jay Z and Kanye West took over the second floor of this SoHo hotel while recording their joint album Watch The Throne.

From NZ$700, mercerhotel.com

The revolution will not be... Gil Scott Heron outside the Chelsea Hotel. Photo / Clarence Davis, Getty Images

5. A vicious ending now a new beginning

Chelsea Hotel, New York

Scheduled to reopen next year, this is the rock 'n' roll hotel par excellence.

Madonna and Patti Smith lived there, and Sid Vicious stabbed to death his girlfriend Nancy Spungen in room 100.

6. Finding satisfaction in Morocco

Es Saadi Resort, Marrakech

When Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Brian Jones stayed here in 1967, Cecil Beaton photographed them by the pool.

From NZ$240, essaadi.com/en

7. Branching out into the desert

Joshua Tree Inn, Joshua Tree, California
Country star Gram Parsons put this desert motel on the map in 1973 when he died of a drug overdose in room 8 – there's a guitar-shaped memorial to him in the courtyard. Donovan stays in room 11.

Gram Parsons Room from NZ$150, Donovan Suite NZ$220, www.joshuatreeinn.com

8. Pillow fight in Paris

George V, Paris

The Beatles stayed here in January 1964 and, when news that I Want To Hold Your Hand had topped the US charts, the Fab Four celebrated with a pillow fight.
From NZ$2000, fourseasons.com/paris

9. You can check out any time you like but...

Beverly Hills Hotel, Los Angeles
The Eagles' Hotel California was not about a specific establishment but the album cover featured the Beverly Hills Hotel – and the publicity helped the venue triple its bookings.

From NZ$985, dorchestercollection.com

Roll up, Roll up: The Beatles George Harrison (Left) and John Lennon (right), with Mike Love of the Beach Boys, in New Dehli. Photo / Getty

10. Roll up for a magical mystery tour

Oberoi, New Delhi

En route to London from Manila in 1966, The Beatles stopped in Delhi to buy musical instruments from Rikhi Ram in Connaught Circus. Music tutors then visited them in the Oberoi's suite 438 to give them sitar lessons.

From NZ$280 (luxury suites from NZ$5260), oberoihotels.com