The Continental Hotel is an iconic fixture throughout the John Wick film series. Serving as a safe haven for assassins, the hotel operates under a strict set of rules that forbid any “business” being conducted on the premises. With its stylish decor, old-world charm, and impeccable service, it’s no wonder fans wonder if the Continental is a real hotel they can visit.
Is there a real Continental Hotel?
Unfortunately, the Continental Hotel does not really exist. The hotel and its various locations in the John Wick films were created specifically for the movies through the magic of production design and visual effects.
In the first John Wick film, released in 2014, the primary Continental Hotel location was completely fictional. Exterior shots of the building were filmed at the Beaver Building in New York City, with interior scenes filmed on a soundstage. Visual effects were used to alter the exterior and surroundings to create the final look of the iconic hotel as seen in the movie.
For John Wick: Chapter 2 in 2017 and John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum in 2019, the filmmakers got more ambitious with their world-building. They created elaborate Continental Hotel sets at the Broadway Stages studio in Brooklyn, New York. This allowed them to film multiple interior spaces like the reception area, bar, lounge, and dining room to look like they were part of the same cohesive hotel.
Additionally, they expanded the Continental universe by introducing new locations in Rome and Casablanca. These new hotels were filmed at The Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas and the Reform Club in London, with liberal use of production design and visual effects to transform them into Continental properties.
So in summary – no, there is no real hotel you can visit that matches what is seen in the John Wick films. The various Continental Hotels and related sets were designed specifically for the movies.
What inspirations were used for the Continental?
While completely fictional, the Continental Hotel in John Wick draws heavy inspiration from classical architecture, antique furniture and fixtures, and other design elements associated with luxury hotels:
- Interior columns, arches, and ornate molding reference neoclassical and art deco styles popular for early 20th century hotels.
- Dark wood paneling, leather furniture, and crystal chandeliers evoke an old world gentlemen’s club aesthetic.
- The color scheme relies on blacks, browns, greens, and gold – lending a warm yet muted palette.
- Wallpaper patterns and upholstery fabrics feature traditional damask, filigree, and fleur-de-lis designs.
- Marble surfaces, elegant staircases, crown molding, and high ceilings establish a lavish yet sophisticated environment.
The overall design sensibility is rich, refined, and timeless – exactly what one would expect from an establishment that caters exclusively to the criminal elite.
Where is the Continental Hotel located in the films?
The Continental has a worldwide presence, with locations shown in New York City, Rome, and Casablanca across the three films. Here is an overview of the primary Continental locations and where they were filmed:
| Film | Location | Inspiration |
|---|---|---|
| John Wick (2014) | New York City | Beaver Building in Financial District |
| John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017) | New York City | Broadway Stages studios in Brooklyn |
| John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017) | Rome | The Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas |
| John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019) | New York City | Broadway Stages studios in Brooklyn |
| John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019) | Casablanca | Reform Club in London |
The iconic New York hotel featured prominently throughout the series, first as an exterior in the 2014 film and later built out as full practical interior sets for Chapter 2 and 3.
The additional locations in Rome and Casablanca expanded the reach and mythology of the secretive assassin network anchored by the Continental’s presence around the globe.
How was the hotel brought to life?
Bringing the Continental Hotel to convincing life on screen required extensive production design, set decoration, visual effects, and lighting techniques:
- Production design – Supervising Art Director Dan Leigh led efforts to design initial concepts and architectural plans used to build and dress sets.
- Set decoration – The style of furniture, artwork, fabrics, and wall treatments was meticulously curated by Set Decorator Carol Kiefer to create luxury hotel ambiance.
- Visual effects – VFX supervisor Rob Nederhorst added or enhanced elements like exterior architecture, cityscapes outside windows, ornate wallpapers and ceilings.
- Cinematography – Cinematographer Dan Laustsen reliance on practical lighting sources like table lamps and sconces grounded the hotel with a lifelike, refined look.
Laustsen also relied on warm color palettes infused with golden accents to establish a stylized vintage aesthetic true to the hotel’s origins and clientele. Careful use of camera movement, framing, and blocking captured both sweeping establishing shots and intimate character moments within the Continental’s spaces.
What special features make the Continental stand out?
Aside from the general opulence and distinctive decor, here are some of the more unique features that set the Continental Hotel apart:
- Picturesque rooftop courtyard and lounge area overlooking the city
- Intricately designed goldSemi-concealed passageways and tunnels connecting rooms and allowing discreet exits
- An ornate “Hall of Mirrors” room for reflections and conversations
- Sophisticated subterranean spa, restaurant, and lounge exclusively for guests
- Imposing vault room with rows of safety deposit boxes for securing valuables
- Elaborate antique switchboard servicing hotel communications
Together these unusual touches lend an air of old-world luxury, secrecy, and privilege unmatched by any other hotel property.
How is the Continental different for John Wick?
For John Wick, the Continental Hotel serves a specific purpose beyond leisure or business travelers. As an assassin entrenched in the underworld economy, John relies on the hotel as a safe haven and resource for his work:
- The hotel allows him to book anonymous, secure room accommodations to lie low and clean up after jobs.
- Management turns a blind eye to any injuries, weapons, and activities as long as rules aren’t broken on site.
- The hotel bar, lounge, and restaurant let John connect and share information with other assassins and crime syndicates.
- The hotel armory and concierge provide John access to weapons, tactical gear, and intelligence needed for contracts.
- The strict policies forbid “business” on hotel grounds, allowing John neutral space to rest between jobs.
So while most hotels cater to the average business or leisure traveler, the Continental offers John an environment uniquely suited to his lethal profession.
How is the Continental’s services tailored to assassins?
The Continental offers discreet, specialized service and amenities to accommodate the unique needs of assassins like John Wick:
- Armory – The hotel provides an extensive armory of weapons, ammunition, tactical gear, and services like fingerprint removal or armor reinforcement for field work.
- Medical – Hotel doctors patched up John’s injuries multiple times and asked no questions, unlike a normal hospital.
- Concierge – Specialized intelligence and contractor requests related to contracts are handled by the concierge.
- Accounts – Large payments in gold bullion coins are deposited and handled through the hotel accounts with no paper trail.
- Sommelier – An extensive chilled inventory of blood packs is kept for vampire assassins.
- Coordination – Continental hotels worldwide share information and coordinate logistics for assassins traveling internationally.
This array of discrete services ensures assassins can both conduct business and recuperate safely as “guests” with all the accommodations they need.
How is the Continental staff structured?
The Continental employs a specialized staff optimized to serve clientele from the criminal underworld:
- The Concierge handles intelligence, contractor requests, and other administrative duties.
- The Sommelier caters to unique dietary needs like blood packs for vampire guests.
- The Doctor provides expert urgent medical care with no paperwork or reporting.
- The Tailor specializes in discretion, altering features, and bulletproofing garments.
- Experienced Room Service staff quickly address needs and ignore any odd requests or activities.
- A specialized Housekeeping team expertly removes blood, weapons, or any other sensitive traces from rooms.
Overseeing all operations is the Hotel Manager, an authoritative figure who enforces the hotel’s rigid rules and policies while ensuring smooth service.
Additionally, heavily armed hotel guards provide security, enforce hotel rules, and carry out any punishments or retributions required.
What is the High Table council that oversees the Continental?
The High Table is an international council made up of the highest-ranking criminal syndicates that oversees the network of Continental hotels and related operations. They establish laws and regulations governing the underworld economy.
Details on the High Table organization in John Wick:
- Comprised of 12 members representing the top underground crime families, syndicates, and tribes
- Oversees standards, policies, and consequences related to the Continental hotels and assassin sector
- Imposes judgments and penalties when rules or orders are broken
- The Continental Hotel Managers report directly to the High Table
- Winston, Manager of the New York Continental, holds a seat on the council
While rarely seen, the shadowy High Table holds immense power in directing underworld affairs through their network of Continental hotels and allied crime networks.
What is the gold coin currency used at the Continental?
Within the underground economy occupied by assassins and criminals, gold coins have high value as an untraceable currency medium. This provides anonymity and convenience compared to cash or wire transactions.
Key facts on the Continental’s gold coin system:
- Exchanges U.S. dollars for gold coins at a fixed rate
- Coins feature a logo with the inscription “Ens causa sui” meaning “Being one’s own cause”
- No serial numbers or identifying markings to be traced back
- Accepted as payment for hotel services and transactions
- Assassins are paid for contracts primarily in coins
- Coins are stored and transported in special bulletproof cases
For assassins like John Wick, the hard gold currency allows payments and wealth to flow outside of regular financial systems or oversight.
What are the key rules that govern the Continental?
To maintain neutrality and prevent chaos, the Continental operates under a strict code of rules enforced by the hotel management:
- “Business” cannot be conducted on Continental grounds – sanctioned killings or contracts forbidden on property
- No blood can be spilt on Continental grounds without prior approval
- Staff cannot be abused or assaulted by guests under any circumstances
- No weapons may be drawn on someone without management authorization
- Policies are brutally enforced by hotel guards when needed
- Punishment for rule violations is death, no exceptions
Adherence to this code by all guests and staff helps preserve the Continental as neutral territory where scores are settled off-premises.
How is the Continental neutral grounds for assassins?
The strict rules and policies serve to make the Continental a neutral safe haven separate from assassins’ professional conflicts:
- Weapons and violence banned on hotel grounds limits personal conflicts
- Anonymity for guests is protected by discreet staff
- Rooms provide private temporary residences away from threats
- Perks like dining, social areas, and spa are comfortable luxuries
- Management mediates disputes and enforces impartial judgements
- Assassins know they can rest safely at the hotel between contracts
This atmosphere of strict neutrality enforced by the staff and management lets guests feel secure enough to temporarily lower their guard.
How does the Continental help John Wick specifically?
Throughout the films, the Continental provides John Wick with support in several key ways:
- Safety – A secure place to hide out when injured or threatened
- Networking – Connections to other assassins and criminal groups
- Resources – Access to weapons, cars, tactical gear, and intelligence
- Aid – Discreet medical care for his wounds
- Neutral Ground – Peace of mind to recover without fear between jobs
- Enforcement – Protection and backup from Continental guards
Without the Continental’s help at crucial moments, it would be much more difficult for John to navigate the treacherous underground world in which he works.
Conclusion
The Continental Hotel has become an iconic fixture in the John Wick universe. While fictional, it draws heavy inspiration from classical architecture and luxury hotels to create an elegant, refined setting catering exclusively to assassins and criminals. Clever production design and effects bring its lavish yet secretive spaces to life on screen as the sophisticated backdrop anchoring John Wick’s lethal exploits.
With unique services, rigid rules, and meticulous decor, the Continental Hotel provides a believable and visually compelling safe haven within the dangerous underground economy inhabited by John Wick and those like him. For fans, it’s an alluring glimpse inside a stylized world of assassins, contracts, codes, and consequences unlike any regular hotel experience.