My daughter and I just got back from a stay at The Garland in North Hollywood. Billed as “Hollywood Glamour Meet Retro-Chic,” the hotel is undergoing a massive renovation to achieve this image and it was clear from what has been completed that they’re on their way.
This family-owned establishment was named after the late Beverly Garland, a famous film and TV actress. She was responsible for its interior décor, which is a retro-modern oasis surrounded by gardens and palm tress. The result is quintessential Hollywood, with pictures of film stars scattered throughout the hotel and views of Hollywood from some of the rooms. It’s also located near Universal Studios, Rodeo Drive, the Hollywood Hills, the Hollywood sign and it’s only four miles from the famous Chinese Theater on Sunset Boulevard and Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Our Room
There are few different types of rooms. We stayed in a Kids Room which my tween loved. It had a partitioned suite, offering her privacy with twin bunk beds and her own flat screen TV and Blu-ray/DVD player. She felt right at home and loved the free amenities such as cable TV, WIFI, a balcony with a view and outdoor pool. We stayed in a recently renovated room which was retro, tidy and spacious. Other amenities include refrigerators, daily housekeeping, coffee machines, safety locks, ironing boards and showers or bathtubs in the bathrooms. The beds are cozy and perfect to lie in after a long day out in Los Angeles and hard to get out of in the morning.
Dining at The Garland
The hotel is undergoing a very extensive renovation of the lobby, rooms, exterior and restaurants. While they are renovating its main restaurans, The Front Yard, guests can dine in the Courtyard Canteen and get drinks and snacks in their lobby bar. We enjoyed a very early buffet breakfast outside in the sunshine. The ambiance was very Los Angeles and the food very kid-friendly.
A Family-Friendly Experience
I was certainly happy that the hotel offers a free shuttle to Universal Studios every hour. They also offer overnight parking for $19 (not bad for Hollywood). L.A.’s famous studios are also just a few miles away, such as Warner Brothers for film buffs. There is an outdoor pool with “Dive In” movies. Kids’ Suites (mentioned above) have bunk beds and flat screen TVs and offer privacy for both kids and parents.
The Verdict?
The Garland is definitely a place to stay when in L.A. with the kids. It’s cost effective (check online for pricing), convenient to most sites you want to take the kids to and as the renovations get completed n 2015, I expect it to be quintessential Hollywood (it’s not quite there yet, but it will be.)
The hotel is located at 4222 Vineland Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91602. Call (800) 238-3759 to make a reservation.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary room to facilitate this review.
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