The Garland – Hotel Review

Originally built in 1972 by actress Beverly Garland (My Three Sons, 7th Heaven) and her husband, The Garland employs elements of the Spanish Colonial and Mission Revival styles along with fixtures and artwork that’ll delight Mid-century aficionados. Sympathetically renovated in 2015, it has the feel of a cool resort hotel, with a popular onsite restaurant and a heated pool and sundeck. It’s particularly family-friendly, with a weekly updated list of daily activities, including lawn games, urban walks, arts and crafts, face painting and pop-up street food.

The location

The Garland is in North Hollywood – they operate a free trolley bus that leaves on the hour for nearby Universal Studios (a five-minute drive) and to the closest metro stop, which is then just a short trip to Hollywood Boulevard. For those who were kids in the ’70s, it’s worth noting the hotel is a nine-minute stroll through a lovely neighbourhood to the Brady Bunch house.

The rooms

There’s a sweet spot between retro and contemporary and The Garland hits it perfectly. The orange colour palette, modular furnishings and groovy patterned carpet and wallpaper give off a ’70s nostalgic glow, while the LED TVs with Enseo entertainment system and sustainable Lather bath products are very much of-the-moment. The family suites feature a partitioned kids’ nook with double-decker bunks and private TV. They also include kid-friendly snacks and drinks in the minibar such as animal crackers and apple juice.

Food and drink

The stylish and inviting Lobby Bar can be accessed both inside and poolside, while on-site restaurant The Front Yard is so popular that even locals not staying at the hotel come here. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the cuisine is American comfort food with progressive California twists. Go-to dishes include the 12-minute cheesy southern biscuits with honey butter, the Mary’s half-chicken with roasted plantains and sweet potato purée, and a stylish take on apple pie that artfully deconstructs the ingredients and comes together in a taste explosion.

For business travellers

There is a business centre in the lobby with a computer and printer for free use. There are also various meeting spaces available for a rental fee.

For wellness travellers

A well-appointed 24-hour gym is on the property, but if you’re a real fitness freak you can book into a Wellness Suite with a Peloton stationary bike, Bowflex adjustable weights and Mirror fitness system in your room, along with a specially curated minibar stocked with health foods and drinks.

The fab factor

Try to time your trip with the weekly Dive-In Movie Night, where classic family-friendly films are shown on a big poolside screen while the kids float around on li-los and mums and dads sip cocktails.

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