Let’s be honest: Kid hotels aren’t much fun for parents. Moms and dads do it, they slumber at princess palaces and waterpark worlds because it’s part of the job requirement, not because they like it. On the flipside, “grown up” resorts are a flop for kids who feel restricted when they have to tip toe around and use their inside voice. Can’t we just reach a compromise? The Garland in North Hollywood more than fills the gap.
Originally built in the 70s for actress Beverly Garland, the hotel is still family owned, but the façade has gone through quite the facelift thanks to a 20-million renovation of the 7-acre spread that cover 256 rooms, courtyard, grassy park and palatial pool. Parents will love the interior design vibe straight out of Dwell magazine (so chic); kids will love the room to roam (so necessary).
The property’s family focal point is the pool, a sprawling swimming hole lined with lounge chairs and umbrella’d tables. Here, splashing is the norm; ditto for caravans of kids jumping in and tots teamed up with dads dueling it out for chicken fight supremacy. The adult options are just as appealing: splash and swim, sink into the hot tub or a good book, or saddle up to the poolside bar for a refreshing sip. Cucumber mules and grapefruit gin fizzes go down extra smooth when you don’t hear mom-mom-mom on repeat every two seconds.
Also on the must-do list: poolside finger food at Lobby Bar, dive-in movies, foosball and lawn games, plus there’s a fab fitness center, weekend yoga, complimentary wine tastings, a hotel store stocked with seriously swank stuff and The Front Yard, a hotel restaurant that appeals to little and big palettes (think wildberry pop tarts and tuna tartare tacos). Needless to say, “I’m bored” isn’t an option.
Rooms have the same bi-partisan appeal. Simultaneously spacious and high on hip décor, there’s a suite for every clan. Kids rooms with partitioned off bunk beds work well for wee ones (the bottom bunk is full size), while Family Suites serve up even more privacy with a bunk bed room and TV separate from the massive master. Finally, the Portola Suite is ideal if you’re traveling with a teen. The kid gets his own room, full-screen TV and work station, while the parenthood gets a sleek sleeping and sitting area all their own. All of the above boast private balcony, coffee maker, mini fridge and luxurious Lather bathroom goodies.
But you didn’t come all the way to LA just to hang at your hotel, you came to see the sights, and arguably the best thing about The Garland is its location, location, location. A hop, skip and a jump from Universal Studios and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a free trolley from the hotel will drop you off at Harry Potter’s doorstep or the metro that runs to Hollywood (yay, no LA driving!). Heck, you can even stroll to the grocery store or past the Brady Bunch house (the one and only) to Tujunga Village, a hip hood with pizza and gelato. There’s also the TLC Chinese Theatre, Hollywood Bowl and Griffith Park nearby, not that you have to squeeze it all in in one trip. The Garland makes family travel so effortlessly easy and entertaining, it will no doubt become a yearly destination.
The Garland: http://www.thegarland.com/
