The Garland: 70s Chic in Modern Day Los Angeles

Pool with a fireplace? Yes, please! (All photos: The Garland)

Hotel: The Garland

Location: 4222 Vineland Avenue, North Hollywood, Calif.

Background: The hotel was built back in 1972 by developer Fillmore Crank for his wife, TV actress Beverly Garland (of My Three Sons, Scarecrow & Mrs. King and 7th Heaven). Originally created as a Howard Johnson’s (yes, the iconic blue and orange brand was glamorous back then) it was a lounging spot for A-list celebs including John Wayne and Dolly Parton. But two years ago, the hotel shed its Ho Jo’s affiliation and launched a $20 million-dollar renovation that was completed over the summer.

The vibe: The hotel may have gotten rid of its Ho Jo’s roots, but it still has a 70s vibe: As soon as you step into the lobby, you feel like you’ve been transported back to a groovier time, minus the bellboys scurrying around in bell bottoms. But the effect is chic, not cheesy: orange chairs and pillows, pendant lamps, and yes, macramé adorn everything. It made me feel faintly nostalgic for my childhood (although I was half expecting Cher to pop up from behind the reception desk).

What I loved: The hotel is family-owned, and owner James Crank and his two dachshunds frequently roam the property. He’s also created a loving shrine to his mom, Beverly, whom he credits as the hotel’s muse. The Garland boasts a spacious indoor theater, which is decorated with posters of Garland from all her past films. The outside looks like a backdrop to a 1970s movie, with its rectangular shaped pool, bright orange umbrellas, and a courtyard filled with board games, a fuzzball machine, and make-your-own-macramé classes (in case you want to add to the tapestries hanging inside). Even better, the hotel offers “dive-in” movie nights on weekends, where you can splash in the pool and watch 70s favorites like Jaws or Star Wars on a huge outdoor film projector. The hotel also sits on seven acres, a rarity in space-strapped L.A. Beverly Park — a 4,000-square-foot secluded garden compete with carved benches, stone fountains, and a fire pit — is a great spot to have a cocktail, do yoga, or just chill and read a book.

What I didn’t love: Spotty Wi-Fi (a problem if you’re traveling on business and need to meet deadlines) and a less than serene view from my balcony of the hotel parking lot. (No, I don’t find staring at Mustangs or Subarus relaxing.)

Who stays here: It’s a diverse mix of business travelers, tourists, families, and yes, an occasional screenwriter or two. There’s also an international contingent: While you’ll hear mostly English-speakers, there are British and Australian accents in the mix.

The Rooms: The hotel has 257 guest rooms and 14 suites, all of which make you feel like you’re stepping onto the set of Mad Men, the later years. The basic rooms, which start at $199 a night, are simple, but comfortable, and thankfully there’s no more shag carpet (back in the 1970s, housekeepers had to clean it with a leaf rake!). You’ll be in for a surprise when you open the closet: each one is wallpapered with photographs of paparazzi from La Dolce Vita. If you’re craving more room, you can upgrade to a family suite ($349 a night) each of which has a separate living area and a kid-sized nook with double bunk beds. If you’re really looking for luxury, you can always book one of the hotel’s many luxurious suites, including the 1,000-square-foot James Suite, a penthouse that boasts a living room, full kitchen, and master bathroom complete with a deep soaking tub, as well as three balconies with panoramic views of the Hollywood Hills (it goes for over $2500 a night).

Amenities: The hotel has complimentary activities several times a week, including Tai Chi Yoga in the property’s Beverly Park, an open house with a personal trainer, and an urban walk where you stroll past neighborhood attractions such as the original Brady Bunch house (yes, you can take pictures, but no, you can’t peek in the windows or ring the doorbell, there are people who actually live there now). Since the hotel is also pooch friendly, canines get their very own dog park to poop and play in, complete with a fake shiny orange fire hydrant.

Where you eat: if you’re wiped after a day of touring Universal Studios, you don’t have to go any further than The Front Yard, where you can sit on the patio close to a roaring fireplace and a gorgeous view of sycamore trees. While the restaurant may evoke the 1970s with its wraparound green Formica bar and spackled ceiling, the fare, most of which is small bites, is much more healthy (one not to be missed is the tempura broccolini, which is fried in rice flour batter instead of heavier hot oil). Both The Front Yard and Lobby Bar also boast a variety of signature drinks, including The Cranky J (a mix of gin, St. Jermaine, lemon juice, sage, and champagne).

What to do: The hotel’s only about a five-minute drive from Universal Studios and Universal City Walk (a three block entertainment, dining, and shopping promenade). The property offers a complimentary trolley service on a bona fide trolley to get you to both locations. You’re also less than a 10-minute drive from North Hollywood’s NoHo Arts District, a square mile area that’s filled with more than 20 professional theaters (it’s L.A.’s version of “off-Broadway”) and art galleries. And of course if you’re looking for a more traditional celebrity experience, Rodeo Drive is just a 30-minute drive away.

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