Beverly Garland Holiday Inn Hotel

"Great location for on-the-go families"

The Beverly Garland Holiday Inn has all the nice kids deals of the chain, but this location feels very unique and “Hollywood.”  The pillows in our swanky room were wrapped with a ribbon that indicated whether they were soft or firm.  Another nice touch was the empty mini-fridge (no emptying out the snack bar to make room for milk.)  We were lucky enough to stay in a standard KidsSuite which had a separate little section of the room with bunk beds for the kids.  When we were reading in bed, I felt like I had a little privacy even though the kids were right next to us.  I don’t know if I liked or didn’t like that they had their own separate TV. We’re not big TV watchers, so 2 TVs in that room felt a bit overwhelming.

Even though it was a family room, the decor was very upscale.  It felt a bit fancier than standard with its leather upholstery and dark wood.  The bathroom had basin style sink with on a black countertop. I loved that they had a step ladder so my daughter could brush her teeth without standing on her tiptoes.  We also had a private balcony, but didn’t use it because of the traffic noises on the 101. When the doors were closed, the room was quiet so it didn’t affect our sleeping.

It’s the perfect place for resting in between the hustle and bustle of LA tourist activities. It seems far enough away from it all to be a mellow poolside experience, but close enough for drives not to be a hassle.  We ordered from the poolside Splash Bar and ate dinner at the tables by the pool, but next time I’d opt for eating inside Tula’s California Cafe where the kids could eat free with a paid adult meal.  They have Dive-In Movies at the pool on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights through Labor Day.

The hotel is set on seven acres and features 255 guest rooms, including 17 suites, 12,000 square feet of indoor meeting and event space and 2,500 square feet of lushly landscaped outdoor space.  In addition to the pool area complete with an outdoor fire pit and fireside seating, the hotel also offers a fitness center, tennis courts, a children’s playground area, and indoor/outdoor dining.

There’s a menu book in the lobby for finding nearby eating options. Rite Aid, Ralphs grocery, Starbuck’s and Jamba Juice is within walking distance at the corner of Vineland and Ventura Blvd.  There’s a small playground on the property near the tennis courts.  The Beverly Garland was built in 1972 by Fillmore Crank for his wife, well-known Hollywood actress Beverly Garland. The hotel has a colorful history, a strong presence in the North Hollywood community, and has long welcomed a diverse and colorful clientele.  There’s a even a TV channel in the hotel which runs an enjoyable biography of Ms. Garland.

Disclosure: The author received a complimentary stay at the hotel in order to complete an unbiased review. The hotel did not request that any specific opinions be expressed.