The Beverly Garland050

The recently renovated Beverly Garland Hotel in North Hollywood, located less than two miles from Universal Studios, is a fabulous find for families.

The property, owned by the Beverly Garland family, blends the feel of a boutique hotel with kitschy motel, making it kick-back and comfortable, but with lots of hip and decorative details to impress travel-weary parents.

Decorated in hues of browns and beiges with red accents, the 255 rooms are relaxed, but fun. Comfy beds come with a "pillow menu" - your choice of soft or firm pillows. (Ahhh.) Rooms also offer flat screen televisions with free HBO and cable television (Disney & Cartoon Network), pay-per-view movies, and Nintendo games.

Bathrooms are small but impeccably clean, with a shower/tub combo, lots of plush towels, and fun raised basins that add some flare. Cotton robes are provided and are cozy for wearing to the pool or sauna.

The beautiful and comfortable outdoor pool area is open from 5am to 10pm, with heated pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, towel service, and changing rooms. On weekends, Splash Bar is open for drinks and families can enjoy evening poolside movies (The Incredibles, National Treasure Book of Secrets, etc). Swim noodles, pool toys, and snacks make those evenings feel like a real party for kids.

Our family loved the hub-bub at night, with the cozy fire burning what look like golden jewels, and lots of happy folks splashing in the heated pool or relaxing in the Jacuzzi.

And if you get tired of basking in that lovely pool area, head over to the hotel's tennis courts! There's also a small climbing structure/play area for little ones.

And when you're hungry? Tula's California Cafe on the premises serves salads, sandwiches, burgers, pizza, chicken, steak, and fish. Oh, and yes ... desserts!

In-room dining is available from 6am to 10pm. Breakfast items include cereals, blueberry pancakes, omelets, and eggs Benedict. Lunch and dinner items include appetizers like coconut shrimp or calamari, salads, panini, pasta, chicken, and steak. There's no children's menu, but most kids are happy with the pizza, burgers (including veggie!), or bruschetta.

Decoy Lounge on the lobby level offers a hip indoor bar area and lovely outdoor patio area.

Complimentary amenities include cribs, coffee/tea maker, ironing board/iron, business center, fitness room, USA Today, forgotten toiletries like toothbrushes or razors, and wireless Internet.

Rollaway beds, miniature refrigerators, and same-day dry-cleaning are available for an additional charge. A coin-operated laundry facility is perfect for a quick batch of shorts and tees!

One of the best amenities is free shuttle service to Universal Studios or City Walk. Leave the car at the hotel and save the $15 parking! Even if you're checking out that day, the hotel graciously offers to shuttle your family to and fro and leave your car.

The lobby gift shop sells candy, snacks, gifts, tee shirts, cards, wine, robes, and drinks.

If one of the family happens to be traveling for business, there are lots of meeting rooms, including a theater. The Celebrity Suite has a board table and plenty of room for meetings.