Asher on Aspen: Groovy getaway

The Garland in North Hollywood doesn’t just nod to the 1970s — it throws you straight into them. Colorful, quirky, and boldly drenched in orange, the hotel feels alive with ghosts of bell-bottomed dreamers. Step into the lobby, and it’s all lava lamps, shag textures, and a soundtrack of rock and roll — the kind of place where you half expect Eric and Donna from “That ’70s Show” to stroll past, holding hands. Erin, my older sister and travel buddy, lit up instantly — just as charmed by the nostalgia as I was.

We’d spent the day hopping from one Los Angeles beach town to the next, soaking up as much of the coast as we could before landing at The Garland. First was Santa Monica, with its sunny pier, lively crowds, and margaritas overlooking the beach. Then came Marina del Rey, where we searched for live music among the busy harbor full of tourists. We kept moving, chasing the rhythm of the coastline, until we drifted into Manhattan Beach. Instantly, it gave off Aspen vibes — the kind of polished, affluent energy you can spot in the cars alone. We ducked into a dive called Sand Bar 66 and found our groove: espresso martinis, a local musician playing his heart out, and the easy banter of strangers who felt like friends by the second round.

By the time we got back to The Garland, we were sun-dazed, hungry, and ready for dinner at The Front Yard. We sank into our seats beneath glowing string lights, ordered a spread to share, and let the night unfold. Dishes kept arriving — fresh salads, wood-fired pizza, scallops, chicken — and we lingered over each one. The hotel’s private-label rosé flowed between bites, just enough to make the evening feel indulgent. By the end, we were happily full, content, and in no rush to leave our chairs — though we kept an eye on the clock, eager to slip into the hot tub before it closed at 10 p.m.

Spending the evening there, you could feel the legacy woven into every detail. The hotel is named after Beverly Garland, the beloved 1950s and ’60s actress who starred in “My Three Sons” and later appeared in “7th Heaven.” Beverly and her husband, Fillmore Crank, built the hotel in the early 1970s, creating a gathering place that reflected her warmth, charm, and Hollywood spirit. Today, their son, James Crank, and his husband, Scott Elliott, continue to run the property, honoring her vision while updating it with a modern touch — polishing the space into a vibrant tribute to late-’70s California style.

The family’s vision shows up everywhere — in the colors, textures, and little amenities that make The Garland feel both nostalgic and stylish. Everything about the design is curated to seduce you: sunny warm tones, groovy lighting, and that faint aroma of wood smoke from the fireplace when the nights turn cool. The concierge noted that the hotel offers free trolleys to Universal Studios — a thoughtful perk for families looking to explore the city without the hassle of driving.

Later, after returning to our room, we slipped into our suits and made our way to the hot tub. It was the perfect sister time — just the two of us catching up, recounting our weekend getaway around L.A., and soaking up our last night together. Around us, the glow of the hotel and the steady hum of other guests created a cozy, nostalgic vibe — the kind of night that makes you forget you’re just off the freeway in North Hollywood.

The Garland doesn’t just lean into its ’70s identity — it embraces it fully, spinning retro whimsy into a modern fantasy. It’s not ironic, it’s not performative; it’s warm, lived-in, genuine. From Aspen, it’s less than a two-hour flight to Los Angeles, but stepping into The Garland feels more like crossing decades than time zones. Maybe that’s what drew me in — the way the hotel doesn’t just hint at a bygone era but resurrects it long enough for you to drink, laugh, and sink into it for a weekend.

The California dream, frozen in time, orange-tinted and glowing.