{"id":888,"date":"2013-11-11T18:37:22","date_gmt":"2013-11-12T01:37:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jodijacksonshollywood.tv\/?p=888"},"modified":"2013-11-11T18:37:22","modified_gmt":"2013-11-12T01:37:22","slug":"staycation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jodijacksonshollywood.tv\/staycation\/","title":{"rendered":"Staycation"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Secret Garden Bed and Breakfast – Pink Taco – Glendon Bar & Kitchen \u2013 Oct. 22 & 23 2013.<\/strong><\/p>\n

October 22 & 23 2013<\/p>\n

As part of my stay cation I was asked to review a two night stay at the Secret Garden, do a tasting at Pink Taco on Sunset, which is right around the corner from the Bed and Breakfast, as well as a tasting at The Glendon Bar & Kitchen in Westwood. That was a no brainer, so I did all of these in my 2 night staycation!<\/p>\n

The Secret Garden<\/p>\n

If you try to find an affordable hotel in Los Angeles you will probably wind up in some flea bitten, irritatingly small motel type situation. If you want to stay somewhere that is walking distance to the Sunset Strip on a small budget well that is almost impossible. You might as well sleep in your car. Not to be negative, but these kind of miracles just don\u2019t happen in Hollywood, until now! The find of a lifetime… right in my own backyard here in Weho. Yes, the quintessential place for your out of town guests who don\u2019t want to spend their life savings just for a trip to LaLa Land, put them up at The Secret Garden, a real home away from home.<\/p>\n

The two tortoiseshell cats will greet you upon entry, Lucy and Ethel, and they will follow you around throughout your whole stay. You will be in the lap of luxury in this antique filled great Hollywood Hills Home. But with just a 5-minute walk and you can be thrust into the craziness of The Sunset Strip, with all its dining glory. The garden will enchant you, but the sound of traffic during rush hour will remind you that you are still in Urban Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

There are 4 rooms total, 3 in the house and 1 cottage in the back; I stayed in the charming back cottage. The Bed and Breakfast has been used for photo shoots, one recently being for Playboy. I guess the d\u00e9cor would be called Gothic Ancient European. The house was built in 1920\u2019s with lots of add-ons since then. Like beautiful bevel leaded glass windows and so many antiques it is hard to pick the best one.<\/p>\n

Sylvester Butler, the oldest of 15 siblings, and the Innkeeper, will tell you lots of heartfelt stories about his family, his love of acting and what goes on in the house when your not there. It is a family filled with rich history and above all lots of love. What really strikes you about Sylvester is his huge smile and larger then life spirit, what a sweetheart!
\nDavid Austin the owner of The Secret Garden is a poet, real estate mogul and a wonderful humanitarian. He also owned the wild nightclub Probe back in the day. He still owns Playhouse Theater Stage 52. Since his partner Raymond passed away David has been wheelchair bound, he had a stroke 7 years ago. Sylvester, and the other innkeeper Thomas help out with his home health care.<\/p>\n

Every morning breakfast is served in the house\u2019s dining room. I had a very filling breakfast the first morning of fresh berries, smoked salmon, scrambled eggs, and your choice of bagel or toast. The second morning I had Maplewood bacon and scrambled eggs, with cantaloupe as a starter. Both breakfasts were a great way of getting my busy day stared.<\/p>\n

Just so you know this is not a swanky Sunset Strip hotel, it is basic but lovely. There are some things that could use a little fixing here and there, maybe some would call it funky, but for me I was delighted by the hospitality and hominess of this very special place with great affordable prices. Above all with its special touches, you feel lots of love from within the walls here at The Secret Garden, a true home away from home.<\/p>\n

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