Visiting Family Coming to Town?

If you live in an apartment in the Los Feliz, Silver Lake or Echo Park neighborhoods then chances are you own an inflattable mattress. Am I right? I mean, where do your friends and family stay when they come to town? It is rare for a renter to tell me they are looking for an apartment with an extra bedroom and large enough to accomodate their visitors. And since there are NO good hotels and motels in our neighborhood - if your small bungalow doesn't have room for that inflatable matress - your visitors are stuck on the street.

That is until recently. Many hotel "alternatives" have been popping up around our neighborhood - including one (Los Feliz Lodge) that I started myself.

These locally owned 'Inns' are not your typical intimate bed&breakfasts or dreary corporate hotels. They aren't vacation rentals or sublets either. They are a perfect blend of the above, creating hotel-like accomodations in home-like settings. Below are reviews of the handful of local Inns in our 'hood:


Los Feliz Lodge: Detached bungalows and larger villas in a 1920's Spanish-style courtyard building. Each bungalow is uniquly designed in a funky ecelctic vibe and feature private fully equipped kitchens and baths. Located at 1507-1509 N. Hoover Street, Los Feliz. Rates start at $150/night and $900/week. For more information: www.losfelizlodge.com or 877-660-4150 Tel

Baxter5: These five hip and modern bungalows on Baxter Street border Elysian Park in Echo Park. Located in a great Echo Park neighborhood, Baxter5 bungalows are available for short or long stays. Each bungalow comes with a fully equipped kitchen and private bath. Located at: 1549 Baxter, Echo Park. Rates start at $125/night. For more information: www.baxter5.com or 323-660-1835 Tel

Sanborn House: The Sanborn House has been around for awhile and is almost always booked. They have 2 guest cottage suites, cutely decorated and in a great Silver Lake / Sunset Junction location. Located at: 1005.5 Sanborn, Silver Lake. Rates start at $75/night. For more information: www.sanbornhouse.com

Hollywood Pensione: An eco-friendly boutique hotel featuring 3 guest room suites. Located at: 1845 Wilton Place, Hollywood. Rates start at $149/night. For more information: www.hollywoodpensione.com or 323-369-2411 Tel