Flickr shot by brianwallace
Truth be told, I have a thing for motels. In fact staying in motels is the highlight for me when taking road trips. Something about the “international breakfast” doughnuts in the morning, the crisp white bed sheets, and the temporariness of it all.
So every time I pass by the Farmer’s Daughter on Fairfax across the street from the Farmer’s Market (apart from reminding me of a dirty joke I once heard), I’m tempted to check in and check it out.
She’s been around for over 30 years and while the Grove was built and the market was remade, she sat comfortably in her downhome seediness for a bit. But then, like every other Angeleno, she succumbed to an extreme makeover. Yes, after a multi-million-dollar renovation she’s transformed into “an urban oasis brimming with country charm.”
Now there are cabanas and a new French country cuisine restaurant called Tart (which is planned to open in mid-March and be helmed by Claude Segal, formerly of the Sunset Room, Drai’s and Ma Maison).
But most intriguing of all? A little something called the No Tell Room. For lovers, players or fugitives, this is being billed as the motor lodge’s most special room, a suite tucked discreetly in a corner of the building, and away from the street noises of bustling Fairfax.
From what I’ve read, it sounds like it’s equipped for late-night trysts and/or after-hour parties. There’s a fully stocked wet bar built into the back wall, soft blue-pink mood lighting, a wall-length mural of a wheat field and skyline and, of course, a huge mirror over the king bed. I just wonder why sound-proof walls wasn’t one of the features. Pictures on the hotel’s Web site make it look like the Avalon in Beverly Hills even though reviews have attributed its style to kitschy country. I don’t know if that’s just great photography or reality but there’s only one way to find out.
So if you’ve met that special someone for the night but don’t want to take them back to your place or if you and your friends don’t want the night to end just yet, see if the No Tell Room is available. But remember, check out’s at 11am.
115 South Fairfax Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90036
(323) 937-3930
Reservations: (800) 334-1658 or click here.
Cost: $169-$189
Continental breakfast?
What do you think the chances are that some celebrity will get caught up in a seedy scandal revolving around the Farmer’s Daughter? Or has that already happened?
Yeah, I remember that growing up. When we stayed at one of those roadside motels, they bragged about their “international breakfast” and it was just doughnuts and coffee.
As for a scandalous celebrity situation, I can totally see that happening at this motel.
I dunno much about the differences, but is this a blog entry or more a website listing a la D. Candy? I dig reading yer personal beefs with stuff joint more than their press releases.
but that’s just me!
AnDee, I thought you knew me better than this. Like I said before, I don’t get to visit EVERYthing that I write about. If something pops up on my radar, I’ll research the heck out of it online and then write about it, and MAYBE I’ll check it out. Unless you’re DARING me to check in. ;P
Hmm I might have to check in one night.
The biggest complaints I get is that the back seat is too small and the breakfast (a half empty box of powdered doughnuts) sucks.
some girls are so picky.
post script: I double dog dare you.
post post script: that wasn’t meant to sound dirty.
cool, you’re on blogging.la
Ha! So I am! http://blogging.la/archives/2006/03/the_farmers_daughters_secret.phtml
As for checking in, let’s all have an after-hours party there! Tell all your friends.
Wow. I had no idea of the ‘no tell room’.
For the record the rooms are country kitsch but pretty nice. Pergo wood floors, wifi, good locale. I’ve seen out-of-town musicians who are booked @ largo there.
You can get considerably better rates than what you’ve posted. At least you could last summer. Let me know if you need to contact my dear old grandma in order to ask her about her experience. Don’t get her started on TPIR though. Apparently she wasn’t having it.
R
Ryan, did your Grams make it on “The Price Is Right”? As for the hotel prices, I couldn’t find a separate listing for the No Tell Room so just used the price range for all the rooms. If anyone knows the actual price, lemme know.
She was in the audience but she didn’t make it on stage. From what I gather she pretty much abhorred the whole day – waiting around in line, going for coffee, going back to wait in line…then being dragged to disney hall by yours truly after I got off work. Sheer grandma torture, i would venture.
FWIW I think the room was around the $119-ish range, give or take a few. Maybe cheaper on weekdays.
I forgot to mention – for the rate, the pool was neither sunny nor heated. As such no swimming. You would think a heated pool would be pretty standard.