A boutique hotel with a country twist, the Farmer’s Daughter adheres to its pig-tailed, barn-dwelling mascot with gusto. The denim duvets, picnic tables bearing sweet tea, and energetic pool scene all fit with the theme, while sophisticated rooms with bluetooth speakers and CO Bigelow toiletries lend weight to the playful outlook.
A warm lobby with mismatched decor and small flickering fireplace set the scene at Farmer’s Daughter, a former 1960s strip motel that was gloriously reinvented as an artsy, eccentric hideout for pleasure seekers and epicures in the late ‘90s. Frankly, it’s not the kind of inspired guest experience you’d expect in the middle of Fairfax Avenue, but that’s part of the appeal. Custom art, a jolly pool scene, and a generous courtyard for lingering over cups of sweet tea all keep the atmosphere light and easy; and the place is looking sharper than ever thanks to a full renovation courtesy of Meg Joannides from MLK Studio, which wrapped in 2017. The refresh has streamlined the tongue-in-cheek theatrics of the rooms—denim duvets, checkered pillows, rocking chairs—into stylish, if still eccentric digs, with California-inspired wallpaper, original artwork (all of which is for sale) and French café tables. Meanwhile, the celebrated Tart restaurant serves up southern delights like shrimp and grits and tabasco maple-splashed waffles with fried chicken; though there’s more dignified fare, too, like beer-braised short ribs and house-made pappardelle pasta.
Location: Set directly across from The Grove shopping center, Farmer’s Daughter is a one-stop shop for adventuring through several quintessential L.A. nabes—Melrose, Beverly Hills, and West Hollywood are all within reach.
Nearby:
El Rey Theater: 7 minutes from the hotel by car, this gorgeous Art Deco relic can seat up to 800, and makes for a compelling evening destination with musical acts du jour, from Fuzz to the Raveonettes, to Dizzee Rascal.
LACMA: Under a mile south of the hotel on Fairfax Avenue, L.A.’s premier venue for cutting-edge contemporary art makes for a fun day trip.
The Grove: On a lazy Saturday morning, this upscale open-air shopping center is the place to be, and it’s right across from the hotel. Despite all the big-name brands occupying retails space, the gourmet-minded Original Farmers Market (open every day) is this landmark’s crowning feature.
La Brea Tar Pits: Directly next to LACMA—and a 4-minute drive from the hotel, this delightfully old-fashioned museum got its start in 1875, when a group of amateur paleontologists discovered animal remains in the pits at Rancho La Brea, including a 160lb bison and thousands of wolf skulls. In all, more than 3.5 million fossils have been dragged from the mire, and thanks to the newly opened Observation Pit and Project 23, you can see the archaeologists at work.
Good for: Couples, groups of friends, and foodies—in short, anyone who’s down to linger over cocktails in a patio filled with succulents and pool toys—will love the relaxed, country-kitsch party vibe at Farmer’s Daughter. The brunch scene gets pretty rowdy, and the restaurant even offers a happy hour with $9 lobster tacos.
Amenities: pool, room service, free Wi-Fi, minibar, restaurant, bar, concierge
Time Out tip: There are abundance opportunities to socialize here, but if you and your SO are looking for quality alone time, there’s one room you should know about. The No Tell Room is a themed love suite boasting a gigantic copper-framed bed with an attached overhead mirror. A wet bar will help fuel your voyeuristic exploits, and the hotel will even throw in rose petals and a romantic champagne dinner for two, for a fee.