Inn on the Boulevard Retirement Hotel is located on a busy street in the heart of Studio City. Restaurants and stores compose the surrounding area—the Hollywood Bowl is just two miles away. Tall trees and colorful flower beds surround the building. We felt at home in the elegant lobby, where hanging mirrors adorn the walls. Gold accents glimmer on the pastel wallpaper. Comfortable, contemporary furniture is strategically positioned to help prevent overcrowding and potential falls. Replicas of famous paintings, including the Mona Lisa, hang throughout the facility. Antique-looking chests and figurines make for interesting decorations in the common rooms. The bistro houses a fully stocked snack bar that is open around the clock. Rousing games of bingo take place here often. Comfortable seating in the living room invites residents to relax in front of the TV, or sit down to a good book from the library. The room also features a piano and a casino-style card table.
Tables in the intimate dining room are covered with pink tablecloths. Floral wallpaper lines the walls. All meals are prepared on-site with a variety of herbs and seasonings. Breakfast choices usually include oatmeal or eggs. Three times weekly, residents take advantage of the all-you-can-eat salad bar, stocked with Cobb, macaroni, tuna and potato salads and assorted fruits and vegetables. On alternate days, the lunch menu offers sandwiches and soups. Some favorite dinners include teriyaki pork, beef ravioli, baked fish and barbecue chicken wings. Alternatives are readily available.
Accommodations range in size from small studios to large one bedrooms. A pine bed, table and dresser are provided by the facility, although residents are welcome to bring their own furnishings. Space heaters are available if someone wants their room a little toastier. A number of second-floor units have breathtaking mountain views. Some rooms overlook the spacious patio, furnished with covered patio tables and brightened by flowers and tall palms. In the summertime, this spot is lively with socials and barbecues. Year-round activities include card games such as bridge, poker and blackjack, as well as exercise, music appreciation and current events discussions. Other popular pastimes include resident council meetings and outings to museums, restaurants, shops and theaters. Outside entertainers visit every Friday. The facility offers free transportation to local temples and churches. A rabbi hosts regular religious discussions for the predominately Jewish population. Residents appeared energetic, and were participating in activities and enjoying themselves at the time of our visit. One resident compared the facility to a luxury hotel, and said she was glad to no longer worry about taking care of her home.
