A Visit to the Magic Castle Club & Hotel

I’ve lived in Southern California all my life and just recently became aware of the Magic Castle Club and Hotel. If you’ve found this post because of searching, then obviously you’re far ahead of me! You may have heard that this is a private club and outsiders cannot gain access. That is true. But there is a way around that rule. In this post, I'll tell you about our family's recent trip, what we liked, and the cost to visit.

The Magic Castle website states: "The Magic Castle is an exclusive private club and guests must be invited or accompanied by a member." But it turns out; there is a way to get around that and visit without an invitation. We should know, we just visited with our two kids, one of which is our 12-year-old, an aspiring magician.  He is always improving his craft and curious about the next illusion he will learn. So when I recently heard a friend mention the Magic Castle, I soon found myself researching and planning a family trip of our own to this iconic Hollywood location.

What is the Magic Castle?
It’s a few different things. It’s a private club for magic enthusiasts only allowing entrance to its members and their guests. It is home to the Academy of Magical Arts where qualified magicians who are actively practicing magic as a career or hobby, can meet with other magicians to learn, inspire and grow in their craft. It’s also a restaurant where brunch, lunch, and dinner are served in a Victorian-style dining room throughout the week.

Where is it located?
Located on Franklin Avenue and just a block off of Hollywood Boulevard, the Magic Castle was initially a private residence when it was built in 1909. If only those old walls could talk! There have been many changes to the area since the early 1900s.

How To Get Into the Magic Castle
The Magic Castle isn’t one of those places you can walk into or even call up to make a reservation. It’s a private club and you must be invited by a member in order to visit. However, there is a way around that! And I’m about to spill the beans. Next door to the Magic Castle is a gem of a family-friendly hotel called The Magic Castle Hotel (I know, creative). It’s got a fun vibe, sort of like an old apartment complex from the 1960’s. Even though it doesn’t make a great first impression, don’t let that detour you. This place is not only perfect for families, but it’s also your ticket into the Magic Castle!

What We Loved About the Magic Castle Hotel
Ok, I already mentioned above that a stay here is your ticket into The Magic Castle, but before I get to that, let me say that The Magic Castle Hotel is an excellent spot for families. In fact, according to Tripadvisor, it’s the number one place for families to stay in Hollywood and I’m not surprised. Our boys LOVED it. Seriously, they thought it was the best, and here’s why.  When we checked in, we were handed a list of their 24-hour FREE snack bar menu. They have full sized candy bars, Sour Patch Kids, chips and more. There is also a FREE soda fountain out by the pool along with a soft-serve ice cream machine. And in case that’s not enough sugar over-load, there is a popsicle hotline at the pool, where guests can call for a FREE popsicle anytime of the day or night.  Our boys thought they had died and gone to heaven. Also, they have welcome snacks in the lobby and a decent continental breakfast available in the morning. Since it’s a former apartment building, all guest rooms have a small kitchen and living room with separate bedrooms. That’s a big plus for families too.

Tips for Making Your Magic Castle Reservation
When you call to reserve your room at the Magic Castle Hotel, be sure and inquire about availability at the Magic Castle since all hotel guests can gain access to the club next door. Children are only permitted in the club during Saturday and Sunday Brunch so plan to visit during the weekend. The magic shows are geared more toward kids and the dress code is slightly relaxed. Also be sure and ask about the cost of brunch and cover charges, so you know what to expect. When all was said and done, we paid about $200 for our family of four to eat brunch (lots of great choices for adults and kids alike) at the Magic Castle and spend about four hours inside the club watching various magic shows (all very well-done).

So there you have it. This was our experience with staying at the Magic Castle Hotel and visiting The Magic Castle. As you can see, it's not a cheap family outing. But if magic is your thing, you just might want to splurge and plan a visit.

Note: This is not a sponsored post and we did not receive a discount on our stay.

Have you been before? Can you add any tips for readers?