This is no trick — you can actually sleep in the LA estate of the famous illusionist Harry Houdini. By Andrea Romano
The Houdini Estate, the Los Angeles home of the late Harry Houdini, is actually available to book on Airbnb. Besides being a historical home, there are lots of luxurious and wondrous amenities that would please any aspiring magician.
The five-acre property is located in the Hollywood Hills, less than 10 minutes from Beverly Hills and the Sunset Strip and just over 10 minutes from Universal City. So, you can enjoy all the amazing restaurants, shopping areas, and nightlife spots in LA while also enjoying a night or two in Houdini’s “mysterious” home.
When you’re not enjoying the city, you can find a little respite on the grounds of the estate, which boast gorgeous centenary trees, romantic gardens, lots of shady spots, hiking trails, and a natural three-story waterfall on the property.
The house itself is also a bit of a wonder. Harry Houdini’s LA estate has plenty of space for entertainment and events if you want to bring a few friends, plus four bedrooms, four and a half bathrooms, three fireplaces throughout the home, terraced gardens, a barbecue patio, a jacuzzi and a heated pool, an open-plan kitchen, and modern amenities like Wi-Fi and satellite TV.
The master suite also features a carved-stone mantelpiece and a spacious bathroom with a whirlpool tub. The home was built in the early 1900s and has maintained many of the architectural and design details of that era.
And if you’re looking for a bit of mystery and adventure, you can wander through the estate’s natural caves and hidden tunnels, as well as get an up-close look at the deep-water tank where Houdini practised one of his most famous stunts.
Nightly rates depend on the day of the week you’d like to stay. On Mondays through Thursdays, nightly rates are $1,750 (INR 1,29,853). For weekends, Friday through Sunday, nightly rates are $3,000 (INR 2,22,606). There is a 10 per cent increase for holiday weekends, Easter, Valentine’s Day, and Cinco de Mayo.
There are also extra fees for cleaning, extra bed service, outdoor heaters, pool heating, firewood, and a local city tax. The estate is also used for weddings and other events as well as nightly stays.
For more information or to make a booking, visit the Houdini Estate listing on Airbnb.
Andrea Romano is a freelance writer in New York City. Follow her on Twitter @theandrearomano.
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