When the new 25-yard-long pool debuted at the Griffin Club this summer, it could not have come at a better time. “We were just coming out of lockdown, and we weren’t sure how people would respond to private clubs,” says John Myers, the Griffin Club’s director of membership. “We’re lucky that we have a lot of outdoor space, though, and our demand is as high as it’s ever been.”
Drawn to the safe, private environment, members have long been fans of the club’s low-key, inclusive atmosphere, providing eight tennis courts, indoor and outdoor dining, and a range of fitness classes, from yoga and spin to boot camp.
The club is full of expansive outdoor areas, which can be reserved in advance.
Post-COVID, the club has tweaked its operations to accommodate new safety standards. Previously, everything was on a first-come, first-served basis, but now members can use the club’s app to book time-allotted spaces for dining, exercise, and pool cabanas. Slots are even staggered to allow 30 minutes of cleaning time in between guest usage. Meals can also be ordered through the app for pick up, and the staff receives biweekly COVID tests.
“Our first pool was family oriented, and we built the second one to be more adult focused, but with COVID, and everyone needing more space, we’ve opened it up to families,” says Myers, who also points out that the club is the only one in Los Angeles to offer two outdoor pools. “We’ve also had a lot of demand for our tennis program, with private lessons and small groups being the focus.”
The property dates back to 1926, when it catered to Hollywood celebrities.
Myers also notes that the club’s summer camp was expanded this year, with more camp counselors to supervise smaller groups of kids, and no more than nine to a group. “With most camps closed, we were able to hire a great quality of counselors for the program to lead arts and crafts and contactless outdoor games. Everyone wore masks and kept to small groups—plus, it was ideal for our members whose families were quarantining in pods anyway,” he says.
The Griffin Club is located on four acres near Century City.
The club dates back to 1926, when it was a tennis club that catered to the Hollywood crowd. It now occupies four acres just south of Century City, and in addition to the expansive outdoor spaces, a two-story clubhouse has sports and fitness facilities and locker rooms. Membership types include tennis, family, and individual, and start at $2,000 for junior members, $5,000 for individuals, and $12,000 for families.
