A former Howard Johnson's was recently transformed into a swank, tech-savvy hotel that in and of itself is a tourist hot spot. YNN's Valarie D'Elia filed the following report.

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A moving mural, trendy toilets and plasma TV mirrors are probably not features you remember from your childhood stay at Howard Johnson’s.

Rebuilt from the ground up in the foundation of a Fairfield County suburb's long-beloved Ho-Jo's, The J House stays true to its roots while giving birth to a sleek, contemporary successor.

The 86-room boutique-style hotel formally opened after spending a summer getting out the kinks and the word about a fresh, value-driven addition to the Greenwich hotel market.

With outdoor dining available nearly year-round on a heated, trellised patio, restaurant Eleven 14 became an instant success and mature singles hot spot.

Led by a West African Executive chef who worked alongside Wolfgang Puck, the cuisine is infused with Connecticut seasonality and convenience.

"You have great atmosphere here," said Francois Kwaku-Dongo, the executive chef of Eleven 14 Kitchen. "You don’t have to fight the traffic like you fight in New York. And you can get great food and great service."

Having grown up on a cocoa farm in Ghana, Kwaku-Dongo turned his sweet tooth into a sweet shop, importing his home-grown beans.

"My grandfather who owns the farm always said that cocoa was going to pay my way one day," he said.

A small gym and outdoor pool round out the property that is full of eclectic art and design.

The fall foliage bed and breakfast package is $329 for a two-night stay. Seasonal packages for Thanksgiving and Christmas require three-night minimum stays with extras such as room service breakfast and chocolate treats for $279 a night.

J House is just a short hop from the Riverside Metro-North station.

For more information, go to www.jhousegreenwich.com.