First, the good: It is a nicely, recently renovated small apartment. All fixtures and furnishings are nice. Very clean. Ian and his wife went out of their way to make us feel welcome and cater to our every need. GREAT hosts.
Now, the bad: This is a very small apartment inside an industrial compound on a street with similar buildings. The compound is fortified with high cinder block walls topped with constantine wire and is shared with a chimney sweep business that occupies the apartment right next to this one. Windows face depressing, bleak views of cinder block walls and similar things. The biggest problem we faced was noise. Although the apartment looked nice, it was not insulated for sound at all. We were awakened several times by the tenant above us walking around in what sounded like high heels or clogs. We could easily hear the neighbors' conversations. When the chimney business opens for business, you had better be finished sleeping. We heard the phone ring through the wall as if it were in our bedroom. We also heard the people talking to customers (we know a lot more about chimneys and fireplaces now than we did a week ago!) Bring your earplugs.
I guess we should have spent more money. I guess cramped and noisy is what you expect for $212/night (all in) in LA.