I now see why the hotel industry is lobbying so hard against Airbnb, because who in their right mind would get a room at the Four Seasons when you can stay here for half the price. The backyard is idyllic, truly serene and peaceful. Exactly like it looks in the pics, but I took plenty of extra pictures so as to recreate this backyard if I ever acquire a home in LA. I am WFH & stayed here for the past 10 days bc I needed to escape nyc for some sunshine. I worked at the tiki bar on the roof of the guest house every morning (overlooking the Hollywood sign) & migrated down to the pool area in the afternoon. The WiFi works great outside. The backyard was totally quiet with the exception of a pianist playing in the distance sometimes (it was beautiful)(you can’t hear it inside), house finches serenading me, & a very cute raccoon couple that I saw sneaking a drink from the pool & playing at night (they are harmless & only come out at night). A hummingbird buzzed around me curiously every day; I realized too late that he was trying to get me to refill the feeder!
The guest house itself is tiny, one room. But it is intelligently laid out so as to fit a bed, kitchenette (no oven but has everything else), shower, small table for 2. Super clean. Espresso machine: I brought some nespresso pods from home but noticed they also had a few available there.
I did not use the pool as it was chilly & costs extra to heat it up. I did use the salt water jacuzzi — so relaxing, with the string lights illuminating the backyard. There is no extra cost to use the jacuzzi.
The area: suburban, but not too far removed from urban parts on LA. I am in my 30s & would likely choose this neighborhood if I ever moved to LA. I did a couple walks around Hollywood reservoir (3.5 mile walk; 9 min drive) & also hiked some Griffith park trails (also a 9 min drive). I felt very safe, not only bc the neighborhood feels safe but bc there is a high fence around the house. Also, you can park right in the driveway - just need to make sure you close the gate.
Totally private yard - no neighbors can see in. The house has a couple security cameras that overlook the yard which also made me feel safe.
Food/laundry nearby: I ordered from beachwood cafe up the street & Birds down on Franklin. Both were great. Beachwood cafe is in a Harry styles song ;). There’s also a grocery store with food/wine called beachwood market & a same-day laundry mat about a half mile up the road (next to beachwood cafe). About 3/4 mile down the street, on Franklin st, there’s a fantastic coffee place called bourgeois pig & another grocery store called gelsons which is a chain & has a slightly bigger selection than the beachwood market (these are near the Birds restaurant).
Roni is fantastic & responded to my texts immediately (I bugged her bc I couldn’t figure out how to turn on the Apple TV & some other stupid thing). She is super nice & even offered to bring over a heater from her house when I had trouble turning it on (spoiler alert: the heater worked just fine. I had thought the heater was a fan & that the AC was a heater ... I have lost brain cells during quarantine).
Bottom line, loved it & now have some #housegoals to work toward.