Akiko is warm, kind, and welcoming. Her pup Chacha added much joy to my day. We occasionally played tag in the yard.
My room was huge, almost the size of a small efficiency - it was the master bedroom, and had a door that leads to the yard. The couch was nice to have, so I don't have to hang out on my bed when in my room. The dresser and closet were spacious, and there were nice blinds, which kept all the light out at night. The house was a bit cold, but I just layered up. Also loved the orchid on my desk. The little things added up to make a comfortable stay.
Pastries and bananas were a great touch. Whole foods is a 10 min walk and downtown Santa Monica a 7 min bus ride.
Highly recommend for a short or month long stay! I stayed here for a month.