On what I've been told was the hottest week in L.A. this summer with unusually high humidity, I had a room on the second floor with no air conditioning (even though the picture in the Airbnb posting had what looked like one; it 's actually a radiator unit), and the window opened on an enclosed parking area on the east side of the building that brought the bright, hot August sun through the flimsy curtain into the room starting at 6 AM, and all the bright street lamp light and traffic and Gold Line train noises from 1st Street into the room come nightfall.

So, given all that, why the four star rating? First, all of the above was manageable with the help of a sleep mask, ear plugs, and a 6-inch fan (I bought one, as I assumed that there would have been a fan in the room given the hot conditions if they were available - next time I'll seek out Alex and ask for one). Second, for the price you should expect a few inconveniences, and with all the pluses - the location, access to transit, comfortable bed, good neighbours, clean toilet and shower facilities - the Sogo was and is tremendous value for the money. I would gladly stay here again given the chance - although next time, I'll try to book a room on a different side of the building, and not come when the average temperature is above 90 degrees :-)