The apartment is part of a duplex in a three- or four-block-wide neighborhood nestled between the 405 to the east and a hillside to the west. Trees arch over the streets throughout the neighborhood, giving it a secluded feel and that aromatic scent of coastal California.
The 405 is constantly heard outside the apartment, although the sound drops off just a block or two away. The highway can also be heard in the living room, just loud enough to maybe turn the television a notch higher, but in the bedrooms the sound is reduced to white noise, similar to the sound of a forced-air furnace or central air conditioning. Overall, we did not find the traffic noise to be an inconvenience.
On the other hand, the proximity to the 405 meant easy access to LAX and Universal Studios. In addition, just by taking city streets, we were within 10-20 minutes of groceries, shopping and attractions such as UCLA (and diverse, inexpensive restaurants), the Santa Monica Pier, the Getty Museum, and Little Ethiopia.
Within the apartment, the bedrooms are spacious and the beds are large (a queen and a king). The living room has plenty of couch space for relaxing and a dining table that seated four comfortably. The television screen is enormous and could probably be watched from the bedrooms. There are plenty of warm touches in the decor (such as rugs and lamps with a slightly South Asian feel) that give the place a welcoming, lived-in atmosphere.
The kitchen facilities are limited but the hosts have tried to supply the bare necessities. There is a small sink, a dorm fridge with a small freezer, and a microwave. In addition, there is a double hot plate for stovetop cooking. There is no oven. There are several mugs, dinner plates, and small bowls, as well as cutlery and kitchen utensils, a few pots, and strainers that could be used to make pasta or boiled vegetables. There is also a coffee maker and an electric kettle.
The hosts excelled in some welcoming touches, such as leaving a bottle of wine, some cheese and crackers, and a large bowl of fruit upon arrival. In addition, they returned messages very quickly (even over a holiday weekend). Furthermore, they were very earnest about helping if there were problems. In our case, there was an internet problem that meant they had to contact the internet provider, and they checked back a couple of times later to make sure everything was OK.
Overall, this was a great way to visit LA for a few days.