This is a grand and beautifully decorated old Hollywood estate with an unbeatable view, but it direly needs some updates, as other guests have mentioned. It seems like the owner put in a lot of effort many years ago; set it and forget it.
I was disappointed when we first arrived to find many of the light switches did not work. This was fine during the day as there was enough natural light, but the stairwell was dangerously dark as the sun set. The hosts were not responsive to messages via AirBNB, no one answered/the voicemail box was full when I tried calling, but the owner eventually called me personally. He was apologetic and said that he had had the electrician out earlier in the week, but they could not locate the issue. He also sent the on-site housekeeper over, which was a kind offer but unnecessary as this was clearly a mysterious electrical issue. They placed an additional floor lamp on the ground floor, but frankly, it did not help provide more light in the stairwell.
Also, every drain on the pool deck is missing a grill cover, so it is just an open heel-of-your-foot-sized hole in the floor—another dangerous trip hazard. We were able to heat the spa & pool but could never get the jets/bubbles to work in the spa.
Additionally, the furniture, pillows, linens, and patio furniture are extremely worn. The wooden toilet seats are very worn. The kitchen knives are dull and dangerous. We were provided only one kitchen towel.
I was also very disappointed in the communication. The hosts sent multiple lengthy form letters with a tone that said they don't trust their guests to behave like adults and take care of the property. I can understand that perhaps they have had bad experiences in the past, but that comes with the territory of any property rental, whether it is a standard apartment or a mansion. As a guest, I don't like to have my behavior under suspicion and be warned multiple times not to misbehave before I even set foot in the building. I'm not a child, and that sort of treatment doesn't model high-quality hospitality. I also had to send messages multiple times when: I would ask a specific question, the hosts would send a form letter about something unrelated, and then would not answer my original question. The on-site house guide also needs updating. There about three different versions in the binder, each one more yellowed the further back you go and with increasingly irrelevant information.
Overall, we enjoyed the ambiance of the view and quiet seclusion of the neighborhood while managing to avoid injury. But for the price and AirBNB Plus qualifier, we definitely would not return a second time.