Aesthetically, this is a really beautiful property. You can tell a lot of thought was put into the decor, functional designs, and overall renovation of the property. And the bathroom sink and shower are quite exceptional given the small size of the space.
That being said, the rooms are relatively spartan when it comes to amenities. No televisions or Bluetooth speakers in the rooms, barely a kitchenette to speak of, and the door to the unit in which I stayed wouldn’t stay closed unless the deadbolt lock was engaged.
And then there’s the surrounding neighborhood... I don’t know how else to say it, but this property is an out-of-place example of gentrification in a low-income neighborhood. While the neighborhood is rich in vibrant culture during the day, this means there are a TON of people in the area, traffic on the narrow side streets is stressful, and finding street parking is virtually impossible.
Admittedly, the difficulty in finding street parking is noted in the description. However, I found this disclaimer to be a vast understatement. The street parking options surrounding this property are some of the worst I’ve experienced in Los Angeles. Given this situation, I feel that secured parking for at least one vehicle should be automatically included in each booking.
More importantly, if you want to get food or refreshments at one of the nearby stores or markets, this is not a neighborhood where it would be safe to do that at night. The homelessness crisis in Los Angeles is surging and a large population of homeless people have moved into this neighborhood, particularly in the alley directly behind the property, which is where the entrance to the secured parking is located.
Even worse, if you’re a woman who clearly isn’t from the surrounding neighborhood and decide to walk anywhere nearby, even during the day, it is likely that you will be catcalled or harassed by men in the neighborhood, much like my female friend was during our stay.
I really wanted to love this property, I truly did. But as the saying goes in real estate, “Location. Location. Location.” And given the location of this superficially charming property, I just can’t see myself booking here again.