First, I want to start by saying the host responded to messages quickly. We reserved our stay with short notice based on the photos and reviews of the home. We needed to be near DTLA for a soccer game and had never heard of the Montebello, but the home seemed quaint and had the space we needed. The home has a guest house in the back so the coach and his family could stay in a separate area away from the other girls and moms. We got to town earlier than expected and it was super-hot, so we requested an early check-in. Unfortunately, the unit wasn’t ready for check-in until 10 minutes before scheduled check-in because the host couldn’t reach the cleaners to see if they were done.
Upon arrival through a scary alley in the back, we were met with for large trash bins full of trash. When we walked into the home, it was 89 degrees and there was a pungent musty odor that I can only describe as the smell from an old thrift store. I message the host and she basically said I could open the windows but told me I could also find another place and she would offer a refund. I felt a little annoyed her at comment for us to feel free to leave and find another place with three families (including three 10-year-old girls), on Labor Day weekend instead of offering a more plausible solution. I told her that I would go by air fresheners to see if that helped.
Later that night the coach and his family arrived so we showed them to the guest house to find out it only had a small portable AC in the living room that did not reach the bedroom, so it was hotter inside the guest house then it was outside. I again reached out to the host letting her know and her response was that she was sorry to hear and that the historical heat wave was not normal. She told us there was a fan in the house which didn’t help at all and recommended we all sleep in the main house with the two provided trifold (personal size) mattresses pads. I explained that we booked this unit because of separate the accommodations for the male coach and again she just said we could find another place. I explained that there was no way we could find another place to accommodate 8 people on Labor Day weekend at 10pm but she never responded until the next day when responded that she hoped it had cooled down and reminded us that checkout was 11am.
It unfortunate that we did not have a pleasant experience, but I hope in the future, the host will be more considerate with future guests. I understand the heatwave was beyond her control, but she did not even offer any kind of refund for not having the ability to use the guest house which is the only reason we booked this unit.
The uploaded photos do not paint an accurate picture of the home. The home and neighborhood are old so there is a lot of wear and tear. I was confused by the reviews that stated the home was in a great location with food and shopping options nearby. Lastly, there are no shades on the windows for privacy or to reduce light so at 6am the front bedroom overwhelmed with light. The kitchen curtains also did not close so you could see into the home at night.