This unit is in a lovely neighborhood and it appears to be attractive, but there are significant drawbacks.
The bed was good and the linens were very nice. The quiet AC in the bedroom kept our sleeping comfortable. The availability of laundry was a positive feature. The street parking was easy and free. Ben welcomed us with a bottle of wine.
However, this is not a new place and should not be described as such. It badly needs professional painting, cleaning, and maintenance. The newer floor was installed poorly, with significant waves in the floor and a few trip hazards. The ice maker doesn’t work, the drain plug in the bathroom sink doesn’t work, one door is delaminating and has significant damage, and loose fixtures persisted even after Ben’s attention.
The weather in Pasadena was hot while we were there, and the unit felt hot. The living area didn’t have air conditioning when we arrived. Our solution was to leave the bedroom AC unit on so that some cool air could flow into the living area. Ben shut off the breaker while we were out, and when we returned he said that we were not allowed to leave it on. Properly chastened, we had to be away from the unit during the day. Ben installed a floor unit AC in the living area shortly before we left (we thank him for that), but twice it tripped the breaker and shut off all power in the living area.
Ants were a constant presence. We bought and put out ant traps and Ben said that he had sprayed, but these measures didn’t work.
It was delightful to have a pool right outside the door but frustrating that we couldn’t swim in it. We were allowed to use the patio area, but it was too dirty to enjoy.
The unit has a glass wall on one side, and when the next unit was occupied light came in through the curtains. While the other unit’s occupant was quiet during our stay, that might not always be true, and a glass wall won’t keep out much sound.
This unit has a lot of potential as a vacation spot, once it receives the attention that it needs. Until then, we wouldn’t recommend staying there.