Akiko, who was born in Japan, is a wonderful host. Her home is lovely and she works very hard to keep it that way. She thoroughly cleans everything - so there is no need to have fear about germs or viruses of any kind lingering anywhere while staying there. She has multiple bedrooms and so there can be multiple guests at the same time, though it was always fairly quiet, both inside her home and in the neighborhood in general. Because she lives in Santa Monica and it is an older house, there is no A/C, but there are lots of fans. She leaves fruit and pastries out for her guests, in addition to coffee and tea. She has created a welcoming and also tranquil atmosphere. If you are seeking a friendly yet peaceful place to stay in Santa Monica, I highly recommend it.