A MUST READ REVIEW (A MAGICAL TRUFFLE IS FOUND IN RUNYON CANYON)
I can’t say I am someone that “knows” LA. Having resided there in the late 90’s, countless trips for business over the last decade, I can honestly say I’ve never gotten to know Los Angeles. However, I managed to end up on an avenue named after “me” with a dog named after the street I grew up on… can’t be that bad, no?
Beverly Wilshire, Chateau Marmont, Langham Huntington, Mondrian, Peninsula Beverly Hills, etc. etc. These fine establishments and the like are places I can say I know the insides of so well. I asked my better half to find a nice place (not too pricey) for us to stay. I would have to extend my trip, and she would be joining me for the duration. Imagine my dismay when she announced with such joy that she found a cute place for us, “a cute little bungalow” were her exact words; and it only cost 1/3 of what I know to be customary pricing for lodging.
My dismay retreated the moment we were greeted by Scott and “Jackson” (a lovely Akita/ Sheppard mix).We were lead through the property down a pebbled corridor, passing under a delightful display of Wisteria dancing above our heads in our very own enclosed trellised courtyard. Two double glass pained doors are the entrance to a wonderfully restored 1920’s Model T garage.
All of the essentials, right down to a delightful hand soap from a local shop, and Molton Brown body wash can be found inside. A very short fool-proof FAQ page was readily on display with keys for the bungalow, Wifi passcodes, and directions to help navigate the various media available to use during the stay.
The real charm to your stay will be found in the simple and thoughtful furnishings and amenities available for use. All the appliances and a small hot plate for simple cooking, were brand new… if I did not know better I would say they were purchased for us!
The bungalow’s proximity to anywhere one needs to be in the surrounding districts is fantastic! Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and many local haunts are all within a short walk. Yet Courtney Avenue is set off of Sunset in quiet pristine enclave. After some exploring, we purchased small food items, rose every day to the singing of the birds, prepared a divine breakfast or brunch, and gracefully went through our day knowing we had a lovely secluded place to retreat to when the day was done.
We enjoyed our stay so much that we wished to cook dinner for our host! Time did not permit, but we will definitely be back, as I now know, where the best kept treasure in all of Los Angeles is to be found… and if you are up for adventure paired with some risk… pack some shoes with excellent rubber bottoms and head for a hike on “The Spine” of Runyon Canyon (I survived).