This is Airbnb as it was originally intended: staying in someone's beautiful home in a proper neighbourhood instead of in a 'unit' that has been set up just for rental. Claudine's apartment is her home, full of interesting and colourful things that made me smile, paintings on the walls, a few pictures of her family, her books... just the right amount of personal stuff that made it feel distinctive without it feeling I was surrounded by someone else.
The apartment is large, with a lot of character, lovely wooden floors throughout, lots of windows, and it looks out onto a lush garden with benches and vegetable patches, and lots of greenery and palm trees. I was there over Christmas and into mid January, and the kitchen had everything I needed to make a Christmas dinner away from home. The heating was really effective on the cold evenings. There is AC in the bedroom though I didn't use it.
Outside the front door is a very pretty, large terrace, surrounded by greenery for shade as well as sun. There are steep steps down to the apartment and terrace, which might be tricky for people with limited mobility. My arthritic knees managed them no problem though.
The situation is great. A quiet residential road that runs parallel to the larger North Beachwood Drive which leads up to the Hollywood sign. The Beachwood Canyon neighbourhood is beautiful. Twisting and turning roads that climb the mountainside, full of houses from the 20s, 30, 40, 50s and later, flowers tumbling everywhere, and views that stop you in your tracks. I was in the area for eight weeks and it felt safe, everyone says hello when you're out walking.
Head north on foot and there are some great walks and hikes. 15 minutes walk up to the reservoir with trails around it. A good nine mile circular hike up around the mountain that brings you out behind the Hollywood sign and back down again. Up into Griffith Park... Head south on foot and you are on Hollywood Boulevard in 15 minutes.
At the top of Beachwood drive, 10 minutes' walk, is the Beachwood Cafe, which serves decent food but best visited on a weekday when day trippers to see the Hollywood sign aren't there. There is also a little supermarket there for bits and pieces.
A truly lovely oasis, in an exceptionally pretty neighbourhood.