This is a cozy and clean AirBnB in a quiet, safe cul-de-sac in Sherman Oaks. Communication with Jorge before and during my stay was excellent; he was very warm and welcoming on the day of my arrival.
After I checked-in, I had a nice, easy walk about a 1/2 mile to the Ralph's and Walgreen's nearby, and had a **fantastic** smoothie at "Natural Break Juices" on Magnolia Street, across from Ralph's. If you stay at Jorge's, I *highly* recommend a visit to Natural Break Juices (!!!). :)
The amenities in the unit, as described in other reviews, were helpful — the two large bottles of cold, filtered water were great; there was coffee and a small fridge in the room; strong WiFi; very pleasant hosts; a quiet, safe, and pretty location. The TV in the photos is much larger than what was there during my recent visit, so I just streamed a show on my iPad. The desk near the window made for a pleasant spot to work. The birds chirping in the morning as I left were very sweet. :)
There were a few challenges, or opportunities to make the space even better:
I would urge the hosts to add a "desktop charging station" on top of the table near the window, so that guests can easily plug in their devices. There isn't a wall socket next to the table, and there are numerous appliances (the A/C unit, the TV, and a lamp) plugged into the large extension cord next to the TV stand. The extension cord doesn't reach the table, and there was only one socket available for me to plug into. If your device has a regular-length charger cord, you cannot work at that table and be plugged in. The same goes for the extension cord on the floor next to the bed — my iPad has a regular-length charge cord that didn't reach up to the bed. An inexpensive desktop charging station placed in the headboard and another one on top of the table (like at a hotel), would allow for guests to plug in while they use their devices.
The entrance to the unit is through the backyard, which means having to enter through the large gate in the driveway (not a side door). I am tall but still had to stand on my tip toes to grasp around the top of the gate to unlatch and close it; I am not sure how shorter people easily get in and out of the gate.
I arrived to the AirBnB at 4 pm and had to leave the next morning at 7 am, so this was a very short stay for work; I just needed a quiet place to work remotely and conduct a zoom meeting. I note this because what I didn't realize about this AirBnB before my arrival is that it's a little room in the back of the main house, so that the family is literally on the other side of two interior doors — I could hear every word being said, which was fine, but I was concerned my zoom meeting would be too loud for them as they were having dinner at home with a friend while I was working. TBH, I just felt very self-conscious the entire time I was there because it just felt like they were on the other side of the thin wall and I didn't want to disturb them. The unit's bathroom is right next to their dining table, so I really just stayed out of the bathroom while they ate. :) But that's just me and perhaps other visitors haven't noticed that, or don't care.
When you walk through the yard to enter the unit, you walk right past the hosts' dining room window; I felt awkward trying to decide whether to look in to wave and say HI as they ate dinner, or look away; it just felt awkward, but again, that's me.
This space is nice for one person — but would definitely be a very tight squeeze for two, particularly because of the size and location of the bathroom, and the real privacy issues.
The location is very quiet — absolutely no noise, so it's a nice, tranquil spot for sleep — but I noticed the same issue with the bed/mattress that another reviewer noted, and when I crawled into bed, the whole thing kind of shook around and made noise.
There were plenty of large towels, which were great, but no washcloth. So I had to improvise with the kitchen towel. That could have been an oversight during my visit, but washcloths for the shower should definitely be stocked.
Finally, and I know this will seem silly, but it was important for my work meeting: while there are three mirrors in the unit (and one of them is medium-length), the lights near the mirrors are not bright enough and set in a way that cause wild shadows. I had to get ready for a work meeting and, because of the dim lighting and shadows in the bathroom, plus the fact that the bathroom mirror is to the side of the toilet so you can't really stand in front of the mirror you have to kind of lean sideways, it was challenging to do my make-up; I just couldn't see. And sure enough, LOL, when I reached my destination, where there were bright lights, my make-up was way off; I had to re-do it all. Male hosts and people who don't have to wear make-up may not think of this detail, but for women who do have to wear makeup and present at a meeting, good bright lighting is really **essential**, unfortunately.