My husband and I rented the cottage mostly because it had a kitchen and a hot tub. We were visiting LA to see our daughter and wanted a place where she and her friends could come to hang out and eat. When we first arrived I was uncertain about the place because the parking spot is in the alley which is not the most inviting place. But once you enter the yard it is an oasis of tropical charm. We found that using the gate to the walking street was so welcoming that we only used the alley when we had to drive. The kitchen is well equipped for all kinds of cooking with a brand new grill out on the deck. Plenty of pots and pans, large refrigerator and a very good coffee pot. The grill was not working at first but one call to Byrnadette and we found the problem. She was very responsive to all our little issues and happy to help in all ways. The hot tub was well received by young and old alike. The decor is so charming. It was white vintage chic with a light airy feel. The only thing I would have changed was the dried/dead flowers on the kitchen hutch. They were the opposite of the rest of the decor. Beds were very comfortable and there were plenty of blankets for beds and fresh white towels in the bathroom. There is an extra bedroom in the back that can be rented for a bigger group. I looked in and it is as charming as the rest. We had a wonderful stay. P.S. I think you should tell your guests about the wonderful farmer's market on Sunday in Venice where you can get breakfast and on Wednesday (mostly produce) in Santa Monica.

We stayed with our family of three children in the lower units for a week in December 2014 and the cottage was absolutely lovely. Byrnadette is very friendly and accommodating via phone, and her staff was on site when we arrived to help with keys, parking and answer our questions about the area. The place was very well kept, quiet and relaxing. We will be back!

We were surprised at how dirty this place was. There was hair everywhere, including in the fridge & oven (yes, the oven). When we turned it on for the first time is smoked so badly from all the sludge that we had to open the house up. The baseboards, around the toilet, etc. looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in years. There was a layer of dust on all the shelves throughout, the furniture was full of stains, & the couch pillows smelled musty. The inside was also infested with tiny ants in the bathroom and kitchen. Wireless does not work well in the living room, but works fine in the bedroom. Washer inside the main house was full of mold and unusable, but luckily we were able to use the other one on the side that was meant for the other tenant. There was no vacuum cleaner in the house and no storage space in the spare bedroom. Only one lights in the kitchen worked. Electricians came during our stay, but were not able to fix it without major construction. Shower is very high and difficult to get in and out of. The house is thin and you can hear all your neighbors. We heard conversations through the floor vents, stomping back and forth from kids running, etc. We also kept getting phone calls from a house phone that was for the neighbors (they gave out the home number?). Kitchen came stocked with utensils for the most part, but had seen better days. The outside patio may have been nice several years ago, but needed a major overhaul. The BBQ was unusable because the flame covers were completely rusted. The Spa was dirty and smelled like mildew, there were flies everywhere, gazebo was unusable (two broken chairs and a small table you can’t sit at), patio furniture was very dirty, and the stone steps were completely covered in algae from the daily watering, so much that I slipped on one and my foot was completely green. Outside parking space is difficult with a SUV, but doable if you are a good driver. There are several trash cans behind it, which makes it difficult. The trashcans are also infested with flies so we had to hurry to get in and out of the car. The owner was difficult to get a hold of (lives out of the country), so the only way was through email. I didn’t get any instructions on how to access the house until I emailed the day before. I also had to email several times to get my deposit back. The area is convenient, walking distance to the beach and shops and the supplied boogie boards and bike was nice. This is why I gave this place any stars at all.