Reviews for Bel Air Vacation Rental - VRBO 283557 - 0 BR Los Angeles County House in CA, Bel Air Private Guest House with Stunning View of Los Angeles

Breathtaking Views!!!!

Guest Courtney T.
Date of stay 03/21/13
Review Submitted 04/01/13

This location was perfect for a short getaway to the LA area. The guest house is very sweet and cozy. It offered privacy yet had amazing views of the hills. Thank you Atsuko and Gordon for sharing your adorable guest house with us.

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Second stay!

Guest Sarah
Date of stay 12/20/12
Review Submitted 12/26/12

First of all, my husband and I never stay in the same place twice as we are explorers and like variety. However, we stayed here again as we loved our first stay so much. We are even more in love with the property now. The view is amazing, the hosts are lovely and the cottages are perfect. I am sure we will be back to stay again.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Great Getaway!!

Guest Pam
Date of stay 11/03/12
Review Submitted 12/16/12

This was such an awesome find that I almost don't want to tell others so we can keep it a secret. Great place to be in LA, great owners to work with, great pool to use, comfy, clean room and a FABULOUS view to enjoy. We don't ever want to stay anywhere else when we go to Los Angeles.

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Fantastic Guest House In Prestigious Bel Air

Guest Paul F.
Date of stay 10/13/12
Review Submitted 10/24/12

For business or pleasure, this property location is perfect. Clean, well-maintained, non-smoking. It is very close to UCLA, Westwood, Century City, Beverly Hills and Hollywood. The Getty was 15 minutes away - where we enjoyed a lovely brunch on a Sunday. LAX is only 40 minutes away. We lunched at Pleasure Cove north of Malibu and walked the beach. We even drove over to Disneyland for a day - about an hour and 20 minute commute in the morning, and a 45 minute return at night. The vista while enjoying evening cocktails from the private brick patio at the rear of this guesthouse is GRAND - from Atsuko's beautiful garden, to across Stone Canyon, all the way to downtown Los Angeles to the east and Century City to the west, with greater LA in between. Look to your left and you see the mountains! Awesome! Thank you so much Atsuko & Gordon - you both are wonderful, helpful, perfect and low-key property owners and hosts. Next time, we hope to stay even longer! Debbie & Paul Pittsburgh, PA and St. Michaels, MD

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

Perfect :-)

Guest L. H.
Date of stay 09/11/12
Review Submitted 09/23/12

I just can say only one Word: PERFECT :-) Thank you very much.

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Perfect end to our honeymoon

Guest Garry F.
Date of stay 08/28/12
Review Submitted 09/16/12

We stayed here for the final week of our honeymoon and had an fantastic time. The poolhouse is comfortable and clean and the views of LA are simply amazing. The pool itself was lovely to relax in after a day of sightseeing. Gordon and Atsuko were the perfect hosts and made some great restaurant suggestions. The poolhouse was also stocked with amenties (shower gel, tea, coffee, bottle of wine) for us to use which was a nice touch. The property is very well placed for getting around LA and seeing the sights such as Santa Monica beach, Sunset Bvld, Universal Studios, Hollywood, etc. Car is essential but I would say that about LA in general. We enjoyed every minute of our stay and would love to return.

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Perfect Hilltop Hideaway

Guest User
Date of stay 08/16/12
Review Submitted 08/22/12

A truly peaceful and perfect place for a quiet get away. My husband and I stayed at this wonderful guest cottage and were embraced by friendly hosts and spectacular views. The moment we arrived Gordon and Atsuko made us feel welcome. It was easy to relax being tucked away in the Bel Air hillside with almost no city noise. The cottage is air-conditioned, has a kitchenette, and a spacious bathroom. The salt water pool is an added bonus to frame your hilltop hideaway. I would certainly stay at this rental again. Thanks Atsuko and Gordon for a wonderful birthday staycation.

Owner response: It is great to have fellow LA natives stay. Thanks for enjoying your birthday here with us.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

Hilltop Hideaway Perfection

Guest User
Date of stay 08/16/12
Review Submitted 08/22/12

A truly peaceful and perfect place for a quiet get away. My husband and I stayed at this wonderful guest cottage and were embraced by friendly hosts and spectacular views. The moment we arrived Gordon and Atsuko made us feel welcome. It was easy to relax being tucked away in the Bel Air hillside with almost no city noise. The cottage is air-conditioned, has a kitchenette, and a spacious bathroom. The salt water pool is an added bonus to frame your hilltop hideaway. I would certainly stay at this rental again. Thanks Atsuko and Gordon for a wonderful birthday staycation.

Recommended for: Age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Owner response: Pamela, thank you for spending your birthday with us and we hope to see you again. - Gordon & Atsuko.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

Wow! This place is ideal.

Guest Michelle C.
Date of stay 07/25/12
Review Submitted 08/06/12

Wow! This is a fantastic rental! I recently stayed in Atsuko and Gordon's private guest house and it was beyond any of my expectations. The tone was set with Atsuko's prompt and informative responses to my many questions about the rental. Its location is truly ideal. If you want to head out to beautiful Santa Monica Beach, go down to Hollywood Blvd or spoil yourself with some shopping in Beverly Hills; almost everything is a reasonable drive or cab ride away. Having Westwood Village, with its Coffee shops, restaurants and grocery stores, so close by, was a dream. (thankfully a Target store had just opened, so I could pick up a few things I forgot to pack:-) The guest house itself, is so cozy and peaceful and the back patio/balcony views and their breathtaking landscaping that's layered down the hill, is like a whole other room- just outdoors! There is a path you can walk down to relax on a little bench to watch the Hummingbirds and Butterflies. Farther down the walkway, is a modest deck, where you can take in more of the spectacular views. Great places to have your morning coffee, do a little reading, relax with a glass of wine or just meditate. When you crawl into the comfy bed at night, the peace and quite is amazing. I have stayed in a few other locations in the area and there is extraneous noise from traffic or neighbors- but there is none of that at this rental. It's just heaven. The kitchenette really worked for me, since I knew I wouldn't be cooking my meals, during my stay. I could fit my cold drinks, fruit and yogurt in the min-fridge and any leftovers. There are plenty of utensils, glasses, and paper-towels provided. Don't forget to take a dip in the pool and/or stretch out on one of the lounge chairs to get a little Southern California sun. It was so lovely to float around in the pool, after my long days out. Like many previous reviews have mentioned, I can not say enough good things about Gordon and Atsuko. So gracious and hospitable! It is my belief that your Homeaway property owners/managers can make or break a stay and I can truly say, it felt like I was staying with friends. They have mastered the balance of being friendly, attentive to your needs and offering an ideal level of privacy to their guests. I look forward to staying here again during my next trip out to California. Thank you Gordon and Atsuko!

Owner response: Thank you so much for your kind note. It is a pleasure to host such wonderful guests. We try to give visitors privacy so their experience is ‘spa like’ or an oasis in the city. Atsuko and Gordon

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

Here's hoping this wonderful lilttle place remains at least a little bit "undiscovered"!

Guest MeghanInLA
Date of stay 06/23/12
Review Submitted 06/30/12

Like everyone else, I read the glowing reviews & decided to give this a shot. Well, everyone was right. This is indeed a special little place & Gordon & Atsuko are indeed very lovely people. My boyfriend and I had a rare weekend together & decided to splurge on some much needed private time. Atsuko was quick to respond to my emails & couldn't have been friendlier or more accommodating. I stressed that we really just wanted peace and privacy for the weekend, and she & Gordon delivered just that. The poolhouse is small, yes, as others have described. But so much nicer than the pictures reveal! It was quite a bit more lovely and upscale in feeling than I was expecting. The bedding is marvelous, they've installed a swivel-out flatscreen tv on the wall, the shower is beautifully tiled...AND they thoughtfully provide delightful haircare & shower products, including a blow dryer. And when I realized I forgot to pack sunscreen, sure enough, it was there under the sink! The boyfriend and I walked down the steps to the garden, and then further down, to the "treehouse" Gordon mentioned to us. It's a wonderful little deck, totally surrounded by trees. Fabulous view--you feel alone in the canyon! Go have your morning or evening beverage down there--it's very sparse, no real furniture, but it's quiet & private. Also: you MUST go take walks in the neighborhood! My boyfriend and I did, and they were a highlight of the weekend. If you walk up Stradella, you'll stroll right by the lovely Stone Canyon Reservoir. Further up Stradella (take your car) is a well stocked grocery store & a nice little cafe. Even the parking lot has a great view! The whole place is lovelier than the pictures show. And it is indeed very beautiful. The pool area--and the pool itself!--is beyond beyond. Atsuko could not have been nicer. What we really needed was just to be alone & have some romance & privacy & I know Atsuko & Gordon went out of their way to barely make their presence known to us all weekend. Highly recommended. Magical. Miss it already. An absolutely marvelous property all the way around. (And such incredible flowers!! Wow!!) A really special place that I know will stay in my heart a long, long time. For couples wanting some beautiful romance, or a solo traveler just wanting to chill out in a beautiful environment, go here. Forget Hotel Bel Air, go here.

Recommended for: Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Owner response: Meghan, thank you for your kind review and we are glad that you spent time in the garden, the "treehouse" and even ventured out into the neighborhood. We hope to see you again soon. – Gordon & Atsuko

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

Heaven

Guest Anna
Date of stay 06/16/12
Review Submitted 07/15/12

I want to start by saying that I have never left a review before, but both Peter and I felt like we found heaven on earth, coupled with the loveliest of hosts one could ask for. We knew we had arrived at a special location as we kept climbing higher and higher, navigating each hairpin turn, driving up the mountain side. The street names are aptly paying homage to Italian locations. We arrived ravenous, and after a dip in the lovely pool Atsuko secured reservations for us at the most authentic Sushi restaurant down on Wishire Blvd. Amazingly fresh and refreshingly basic-not a California roll in sight- they are boycotted by the chefs- seriously :) The cottage itself has everything you need, and an amazingly comfy bed-it pained us to leave it for our daily excursions. In fact, the only regret we have from our trip is that we had too little down-time back at the cottage. The garden and the view is unequaled. Gordon and Atsuko were so amazing-perfectly sociable and very discreet- we are so looking forward to planning our next trip to California.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Owner response: Anna, thank you so much for your lovely review. It is always so nice to have guests who appreciate our property as we do. We just added a new 6-drawer dresser to the guest house to make it more comfortable and allow visitors to really feel at home. So we hope to see you again in sunny California. - Gordon & Atsuko

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/5

The beginning of a wonderful LA experience!

Guest Justine M.
Date of stay 06/09/12
Review Submitted 06/19/12

We stayed in this Bel Air guest house for 5 nights and it was truly exquisite! From the minute we turned off Sunset, through the Bel Air gates and up the winding road into the hills, we knew this was the beginning of a wonderful LA experience. Atsuko and Gorden were fantastic hosts - polite and friendly. The guest house is very cosy and the view was simply beautiful. We were sad to leave. Thank you so much Atsuko and Gordon.

Owner response: It was our pleasure to have you. Thank you so much for finding us. We look forward to seeing you again in the future. Sincerely, Atsuko & Gordon

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/5

Perfect View, Accommodations, Location and Hosts!!!!

Guest raymond p.
Date of stay 04/09/12
Review Submitted 04/16/12

My son and I stayed at Atsuko & Gordon's private guest house in mid April 2012 to look at UCLA and USC as prospective colleges. We had a fantastic experience (despite less than ideal weather which is a rarity for LA)! Bel Air is one of if not the most exclusive neighborhoods in LA. Steep winding roads lined with incredible estates lead you to your hill top retreat. The house is cozy (small) but well appointed, comfortable, private, and features a wall of windows and patio with a million dollar view. The location is 5 minutes from UCLA and Westwood, 10 minutes from The Getty (don't visit LA without seeing the Getty), 10 minutes from Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drove, 15 minutes from Hollywood and 15 minutes from Santa Monica and the ocean. Best of all, you will have the pleasure of meeting Atsuko and Gordon, who are fascinating people and the perfect hosts - warm, friendly, helpful and respectful of your privacy.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Owner response: Raymond, since we are so close to UCLA, it really is convenient to stay here. We hope your son comes back to attend college and that we get to see your family again. - Gordon & Atsuko

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 7/7

Outstanding View, Location, Comfort and Hosts!!!!

Guest raymond p.
Date of stay 04/09/12
Review Submitted 04/16/12

My son and I stayed at Atsuko & Gordon's private guest house in mid April 2012 to look at UCLA and USC as prospective colleges. We had a fantastic experience (despite less than ideal weather which is a rarity for LA)! Bel Air is one of if not the most exclusive neighborhoods in LA. Steep winding roads lined with incredible estates lead you to your hill top retreat. The house is cozy (small) but well appointed, comfortable, private, and features a wall of windows and patio with a million dollar view. The location is 5 minutes from UCLA and Westwood, 10 minutes from The Getty (don't visit LA without seeing the Getty), 10 minutes from Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drove, 15 minutes from Hollywood and 15 minutes from Santa Monica and the ocean. Best of all, you will have the pleasure of meeting Atsuko and Gordon, who are fascinating people and the perfect hosts - warm, friendly, helpful and respectful of your privacy.

Owner response: Thank you for joining us. We hope your son comes back to LA to to attend college. We wish you both the very best. - Gordon & Atsuko

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 6/6

The most glorious place in Bel Air!

Guest Petra H.
Date of stay 02/23/12
Review Submitted 03/03/12

Staying in this Bel Air guest house was truly magical. From the minute we turned off Sunset, through the Bel Air gates and up the winding road into the hills, we knew this was the beginning of several glamorous days in Los Angeles. Atsuko and Gorden were fantastic hosts - so warm and friendly. The guest house felt like home the minute we stepped into it. The view from sunrise to sunset could not be rivaled. Absolutely stunning! We were sad to leave but are already planning our next stay. Thank you so much Atsuko, Gordon and Jack. Hello to Arthur. xx Petra and Laurence

Owner response: Petra, it was wonderful having you visit us and we are so pleased that you enjoyed the property. We look forward to having you back for your next stay. Atsuko, Gordon and Jack

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 7/7

A small/comfy Belair property with a superb view!

Guest Alexey K.
Date of stay 01/24/12
Review Submitted 02/06/12

This rental is a small guest house/cottage located behind a beautiful Bel Air home. We stayed there for 5 nights and enjoyed it thoroughly. Overall, we would recommend this rental to most people and it deserves a solid 4 stars, but there are some distinct pro's and con's. Saying wether the property is good value or not is difficult; depending on which pros and cons are personally important to you, it could range from "not sure" to "fair". Pros: - The views from inside the property are just stunning. There is also a picturesque sloping garden behind the rental; - This is a property located in a wealthy, quiet, safe hill-neighborhood of Los Angeles, nevertheless, you'll find that a lot of conveniences such as grocery stores, small restaurants and dry cleaners are located just 5 minutes by car away by car in a location (Westwood village) that hardly ever suffers from traffic; - The property is well presented, clean and decently maintained; - The owners, though living in the house right in front of the rental, are absolutely not intrusive. In fact, you hardly notice their presence. They are, however, very pleasant and helpful people if you do talk to them. Cons: - Which ever way you look at it, the property is small. It's sized, it feels and it's priced like a decent hotel room; - The property needs a couple of small updates such as more (better) glasses kitchenware, sponges and a de-clogging of the shower drain; - Consider that the bed is a queen, not a king. That may be a problem for some; - The property is at least a 25$ cab fare away from West Hollywood where the dining/nightlife is (or pretty much anywhere else except for Westwood Village); - Some people may find it uncomfortable to rent a property in the property owner's garden. It's not like a hotel room or a free standing rental where you don't have to feel the owner's presence.

Owner response: Alexey, thank you so much for staying with us and we are grateful for constructive comments as these help us improve our property for the comfort of our guests. Based on your valuable feedback have now upgraded our kitchen materials, including glassware, dishes and now extra squishy sponges. Also thank you for notifying us about the shower drain, which has been addressed. We have just recently added our listing of our personal favorite recommendations and ‘best-of’ guide: restaurants, activities, hiking trails and other tours/local highlights. Thanks for staying with us and we hope to see you again.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 12/12

A bit of peace and quiet in bustling Los Angeles

Guest lanie l.
Date of stay 12/27/11
Review Submitted 01/21/12

What an amazing piece of respite Atsuko and Gordon's guest cottage was! Although I was in town for work, waking up everyday to the amazing sunrise made me feel like my trip was 100% pleasure! I really enjoyed taking a break from hotels and staying in a setting that was relaxed and quiet. We even bought groceries from Trader Joes to have dinner in one night with a bottle of wine. If you want to have a chance to feel like you 'live' in Bel Air, there is no better place to stay!

Owner response: Hi Lanie, thank you for making us your "home away home". It was 100% our pleasure to have you with us. We hope to see you again in the future. Atsuko & Gordon

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 9/9

The Getaway

Guest Bill K.
Date of stay 11/23/11
Review Submitted 11/25/11

All the amenities advertised were there. Two surprise highlights: 1. the guest house garden...want an experience? Walk down to the bottom and walk back up. What you see every five steps you will remember for years to come. We are talking approximately 500 steps down, then 500 up, so this is not minor league garden. This is major league all the way. 2. UCLA. No idea that campus was picturesque. No idea of the size, the different schools, the cleanliness. You will enjoy the drive and eventually a thorough walk through. Only a few miles from your very friendly hosts home.

Owner response: Thanks for taking our garden tour. It is so nice to have visitors who enjoy the property. We are glad you also toured UCLA since it is in the neighborhood. It is a lovely campus.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 9/9

Great Holiday...

Guest Monique B.
Date of stay 10/03/11
Review Submitted 11/18/11

...in a beautiful cottage with a wonderful view of Los Angeles Atsuko and Gordon the homeowner are very nice people. We will come back and can recommend the cottage. Monique & Christian from Germany

Recommended for: Romantic getaway

Owner response: Monique and Christian, it was a pleasure having you stay with us and thank you for recommending our cottage. We hope you come back again next year. Atsuko & Gordon

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 8/8

Pure perfection!

Guest francesca l.
Date of stay 09/26/11
Review Submitted 10/13/11

My mother and I stayed at Gordon & Atsuko's Guest House for a week. What can I say? Everything was just PERFECT. Bel Air is one the most beautiful districts of the city, very quiet and close to the main spots in LA (you can easily reach Hollywood,Venice,Santa Monica,Beverly Hills,etc.) The property is super-clean, lovely furnished; the bed is comfortable and both bathroom and kitchen have everything you might need. The view from the patio is breathtaking (day and night). I used to wake up early in the morning just to see the sunrise and it was worth it all the time! The garden is amazing and it looks like hammingbirds are in love with it (as much as I am)! I could go on and on but there's just one more thing I really want to say. What made me fell in love with this Guest House were its owners: Gordon and Atsuko are two wonderful people (and Jack is the coolest dog ever!). They gave us the best welcome. They were SO kind and accommodating. They truly take care of their guests. If I had the time of my life in LA is thanks to them too. I grew up dreaming of Los Angeles and being there was a dream come true. If you're flying to LA, Bel Air Guest House is the place to go! Don't miss it!! Thank you so much Gordon & Atsuko for making our stay unforgettable. We miss you!

Owner response: We enjoy having people stay at our home as it is enjoyable meeting guests from many countries. We travel often and one of our favorite places to stay is in Italy, so to have this kind review by Italian guests makes us smile... Benissimo. We miss you too and come back soon! Grazie!

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 8/8

The perfect location in Bel Air

Guest Julia
Date of stay 09/10/11
Review Submitted 10/10/11

My husband and I had a great time at Gordon and Atsukus gorgeous cottage. The house is so lovely and cozy and the breathtaking view over Los Angeles makes this place unique. Atsuku is being helpful and always trying to make you feel comfortable. We defenitely will come back!

Owner response: It was our pleasure to have you with us. We are so happy that our little cottage is a part of your honeymoon. We hope to see you both again in the future. All the best, Atsuko & Gordon

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 9/9

sweet, perfect

Guest ann b.
Date of stay 09/02/11
Review Submitted 10/13/11

though our visit was short we had a lovely time at the bel aire cottage. It was simple, and sweet and contained everything we needed. The view was amazing, the setting gorgeous, the bed comfortable. Our host's Atsuko and Gordon were welcoming, accomodating and responsive. We will stay here again. Thank you so much. Ann and Mike

Owner response: It was our pleasure to have you both at our cottage. We hope to see you again in the future. Sincerely, Atsuko & Gordon

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 9/9

Amazing View!

Guest rebecca g.
Date of stay 08/28/11
Review Submitted 09/12/11

We stayed for 3 nights, Gordon and Atsuko were very welcoming and provided a handy map to find our way around their local area. The view from this property is amazing and the area is very quiet and private which is rare for LA! It was really nicely decorated and the bed was really comfortable, I do not understand how someone can moan that it is unclean, it was spotless during our stay! I really appreciated Sun Block and other amenities being provided and thought this was very thoughtful. The path access Gordon pointed out is having more tiles put down due to another guest complaining about the mud, it isn't mud, it is from the sprinklers that water the plants! Once this is rectified iit is an added bonus! I would def suggest people stay here if you want to visit LA but be in a relaxing location that is central for exploring.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Owner response: Thank you so much for your comments. We always try to learn from our guests so we can provide information to explore our community. We hope to see you again in the future. Sincerely, Atsuko & Gordon

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 12/12

Absolutely fantastic!!

Guest Paul H.
Date of stay 08/25/11
Review Submitted 01/15/12

We have stayed in lots of fantastic accomodation across the US, Canada and Europe and this was one of the best we have experienced. More about the overall experience of staying at the accomodation, rather than just the pool house (which is great) - wouldn't hesitate to book again!!! We stayed at the pool house for 5 nights during August 2011 as part of a 3 week trip along the West Cost of the US - an amazing experience to finish the trip. The property is located in the Bel Air hills amongst fantastic mansions - very easy to get to and a good central location for the beaches (Malibu around 20 mins away), Hollywood (15 mins), downtown LA (15 mins), Beverly Hills (5 mins). The most breathtaking thing about the property is the views over LA, with your own private terrace at the rear of the property you can sit out any time of day and just take in the views which extend for miles (fantastic at night). The pool house was very clean and comfortable and we had a few afternoon's just relaxing by the pool by ourselves - perfect to get away from the hustle and bustle of the US generally. Atsuko and Gordon are perfect hosts and were on hand if anything was needed - although it wasn't! Range of supermarkets and restuarants all within 15 minute drive.

Owner response: It was our pleasure to have you with us. Gordon and I look forward to see you again in the future. Warm regards from sunny California, Atsuko

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 9/9

LA's beautiful retreat

Guest Gail S.
Date of stay 08/08/11
Review Submitted 08/28/11

I stayed at this devine cottage in Stradella Road, Bel Air recently and couldn't have had a nicer time. It was very relaxing and peaceful. Gordon and Atsuko (and of course Jack) were very welcoming, accommodating and kind. The cottage is well equipped, clean and perfect for a home getaway ~ I even talk about it as my cottage in Bel Air!! The views from the patio over Beverly Hills are breath-taking and to sit out there with a glass of wine at night and look out over LA downtown lights is a memory that will last with me a long time. I agree that to lie by the salt water pool and read a book is like being in paradise. I absolutely loved my stay and hope to be able to return with my husband next year for a romantic getaway ~ I just hope that the cottage will be available (I'll have to check before booking my flight because after staying in the cottage ~ I don't want to stay anywhere else!!) You'll love it ~ treat yourself; I know I will again! Thanks again Gordon and Atsuko for having me. (Say hi to Jack!)

Recommended for: Romantic getaway

Owner response: Thank you so much. It was wonderful to have you stay with us and we do hope you return next year with your husband to stay in "your cottage." Sincerely, Atsuko, Gordon & Jack

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 11/12

Not what the pictures reflect.

Guest lisacox
Date of stay 08/04/11
Review Submitted 08/15/11

Let me just say the pictures do not reflect what you see in person.Approaching the cottage, one walks up a path of stones and dirt,which turns to mud every day.Each day you get to slide & have your shoes caked with mud as you get to your car. This is easily rectified by adding more stepping stones.It does say that pets are not allowed but upon entering the cottage there were approx. 15 spots left from a dog.The carpet was so soiled that I never went without shoes.It is such a small area that frankly I do not see why it cannot be shampooed & kept clean. 5 nights,6 days & I received 1 towel, 1 wash cloth & 1 hand towel, seriously?There is also no housekeeping service.I did request extra towels and got 1. When you are charging hotel rates,you might want to be a little more generous with towels.I paid an extra cleaning fee over & above the room rate however,the place was not clean, at all. The floor and commode had dirt & hair on them,the microwave had food splattered on the inside,the cupboard the paper towels were on was so dirty I never used them.The duvet & bed skirt need to be washed, the pillows were soiled & need pillow cases & clean protectors on both pillows.The patio furniture is wood with no cushions, not very comfortable to lounge on.The patio furniture off the balcony is chipped, needs painting & they need comfortable chairs,instead of hard tiny iron chairs, does not make for afternoon lounging, admiring the view. The bed is facing forward,the TV is to the far right, you have to turn your neck to the right to view it but there is a large lamp on the nightstand obstructing the view. (Continued on next review)

Owner response: We are sincerely sorry that our guest was unhappy with her stay, and even more so that she did not bring her concerns to us while she was here. Most would have been easy to address—there were, for example, extra towels and linens, as well as cushions for the outdoor furniture, in the closet in the cottage. The space is professionally cleaned weekly and we have not received any prior complaints about cleanliness. However, we would have had the cleaning re-done if requested. The muddy path was a simple matter of adjusting the garden watering system and, as our guest suggested, adding a few more paving stones, both of which were done as soon as the issue was brought to our attention. The cottage is a part of our home and frequently occupied by our dear friends and family. We take good care of it. While we respectfully disagree with our guest's characterizations, we do apologize for her obvious disappointment.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/18

A Little Piece of Paradise

Guest Ana V.
Date of stay 07/24/11
Review Submitted 08/03/11

Ana V., Switzerland Atsuko and Gordon’s cottage in BelAir is truly a little piece of paradise. The very tastefully decorated cottage provides everything one might need, from a heavenly comfortable queen bed, to a spacious bathroom/shower, to a fridge, microwave, kitchenware, a TV and even DVDs and books. Instead of watching TV, though, we chose to jump into the clean, turquoise water of the kidney-shaped pool, explore Atsuko’s magnificent garden with its many flowers, little fountains, visiting hummingbirds, hidden benches, and incomparable vistas, and to eat in and just sit on the cottage’s private patio enjoying the breathtaking view over hills and city lights. (I even got up around 5am to sit on the patio and enjoy the sunrise, then snuggled back into bed). Atsuko and Gordon are incredibly attentive and helpful hosts who will do anything to make the stay pleasant: they had provided detailed directions to the cottage before our arrival and were very flexible about our arrival and departure time; maps, directions, and recommendations for nearby restaurants and grocery stores are provided on paper in the cottage. They even printed our boarding passes for our flight home. Because Atsuko and Gordon are as unintrusive hosts as they are helpful, we felt as if for the one-and-a-half-day of our stay we were the sole owners of their slice of paradise. We have stayed in many places in L.A. over the years, but we never want to stay anywhere else again when we’re in that city, and hope the cottage will be available! Thank you again Atsuko and Gordon for a wonderful stay!

Recommended for: Age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Owner response: Ana, thank you so much for your kind review. Considering the beautiful scenery of Switzerland's countryside, we are so happy that you enjoyed your time with us. The hummingbirds miss you already. We hope to have you with us again in the future. Sincerely, Atsuko & Gordon

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 14/14

Fabulous location - You will LOVE it!

Guest Amy C
Date of stay 07/22/11
Review Submitted 07/29/11

This cottage is in the perfect location if you want to feel like a rock star or a movie star! We could not believe the houses as we navigated to the gates of our rental, and the owners could not be more gracious. They are very unobtrusive but are there if you need them. The cottage is beautifully appointed with fine furnishings. It is very clean and attention to detail is obvious. The views from this cottage are astounding-you have the best view on the property with your pool house rental-a great place to sit and have coffee as you gaze over all of Los Angeles down the canyon. Lights at night are just stunning. There are deer (we saw a 6-point buck) on the vacant lot next door to the left if you hang out on the patio around dusk. We were amazed to see this in Bel Air! The cottage does have air conditioning/heat but we needed neither as the climate is about as perfect as one could ask for. Fantastic breezes at night and the super comfy bed made for a great night's sleep. Internet worked fine, and my husband is in IT for a living so this is a MUST for us anywhere we rent. I could not recommend the cottage enough; we will go back-hope to do so soon as we were only able to get two nights and would love to have stayed longer. This one will not disappoint!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Owner response: It is always nice to have moviestars like you stay with us. We hope you enjoyed the fresh venison “on-the-hoof” – just kidding ;)

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 14/14

Paradise in Bel Air. Should be 6 stars!

Guest Glenn W.
Date of stay 07/15/11
Review Submitted 07/29/11

My wife & I just stayed with Gordon & Atsuko for the most memorable visit ever. First off, let me begin by saying that we are very familiar with Beverly Hills & the West side, & have fallen for other rental hosts that claim "close to this" or "adjacent to that" & you can very easily end up staying near an all night car wash, or other noisy (and depressing) location off of Pico Blvd. This is none of that. Bel Air has some of the most exclusive real estate in all of the United States & Gordon & Atsuko's offering is absolutely located in a prime section, very lofty, with canyon views to die for. Honestly, the spring breakers would be much more comfortable with something closer to Hollywood, however if you are looking for privacy, peaceful elegance & exceptionally clean accomodations, then look no further. This charming guest house is located on impeccably kept grounds with numerous flowers and lush plantings that keep the humming birds busy. Nothing is overlooked. They have thought of everything that will make your stay relaxing. A super comfortable bed and complete quiet, day or night. After a busy day of running around seeing everthing, this is what you want to come home to. Oh...and at night? Unbelievable!! The lights of LA light up the sky and you feel like you're on top of the world. The cottage is cozy, but everything is done right. The recently renovated shower is large and refreshing. They even keep a few DVD's and books handy for those who really wish to unwind. We usually have a crazy itinerary of all the things we want to see and do (and there is plenty in the area), but because of the lovely estate setting, we found ourselves just wanting to relax and recharge, either by the pool or on the private little patio that is out back, overlooking the beautiful homes that dot the canyon below. I could go on & on, but you must see it for yourself. You can quote me, call me, write me..whatever, but I doubt that there is another property that equals this. In closing I will add that another very nice feature is that you can pull into your own off-street and private, gated drive. That is a big plus in LA. Another thing is to be sure to bring your GPS navigator because a lot of the twisty streets are not marked, and the celebrities like it that way! I wrote directly to Atsuko and requested that if they were ever to move, please be sure to get something with a guest house, as Sharon and I, & many other guests would surely follow! Glenn & Sharon Witkum

Recommended for: Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Owner response: Wow, thank you and it is wonderful to have guests who enjoy our property like we do. Your review is so glowing that we should state for the record that they were not compensated for their kind words. We guarantee if we ever move, we will always have a guesthouse and keep the light on for great people like you. Sincerely, Atsuko & Gordon

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 15/15

June 2011

Guest Mike
Date of stay 05/28/11
Review Submitted 06/20/11

We stayed here for two weeks with our five-month-old daughter. Many great things have already been said in reviews by others, with which we can only wholeheartedly agree. Atsuko and Gordon are very friendly, polite, helpful and professional hosts. And you simply cannot beat the location--both of the estate and of the guest house. The property rests on a prime piece of Bel Air real estate overlooking Stone Canyon. The guest house sits on the other side of the back yard swimming pool with a completely private patio on the far side (and I mean private: you could sit there in your pajamas if you like, as one cannot see the guest house patio from the main house or any neighboring property) with a fantastic view of the city and the canyon. One of our favorite things to do was to have breakfast outside on that patio and look at the sunrise with the city lights giving away to a view of the canyon including some of those grand mansions tourists normally try to photograph from turnouts on Mulholland Drive. Yet, a five-minute car drive will put you right in the middle of things on Sunset Boulevard north of UCLA. We will definitely look for vacancy here the next time we are in Los Angeles.

Recommended for: Romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Owner response: Dear Mike, thank you so much for staying with us. We are glad that you enjoyed your stay. Next time you come, we will have our personal 'best of LA' recommendations for restaurants and spas, local hiking trails in Malibu and Pacific Palisades as well as horseback riding, surfing, kayaking and sailboat rentals nearby. Hope to see you in the future. Warm regards from Sunny California, Atsuko & Gordon

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 17/17

05/15/2011

Guest richie
Date of stay 05/15/11
Review Submitted 05/30/11

My wie and i stayed here recently and had a great time. The property was as described, clean and well maintained, has a beautiful garden area and the view from the patio is absolutley stunning. the property is located in a very nice area, close to sunset blvd with good access to the freeway, car recommended. The owners are very friendly and welcoming, if you have any issues or questions they're happy to help. This is more suited to couples on a getaway, not suitable for a larger family with children. Would recommend this property to friends and family.

Recommended for: Romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Owner response: It was our pleasure to have you and your lovely wife with us. We hope to see you again in the future. Sincerely, Atsuko & Gordon

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 17/17

The best thing that could happen to us

Guest Alex
Date of stay 04/22/11
Review Submitted 05/04/11

That was the best accommodation we have ever had. Atsuko and Gordon (and of course Jack) have been so nice, the Guesthouse ist really perfect, the view is unbeatable and we will really miss it. If we fly to Los Angeles again, we hope we can come back. Many Greetings to Atsuko, Gordon and Jack from the German guests Alex and Alex

Recommended for: Romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Owner response: Dear Alex and Alex, It was our pleasure to have you with us, and we already miss you guys! Thank you again and hope to see you in the near future. Sincerely, Atsuko, Gordon & Jack

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 18/18

You don't need to think about... you must book it!

Guest Michele
Date of stay 03/04/11
Review Submitted 05/10/11

Ok, the view is breathtaking; ok, the neighborhood is peaceful; ok, you're in Bel Air, one of the most exclusive district in LA; ok, you have a beautiful swimming pool at your disposal; ok, within 30 minutes you can reach Venice, Santa Monica, Hollywood etc.; ok, the house is as beautiful as the swimming pool... but you know what?! The most beautiful thing about this cottage house is its owners. They're exquisite persons, they're smart persons, they're exemplary landlords... STOP THINKING ABOUT, BOOK THIS DREAM NOW. Today, two months after our stay by Atsuko and Gordon, I sent the following sms to my girlfriend: "I miss Gordon and Atsuko, I miss our beautiful guest house"... don't miss this unique opportunity to... miss them too! Michele & Carlotta, Zürich/Lugano, Switzerland

Recommended for: Romantic getaway

Owner response: Dear Michele & Carlotta, it was our pleasure to have you stayed with us. You guys are so much fun and wonderful people. We truly miss you, too! We hope to see you again in the future. Warm regards from always sunny Los Angeles, Atsuko & Gordon

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 20/20

Highly Recommended

Guest David
Date of stay 02/28/11
Review Submitted 03/10/11

My wife and I took a brief trip to L.A. area for a "babymoon" (last vacation before the arrival of our first baby). We absolutely loved this little cottage! The location is ideal, the area is beautiful, the home and grounds are immaculately maintained, and the hosts wonderful. Highly recommended!

Recommended for: Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Owner response: We love the idea of “babymoon” – what a wonderful way to celebrate the start of your family. Thanks for staying with us and congratulations.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 20/20

Just perfect, really!

Guest Donna
Date of stay 02/12/11
Review Submitted 03/12/11

My husband and I stayed in the Paddison's guest house (studio) for a week in February 2011. It was simply perfect and just as described by the owner and other renters. The view is really the most fantastic part...especially when you wake up in the morning to the sunrise right outside your windows (one whole wall is virtually windows overlooking LA and the valley). The grounds are beautiful and quiet. We had no problems during our stay and will definitely be back! The property is about 5 minutes up a windy road from Sunset Blvd...so the location was great for us as we were visiting the studios, Malibu, the Simi Valley and of course the Hollywood area..so it was very central for our needs. Thant you Atsuko and Gordon!

Recommended for: Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Owner response: It was our pleasure to have you and your husband with us. We hope to see you again in the future. Thank you so much, Atsuko & Gordon

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 21/21

Close to heaven!

Guest Lars & Anneli
Date of stay 01/22/11
Review Submitted 02/13/11

A wonderful place for 2 with an excellent wiew! Watching the sunrise is breathtaking! A perfect combination of close to the city and calm nature.

Recommended for: Romantic getaway

Owner response: It was our pleasure to have you with us. We hope to see you again in the future. Sincerely, Atsuko & Gordon

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 18/18

Memorable

Guest Julie
Date of stay 11/06/10
Review Submitted 11/14/10

We had such a relaxing stay at Gordon and Atsuko's guesthouse. Beyond the beautiful view and surroundings, the discreet yet warm hospitality we received made our stay and trip very memorable. Thank you so much!

Recommended for: Romantic getaway

Owner response: It was our pleasure to have you and Anthony stay with us. Hope to see you again in the future. Sincerely, Atsuko & Gordon

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 19/19

You will enjoy it

Guest Matthias
Date of stay 07/10/10
Review Submitted 08/25/10

Thank you Atsuko and thank you Gordon for the warm welcome and a wonderful stay in your cozy guest house. This guest house is located in the hills of Bel Air, just 5 Minutes away from Sunset Blvd , and i can promise that you will love the quiet and attractive neighbourhood, the refreshing salt water pool, the wonderful balcony with the stunning views of LA, especially the sunrises and sunsets and the wonderful garden. I will definitely come back the next time i visit LA. Thank you.

Recommended for: Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Owner response: Thank you so much Matthias. It was delightful to have you with us. Hope to see you again in the future. Sincerely, Atsuko & Gordon

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 19/19

Excellent Guest House in Bel Air

Guest Mall0ry1
Date of stay 06/27/10
Review Submitted 07/14/10

My husband and I stayed at this stunning guest house at the end of June 2010 during our vacation. In the past I have had good luck with the rentals I have found on VRBO and this rental exceeded my expectations. The guest house is the perfect size and there was a comfortable bed, a private bathroom, mini kitchenette (with fridge, microwave, coffee pot and a sink of course). There is even a private balcony that overlooks the hills of Bel Air. The owners are wonderful and very accommodating. We arrived late on a Sunday evening and Atsuko had croissants for breakfast the next morning for us. They even were thoughtful and placed a few drinks for us in the fridge. Atsuko always responded to my e-mails and phone calls and served as a wonderful host. If we are back in the LA area I would definitely stay here again. Thanks for everything!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Owner response: Thank you so much Mallory. We enjoyed having you and Bryan stay with us.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 21/21

Best Value and View in LA

Guest MsMickey
Date of stay 06/03/10
Review Submitted 06/06/10

I am a visiting professor and stay here every time I am in LA for business. It has the right blend of homey comfort, quiet elegance and pristine cleanliness. The view is stunning from your private patio and the salt water pool revives you at the end of the day. Just stayed here last week and the garden was in full bloom. It is evident that Gordon and Atsuko care deeply about their home and are the perfect welcoming hosts.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 20/20

Guest simon11
Date of stay 04/18/10
Review Submitted 04/18/10

I come to LA often for business, and have stayed at many hotels. i had tired of the whole hotel culture in LA, which is not always about hotel guests.I was fortunate to find the Guest House at Stradella Road, and I have never stayed at a hotel since. It is centrally located, clean, affordable and very quiet. I look forward to my trips to LA primarily because of the guest house at Stradella road. It is surrounded by a beautiful garden, but the greatest feature is the amazing view of LA and the incredible sunrises and sunsets you can experience from the back balcony.I highly recommend the guest house at Stradella road. Enjoy.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 17/17

Guest PJ Loughran
Date of stay 03/12/10
Review Submitted 03/12/10

My wife and I stayed at the guesthouse for a weekend in LA and it was quite romantic. The view of the city at night is beautiful and we loved waking up and having our coffee on the terrace in the morning. It felt like private getaway but we were only 10-15 minutes from Beverly Hills, the Westside and Hollywood.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 16/16

Guest Daniel J Loyd
Date of stay 02/28/10
Review Submitted 02/28/10

I recently stayed here and had a very pleasant experience. The building is very clean and private; perfect for the business meetings I had planned. The property is on a cliff in the Bel Air canyon district, and from the sliding glass door you can see the city spread before you at night. The proximity in the canyons eats up all the noise and you will hear nothing but the wind and your own thoughts. The back patio opens on a garden pathway leading down the canyon and is great for thinking walks. There is a pool in the front, saltwater, that is open for your use, and the hosts are very kind and welcoming. In all, a great experience, close to my meetings, and I will definitely come again.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 17/17

Guest Kyle S.
Date of stay 02/16/10
Review Submitted 02/16/10

If you travel and spend any time in LA, you owe it to yourself to stay at the Guest House on Srtadella Road in Bel Air. Imagine every fantasy you've ever had about having a dream view of LA from the hills. If you stay here, it won't be a fantasy any more. Simply Stunning.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 13/13

Guest Rafi Mohammed
Date of stay 02/16/10
Review Submitted 02/16/10

I live in Boston and came to Los Angeles for meetings with a tight and hectic schedule. The location was convenient to the 405 and I was able to get to meetings all over the city easily (no easy feat in LA). The compound was amazing with flowers and gardens everywhere and the owners of the property were easy going and accommodating.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 18/18

Vacation Rentals by Owner

Bel Air Private Guest House with Stunning View of Los Angeles [#283557] | View Property

Traveler Reviews (45)

Breathtaking Views!!!!

Breathtaking Views!!!!

Second stay!

Second stay!

Great Getaway!!

Great Getaway!!

Fantastic Guest House In Prestigious Bel Air

Fantastic Guest House In Prestigious Bel Air

Perfect :-)

Perfect :-)

Perfect end to our honeymoon

Perfect end to our honeymoon

Perfect Hilltop Hideaway

Perfect Hilltop Hideaway

Hilltop Hideaway Perfection

Hilltop Hideaway Perfection

Wow! This place is ideal.

Wow! This place is ideal.

Here's hoping this wonderful lilttle place remains at least a little bit "undiscovered"!

Here's hoping this wonderful lilttle place remains at least a little bit "undiscovered"!

Heaven

Heaven

The beginning of a wonderful LA experience!

The beginning of a wonderful LA experience!

Perfect View, Accommodations, Location and Hosts!!!!

Perfect View, Accommodations, Location and Hosts!!!!

Outstanding View, Location, Comfort and Hosts!!!!

Outstanding View, Location, Comfort and Hosts!!!!

The most glorious place in Bel Air!

The most glorious place in Bel Air!

A small/comfy Belair property with a superb view!

A small/comfy Belair property with a superb view!

A bit of peace and quiet in bustling Los Angeles

A bit of peace and quiet in bustling Los Angeles

The Getaway

The Getaway

Great Holiday...

Great Holiday...

Pure perfection!

Pure perfection!

The perfect location in Bel Air

The perfect location in Bel Air

sweet, perfect

sweet, perfect

Amazing View!

Amazing View!

Absolutely fantastic!!

Absolutely fantastic!!

LA's beautiful retreat

LA's beautiful retreat

Not what the pictures reflect.

Not what the pictures reflect.

A Little Piece of Paradise

A Little Piece of Paradise

Fabulous location - You will LOVE it!

Fabulous location - You will LOVE it!

Paradise in Bel Air. Should be 6 stars!

Paradise in Bel Air. Should be 6 stars!

June 2011

June 2011

05/15/2011

05/15/2011

The best thing that could happen to us

The best thing that could happen to us

You don't need to think about... you must book it!

You don't need to think about... you must book it!

Highly Recommended

Highly Recommended

Just perfect, really!

Just perfect, really!

Close to heaven!

Close to heaven!

Memorable

Memorable

You will enjoy it

You will enjoy it

Excellent Guest House in Bel Air