The property was beautiful, and the pictures do not do it justice. Everything looked modern and chic and fancy, and there are several pictures of us in mirrors or just using its beautiful scenery. When the manager calls this an "estate" they are not lying.
So location was incredible. While I was not visiting for access to Universal or even Hollywood, but to be near friends, it was so close to those things. It was also just off a freeway and within walking distance to a main-street like strip of restaurants and shops. It is physically near a freeway, so an occasional loud truck or motorcycle would be heard, but I don't mind white noise and in fact it made me feel less worried about any noise from my group bothering a neighbor.
The management gets my most praise. This was, without question, the easiest and most accommodating management for a short-term property rental I've ever worked with. The communication was prompt and responsive at every turn. They were friendly. They took care of everything. I'm used to short-term rentals having giant to-do lists on checkout. Not this one, it was simply "take out food trash--if you don't mind--and lock up." What? "You can even leave dishes in the sink if you have any." I was shocked. Nothing like other places... no "leave linens in a pile on the floor," or worse, no "strip the beds" like at other places... everything was taken care of. I hope I left the property as nice as a I found it, dishes put away and all, but it was amazing to not have that stress that other management puts on you.
There was a minor issue that I just wanted to give the manager heads-up on, and I swear he tried to jump through the phone to come fix on a Sunday. I didn't see it as that big of a deal, so I declined, but he would've done it.
I WILL be renting this property again for my next visit, if it is available. Greg, thank you.