amazing

ACTUAL REVIEWS FROM AIRBNB, FLIP KEY AND HOMEAWAY May 2015 THE BEST LUCK TO FIND THIS JEWEL Wir hatten das große Glück und konnten uns eine Woche lang wie zuhause fühlen! Fotos und Beschreibung sind absolut zutreffend. Die Wohnung ist mit sehr viel Liebe und Geschmack hochwertig eingerichtet, alles was man braucht ist vorhanden. Die Vermieterin sehr herzlich und eine wunderbare Gastgeberin. Sie antwortet auf Mails oder SMS aus Deutschland umgehend (natürlich den Zeitunterschied beachten ;-). Der Garten ein kleines verwunschenes Refugium mit mehreren Sitzplätzen. Die Lage ist zentral und dabei nachts aber ruhig. Mit dem Auto ist man in ein paar Minuten überall - Supermarkt, Fußgängerzone, Ocean-Boulevard, Strand und Santa Monica Pier. Mit einem Fahrrad wäre das auch keine Thema. Wir waren zu zweit dort und empfanden es als perfekt so - es könnte aber noch eine dritte Person im Wohnzimmer auf der Couch schlafen. Ich habe schon viele Ferienhäuser und -Wohnungen gemietet, diese steht dabei ganz weit oben auf der Rangliste. Da ist es verständlich, das wir gerne irgendwann wiederkommen möchten! My Response Claudia, so wonderful to meet you! THANK you for your kind words and I appreciate having it in German. Any referrals should contact me directly! THANKS so much! Dec 5, 2014 We loved the charming apartment! November 6, 2014 The apartment was perfect and the wonderful garden made you feel as if you were in a resort area vs. an urban setting. All the details that the owners thought of added to our comfortable stay. It truly is better than the pictures. Charlotte K. said... Oct 4, 2014 - Great Beautiful Stay! September 19, 2014 . We stayed here on our honeymoon and had a truly lovely time. A beautiful apartment and really made you feel at home. Cara was on holiday but Eric made sure we were comfortable and was always helpful and friendly. Thank you for a lovely place to stay. Perfect for what we needed. Oct 12, 2014 Amazing !! A little paradise ! August 23, 2014 It was my first experience with airbnb and it was perfection !! This place is amazing, Cara is so kind and quick to answer any question. It really felt like home. The secret garden is a little paradise, so beautiful! If you want to cook, the kitchen is perfect, you have everything you need. The bed is wonderful, I want the same in my home !! Very easy parking at the back of the house, so convenient in LA! The location is perfect, near the beach but very quiet and safe at night. There are a lot of shopping, cafe, bar and restaurants without taking the car! Thank you so much Cara, my vacations were perfect thanks to you! I hope to come back soon because there are so many things to do and see ! ....... C etait ma premiere experience avec airbnb et ce fut parfait ! L endroit est superbe, Cara est tres sympathique et rapide pour repondre aux eventuelles questions. Je me suis senti comme a la maison et le jardin secret est un petit paradis ! Si vous voulez cuisiner, l endroit est parfait et tres bien fournit. Le lit est hyper confortable, je veux le meme chez moi!! Le parking est tres facile, a l arriere de la maison, tellement pratique a LA! le quartier est parfait, pres de la plage tout en etant calme et rassurant la nuit. Il y a pleins de shopping, bar, cafe et restaurants dans les environs, sans meme avoir a prendre la voiture! Grace a Cara mon sejour fut parfait et j espere revenir bientot car il y a tellement de choses a voir et a faire dans cette ville ! Gene M. said... Sep 13, 2014 Ceci fut ma première expérience avec Airbnb et je suis vraiment ravie. Cara est une hôte exceptionnelle, très accueillante et accommodante. L'appartement, correspondant parfaitement à la description, est très agréable et confortable. Le jardin est sublime et très reposant. L'appartement est très bien situé dans Santa Monica et à distance raisonnable de la plage et des commerces que nous pouvions rejoindre à pied. La voiture est obligatoire à L.A. et le parking est un véritable plus. Le quartier est résidentiel et très calme ce qui est agréable après une journée de visite dans la région de L.A. Nous avons passé un très bon séjour chez Cara et nous relouerons surement chez elle lors de notre prochain séjour à Santa Monica. From Viuz-en-Sallaz, France · April 2015 Amazingly Beautiful Hideaway!! July 15, 2014 . Words cannot describe just how utterly fantastic this apartment is, and that's even before I mention the breath-taking surrounds. We stayed for 4 nights. Cara met us upon arrival and was the nicest most genuinely helpful person. We were immediately put at ease by the warmth of her welcome. Cara provided a folder of highly useful information about the local area, not to mention her giving us the time to explain where to go and what to do. As you walk up to the apartment you stroll through a beautifully set out, well manicured cottage garden. The smells and vibrant colours, sound of water from the fountain and heavenly inviting seating area greet you on your way up to the apartment. We stayed in the upstairs apartment. My husband is extremely picky when it comes to staying anywhere besides home. He would say he has a very high standard of expectations and I can tell you he was not disappointed. The pictures of the interior cannot give you a true sense of the high quality finish completed by Eric, Cara's husband. Don't be fooled by the pictures, there is ample space for two in the apartment. The bedroom has the most storage space we have ever had, you can fit two large suitcases in the sliding wardrobe along the wall and as many clothes as you can ever wear. This is no mean feat considering my husband and I came to California from Ireland for a three week visit. The bathroom may feel a little compact but it is so well laid out it is not an issue. The shower is powerful and spotless. Cara provides shampoo and shower gel which is a nice touch. The apartment was nice and cool during our stay and not once did we hear a single noise from any of the neighbours, and we had the windows open all the time! We had access to bikes which we used to cycle down to the beach (about a 5 min cycle). There is one parking spot allocated at the rear of the apartment if you cannot park on the street. We loved sitting in the kitchen in the morning eating our breakfast and looking out at the beautiful view of the garden, it was really hard to believe you're in a big city when staying in the apartment. We met Cara a few times during our visit and spent some time chatting to her and we felt like her friend rather than someone we were renting an apartment from. She was always available to text if we had any questions. We met her husband Eric who tends to be around from time to time maintaining the property. A very nice, friendly laid back guy. We will definitely be back! Recommended for: Sightseeing, Romantic Getaway Declan said... Jul 18, 2014 Excellent Apartment July 8, 2014 We stayed 4 nights in July and just wished we could have stayed longer. Cara and Eric were super quick in response to our initial enquiry and the booking process was completed very easily. Prior to arrival we were in contact again and Cara very graciously offered an early check in and gave us all details on arrival, parking and accessing the apartment. In the event both Cara and Eric were there to greet us, Cara very generously provided us with some refreshing drinks and fruit and gave tour of apartment and facilities. This is apartment that you would be very happy and proud to call home, it was very comfortable and spacious, the furniture, fixtures and fittings were high quality, the kitchen had all that was needed, lots of dishes and utensils and fridge, stove and microwave. Bed was super comfortable with lots of closet space. Bathroom was slightly small but great quality, marble tiles and quality taps etc. The garden outside was fantastic and gave a very peaceful and relaxing air to the complex (only 4 units). Overall highly recommended, more space than a hotel room but the quality of many luxury/boutique hotel. Thanks for all your help and suggestions , Fritto Misto is an excellent Italian well worth a visit for great value and tasty meal. concert at the pier a great local experience, boardwalk to Venice beach An Experience. *****Highly, highly recommended. ***** My Response Declan, thank you for the excellent review! We thoroughly enjoyed having the two of you and would be honored to have you again anytime! Wishing one day to find ourselves in your beautiful Ireland ! Best to you both! Frank P. said... Jun 15, 2014 - The Beautiful Cottage April 26, 2014 Note: This review refers to the cottage on the property At the end of April we spent four great weeks in Cara's cottage. It's located in a beautifully landscaped garden and very well equipped. We didn't miss anything in kitchen, bathroom or living room, also Wi-fi is available. The interior is very tastefully decorated with attention to detail. It has a small veranda with direct access to a private garden which leads to the courtyard garden, a wonderful place to start the day with a cup of coffee. The location is also good, you reach Santa Monica Pier within 15 minutes by walking. There are well stocked supermarkets with organic food in the vicinity, perfect for cooking in the fully equipped kitchen. Proprietress Cara is very helpful and friendly without being intrusive. We would come back any time, thank you Cara! My Response So wonderful having you at the cottage! Thanks so much for this beautiful review! Even since you were there we have changed up several things there, including the bathroom vanity. It's such a little jewel this cottage; helps you imagine Santa Monica 100 plus years ago! I hope you both return! Thanks again so very much! Melissa B. said... Nov 18, 2013 - Wonderful stay at the beautiful Secret Garden! We had an amazing time staying here - the Tuscany garden area outside is gorgeous and very well manicured! The apartment itself was also nicely designed and very clean with the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in outside of my house! I was at ease and instantly felt stress melt away - exactly what I needed on a much needed vacation! The location was very quiet and tranquil - perfect. The beach is 12 blocks away, 3rd street promenade is 9 blocks away, very short walk or bike ride away. I have already told my mother about this place and will recommend to all friends and family that choose to enjoy Santa Monica! My Response Hi Melissa! Thanks so much for a beautiful review! It was lovely meeting you and Jordan and I am so happy you enjoyed your stay at our garden property ! ; ) Anonymous said... Oct 8, 2013 - Excellent Accommodation, Beautiful gardens. September 27, 2013 Very peaceful accommodation. Within easy reach of shops, restaurants and walking distance to 3rd street and promenade. The apartments has a very welcoming feel to it and is fully equipped with all your needs. The host is extremely helpful. Zoe B. said... Oct 18, 2013 - Awesome...Loved Every Minute!!! September 19, 2013 Cara's apartment is absolutely beautiful, the perfect place for a quiet and romantic getaway! It is at the back of a stunning central garden that can be accessed by guests. There is off street parking which is super convenient and the apartment itself is furnished beautifully. It's a few short blocks, 9 perhaps, to the center of downtown and about 12 blocks from the beach and the famous Santa Monica pier but you may choose to drive/taxi for the evening time, (or bike) and even then it is only a $5 - $10 taxi ride. Some amazing restaurants nearby and, generally a great buzz about the place. Cara herself is a delight! She met us onsite to exchange the keys and give us a tour and a run down of everything we needed to know, she even had some drinks chilling in the fridge for us!! Everything was simple and easy with great communication all along the way. I would absolutely recommend Cara's apartment and if I am ever in the area again would definitely return. Thank you, Cara, for your amazing hospitality! Cecilia (Brazil) said... Sep 21, 2013 - Three wonderful weeks... September 1, 2013 We had a great time in Cara's house. The place is so cute, the bed is so comfortable, the kitchen is complete and Cara is a wonderful host! There is a beautiful garden where I spent my time just enjoying the flowers. We had four very good weeks there! First time with AIRBNB I'd never used a service like AirBnB before, so at first I was a little bit concerned that my experience at Cara's place would lack the professional touches provided by a hotel. What I realized the moment I crossed the threshhold was that this was far better than a hotel. I felt instantly comfortable because of the home-like environment. The place was exactly as advertised--clean, quiet and convenient to everything I wanted to see in Santa Monica. The gorgeous garden was a huge plus. My local family members who visited were very impressed. I'd definitely recommend this place and would stay there again the next time I'm in Santa Monica. From Waltham, MA · April 2015 I cannot say enough about Cara and what a warm welcome I received! From the moment I walked through the beautiful garden and was greeted by her cheerful smile and gracious presence, I felt at home! She and her husband have created a very charming and special place tucked away in a quiet neighborhood only a few blocks from the ocean. Cara was so generous with her time in sharing with me her favorite places to check out in Santa Monica. From Newburyport, MA · March 2015 Perfect Location We had such a wonderful stay in Cara's beautiful house in Santa Monica! Cara was so welcoming when we arrived, gave us some great tips about the area and made us comfortable and excited for our stay! Her apartment was gorgeous, clean and in a perfect location - a 10 minute walk to trendy restaurants, shopping, the grocery store and the beach/pier. We can't wait to return to Santa Monica and hopefully stay in this beautiful little oasis! Alexa February 2015 Absolute Haven We had a great time visiting Santa Monica and this apartment overlooked Cara's garden bursting with flowers, herbs and birds. It was in a good location for walking to the beach and shops and the king size bed put our bed at home to shame. We will be back! This is a fantastic place to stay in Santa Monica. It's convenient as it's a short walk to the pier, close to a supermarket but comes with a parking space so makes it a great place to use as a base to explore LA. The apartment was even nicer than the pictures and an absolute haven - especially the garden! The kitchen is well equipped so it's perfect if you want a rest from eating out. Cara is a great host and goes out of her way to make sure you have everything you need. I would definitely recommend this place to friends visiting California! Katherine Professional and Cozy Our stay in Santa Monica was excellent and Cara made sure we were able to enjoy it to the fullest. The neat apartment is really close to the beach and many interesting locations can be reached very quickly. The documentation Cara provided also contained many tips on activities, restaurants etc. The place really is as beautiful as depicted on the photos with an amazing garden. Janice Oasis in the City We had the most amazing time at the secret garden cottage, it just felt like home even though that is thousands of miles away!! The garden is an oasis and the rooms are beautifully decorated. It's not often you visit somewhere and the reality is BETTER than the photos! The cottage is just a 10 minute walk to the beach and there are loads of restaurants within a 5 min walk. Cara herself greeted us when we arrived and she was lovely and emailed us to check we were ok and happy with the apartment, so sweet. Without a doubt, worth every penny and we would love to stay again. Alex Response from Cara: You two are wonderful!! Thanks so much! And I am sooo happy you enjoyed!!! Best to you! Cara ; ) A Jewel! We are so happy we found Cara´s apt and her secret garden – it´s a jewel! It´s very stylish, calm and clean and everything you need for a stay is available, such as toilet paper, different kinds of hairdryers, iron and even fully equipped kitchen, spices included! The king size bed is very comfortable and there are plenty of wardrobes and storage places. We were only two adults, but there is an extra bed/sofa in the living room – not as luxurious as the one in the bedroom though. We especially appreciated the amazing, well-designed Tuscan garden – we had every breakfast and some dinners there and really enjoyed the peacefulness and the relaxed atmosphere. The location is perfect; you can walk to 3rd St Promenade and all the shops and restaurants around, the pier and the beaches. We had some long, lovely morning walks and on our way back home we had cappuccino at Starbucks or Coffee Bean… Yum! Cara herself is very friendly and helpful and a perfect host. She was immediately ready to help if we needed anything, but let us be undisturbed as much as we wanted. If you want you can meet very nice neighbors in the garden, but you can also enjoy it all by yourself if you want. So, if you are looking for an oasis in the big city this is the right place! Maria Response from Cara: As you know, we loved having you! Thank you for the lovely review!!! FROM FRANCE It was my first experience with airbnb and it was perfection !! This place is amazing, Cara is so kind and quick to answer any question. It really felt like home. The secret garden is a little paradise, so beautiful! If you want to cook, the kitchen is perfect, you have everything you need. The bed is wonderful, I want the same in my home !! Very easy parking at the back of the house, so convenient in LA! The location is perfect, near the beach but very quiet and safe at night. There are a lot of shopping, cafe, bar and restaurants without taking the car! Thank you so much Cara, my vacations were perfect thanks to you! I hope to come back soon because there are so many things to do and see ! ....... C etait ma premiere experience avec airbnb et ce fut parfait ! L endroit est superbe, Cara est tres sympathique et rapide pour repondre aux eventuelles questions. Je me suis senti comme a la maison et le jardin secret est un petit paradis ! Si vous voulez cuisiner, l endroit est parfait et tres bien fournit. Le lit est hyper confortable, je veux le meme chez moi!! Le parking est tres facile, a l arriere de la maison, tellement pratique a LA! le quartier est parfait, pres de la plage tout en etant calme et rassurant la nuit. Il y a pleins de shopping, bar, cafe et restaurants dans les environs, sans meme avoir a prendre la voiture! Grace a Cara mon sejour fut parfait et j espere revenir bientot car il y a tellement de choses a voir et a faire dans cette ville ! Response from Cara: Anthony you were a super guest and such a delightful person !! I ! thank you for all! The chocolates were so good my husband had to take them away from me!! Please come back soon because as you know I was on my vacation and I would really like to meet you in person! I so appreciate everything!!! Merci !!! Xxx Perfect for my Parents LOVED Cara's beautiful apartment in Santa Monica. She hosted my parents and they were both thrilled with their first AirBNB experience. When I dropped by, the apartment was very clean and nestled in the most lovely garden. My parents emphasized that they would love to stay again in the future. Thank you for providing them with such a wonderful experience! Response from Cara: Thanks so much, Britt! Loved having you all and would truly appreciate a return visit. Best to you all! Cara Gorgeous Garden The garden was beautiful and we enjoyed spending time there most mornings. The birding was great with lots of hummingbirds. The rooms were well appointed and supplied with most everything we needed. The keyless entry was very convenient. Cara was a most pleasant and helpful hostess. She responded immediately to any questions or requests. And most important of all, the bed was comfortable. June Extra Lovely Place to Stay Cara's apartment was really lovely - clean, bright, airy and comfortable, with a very pretty garden. Everything that we needed was provided, even beach towels. Arrival & departure were very easy due to the keypad lock on the door, but we did get to meet Cara on our arrival to show us a few things. There was parking for what Cara calls a 'small' car. It was an easy 15-20 min walk to the 3rd street promenade (a lovely shopping area) and on to the beach. For Jewish visitors, like ourselves who stayed there for the holidays, the apartment is two blocks from the Chabad so very conveniently located. Response from Cara: Hi Julia! Lovely to meet you and your husband! So happy all worked out for you! Three nights just doesn't seem to be enough time to enjoy our Santa Monica but it sounds like you covered a lot of territory. Thanks so much for staying and we hope you can come again! ; ) Super Place to Stay Hi Cara. Glad we stayed at your cottage. Loved the garden, your taste in décor and that it was well stocked with the essentials. You were an attentive host. Thanks. Response from Cara: Oh Vic, Loved meeting you and Grace! So happy you enjoyed the garden with your cousin and her daughter for an al fresco dinner! That makes me very happy to know you loved your time there! ; ) From Australia Cara's apartment is absolutely beautiful, the perfect place for a quiet and romantic getaway!! It is one of five apartments in a small quadrangle with a stunning central garden that can be accessed y guests. There is off street parking at the rear which is super convenient and the apartment itself is furnished beautifully. Its an 12 block walk to the beach and famous Santa Monica pier but you may choose to drive/taxi of an evening time - still, its only $5-10 ride.Some amazing restaurants nearby and, generally,a great buzz around the place. Cara herself is a delight! She met us onsite to exchange the keys and give us a tour and run down of everything we needed to know... she even had some drinks chilling in the fridge for us!! The entire experience was simple and quick with great communication the whole way along. I would absolutely recommend Cara's apartment and if I am ever in the area again would definitely return. Thank you Cara for your amazing hospitality!! Response from Cara: What a beautiful review! Thank you so much, Zoe. You were both delightful. Just wanted to make a note that the unit number is four; a small house, a cottage, and then the two at the back. So happy you enjoyed Santa Monica and the weather was so lovely while you were. Please come stay again! and hi to Melbourne! ; )