The drawbacks are fleas on the large couch that bit my legs and back and the sewage smell.
I was disappointed when I walked in. It's dark and the sulfur smell/sewage of a septic tank is obvious. You get used to it after a while, sort of. My suitcase and clothes had that smell when I got home.
This place is not bad, I just didn't like it. The area is cool, as is the privacy of a commercial area with back alley entrance. It's attached to their business and my first morning sitting on the non-flea smaller couch, happily having coffee and breakfast, I realized their employee bathroom is directly on other side of the door. The overwhelming smell of someone's fresh bowel movement assaulted my nose and halted my morning reverie. So lots of toilet smelling problems here. I purchased an expensive essential oil candle from Whole Foods in Venice that diffused the smell and carried it with me from room to room and bathroom because who wants to smell that for a high daily price (including the v. high cleaning fee).
I also couldn't make it the first night but showed up for the last 2. No help with that. Kind of ridiculously, VR B O did nothing to help me with the date changes or the unmanageability of the sewage smells. They said it was all up to the owner and well, the owner is going to be well aware of this septic tank reek yet he rents it out for $$$ (incl fees & tax). I'm not sure what they have customer service for then.
The bedroom was vacant and uncozy and I couldn't relax enough to sleep there. I slept on couch, and got the itchy bites.
The kitchen is well equipped and there was not really a suitable place to sit and eat but a quick furniture rearrangement fixed that.
The sewage smell is quadruple strong in the morning and less in evening. The landlord was responsive and friendly but after asking for my phone number, never used it so I missed some website messages.
The shower is amazing. Too bad I was in a rush. ..
This will probably be my first and last time using VRBO. Sure would love a refund of the night I didn't stay. The cleaning fee is more than a night's stay there.
