Description Through the Bamboo: Los Angeles

This LA villa is on the edge of Griffith Park, where the city sprawl ends and the hills bearing the famous Hollywood sign and miles of trails begin. If you’re not exploring the Santa Monica mountains, stay home and enjoy your own oasis-like garden where palm fronds rustle above a turquoise swimming pool. Come evening, warm up by the fire pit under the pergola, or with a soak in the built-in spa. Inside, the mahogany kitchen is a dream to cook in, with its brass-finished French cooker and Belfast sink adding a bit of chic. Several seating areas are scattered across the lounge, with squashy leather sofas and a 60s-style stone fireplace for the chillier evenings. The spacious, vaulted bedrooms soothe you into the land of nod and the master comes with a jetted tub set in its marble en-suite. Heading out to the local neighbourhood of Los Feliz, you'll find dozens of restaurants, shops and cafes within a short walk.

Home truths:
* If you choose to heat the pool, there is an additional daily fee

* With the windows and doors open, you can sometimes hear the traffic on Los Feliz Boulevard

* When we visited, the wifi was a bit slow