Lanterns over Santa Monica

Floor-to-ceiling arched windows flood this Mid-Century Modern home with West Hollywood light, and the private treetop balcony – reached through double doors from the living room – makes a compelling case for eating every meal outside. The calm is: a dedicated study-meets-second-bedroom gives you somewhere to retreat, and there's a coffee shop on the ground floor for easy mornings. When you're ready to head out, Santa Monica Boulevard's restaurants are just steps away, the Sunset Strip is a twenty-three-minute walk, and Melrose Avenue's boutiques and vintage shops are twenty-five minutes on foot.

Home truths:
* The apartment is on the third floor of a building with no lift, so you'll be taking the stairs each time you arrive, leave, or carry luggage.
* The second bedroom is the office converted: the sofa opens to a queen bed, so it works well for two guests but is not a traditional bedroom setup.
* If you're travelling with a baby, your host can have a cot ready for your arrival – just request it in advance.
* The coffee shop on the ground floor runs until 10pm, and the building sits on a busy urban street – you can expect some ambient noise in the evenings, so light sleepers may want to factor that in.