We stayed for nine days at Villa Sophia and hugely enjoyed ourselves.  The accommodation is accurately described on Tim's website, the view of downtown la is great and the pool is terrific (you won't need to heat it at this time of year).  The kitchenette is well equipped for coffee, breakfast and light meals, but there's no stovetop or full oven, so you'll be eating out quite a bit.  Fortunately, the local neighbourhood of Los Feliz (nearby, but you'll need a car) is full of good and reasonably priced restaurants.  We liked the diner at Fred 52 for breakfast and Purans for dinner.

There's also an excellent wash'n'fold laundry in Los Feliz which you may need if you stay for any length of time.  There's no washing machine in the apartment.

Villa Sophia is within comfortable driving distance of just about anything you might want to do in la - if you can tear yourself away from the pool!

As a host, Tim gets it just right.  He's friendly and helpful- but never intrudes.

Everything about our stay at the villa was perfection.  The location's terrific, the views are unbeatable, and Tim (along with friendly pets Sophie and Mittens) is a wonderful host.  The pool and villa are every bit as beautiful as the pictures suggest.  Perfect stay for an independent couple looking to enjoy LA and relax in a private, gorgeous environment.  Highly recommended!

A unique Tuscany Retreat that should be experienced.  Perfect intimate retreat for a couple and have recommended as such to many friends.

Everything about Villa Sophia is first class.  Tim is a great host and he really did think of everything to make his guests comfortable.  The linens, beautiful lighting, fantastic spa shower and of course the pool and terrace were simply luxurious.  My husband had music playing constantly throughout the villa with the first class sound system.  Although not a full kitchen, we had everything there we needed but the stove , and who wants to cook on vacation anyway?

The views are gorgeous and I must admit, having a private pool and hot tub was just awesome!

We love the Los Feliz area and we were minutes by car from grocery,restaurants and our son! I know we'll be back.  Tim, his adorable dog, Sophie and his cat Mittens made us feel very welcome.

After seeing the amazing pictures online, I decided that this was the perfect place to propose to my girlfriend of 6 years.  She was absolutely stunned and speechless when she saw Villa Sophia.  We felt like we were standing in Italy and looking at a picturesque view of downtown la at the same time.  It was truly a surreal feeling.  We were only able to stay one night, but we made the best of it by making enough espressos to keep us up all night.  At 6am we sat in the hot tub and watched the sun come up over the mountains.  The intricate décor and abundance of amenities made Villa Sophia the perfect place for an unforgettable proposal.  Thanks Tim for accommodating us and we look forward to coming back soon!

We were lucky enough to stay in the pool house for a portion of our honeymoon.  While there, we spent our days hanging by the pool and touring the many sights.  The location is so convenient, everything is close by! The pool house itself was comfortable, relaxing and absolutely perfect for us! We spent every sunny opportunity we could just relaxing by our pool enjoying the incredible surroundings.  Tim was the perfect host, and made us feel right at home.  We feel so lucky to have found this place, and can't wait to return again!

Villa Sophia was a wonderful place to stay and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a quality and different experience in the Los Angeles area.  Our host Tim Vlahos has put a lot of care into the building of the guest house and pool with quality items throughout.  With a sweeping view of the downtown LA skyline, the guest house is peaceful and quiet and close to all the restaurants, botiques and stores of Los Feliz village.  This is the first time I've stayed in the Los Feliz area and I found it to be quite convenient for many reasons - close to the Burbank airport, and close to downtown so that getting to various places was fairly efficient considering the traffic in the LA basin.  The pool and hot tub are first class, and it was wonderful to soak in the hot tub after a concert at the Music Center.  The spa bathroom with the steam shower was a frequent and pleasant indulgence.  Tim was a wonderful host, and Sophie the dog became an instant pal.  I felt as though I had discovered Shangri-la in LA, and I hope to return many times in the future.  

Villa Sophia has been the heavenly hideaway in the hills I wished for!

Thank you so much Tim and Sophie for your attention to detail, your understanding of comfort and all the wonderful times...

Loved the heated pool, the steam, the tv, the Nespresso..hahaha

I will miss that bed..soo comfortable..I got lost!!

So much love and gratitude,
Sonia

I have stayed at Villa Sophia two times and each time it was completely luxurious and relaxing to the point of being healing.  The pool house is totally deluxe from the huge marble steam shower to the stone fire place.  The Tuscan villa setting can not be surpassed.  There are hotel rooms in LA that cost over 1,500 that do not provide this level of privacy, location and fantastic amenities.  I didn't even need to leave to get a cappuccino because there's a top of the line Nespresso machine.  I also enjoyed having a yoga mat, pool weights, pilates ring and weights.  Essentially, there's a make shift gym.  I would get up in the morning, have a cappuccino and practice yoga looking over the charming hillside of Los Feliz before heading off to meetings.  There are simply too many reasons to choose this place if you are after a totally peaceful, deluxe, spa-like experience.In addition, Tim (owner of the property) is very professional, polite and helpful.I highly recommend Villa Sophia and would not even think of staying anywhere else in LA.

Hard to describe what an amazing time this was.  One of the most romantic places my wife and I have ever been to and quite honestly, the most peaceful.  Tim is an amazing host and had the placed stocked with everything we needed for a convenient stay.  The view was fabulous, the pool temperature was perfect - and he's built just about the greatest shower/steam room imaginable.  Can't wait to come back.

“Beauty, romance, privacy.  Villa Sophia is a little bit of Tuscany in the heart of Los Angeles.  You come down from the quiet of the garden aerie and you are in the midst of an exciting, glamorous city.  It's the best of both worlds.”

Villa Sophia is exactly as described and more.  It has every amenity and comfort, as well as extraordinary views.  It is quite easy to get to everything, with a lovely neighborhood + shops and restaurants quite close by.  Griffith Park is practically next door, with its amazing trails as well as the Observatory itself.  The owner is charming and helpful, and definitely respects your privacy.  The property was beautifully designed, immaculately clean and very well maintained.  The pool and hot tub (as well as the enormous shower) are delightful.  One does need a car, not surprising in LA.  We were there for some work related meetings, but also enjoyed visits to the Hammer Museum, the Museum of Jurassic Technology, the Machine Project and Griffith Park.  We also liked having lunch at the Trails Cafe in Griffith Park, brunch at Grub and dinner at Lou (fabulous wine) and the Edendale Grill.  Villa Sophia is a special haven - we will definitely return, and have already recommended it to several close friends.

My stay here was really quite amazing! Everything about this place is top notch! Tim and Sophie made me feel right at home! Will definitely be back for more sun and relaxation!

What a wonderful experience! Tim and his lovely dog, Sophie, are great hosts and Villa Sophia is a real treat.  We enjoyed how easy it was to walk to Griffith Park and Los Feliz and how incredible our stay was up on top of the world.  

Nestled in the hills of Griffith Park with sweeping views of Los Angeles, this breathtaking Villa transcends both world and era.  Property owner, Tim, finds the perfect balance between being unobtrusive and accommodating.  The guest quarters is spacious and clean with the ammenities of a 5 star luxury hotel for a fraction of the cost.  I highly recommend staying here or treating out of towners to a perfect getaway.

Exceptional.  A short review does not do justice to this unique & special place.  We had originally planned to stay 1 week, we loved it so much we begged to stay on until the next guests arrived.  Tim is a great host ( & lets not forget Sophie) We felt at home & relaxed from the moment we entered this oasis.  The beautiful guest house is completely private with stunning views of LA.  It is very peaceful, from morning coffee on the terrace to sunset drinks after lazing in the pool.  A National Park on the doorstep yet easy access to the LA hotspots - if you can tear yourself away - you will not be disappointed, this is a rare find indeed.

It doesn't get better than this in Los Angeles.  I am well traveled at some of the world's nicest 5 star resorts, and this place is unbelievable.  The steam shower rivals the soothing swimming pool and spa with incredible views.  These pictures don't do justice to the views seen from the actual pool house itself.  We had an amazing stay and the owner was very accommodating.  Please feel free to contact me for a reference.

Until now I have stayed at Chateau Marmont Hotel when visiting Los Angeles but this is way more private and luxurious.  It's like being in your own villa with your own huge pool, amazing garden and stunning view.  For me.  it's a better alternative than any top of the line hotel suite.  It's very tranquil, quiet and peaceful...  Sunny too! The furnishings are gorgeous.  For me this is the answer to never staying at a hotel in LA again!

The Villa Sophia was absolutely amazing! It was a perfect secluded romantic getaway.  There's nobody around to disturb you and the view is breathtaking.  It was very luxurious we would start off our day by using the steam room then have our morning coffee by the pool and fill our eyes with the relaxing view.  We would go site seeing and could not wait to return and relax by the pool again.  At night, the lights of the city looked like twinkling stars.  I can't wait to return to Los Angeles to stay at the Villa Sophia.  I highly recommend The Villa Sophia you will not be disappointed.

Thank you Tim, we had an amazing stay at Villa Sophia.  The steam room and surround sound HDTV were especially nice touches.  Everything was perfect, we hope to return soon!

In the past I have always stayed at the Langham Hotel in Pasadena.  This rental is a lot more comfortable, spacious , private , and luxurious than most five star hotels.  Tim made us feel right at home and met us upon our arrival.  Spectacular views of Los Angeles.  Hopefully, this rental will be available the next time I'm in Los Angeles!!!!!!!!!!

My husband and I stayed at the Villa Sophia to celebrate my 30th birthday in November 2009.  It is a birthday that I will never forget.  The amazing views of downtown LA from the backyard are just unforgettable.  You will feel like you have reached celebrity status in this posh home away from home.  You might even get lucky enough to spot a celeb or two roaming around town like we did!! I hope we have the chance to visit again! Definitely a place that you will never forget!!

This is an outstanding find!I would highly recommend it to anyone.  We had the perfect spot when visiting our daughter,and ordered in most evenings so we all could enjoy the pool and the incredible vistas!5 stars easily.  We will definitely return.

Beautiful place and very quiet and peaceful.  The owner leaves you alone to your privacy.  The place is very comfortable and the steam room was an added bonus.  I would recommend the place highly.  Well worth the money.  

My husband & I stayed here for 4 nights at the end of our 2 week vacation in California.  Villa Sol is fabulous! Luxury & comfort in abundance from the welcoming wine & chocolate, through sumptuous bathrobes to the L'Occitane products provided in the spa/shower/steam room.  The bed was the most comfortable I'd slept in throughout our travels.  The exterior photos provided are exactly representational but the internal photos do not do justice to the decor & fittings which are far superior in reality.  The neighborhood of Los Feliz is great, with lovely bistros/restaurants & grocery stores all nearby.  Views from the property are spectacular with Downtown in the distance.  The natural light flooding the pool house all day, is a therapy in itself and when the sun disappears over the main property in the early evening, a new light-show begins with the streets/houses coming alive in the surrounding valleys.  The owner, Tim, with his dog Sophie and cat Mittens, are perfect hosts.  I cannot wait to return to this oasis in the heart of Los Angeles.

Our stay here was a great experience.  Not only was the pool house comfortable and well-equipped, but the views are breathtaking, both by day and by night.  The location is close to everything, but once you are inside the gates, you do feel like you have left the city for a beautiful resort.  We visit Los Angeles often,and hope to make this our regular stop.

We took this trip to celebrate our 2nd Wedding Anniversary and our stay could have not been more wonderful.  This is the place to stay and enjoy L.A., from drinking your coffee in the morning to a beautiful view of the city and the hills or enjoying the hot tub at night with a glass of wine.  …and of course Tim is just great.

Absolutely stunning! My wife and I stayed at this property for a long weekend.  We could not have been more satisfied.  The owner is very welcoming and hospitable.  The property, well the pictures speak for themselves.  The guest house is amazing, the view, the pool...words can't describe how satisfied we were.  Thanks again Tim!!!

The pictures in VRBO correctly portray this beautiful property.  The guest suite, the pool, and the vistas are basically unmatched.  In staying at Tim's property, you'll feel like you're living the life of a movie star (or at least the guest of one).  Enjoy!!

After searching all over the greater Los Angeles area, I am confident that you cannot find a hotel or vacation rental that beats the price and quality experience offered by the "Luxury Italian Hilltop Retreat".  The place offers everything you could want from a weekend away: breath-taking view of the entire city, comfortable common area with fire place and premier entertainment system, heated jacuzzi, custom marble steam room/shower...all to yourself (unlike at a hotel or resort).  It felt like we had the whole estate to ourselves! It was very easy to make arrangements and the owner kindly accommodated to our unique needs.  I give high recommendations to anyone interested in staying at the "Luxury Italian Hilltop Retreat".  There is undoubtedly no place like it in LA!