We stayed at The Artists' Inn for several weeks in May '04. A lovely English-American couple took over management early in our stay. Location is excellent - a secluded, leafy residential side street only minutes' walk to South Pasadena shops and restaurants. The area is a pleasure to explore on foot. Our room was the Degas Suite, in the Cottage behind the main house - the best room overall. Although light on storage space for long stays, it has a poster bed, jacuzzi, bidet, double vanity bench, dressing table, writing desk, separate lounge area, gas fireplace, mini fridge and tv. Decorated in a light, feminine style, it has its own entrance, and windows looking out to the quiet street and its own rose garden. Complimentary bottled water, port wine, mints and chocolates are nice touches each evening. Afternoon tea is also served in the main house daily, but we were so busy sight-seeing, we never made it. Breakfast is included and is served in the front room of the main house [which is a beautiful pale yellow corner establishment with lovely rose garden]. The food is fresh, homemade and absolutely divine, ranging from bacon and eggs to souffles and omelettes to pancakes. Toast, muffins, yoghurt, cereal, fruit, juices, teas and coffees are available on the side. Off-street parking is available, but management got us a parking permit from the local council [no cost to us] so we could park on the street right outside our door. Rooms in the main house are just as lovely, although smaller than the Degas Suite. Must-see local attractions are JPL, Norton Simon Museum, Caltech, Huntington Gardens and Old Town Pasadena. This place is only a short drive from LA, but a world away. The Artists' Inn also has its own website, with pictures and descriptions of the rooms and amenities. It was like home to us, we loved it - highly recommended.
