The Bissell House

Everything was lovely inc. the bed and linens and bath products. I was surprised to find a full house at the breakfast table since it was so quiet and I slept so well...i didn't know there were other guests. Location is very convenient to many attractions. We are already going back!

Thank you Bissell House for being such a great place for my daughter to recuperate after a surgical procedure at a nearby hospital. Janet and the staff were so kind to make sure she was comfortable and attentive in case she needed anything. She slept like a baby and commented that it was so wonderful to snuggle into the wonderfully soft down comforters and pillows. It was such a relief for me to know that she was being "mothered" by someone as I was not able to be there for her. Thanks Everyone!!

The Bissell House is a lovely property. The room was very nice, but had a leaky faucet in the tub/shower. We enjoyed a delicious chocolate cake and tea the afternoon we arrived. The sitting room was very inviting. Breakfast was served in the sunny dining room. Both the service and the food were very good. The only complaint that we had about our stay was our arrival. We were met outside the property by two women. They were not overly friendly. They asked us which room we had reserved. We had booked the room a few months earlier and didn't remember. They explained the house rules to us, but totally lacked the warmth that we are used to when staying at a b and b. Overall we would give the Bissell House 3.5.

Beautifully decorated for Christmas! It is complete with gorgeous antiques, especially the sitting room and dining room. The Morning Glory room we stayed in was superbly decorated and the claw foot tub was quaint. The bath robes felt so rich, comfortable and soft. The bed was just the right comfort and firmness. The service was very helpful and food delicious. I highly recommend this B&B.

Extraordinary Victorian detail, a true home. Ron's breakfasts were simply divine and he's a wonderful conversationalist. Not all new and shiny like a modern resort, but comfortable and filled with antiques.

We had an incredible stay at the Bissell House ... our room was quiet, spacious, a lovely blue and white with lace curtains, and oh so comfortable and warm at night. We were surprised to have the most wonderful egg dish for breakfast, the second time on request, as well as juice, warm rolls and best of all hot tea any time of day. Do stay! We hope to again and again.

The first day of our four day stay was totally rainy - so we sat before the fire, read, sipped tea, and thoroughly enjoyed not having to do anything. At breakfast, Ron gave us lots of neighborhood history and activity suggestions - welcome and useful. The bed in the English Holiday Room is the most comfortable I've ever slept in. Chairs and desk were entirely appropriate for reading and working on our computers. The living room is furnished with really comfortable chairs and sofas, plus a grand piano. Coffee, chocolate, and tea makings are available all day. The owner also recommended a fine tea room which we walked to. Would we go back to the Bissell House? Absolutely. Any time. Emily & Raymond

They made us feel like we were family coming in for a visit. We were greeted at the door by name. The room was just as expected. I'm going to find a reason to go back. Perhaps I don't need a reason. :)

The hostess of Biseel House, the rooms, the architecture - I couldn't have asked for anything more. The bed was very comfortable, I loved the tea and excellent deserts set up in the parlor, I plan on coming back soon!

We made a double reservation with another family with young children. Our dietary commitment to organic food was honored, and we were served an incredible pain perdu with organic ingredients, even organic berries!! This is next to impossible to find anywhere, so we were thrilled. The rooms were beautiful and well-appointed with period furniture. We stayed in the Garden Room, and it was quite spacious, with a lovely bathroom, sitting area and big, comfy bed. More than enough room for my husband, our toddler, and myself. The common areas are charming, comfortable and welcoming. The library is a cozy spot to read and relax with a book about local attractions. All in all, a wonderful stay that we will be pleased to repeat! Sabrina

Our stay at the Bissell House B&B was excellent. We have stayed at may fine establishments and it met our expectations in every way. I especially enjoyed the evenings down stairs reading by the cozy fire place. The conversations over breakfast with others staying in the house were especially interesting.

very charming, low-key, authentic, with a lived in charm. The breaksfast was excellent, check in and check out were simple. Lots of nooks and crannies. Good location to get to local museums, shops, etc. Highly recommended.

Lovely house, gracious staff, and excellent breakfast. Delightful stay and we would definitely return.

- Friendly hosts who provide a lot of information about the region - Splendid local breakfast! - Rooms are small but cosy

From arrival to departure, our stay at Bissell House was exceptional. We were warmly greeted and given a brief history and tour of the home and grounds. The room was comfortable and very quiet even though the house was fully booked. Breakfast was superb, the chef friendly and was a wealth of knowledge of the local sites. The seasonal decorations (Halloween) were wonderful. We loved every minute of our stay. We'll be back!!

We really enjoyed our stay. The Bissell house is well situated, cozy and comfortable. The staff is friendly and accommodating. It's like staying at a friend's home without having to pitch in to help. We would definitely pick this place to stay another time when in the area.

beautiful setting with very friendly staff excellent location A great experience!!!

We stayed at the Bissell House for 3 days while attending my Dad's memorial service in Pasadena. The Inn keepers allowed us to bring our extended family over for a gathering after the service and were just so nice and welcoming. We've stayed in numerous B&B,s but I believe this will always stand out as my favorite experience.

My daughter and I loved everything about the Bissell House, from the warm greeting Hello, to the clean and beautifully appointed rooms. We loved the attention to detail and the food was delicious.

We recently stayed here for one night as a romantic getaway. Such a great experience! Our room, the garden suite, was very clean and spacious. The bed was super comfy, and I slept very well. Carrie went out of her way to meet all of our needs, including arranging for us to have the beautiful breakfast delivered to our room! Very easy going vibe - several guests were hanging out and enjoying afternoon tea (and brownies) when we arrived. Highly recommend staying here!!! :)

My family and I truly enjoyed every aspect of The Bissell House. The staff was wonderfully friendly, helpful and effective. The accommodations and food were perfect. I highly recommend this jewel in South Pasadena. By the way, it is a beautiful walk to nearby shops and restaurants.

We spent our wedding weekend at the Bissell House. We loved the Prince Albert Room, enjoyed the breakfast immensely and appreciated everything that the staff did to make our weekend special for us. The late night snack on our wedding night was really thoughtful. We look forward to coming to the Bissell House again and would highly recommend it to our friends and family.

From the moment we arrived, we were surrounded by elegance and grace. The 1887 Victorian home & grounds have been restored with obvious love and charm yet keep the needs of the visitor in mind. Our room was more than accommodating with comfortable furniture, adequate storage, and a comfortable, luxuriant bed. The breakfasts featured various fresh fruits and vegetables and were delicious as well as healthy. The beautiful antiques throughout the entire house and the afternoon desserts were an unexpected treasure. We will definitely stay here again when we visit this area!

The Bissell House is a lovely home. It is decorated beautifully and the grounds are lovely and in bloom in mid October. Both an early breakfast for those who have an early flight or appointment and a sit down breakfast at 8:30 are offered. The house is well cared for and our room was clean and fresh. We'll stay there again and next time we'll bring our bathing suits.

Was a really charming, cute and beautiful place. It is on a busy street so it wasn't that quite and the outside Jacuzzi was not functioning. Breakfast was pain pardue and fruit was Ok but for what you pay just because Einstein ate dinner there once is a little bit much. I did have a good time because I was with some great friends and the place is beautiful.

Have already booked our next stay. Great place with fantastic hosts!!!

What a lovely home! The location was terrific -- easy to get to the 110 fwy and Pasadena. Yummy breakfast made by a CAI graduate. Rooms are beautiful. Lovely pool and deck in back yard.

Great value in the middle of the Los Angeles area. Beautiful neighborhood.

Beautiful location, beautiful facility, beautiful, charming and helpful hostesses and great breakfasts. We'll be back.

The property is on a corner lot next to two busy streets thus quite noisy, especially during the day. A "noise maker" is provided so you can listen to rain, the ocean, a waterfall, etc. rather than street noise. That was a NICE touch!

Location and convenience made the Bissell House a good choice for me. They were very hospitable, the house is beautiful, and it was just a half-hour drive for me to get to LAX. Thanks!

The Bissell House met our expectations in most ways, probably because we had been looking forward to our stay for several months and had read all the reviews very carefully. It's a lovely place to stay. We had two rooms - the Master Suite for us and Victoria's Room for our daughter. The Master Suite is very comfortable and has plenty of space; the attached bathroom with double-headed shower is also well appointed and was a pleasure to use - the only (minor) letdown was that the tap in one of the sinks did not work. When I drew this to the innkeeper's attention, there was no concern or apology, just a brief "Oh, that doesn't work." It wasn't a big deal, so I left it at that. Some other posters have said that Victoria's room is small: well, it is on the small side, but it is exactly as described on the website, and our daughter was certainly over the moon about it and extremely comfortable in there. I do have to say, we were a little disappointed in the breakfasts, which had received such wonderful reviews elsewhere. We were served eggs on the first day and, whilst these were really good, my wife does not eat eggs and had to make do with something less substantial. The owners were apologetic and pointed out that we should have let them know about this. I would have done this, had I not gained the impression from all the reviews that the breakfasts were extensive and that there would be some kind of choice. Certainly, at every other B&B we have stayed in in the US there has always been a choice at breakfast. So, we did feel let down by the breakfast. The owners were extremely welcoming and helpful, and I certainly would not let any of the above put me off staying at Bissell House again. Overall, our stay was comfortable and good value for money, and I would recommend this place to pretty much anyone.

Lovely area. Grand house. Not enough presence of innkeeping staff.

The innkeepers were very helpful in making recommendations and reservations.

This is a very fun place to stay. I will definitely be recommending it to my friends!

When I travel alone for business, it is so nice to come "home" after a busy day on the LA freeways. The Bissell House has been a wonderful home away from home for me for the past 2 years. The yard and gardens are lovely, and I enjoy the pool area. Breakfasts are delicious and the company is always enjoyable. It is well located near a freeway exit to the 110. I highly recommend it whether for business or pleasure.

This was our first experience with a BEDandBREAKFAST, and I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable and restful the stay was. The Innkeeper(s) & staff were friendly and curtious, and check in and check out was effertless. My wife and I spent 8 nights at the Bissell House while visiting friends and relatives in the Pasadena area. The Bissell House is located in a very beautiful area of Pasadena and a short drive to just about every attraction in town. The rooms were spacious and beds very comfy. Even though we ate breakfast every morning for 7 days in row, they were veried sufficiently and tasted great. We will definitley return to the Bissell House when we visit Pasadena in the future.

My son and I stayed at the Bissell House. It is attractively decorated, hosts are comfortable, breakfast was tasty.

The Bissell House was a treat for me. It is like stepping back in time to the 19th century and having little elves do maintenance and cleaning and serving all in in invisible way. The house is full of history, and the staff is so respectful of privacy that you hardly ever see them. The stuff just gets done somehow. If you are looking for quiet, this is the place for you:)

Staff is accomodating & freindly, the new breakfast cook is outstanding... no more "Bed & Bun", she does a wonderful & thoughtful job on breakfast. The ambience is always great and the location is perfect.

--that's why we can't say it exceeded our expectations, but met our already high expectations. I always think I'll use the pool, but end up lazily enjoyed the big porch instead, knitting or reading. Our bed in English Holiday was supercomfortable, and the room was spacious and pleasant. The location is wonderful. As well as seeing family who live nearby, we visited the Huntington Library and the Norton Simon Museum.

We were visiting LA for the first time and thought to stay at an Inn instead of a local hotel. The Inn was very nice and located on a quiet street, yet close enough to a highway (w/o noise) so travel to/from LA was convenient. The rooms were comfortable and the grounds were nice, especially for young kids needing to run around and exert energy. The person greeting us upon arrival was not as knowledgeable about the local area as we expected, but was able to provide us some answers after a quick search on the computer. Breakfasts were nice, although our young kids would have preferred something "less fancy." Overall, we had a pleasant stay and the Inn met our expectations.

Pleasant place to sit around-enjoyed the evening dessert and talking to other guests-a friendly feel.

We stayed one night in Victoria's Room. The room was smaller than we expected. It was difficult getting into or out of bed from either side, with the bed placement in a very narrow nook. The solarium was also smaller than it seemed in the picture, although it did conveniently house our luggage. We had just a bit of difficulty with the small bathroom, especially the sink area with the narrow step-up which we both fell off backwards at least once. The shower was nice. The place was clean and I enjoyed the breakfast--my husband thought it was too rich!

[Resource Id: innkeeperresponse, Set: reviews]
Thank you for taking the time to review your stay in our Victoria Room. Although we go out of our way to advertise this as being a small room in the room description on our website and certainly also by phone, we are very sorry to learn that you had difficulty using the step up to the sink in the bathroom and/or porch which resulted in your "falling backward". The reader may be fascinated to know that this room was the former laundry room of Anna Bissell McKay, the vacuum heiress who occupied the home for 50 years. The bathroom was the laundry dumbwaiter. In keeping with the historic value and uniqueness of the house, we thought it best not to re-engineer the room. Again, we are very sorry it was smaller than you had expected. We hope you won't hold it against us and give a larger room a try the next time around. For future reference, none of the other rooms have steps in the bedroom or bathroom and may be more suitable for guests who prefer more space in general or who may have ambulatory concerns.

- Janet Hoyman (innkeeper/owner)

I recently spent 2 nights at the Bissell House B & B and was very pleased with the accommodations. The bed was comfortable and the food was great! The house is beautiful. I enjoyed sitting by the pool on a barely warm afternoon. The afternoon tea and dessert is a nice touch. I would definitely stay here again!

We celebrated our 23rd Anniversary at The Bissell House. Janet, Carrie, Jennifer helped me surprise my wife with beautiful flowers, chocolates and sparkling cider in the room! We enjoyed a dessert tea & reading in the library and garden by the pool. Room was clean, nicely decorated and comfortable (A/C worked well & quietly). Very interesting history of the house and the Pasadena area. Located in a beautiful area and very convenient to Old Town Pasadena, South Pasadena and minutes from Downtown LA. I would definitely stay there again.

It was a bit noisy, being on a busy intersection, and all the windows weren't fully covered, so the light woke us up in the morning, but overall, it was a good stay.

We recently enjoyed a brief stay at this charming B&B. The inn was in a beautiful area close to many attractions. The bed was the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in. I was pleasantly suprised to find that they had air conditioned bed rooms. The staff was friendly. I would definetly reccommend to any one staying in the area.

Wonderful place. Loved the library. The Garden room was beautiful with a large tub. The Bed was a little soft for my taste but that's just me. Thanks

Charming facility in a great location; super friendly staff. Very lovely grounds and swimming pool. Breakfast was good quality, but it was basically the same all three mornings (baked eggs, roll, yogurt with strawberries) Sleep was difficult because bed sagged toward heavier spouse.

The Bissell House has everything: good food; caring, compassionate, friendly service; clean rooms; comfortable and charming common rooms. Also, the Bissell House seems to attract very interesting guests. Meeting these guests over breakfast was a treat. The location is superb, on a very upscale street, near many restaurants of all price ranges and ethnicities, close to shops Old Town Pasadena, South Lake district, museums, in other words, everything Pasadena has to offer. We highly recommend this B&B.

Waking up in your upstairs bedroom with the smell of breakfast permeating the air, it's like the joy of childhood comforts once again! At breakfast, we joined the conversation of proud attendees at the local colleges' spring graduations. We walked to the Heirloom Bakery Cafe in South Pasadena for delicious salads, sandwiches and pizzas. The innkeepers are welcoming and devoted to your comfort. Have stayed here many times... a home away from home.

I've stayed at quite a few b&bs and this was one of my favorites. It's wonderfully and decorated and very comfortable without being over-the-top. We stayed in the Garden Room and it was large and absolutely posh and tasteful. Breakfast was delicious too!

Little things like filtered water instead of tap at the complimentary tea table and making sure all of the light bulbs are working in the rooms would add to the professionalism of the place.

[Resource Id: innkeeperresponse, Set: reviews]
We are not sure what led this reviewer to believe we use tap water. We apologize if we somehow mistakenly conveyed this. We have always used our reverse osmosis filter system for drinking water for our guests. Please let us know if you need a lightbulb replaced! We have a minimum of 5-10 light fixtures in each of our rooms and while we don't turn each and every one of them on every day, we do routinely replace bulbs and are only to happy to replace them when notified. Perhaps this guest is referring to some of our bulbs that are left out by design, rather than oversight, due to the antique wiring being incompatible with so-called "energy efficient" modern day wattages and burn out instantly each time we attempt to replace them.

- Janet Hoyman (innkeeper)

An old elegant mansion house, one of the oldest in Pasadena. Owned by a lady and her two daughters who work hard at making it comfortable and welcoming. Cosy bedrooms, sweet bird song through the windows, roses in the garden and a pool. Guests cross and meet as well as enjoy privacy. A stylish lounge, classical music or jazz playing while you sip on tea and sample the cake of the day (available any time of day!!). Breakfast is carefully prepared and served by Ron who enjoys chatting with guests as they start their day at the long dining table (I happened to choose to sit where Albert Einstein sat when he was invited to dinner by the Bissel family!!). It all feels very homely and is definitely elegant.

It was like entering a place with invisible staff---not welcoming in any way. Also included huge lists of don't do this, penalty for that, which just seemed an unfriendly way to conduct business. We love staying at B&Bs and usually have a delightful time, so this was a real surprise.

[Resource Id: innkeeperresponse, Set: reviews]
This review is a real surprise to us as well...in fact, we wondered at first glance, whether or not the reviewer had mistaken us for another Inn altogether. We apologize if we somehow made one of our guests feel unwelcome. It is certainly never our intention. We are a traditional B&B and therefore do not maintain a "front of the house" presence at all times. We do our best to make our guests feel at home and leave them to enjoy their relaxation in privacy or to mingle with other guests to the degree they feel comfortable. If such an unfriendly huge list or lists of "do's and don'ts" with resultant penalties exists, we'd love to know where so we can have it/them removed at once.

- Janet Hoyman (innkeeper)

I was greeted by Carrie who has a bubbly personality, and she gave me a tour of the lovely inn. She answered my questions and made me feel at home. I stayed in Victoria's Room, which was fabulous. The sunroom overlooking the pool is a peaceful sitting area. The room was VERY clean. Ron cooked amazing breakfasts every morning -- his own special quiche recipes! It was very informal, like a family atmosphere, sitting around the table and chatting with him and guests. The inn was easy to find and in a quaint location. I stayed three nights while attending a conference at a local church; I would definitely stay there again when I return to Pasadena!

I was very happy with every element of our stay except that the air conditioning in our room (the Morning Glory room) didn't work.

[Resource Id: innkeeperresponse, Set: reviews]
We appreciate this positive review. Just so no one is mislead by it however, we feel obliged to point out that one night only, the a/c required maintenance in this room. A guest had reserved it for that same night but the repairman wasn't available until the next morning. So when the guest arrived to check in, we informed her of the impending maintenance and offered her a free upgrade to our superior Master room instead. However, she politely declined, stating that they "didn't need air conditioning as temperatures were cool" at the time. Apart from that, we have only had on a rare occasion, a guest mistake it for not working because they have it set to "auto on" which is fan only mode instead of "auto cool" which is air conditioning. All of our rooms have their own individual a/c and heating units and they are all maintained on a regular basis.

- Janet Hoyman (owner)

we enjoyed every aspect of our stay at this beatifully restored historic house. we plan to return whenever we are in teh area.

We feel that the Bissel House is the only place to stay while we are in Pasadena. The service is outstanding & the atmosphere makes you feel as if your are at home. We enjoy the history of the house, it's charm, peacefulness and beauty--it is a much needed retreat in the hussle & bussle of the 21st Century.

Beautiful gardens, good location, warm fire, quiet, welcoming self-service tea, nice home base, comfortable bed. The shower/tub in the Morning Glory room is claustrophobic (plastic lining sticks to you as you shower) and is hard to balance in (curved bottom), but I'm sure it is an "authentic antique." Breakfast is EXTREMELY repetitive and off-putting by the 4th day - probably fine for a weekend. The "tip envelope" left in the room at the end of the stay is presumptuous & tacky.

Very pleasant experience. Would definately stay here again.

What a fantastic experience we had at the Bissell House. Great room, great service, very relaxing and comfortable. Clean and well kept inside and out. Had a fantasitic breakfast and conversation with the other guests and the chef. After checking out, we sat by the fireplace and enjoyed some wonderful quiet time before leaving. Would always suggest the Bissell House to friends and hope to stay again very soon. Thank you for the unique experience.

Gorgeous mansion on millionaire's row in Pasadena. Beautiful house. I stayed last minute and they accommodated me smoothly. My room was comfortable and had a nice view of the pool. Wish I could have stayed longer! I left super early in the morning, so didn't get to enjoy the full breakfast, but the early service with muffins and boiled eggs was perfect! Love the selection of teas in the living room, too. Beautiful place with friendly and helpful staff. You'll love it.

We had our 50th Westridge Reunion at the Bissell House. It was like having a fabulous event in our own home, but oh, so much lovlier! We were welcomed with open arms, ate amazing food, and overall, the Bissell House made the reunion! Many thanks.

Room lovely, service and friendliness of staff excellent. Breakfast OK. Coffee weak.

[Resource Id: innkeeperresponse, Set: reviews]
Thanks for the heads up on the coffee! I guess if "it ain't broke, don't fix it" would apply here. We're not sure whether or not it was the new brand our chef tried or that the coffee maker was in need of replacement. In either case, we have replaced the coffee makers and no longer serve the trial brand. Problem solved. Again, thank you.

- Janet Hoyman (owner)

This family owned business is very attentive and service oriented. The beautiful Victorian Home is authentically decorated, the grounds are well maintained, and the rooms are very comfortable and well provisioned. Ron's breakfasts are to die for.

The Bissell House is a very convenient location. To go to LA it is a short walk to the Gold Line,light rail system. Our accommodations were very comfortable and the decor was very pleasing.The hospitality was outstanding. The breakfasts were delicious.What a treat to be served a glorious meal each morning.The value was great. It did not break our pocket book. We highly recommend the Bissell House.

Wonderful historic house in wonderful neighborhood; the chef at breakfast told us about the history of the house and of the town, which was really great!

Could not beleive how beautiful is the setting and the landscaping. Felt right at home and never overwhelmed by numbers of guests, even with a full house. Breakfast tended to be repetitive, though nutritious and tasty. Staff is very cordial and pleasant and very helpful in finding wonderful activities.

[Resource Id: innkeeperresponse, Set: reviews]
Thank you for your lovely review and positive feedback. The majority of our guests are one night stays. The menu sometimes poses a challenge for our long term guests, however. We will definitely work on it!

- Janet Hoyman (Owner)

We were satisified but not wowed by the Bissell House. It's breakfast is served too late for us to take part in it (9am) which made kind of a waste to bother with the B/B experience. Our room was nice but faced on a busy street and was quite a bit of street noise started at 630am. Overall, I'm not sure we'll be back for the prices they charge for the rooms.

[Resource Id: innkeeperresponse, Set: reviews]
Thank you for your candid review. We're sorry you had some disappointments. Being an Urban Inn, located in Los Angeles, we find that most of our light sleepers either travel with earplugs or opt for using the white noise machines we provide in the street side rooms. Also, we agree it is hard to find that happy medium when it comes to finding a time to serve breakfast that accommodates each of our guest's schedule. We provide an expanded continental option anytime for early risers or those with early departures. We're sorry if we somehow missed communicating this to you during check-in, as is customary. Just so you and anyone else reading this knows, our chef makes himself available frequently to serve breakfast earlier when requested. Next time be sure to let us know the night prior or come when you have more time to relax and we'll make a point of making it happen for you! We agree the breakfast is a very special part of the overall B&B experience! Last but not least, all of our rooms have been reduced 25-50% from the regular rates for the past two years and counting to accommodate the Recession. I don't know how much lower we could go without having to sacrifice quality above and beyond what you get at your average standard hotel. I hope to have addressed all of your concerns. Thank you again.

- Janet Hoyman (Owner)

Our short and sweet stay in the Garden Room at the Bissell House surpassed all expectations. From the moment I made the reservation with Janet over the phone to the final goodbye's at the house, we felt welcomed! The service was outstanding at made us feel right like we were departing after spending the evening at a family member's home. While we only had the pleasure of meeting and spending time with their talented and gracious Chef, we will surely return. We brought our 3 month old son and even though most B&Bs are not as kid friendly, the Bissell House welcomed him with open arms! Thank you for such a perfect evening, delightful breakfast and true hospitality!!!

It was our anniversary and I surprised my wife with a weekend away. This B & B was a romantic getaway. We were thrilled by all the antiques and the history of the house, yet they do not skip on the modern amenities.

The house is beautiful and Janet and her family were warm and welcoming. It felt like a home away from home and the surrounding neighborhood is beautiful as well. I will definitely return.

Wound up staying at the Bissell House for business and would love to go back sometime. I had no idea anything like it existed in Pasadena. It is a super cute and clean B&B with all of the modern amenities.

Great location; good breakfasts; good staff; and lovely pool.

My husband and I returned after seven years and found the inn as enjoyable as the first time. The vegetarian breakfasts were tasty, but we did miss the option of having bacon or sausage on the side. Also, don't know if we misunderstood or it was an error, but our room did not receive maid service - no straigtening, no replenishment of shampoos/soaps, etc.; unusual based on our experiences the first time at Bissell and at other inns over the years, but we still enjoyed our time there. The avialability of tea and afternoon snacks were a nice touch.

[Resource Id: innkeeperresponse, Set: reviews]
Thank you for returning to the Bissell House for the second time in seven years. "Maid service" is provided daily for each of our guest rooms, so this was obviously an oversight due to possible miscommunication between our housekeepers and one that I apologize for, if so. We would have loved to have known at the time, however, so we could remedy it during your actual visit as opposed to only being able to address it after the fact. My phone number is posted everywhere at the Inn including in the confirmation letter we send out in advance with instructions to call for any reason, for this very purpose. The only time we do not offer maid service is when it is requested by the guest that we not provide it or if for example, the guest returns earlier than expected to re-occupy the room and/or never leaves in the first place. Again, our sincerest apologies for overlooking your "fluff service". Although, we don't intend to be adding meat to our menu at any time in the future, we hope you'll return for a third visit, and in less than another seven years.

- Janet Hoyman (Owner)

beautiful, quaint, charming, friendly helpful staff, good breakfasts

Very pleasant location. Beautiful house and grounds. Gracious hostess.

Quaint and charming atmosphere. Christmas-time is a wonderful time to visit as the Inn is decorated for the season. Location is perfect if you want to spend New Year's in Pasadena and view the Pasadena Rose Parade. Owners and staff are there to help but not omni-present, which is nice.

This historic mansion inn has a lovely garden and is charming in every way.

While the location was the absolute perfect place to stay for these events, I can not go without saying how great the facilities were as well. The people . expecially Janet, the amenities, the layout and yes, even the other guests, were all ingredients that made this a special three day event. Janet and her staff were always there to help and be sure our visit was special and the Garden Room which we stayed in was perfect. All the recommendations as to where to go eat for New Years Eve and shop were spot on so all I can say is that this place made our trip special......ALSO TCU WON THE ROSE BOWL !!

The house is beautiful and has an interesting history, including that Albert Einstein used to stay there when he came to Caltech. Our first night we found a few freshly baked chocolate chip cookies in a jar in the living room which were wonderful! (none the next night though). We would definitely stay again. Only minor complaints are that there are no screens on the windows to protect from mosquitos in the middle of the night if you like your windows cracked open for fresh air, and, though they promised that they would have decaf coffee when I made my reservation, they discovered they had run out and couldn't go get more, so I had to go without coffee for the weekend. My husband enjoyed the quiche for breakfast but I couldn't eat it as it had a very dominant onion flavor, the one thing I'm not crazy about, so I ate two of their yogurt parfaits which were very nice and had organically grown fruit in them, which is the way we do it at home. The gal working that weekend was very friendly and helpful, but the family member we ran into a couple of times seemed too busy to say hello to us in passing. That's okay, I'd be sick of greeting every guest too if I lived there, but my experience with B&B's in the past has been that the resident family acknowledges your presence when you run into them. Overall, it's a great place to stay and we'd stay again.

[Resource Id: innkeeperresponse, Set: reviews]
Thank you for your positive review. We are happy that you would "definitely stay again," as we would love to welcome you back to Bissell. Two things--just so that you and other readers know: We don't have screens on the windows because we have tried to keep the original 1887 exterior of the Bissell House, and we have never had mosquito issues--especially in winter. Crickets yes! But no mosquitos. And secondly, the "family member" who seemed aloof, is just that, a family member who lives there but is not involved with the day to day operations of the Inn. It is for this reason that she tries to not intermingle too much with guests, or she would end up having to hostess full time. Oh, and wanted to clarify that we actually did put decaf out in a thermos for our decaf drinkers, so there must have been a communications snaffoo. On your next visit we'll make sure there is a pot with as much as you can drink! As to the cookies, we had a house full of teenagers and children but even our adult guests have confessed to devouring them by the handful! Again, thanks for taking the time to comment. We're happy your stay was a good one and we look forward to seeing you again soon.

- Janet Hoyman (Owner)

Our family (2 adults, 2 boys, aged 9 and 6) stayed for 3 nights in the Bissell House last summer, and we were really delighted with the welcome we received. The owners couldn't do enough for us, and were very friendly, without being intrusive. The inn itself is lovely, with a great garden and pool perfect for cooling off and relaxing. The afternoon treats and complimentary wines were a nice touch, and the breakfasts were wonderful. I would highly recommend staying here while in Pasadena or LA generally.

Beautiful Classic Pasadena Home. Easy Access to Gold Line and all the LA Theaters and Concert Halls. Outstanding local museums and restaurants just a short drive away. A great weekend getaway.

The Bissell House is a lovely property. The house is charming. The innkeeper is very friendly. The breakfast is excellent. The sheets and towels are nice quality, and the products provided in the bathroom are quite nice. Tea service is lovely. This is a great place for a romantic getaway or if you are simply looking for some place that is cozy. Keep in mind that the house is old. While it has been well maintained, certain aspects feel old-world and charming while other simply feel old. My only word of caution is to chose your room wisely. The best rooms are the Garden Room, Morning Glory, English Holiday, and Prince Albert. The Garden Room is the largest and is quite nice. Morning Glory is a bit small, but charming. English Holiday is a nice size, although the shower is a bit small. Prince Albert is quite nice. It has a good bedroom and a nice tub. Beware that Rose Room and Victoria's Room are both very small. I would be disappointed if I checked into one of these two rooms. Another room that is not always listed is the master suite. This is a large corner room on the second floor. Aside from the large shower, it simply feels old. It reminds me on my Grandmother's bedroom. It feels old and tired and lacks decor. It would be very unhappy to check into this room, despite its large size. So, chose wisely and you won't go wrong.

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Thank you for your candid review and positive remarks! While we wish every review were wholly positive, reflective of our continuous efforts to satisfy every customer, we know this is not a reasonable expectation. We cannot deny that we are an historic Victorian property. In fact, the third oldest remaining property in South Pasadena, built in 1887. However, the last thing we want is for a guest to be disappointed with their room selection. For this purpose, we post photos of the rooms online for all to see, in advance of booking, with accurate accompanying descriptions, including those for our two smaller rooms. Although, the ability of any one guest to gain access to each and every room upon their visit does somewhat surprise us, due to our high occupancy rate, we do accept that personal tastes vary and are highly subjective. We suspect this review may have included entry into a room (Master Suite) that was not currently in rotation due to extensive detailing work being done, including the temporary removal of the drapes, for cleaning. This certainly would give the appearance of drab to any onlooker. We are sorry if this is the case as we would hate to have this review falsely influence a guest as a result, considering it happens to be a favorite of many, past and present, specifically for its decor, which includes many fine floral prints, a decorative fireplace, crown molding, antique bridal gown, and matching carved antique headboard and armoire. Again, all of which can be seen in the photos online. Not surprising is the fact that each of our rooms is and has been a favorite of one or more of our guests at one time or another.

- Janet Hoyman (innkeeper)

Carrie made us feel welcome and provided excellent information about the surrounding area. We loved the South Pasadena location and the mansion/grounds were beautiful. Wonderful breakfast and mid-afternoon sweets!

Lovely, elegant setting paired with genteel hospitality.

I organized a gathering for my mom's family to stay while we celebrated my dad's memorial service and birthday. Janet was so generous, and kind. I must admit, I've never been much for bed and breakfasts because of the miss-mash tendency (that often seems like you're visiting your old Aunt Marge), but instead Bissell House had all I crave in a B&B - warmth, humanity and history - plus comfortable beds, an outstanding breakfast, tasteful antiques. It was PERFECT. Thank you!!!

We booked a room for a night while on our 2 year anniversary trip up in Pasadena, and it was a delight. The room was adorable, the bed large and comfortable, and the two person spa bath was wonderful. Breakfast was delicious, and the host was gracious and accommodating. Thank you for helping to make our anniversary trip such a special one!

Beautiful well-preserved home. Lovely antique furnishings in our English Garden room. Loved the table in the parlor with the dessert cake, fruits and chai tea! The parlor's warm ambiance after a day out was restorative-sitting by the fire having a scrumptious nibble/sip before heading up to our room to snuggle in our big comfy bed. Enjoyed my tofu scramble our innkeeper whipped up to accommodate my special diet our first morning.

Wonderful stay with staff making you feel very welcome. I do think the ad in the B&B coupon book should change, wine hour is no longer offered, but advertised in description.

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Thank you for your review. While we have chosen to offer complimentary wine to our guests in the past, in addition to our afternoon dessert tea, we recently decided to no longer offer it for a number of reasons. All of which we are happy to share with anyone who inquires. We would love to know what B&B coupon book we are running an ad in as we are not aware of one at this time. Please let us know so we can confirm and correct this as soon as possible.

- Janet Hoyman (innkeeper)

Thanks a lot for these beautiful days at the Bissell House. Hope we can come back there. Best, Y&M

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Thank you! You were delightful guests and we hope you return again on your next travels to the States.

- Janet Hoyman (innkeeper)

My stay was short and sweet, but the emphasis is on "sweet". I had a lovely 3rd floor room, that was perfect for my needs. I lovely bathtub complete with bath salts, a big fluffy comforter, and a delicious breakfast- made to order, all were part of my fabulous stay. I would love to come back again and spend time on the grounds- the amazing pool, the well stocked library, and great gardens. And the huge BONUS: When I informed the reservationist I was a vegetarian, she told me that the house proudly caters to vegetarians (They even had SOY MILK!!!) and my animal friendly ethos, were theirs as well! I will definiately be back.

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Thank you very much! Always fun to host likeminded individuals. Come again soon!

- Janet Hoyman (innkeeper)

Charm, character and beauty greeted us in this homey relaxed B&B. One immediately feels at home and the service is top flight, informal, and comforting. A warm and wonderful experience from start to finish. Thank you all.

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Precisely what we aim for, so thank you very much for your review!

- Janet Hoyman (innkeeper)

A couple in our mid-thirties, we chose the Bissell House based on its history, user reviews, and convenient location to multiple areas of interest in LA. ROOMS: All the rooms are distinctive and lovely. Generally, the higher-priced rooms are larger and have more seating/features. My favorite rooms are the Garden Room and Prince Albert. COMMON AREAS: The grounds, garden, and porch areas are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Positioned on about a half an acre, the outside of the Bissell House is a breathtaking oasis of beauty and tranquility in the middle of a pretty busy area of town. And the garden and lawn are ORGANIC-that’s right. No chemicals are used on the grounds, which are lovingly maintained by both the family and two gardeners. The large pool is surrounded by lush roses and other glorious fauna and foliage. It’s like a wildlife sanctuary there-the humming birds appear to be in Heaven by the sounds of things, and little squirrels and rabbits make frequent appearances. TEA, BREAKFAST/FOOD: Teas, coffee, filtered water, wine were available 24-7. While I was rarely around for breakfast, I made it a habit to check out the afternoon snack, which changed daily and included such gourmet goodies as: lemon yogurt cake, almond torte, pear clafouti, dark chocolate brownies…yum. VALUE: I found this place to deliver excellent value. The quoted prices are all that you pay. There aren’t any taxes or service fees, so it’s really quite a bargain.

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We can't thank you enough for this remarkable review. Few people take the time to elaborate in such detail. We appreciate it greatly!

- Janet Hoyman (innkeeper)

We had a wonderful 20th anniversary get away. They are centerally located to all that Los Angeles has to offer. We will be back. The Waltons

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Thank you!

- Janet Hoyman (innkeeper)

Was a wonderful stay and the breakfast and tea was a very pleasant surprise...will stay there again.

We stayed in the Victoria Room which provided a nice view over the pool area below. The enclosed rear deck was part of the room, providing a nice reading area in the morning. The home has been well maintained over the years and gives a good sense of what it must have been like early last century. The breakfasts were well prepared and a tasty change from the standard continental breakfasts served by many other B & Bs. We needed information on some of the sights in the Pasadena area and the staff provided knowledgable information that was very beneficial to making our stay enjoyable and memorable.

Bissell House was such a beautiful setting ... picture perfect. Our stay there was so peaceful,and we had a lovely night's rest. Our room was well-appointed, comfortable and charming. We would definitely go back!

I had buisness in the area and decided to stay at a bed and breakfest instead of one of the big chain hotels. Definintely a good choice! Free parking, breakfest and a very quiet evening. I found it to be a good place to relax and rest.

Beautiful rooms, peaceful atmosphere, a lovely escape from the bustle of the city with all the comforts. Thanks for a great night's sleep.

Having not sampled the Dining (and not really needing any Service), I had to keep those ratings right in the middle. But this place really is gorgeous, with enough of the original appointments and character (including creaky stair steps) to keep it fun and interesting. My wife and I spent a night in the top-floor Garden Room, which had all the amenities, plus a Jacuzzi-style tub. A cracked porcelain water faucet and other "flaws" were pleasant reminders that this wasn't some corporate-chain imitation. It's the real thing, just like my grandparents' old house.

Awesome stay. Comfortable, relaxing, and beautiful.

Historic site with great front parlor and pool area for relaxing or reading. Library with many book options for reading including art and travel books. Do not miss tea time; the cake is delicious.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my visits to this quiet, lovely house. The grounds are beautiful and the owner's are very accommodating and friendly. I look forward to my next visit! D. W.

The folks at the Bissell House are terrific. They will do whatever they can to accommodate you while you enjoy a private and calming stay. The rooms are great (especially the Morning Glory Room and the Garden Room). The breakfast is delicious; you can enjoy your meal with other guests or in the privacy of your room. Everything was clean and easy. I could not believe I was in South Pasadena or in LA County. Highly Recommended.

The Bissell House was terrific! My wife and I loved the room and the surrounding grounds were magnificent. We felt as if we were far away yet still in the city. The morning breakfast was very enjoyable. The food was excellent and dining with the other guests was fun. Lounging around in the beautifully decorated living area reading the paper with nice music in the background was so relaxing. We stayed only one night, but it felt so much longer. Thank you Bissell House. Tony B

We were going to go to see the Rose Parade floats that day and then stay at the Bissell House that night (a surprise for my wife). She was sick and couldn't make the day trip but we thought what the hey let's at least spend the night. We called to say we would be late, when we got there got in no problems. Our room was very nice; the place is decorated like a well kept/loved home (we really liked the downstairs living room/dining room and the family photos in the study), plenty of things to munch and sip as we made our way to bed (slept great). We had a GREAT breakfast and chatted with our host most of the morning. She shared her secrets of enjoying the 12/31 pre-parade preparations for the Rose Parade the night before (Bissel House is on the same street as the Tournament of Roses House). We hung out after breakfast, watched some football and left for home relaxed and happy. If you need to commute to Pasadena/Glendale or downtown LA for a business trip you should keep the Bissell House in mind, it's only minutes from either and a welcome change to hotels/motels. Thanks!

This tranquil inn is tucked away on millionaire's row in South Pasadena. The decor is true to period. We stayed in the English Cottage room and it was very charming and complete with plush towels and bathrobes. The afternoon tea/wine hour was self serve and had delicious goodies and over 15 different types of tea. Service is on china and silver. A dip in the pool was refreshing, and again, plush towels were available. The cooked morning breakfast was vegetarian (parfait w/ fresh berries, apple dumpling, fresh croissants, tea, coffee, orange juice) and very appetizing. Food, ice, and drinks are available at all hours as self serve. The hostess, Juli was very charming and gracious. We rarely stay at B & B's and this was a pleasant surprise.

A delightful reprieve from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. Great Victorian house and gardens. Wonderful service. Highly recommend.

We experienced a wonderful evening away from day to day tasks, a peaceful night's sleep and an elegant breakfast all in an exquisite setting in the heart of the city.

Warm welcome, comfort all round, not to be missed if you want somewhere special for your stay in Pasadena. Should have award for best B & B, certainly had the Wow factor for us. M & J Hatcher

The hot breakfast is not to be missed although the buffet is wonderful too and is available all day. Our room was spacious and comfortable and we enjoyed sitting in the garden and enjoying the flowering citrus trees and the feeling of being in the past. Our host Julie was very gracious and the location is near to everything that Pasadena has to offer.