Ia is the bomb! First, she responded so quickly to my queries, and our booking situation was a little complex. Two gals who hadn't even met trying to book a room with two beds... one getting the info, then getting it back to the other, asking a bunch of questions, conveying the answers, asking more. Ia was patient the whole time.
Ia was out of town when we arrived, but her instructions for entering her BEAUTIFUL and CLEAN home were clear... complete with personal notes...AND a card, MULTIPLE soft towels, deliciously soft, fluffy pillows and bed linens, yummy smelling candles.... and my personal favorite a Nespresso machine which I DID manage to not steal. She had even bought me half-n-half per my request... because I DO like my coffee "a certain way," and she had asked. So thoughtful.
On top of the place being so lovely and welcoming, Ia, herself is ALSO lovely and welcoming... and hilarious. I, and the other gals who were staying there, stayed up much too late with girl talk and giggling and had a grand time, chatting about everything from travel to true love.

Additionally, her home is in a lovely neighborhood, a quick Lyft ride to downtown Pasadena where our week-long theatre conference was... very well-located. We were quite busy, so not much time to explore, but I did go for a walk one morning and the neighborhood was appealing and quiet.
Bottom line, if you have ANY reason to stay in or near Pasadena... stay with Ia...you won't regret it, and will be better for it!