Carnegie Mellon University
Owner, Briarwood Manor and Briarwood Home
Greetings from Pittsburgh! I'm an extensive traveler myself and have lived in other parts of the country, but keep coming back to my adopted hometown of Pittsburgh. I just love it here!
Running this B&B is my full-time job (although I do as much volunteering in the community as I can).
Think of me as your personal concierge, and use my knowledge of the city for suggestions for sightseeing, dining, and enjoying all that Pittsburgh has to offer. I've even helped people find houses to buy and apartments to rent!
I love having people stay here and have welcomed people from all over the world. When I'm not acting as an Innkeeper, I dream about my favorite destination: Barbados!
Hope to see you soon!
A nice place to stay! Easy parking on the street and a cozy atmosphere. I would definitely stay here again.
January 2012Julie was the perfect host! she replied to my last minute reservation and met me at the apt with keys in hand. The apt is the perfect size. The neighborhood is close to area attractions and the neighbors are very nice.Would absoutely stay there again!
My stay was perfect. The small house was convenient for me as my son lives nearby-the street was very quiet (great for sleeping!). I felt safe and secure. The property was clean, comfortable and warm! Julie met me there the day I arrived and assured me she would be available should I have any needs or questions. I will definitely stay there again. thanks Julie!
Julie was a wonderful host and her place was both comfortable and welcoming. The location is also perfect and close to many coffee shops, restaurants, and other business well worth patronizing. Can't say enough good things about the experience or our stay. Highly recommended!
Julie was a great hostess. The Palace Garden room was very cozy and the location of the Briarwood Inn is within walking distance of a bunch of cafes and restaurants. Parking on the street was always available and the B&B is just a short drive to downtown. I'd definitely stay here again!
A cozy place at a good price in Lawrenceville, an interesting and upcoming neighborhood. Still very new and in need of a few changes Julie will no doubt attend to.
We stayed at the Briarwood Home right after Christmas to visit family who live in the area. The house was very nice and Julie was wonderful like always. Thank you! Happy New Year!
We really enjoyed staying here. It was quiet, rooms were comfortable, and it was close to places we wanted to visit. Julie was wonderful in accommodating us for an extra night on short notice.
The host canceled my reservation 12 days before arrival.
Lovely place. Julie was very helpful and friendly and made sure I had everything I could need. I'll stay there again.
It is very nice place to stay. The host is very nice and helpful. I would love to go back there.
It is a quaint, comfortable place, that allows 'midnight' snacking along with breakfast do-it-yourself preparations. Our room (Palace Garden) was spacious enough. There are extra rooms in the place (living room) to sit, if needed. It was close to a fun breakfast place: Coca's, which we enjoyed with our relatives who we were visiting.
I really enjoyed staying with Julie in Lawrenceville. The room was clean, homey, with great light and space for living. Julie was endlessly helpful throughout my stay with everything from answering my questions, to finding me a spot in the house to keep my bike. I can very much recommend julie's geranium room to anyone passing through Pittsburgh.
A great weekend in Pittsburgh was made perfect by Julie and her hospitality! She was great and the place was warm and welcoming.
my boyfriend & i had a great time staying at the palace garden room at the briarwood manor. julie is a warm & friendly host with a wealth of local knowledge & just lovely to chat with. we were travelling on overnight busses which had us arriving and leaving at awkward hours but julie was very flexible & communicative, allowing us to stash our luggage early before check in & late after check out. it was our first time in pittsburgh & we managed to become quite familiar with the public... More »
Julie's apartment (rowhouse) was the perfect place for my wife and I to spend a week-end in Pittsburgh. Within walking distance to coffee shops, a French bakery and the bus line, we found it to be very convenient. The apartment itself has just been completely re-finished inside and is neat and clean and fully furnished with just about every thing you might need. Julie was a great host and made sure that we had her phone number and felt free to call with any questions or needs. We will be back!
Julie keeps a clean house. The place was private, comfortable and accessible to other parts of Pittsburgh. Her directions were good and it was the last available place due to sports events.
Julie is a wonderful host. The rooms were clean and she was very helpful. It was our pleasure to stay at her place.
LOVED staying in the home. Perfect spot for a weekend get away and really enjoyed all the things the neighborhood had to offer within walking distance from the home. Julie was really great and patient with our requests. Thanks Julie!
Great place to stay in Pittsburgh, self contained and handy for the strip too. Julie is a great host who is attentive and caring towards her guests. We were so grateful to have everything we needed - recommended for short or long stay.
The place was in a great location and Julie was a huge help in figuring out parking in the area.
Julie was a friendly and helpful host. The room was just as pictured. I fell in love with the Lawrenceville neighborhood. If I were to visit Pittsburgh again I would definitely stay with Julie again.
Julie was friendly and helpful; no issues. The house is in a pleasant section of Lawrenceville. The Geranium room is spacious and has a legitimate view of distant skyscrapers. Unclear in the photos: the desk in the corner has a larger work surface that folds out, and there is also a closet complete with iron and board.
Julie was very nice & helpful. She was not intrusive but was friendly & helpful when we asked. The parking permit was a great perk. The room was big, spacious & clean. The downside was that the bathroom linked to the Geranium Room was downstairs, about 18 steps. Our room had a small video screen, & VCR but no TV or cable. For the price, seems like those amenities would have been included. (Friends stayed at a nearby B&B and payed for 6 days what we payed for 2. & they had a balcony, private... More »
I booked a room for my parents because I wanted them close by and have a personable Pittsburgh experience instead of having them stay in a stale hotel room. Julie's BnB definitely provided that for my parents. She was friendly, helpful, and welcoming. My parents had a great time.
Julie's B&B is exactly what's pictured here. There were no surprises at all. It was great! She went above and beyond making sure my parents had a place to stay during Hurricane Irene when they couldn't leave the burgh because of it. My parents aren't from around here so they had lots of questions to ask and Julie was kind enough to answer them all and more. If my parents ever make it back to the burgh Julie will be getting a call from us! Thanks again!
Had a lovely time! Julie was very friendly and hospitable. Felt right at home. Lovely clean room, nice breakfast, cute cat. Will stay here again next time I'm in Pittsburgh!
**review for Palace Garden** Where to begin! Staying here was such a treat: impossibly high ceilings, a chandelier light fixture with a dial dimmer switch, view of trees in the distance out the window, choice of AC or fresh air (via the window), choice of pillows (feather or regular), complimentary toiletries, space glorious space everywhere (the bedroom, the hallways, the staircases, the kitchenette, the communal living room on the first floor). Breakfast was nutritious and healthy, with... More »
This was my second time staying at the Briarwood Manner. Julie is an amazing host! She goes above and beyond to ensure that you enjoy your stay. There is always something available in the kitchenette to enjoy as a snack or to take with you on the go. Julie also provided me with with written directions to assist me in my travels and help me to avoid construction and rush hour traffic. No hotel has ever provided me service as kind and considerate as hers. Very friendly, comfortable, and... More »
We stay at Palace Garden a month. It was a beatiful, comfortable and clean place for staying. We spent great time
Julie is a fine hostess, very accommodating and thoughtful. Lawrencville can't be beat for those who want to experience a real Pittsburgh neighborhood.
I loved everything about my stay with Julie. She communicated early and often, the house was clean, her area of town offered easy access to all of Pittsburgh. Julie herself was knowledgeable and eager to offer assistance upon my request. Her breakfast menu was as good or better than any continental breakfast at a chain hotel. I was happy to have Julie be one of my first Pittsburgh experiences. I woud stay there again in a heartbeat, but I moved to Pittsburgh. Thanks Julie.
The place was exactly as shown in the photos. Julie's place in Lawrenceville is pretty convenient. 2 different bus lines within short walking distance. Going downhill there is a little strip of shops and restaurants (and bowling). Bathrooms were very clean. Kitchenette was nice. Cat was unobtrusive. Bed was comfortable. Julie was very worried about some construction that went on outside 1 morning, but that was out of her control. It didn't bother us, but her concern was nice.
Julie was a pleasure to stay with. Very friendly yet still professional, helped us out with any question we had, and was very knowledgeable about the neighborhood and the city in general. Her cat Selma was also quite adorable. The Palace Garden room was lovely. Comfy bed, all of the amenities and extras you could possibly think of, and a kitchen and bathroom on the same floor that we had access to at any time. We had a really great stay, and we'll definitely keep Julie's B&B in mind the next... More »
We had a great time. Pittsburgh is just like Julie's House... victorian, quiet and friendly! Enjoy. Pasamos divino. Pittsburgh es como la casa de Julie, victoriano, tranquilo y amable. Que lo disfruten!
My BF and I stayed @ Julie's (aka Briarwood Manor) for two nights while visiting family in the area. We really wanted to find a 'home spot' in the city, within close range of interesting things to see and do. Julie's place fit the bill perfectly. Lots of great bars, coffee shops, cafes to be found within walking distance. The room itself was much more spacious than I'd expected, super clean and very well kept. Julie was very accommodating and helpful. We'll be staying here again next time we... More »
Excellent place to stay. Julie is very informative and helpful. I would recommend Briarwood Manor to anyone spending time in Pittsburgh.
I had a nice stay here. The room is large and has a nice rocking chair, desk, and very comfortable bed. I really liked the continental breakfast options (cereals, yogurt, fruit, oatmeal, milk, juice) and I appreciated the additional "anytime snacks" available (applesauce, granola bars). There's a few good food options in close walking distance, including the very pleasant "Pick Me Up" cafe just at the end of the street. Julie was nice and accommodating and kindly let me leave my stuff at her... More »
We held a sibling reunion at Julie's place and rented all of the rooms. It was an excellent venue for such event. The rooms were large and clean; beds comfortable. We all gathered in the 3rd floor living room to visit and plan our days. The kitchenette was well stocked with breakfast items for all of us. The night view of downtown Pgh was amazing. Location of the house is great; we could walk to dinner, bakeries, and coffee shops. We would certainly consider this establishment again. ... More »
Julie is a very warm and kind person. Her house is in a quiet area, close to Butler St & Penn Ave, with plenty of nice small restaurants & bars. The room was very spacious and clean and breakfast was provided. The only minor point was the strong odour of the cat in the living area, luckily not in our room.
Briarwood Manor was very comfortable and quiet. Julie was super nice and very helpful with directions and local info!
My wife and I were in Pittsburgh for a trade-show/convention at the Lawrence Center downtown. Julie's house, in the Lawrenceville section near Children's Hospital, was a convenient, short commute by car or bus. The house itself is charming, and our room was lovely, with ample closet space and a comfortable bed. The bathroom is small but has a great shower. Breakfast offered several choices in a clean, well-kept breakfast room/kitchen. Our only reservation was the parking situation,... More »
We stayed at Briarwood for a few days in September 2010 and it was great. Julie is very warm and interesting to talk with and had lots of great advise and knowledge about the area. The room was very large, very quiet, comfortable and clean and had everything we needed. The bathroom down the hall was no problem, and the private kitchen area was well stocked for breakfast. The house was very easy to find, close to the Penn Avenue or Butler bus stops, and we really appreciated the peace and... More »
The place is really good. I needed to go to CMU and bus was around 5 minutes walk from the house. Julia is very friendly and tries to help in anyway possible. Highly recomeded!
It's absoluty great to stay at Julie's. I was there the first two days being in Pittsburgh. She was a great help to get along and a very nice and interesting person to talk to. He house is beautiful, the rooms are clean and awesome! Great start for me, highly recommendable for everybody!
What a great place! It is comfy & cozy & very conveniently located. Julie is a fantastic hostess. The breakfast was more than plentiful, and she makes a great effort to tailor the offerings to your specific preferences. SUPER CLEAN. Loved it.
Julie is a very nice and welcoming host, helped me to get oriented in Pittsburgh, bus time tables, sights to see, etc. the house itself is only 15 minutes of bus ride to downtown Pittsburgh, and bus schedule is quit frequent, every 20 minutes or so . the room where i stayed in was the geranium room, which was very big and comfortable, the kitchen was quit convenient, and the groceries for breakfast were fine, although don't expect a hotel standard breakfast. Overall I recommend this place,... More »
Staying at Briarwood Manor was great. Julie was more then accommodating. The best overnight stay I have ever had. I was there for a week and Julie even let us know about free concerts and movie nights. I would stay there again if I was ever in the area.
Very friendly, relaxed and clean environment. Julie is a great host, and the quality really shows - highly recommended for stays while in Pittsburgh
Julie's place is wonderful. I never want to stay in a hotel again! She is sweet and extremely helpful and answered our many questions about Pittsburgh. Julie provided us with great breakfast options and even made the bed while we were out. Her b&b is very clean, neat and quaint. It's in a great area that made it easy to see the rest of the city. Bus routes are nearby to downtown and the north side. She also gave us great tips about the neighborhood and printed us a voucher for the... More »
My husband and I highly recommend staying with Julie! The Palace Garden room was clean, cute and comfortable! Julie was very helpful with restaurant recommendations, directions and other information. Thanks Julie for all your hospitality!
We definitely recommend Julie's BnB. We stayed in the Morocco Suite and it was just as described in her ad and by the other reviewers here - comfortable, clean, private, and lots of space. Julie is an excellent hostess and made every effort to make sure we had what we needed during our stay. We've made many trips to Pittsburgh over the last few years and stayed in a variety of hotels - wish we had discovered this option sooner!
I truly enjoyed staying at Julie's for a couple of nights. The accommodations are large, lovely, quiet, spacious and clean. Julie is very hospitable, friendly and helpful. I highly recommend staying at Julie's while in Pittsburgh.
We enjoyed staying at Julie's.Her place is very spacious and neat.Plus you get to have your own kitchen on the second floor.Furthermore,Julie is a very hospitable, friendly and helpful host. Emmanuel from South Africa.
My boyfriend and I recently stayed in the Palace Garden room for four nights. It was perfect in every way. Julie is a delightful hostess. The room was large and very comfortable. The location is great - nearby is a funky, interesting business district - lots of cafes, shops, bars. We will definitely return to Julie's!
Julie is a very welcoming host, it was a pleasure to stay at her place. Not only did she make sure that everything was clean and organised, she was also very helpful in terms of recommending places to go to. The room is large and nicely decorated, with a kitchen always full of various breakfast items. It is conveniently located at a walking distance from Children's hospital. After spending a month there, I would definitly recommend this place for anyone visiting Pittsburgh.
Very nice place! The bedroom is huge and there is some space between bedroom and kitchenette, bathroom, making it feel like an apartment. The location is utterly ideal (particularly with car), within walking distance of Children's Hospital and two different kinds of 'main street' dining & hang outs. Julie is also really pleasant and enjoyable to talk with. Lots of breakfast choices (which makes for really good late-night snack choices too!).
Had a great experience renting from Julie. She even found us a great car mechanic while we were there. Very comfortable bedroom and common space.. We never felt like we sacrificed our privacy and felt quite at home. We will be back !
Julie’s place has everything you need for a short stay in Pittsburgh. The location is good, being very near the new Children’s Hospital (which makes it easy to find for new visitors!) and the place is clean and very well-appointed. Julie left an FAQ, which unfortunately I didn’t read right away. She made us feel very welcome, provided a decent light breakfast, and had some good tips on places to go. I recommend a stay here, unless you have a cat allergy!
My husband and I had a lovely stay at Julie's place while visiting friends in Pittsburgh. She is a very welcoming host who provides just the right balance of privacy. She offered helpful dining suggestions, and there are several great restaurants (Coca Cafe), fun stores and interesting local historic sites in the neighborhood. Parking is easy. The area is also quite walkable, which explains how I managed to get a tan on a trip to Pittsburgh. We would definitely stay here again.
I stayed 3 nights in the "Palace Garden" room. The room was very nice and spacious. The entire house is beautiful, and Julie really makes you feel welcome. There's plenty of on-street parking. I was visiting family at Carnegie Mellon and found it very easy to get back and forth between the campus and Julie's place. I would highly recommend this location.
Julie provided a clean, comfortable room and took time to make thoughtful recommendations for restaurants and cultural attractions in and around Pittsburgh. She knows her city and willingly shared her knowledge of its amenities. I highly recommend her home to anyone needing a well-located accomodation in Pittsburgh.
Julie's home is spacious, quiet, and clean. The large rooms are decorated in a calming manner with high ceilings and floral motifs. Julie as a host is welcoming, friendly, and helpful in general. As a native to Pittsburgh, I highly recommend her home to families, professionals, and students in search of accomodations near Oakland and the surrounding areas.
Nice clean, sunny room like being home! close to the city of Pittsburgh and bus line would stay again, T.B., Carmel,Calfi.
October 2009

