Pasadena Getaway: Your Budget-Friendly Old Town Oasis Awaits!

Motel 6 Pasadena, CA – Old Town Pasadena Area Los Angeles (CA) United States

Pasadena Getaway: Your Budget-Friendly Old Town Oasis Awaits!

Pasadena Getaway: Budget Bliss or Budget Blues? My Candid Review!

Alright, folks, buckle up! I just crawled back from a stay at "Pasadena Getaway: Your Budget-Friendly Old Town Oasis Awaits!" and, let me tell you, the oasis part… well, that's debatable. But hey, for the price, I wasn't expecting the Ritz. More like the… slightly-less-than-a-Ritz, you know? Anyway, here's the lowdown, warts and all, because you deserve the truth, not some polished PR spiel.

Accessibility: Kinda Sorta… Mostly!

Okay, let's start with the practical stuff. Accessibility is listed as a feature, which is good. And there is an elevator, thank the heavens! But finding specifics was a bit of a treasure hunt. The online info was vague. So, if you need wheelchair accessibility, call first. Really, call. Don't rely on the website. I saw a ramp, but I also saw a lot of potential navigating hazards. It’s not the most user-friendly place in the world for someone with mobility issues. Overall, the facilities for disabled guests are present, but could be significantly improved.

Cleanliness & Safety: Trying Hard, I'll Give 'Em That!

Look, I'm a germaphobe, so this is HUGE for me. Cleanliness and safety are paramount in my book, especially post-pandemic. I saw evidence of effort: Anti-viral cleaning products are supposedly in use. They've got hand sanitizer strategically placed. And they're doing the daily disinfection in common areas. The rooms are sanitized between stays, which I appreciated. The staff seemed generally aware of safety protocols, specifically the staff trained in safety protocol. I even noticed (much to my relief) sterilizing equipment in the hallways (though I didn't see them in action!). They also offered a way to Room sanitization opt-out available, which is nice for people more relaxed about things. So, points for trying. However, maybe because of the Exterior corridor? There was simply that unnamable "hotel air" that can't quite be scrubbed away.

Dining, Drinking & Snacking: Food Adventures… Mostly Self-Catered.

Okay, the food situation was… interesting. The brochure promised a delightful spread. The reality? Less "delightful," more "bare bones." They have a restaurants. They list restaurants and a bar. But my experience? I think I saw one restaurant open, maybe. And the coffee shop? Let's just say if you crave a decent Americano, you're better off venturing out. They do offer Breakfast [buffet] which included, well, the basics. Cereal, a couple of pastries that looked like they'd been through a war, and some sad-looking fruit. You can also get Breakfast takeaway service, which might be the best option. They do have breakfast service available at the restaurant. I didn't see the much mentioned Asian cuisine in restaurant, or any Western cuisine in restaurant. The poolside bar was shuttered, and the promise of Happy hour seemed more like a distant memory. I did appreciate the Bottle of water in the room, though. The Snack bar was also closed, but I did get a coffee/tea in restaurant. There was Coffee/tea in restaurant if you tried hard to find it. All in all, it was not a foodie paradise and was a huge disappointment.

Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Relaxation Station: Activate! (Maybe…)

This is where things get a little… optimistic. They list a Gym/fitness. A Swimming pool [outdoor]. A Spa/sauna, a Sauna, a steamroom. And a Spa. Sounds inviting, right? WRONG! The pool was… fine. A little crowded, but clean enough. The gym? Looked like it hadn't seen a dumbbell in a decade. Rusted equipment, dusty surfaces… let's just say I opted for a brisk walk around Old Town instead. The spa was "closed for maintenance" during my stay. I checked the other sections, the Foot Bath, the Body scrub, the Body wrap, the Pool with view, the Massage, for a chance to catch a break, but they were all unfortunately unavailable.

Services and Conveniences: Mixed Bag of "Meh" and "Okay, That's Useful!"

Okay, here’s where the hotel tried to redeem itself. Daily housekeeping was a godsend after a day of exploring. The concierge was actually super helpful with directions, even though the map situation was hopeless. And the Air conditioning in public area was a lifesaver in the Pasadena heat. But the convenience store? More like a cupboard with a few overpriced snacks. My experience with the dry cleaning was the "meh" kind. The laundry service and the Ironing service are a bit more of a positive experience. They also do the luggage storage and provide a place for car park [free of charge].

Available in all rooms: Essentials and Extras (Mostly the Essentials)

The room itself? It was clean, which is the most important thing. It had Air conditioning, which was non-negotiable in Pasadena heat. They offered Free bottled water, and the Complimentary tea was a nice touch. The Non-smoking thing was well enforced, thankfully. The Internet access – wireless, did work, but the Internet access – LAN was non-existent. The Television, with its Satellite/cable channels, and the On-demand movies were okay. I appreciated the Wake-up service and the Alarm clock. The Desk was a useful feature. I’ll include the Slippers on the positive side. The Extra long bed was also great, along with the Blackout curtains. However, that’s where the good stuff ends. The bathroom was… functional. The Toiletries were basic, and the shower pressure could be generously described as "gentle." The Mirror was placed in a weird spot. The Bathrobes weren't supplied. I could have used them. Some of the things listed were just confusing. The Closet was useful. The Ironing facilities were, again, fine. The Mini bar wasn’t present. The In-room safe box was useful. The Hair dryer, also useful. The Laptop workspace wasn't great.. The Seating area was a little sparse, but functional.

For the Kids: Meh.

This section is brief. They have Babysitting service, along with the Family/child friendly tag, and some Kids facilities, which I didn't notice. The Kids meal offering was also not apparent.

Getting Around: Driving is Your Friend.

Pasadena’s walkable, but this hotel is slightly outside the prime action. They offer Airport transfer, which I didn't use, but good that they offer it. The Car park [free of charge] was a massive bonus. They do offer Taxi service. The Bicycle parking looked unused, which is a shame.

The Biggest Flaw: The "Budget" Illusion

Look, I knew I wasn't booking the Four Seasons. But "budget-friendly" can be misleading. The final price, once the extra charges and taxes were added, wasn't the bargain I expected. It wasn't a rip-off, but I was definitely left with the feeling that I paid more than I should have.

Overall: Would I Go Back?

Honestly? Probably not. If I needed a place to crash for a night and absolutely had to be in Pasadena, then maybe. But for a real getaway, I’d pay a bit more for a better experience. Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars. It really depends on what you're looking for, but based on my experience, proceed with caution and manage your expectations! Don’t expect an oasis. Expect… something.

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Motel 6 Pasadena, CA – Old Town Pasadena Area Los Angeles (CA) United States

Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your perfectly curated, Instagram-filtered travel brochure. This is the raw, unfiltered, probably-shouldn't-have-eaten-that-taco truth about a trip to Pasadena, staying at the… ahem… economical Motel 6. Let's be real, it's the budget version of a "California Dreamin'," yeah?

Day 1: Arrival and "Charming" Pasadena

• 8:00 AM (ish): The Red-Eye from Detroit. Dear God, the armrest hog on the plane. The guy next to me… snored. Like, a full-on symphony of nasal distress. Note to self: pack earplugs next trip, and maybe a taser for the seat neighbor. Ugh.
• 11:00 AM (ish): Touchdown LAX. Smog. Yep, it's definitely California. And the airport… a beautiful chaos of bewildered tourists and stressed airport workers. Finding an Uber was like navigating a minefield of luggage and existential dread. Success! (eventually).
• 12:30 PM: Motel 6. Pasadena. "Welcome to your home away from home!" the perpetually cheerful receptionist chirped. My home away from home where the carpet looked like it had witnessed a thousand spilled sodas and questionable decisions. Air conditioning… well, let's just say it was trying. The smell… a mix of bleach, old cigarettes and maybe a hint of desperation. But hey, clean sheets, right? We survived.
• 1:30 PM: Lunch at a random taco place. I chose it because it was the first thing I saw. The tacos? Surprisingly good. Definitely making up for the questionable motel smell… and the plane guy's incessant snoring. Note to self: order two next time.
• 3:00 PM: Old Town Pasadena. Okay, actually pretty cute. Actually cute, more like. The architecture, the shops, the vibe… It's got a certain… something. Kind of like a Wes Anderson movie set but with more yoga pants and people on electric scooters. I got a little lost, wandered down some side streets I shouldn't have, and almost tripped over a very enthusiastic golden retriever.
• 5:00 PM: The Shops at Paseo Colorado. More shopping, but it also doubled as a mission for shade to get out of the sun and a restroom. Bought a ridiculous, oversized hat that will likely never see the light of day after this trip. Impulse purchase, thy name is California.
• 7:00 PM: Dinner. Decided to be adventurous and try this highly-rated Mexican restaurant. The margaritas? Strong. The food? Okay. The mariachi band? Overwhelmed with mariachi band. Great for five minutes. After that, it turned into a cacophony that made it hard to hear myself think. My mood: Tired traveler.
• 9:00 PM: Back at Motel 6. Attempting to watch TV. Reminded self about that armrest hog. Realized the TV remote didn't work. Decided, with a sigh, to go straight to bed, hoping I don't share a dream with the snoring man on the plane.

Day 2: The Rose Bowl & An Existential Crisis (Maybe)

• 7:00 AM (ish): Woke up to the sound of… I don't even know what. A lawn mower, probably. Or a particularly energetic sprinkler system. Coffee from the motel coffee maker (which tasted of sadness and regret). Fueling up for the day.
• 8:00 AM: Rose Bowl. Okay, it's a football stadium. A big football stadium. Felt a bit like an ant in a coliseum. Thinking about how many people must have screamed in that stadium. Really thinking about it. Wandering around the empty stands gives you a strange sense of perspective. Life is weird.
• 9:30 AM: Rose Bowl Flea Market (If it's the right weekend). OH MY GOD. This is the most insane, glorious, overwhelming display of stuff I've ever witnessed. Vintage clothes that smell like your grandma, antiques that probably hold dark secrets, records, weird art, and everything in between. I swear, I found a taxidermied squirrel wearing a tiny top hat. (I didn't buy it, though I wanted to.) This entire experience was enough to make me question the meaning of life…and my purchasing power. I need to find a place to put all of this stuff.
• 12:00 PM: Lunch: more tacos (This time it was a food truck). Food trucks are the way to go.
• 1:00 PM: Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. Pretty. Very pretty. Actually, staggeringly gorgeous. The Japanese Garden was my favorite; I felt serene… for about five minutes, then wondered if I was being scammed. It was that perfect.
• 4:00 PM: Art Museum. Art is weird. I don't understand most of it. But I did enjoy the pretty architecture.
• 6:00 PM: Dinner at a restaurant I'd been eyeing. It was supposed to be a hidden gem, romantic and all that jazz. They forgot my order and the lighting was… well… I felt like I was trying to eat dinner in a cave. But, the service was great, and eventually, the food was delightful.
• 8:00 PM: Return to the lovely Motel 6. TV remote still not working. Bedtime story.

Day 3: Departure & Farewell (Maybe Not Goodbye)

• 7:00 AM: Breakfast from a local diner. Pancakes and bacon. Because calories don't count on vacation, right?
• 8:00 AM: Packing. Finding all sorts of random things I bought at the flea market. Wondering how I will fit it into this suitcase.
• 9:00 AM: Check-out. Encountered the perpetually cheerful receptionist. Smile back. It felt… slightly more genuine.
• 10:00 AM: Uber to LAX. The driver was in a surprisingly good mood, considering the LA rush hour.
• 11:30 AM: Airport. The same beautiful chaos. The same existential dread.
• 1:00 PM: Flight. Back to reality. Back to the snoring guy next to me, maybe.

Final Thoughts (and Probably a Few Regrets):

Pasadena… It’s a peculiar place. Not perfect. A little rough around the edges, but that's part of its charm. The Motel 6? Let's just say it provided a certain… character to the trip. Would I go back? Maybe. But next time, I'm splurging on a better mattress and definitely bringing earplugs. And maybe a therapist for when I come back.

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Motel 6 Pasadena, CA – Old Town Pasadena Area Los Angeles (CA) United States```html

Pasadena Getaway: Your Budget-Friendly Old Town Oasis Awaits! (And Honestly, It Might Just Surprise You)

Okay, spill. What *actually* is Pasadena Getaway? Don't give me the brochure BS.

Alright, alright, I get it. You want the *real*. Pasadena Getaway is… well, it's a place. A pretty darn good place, actually, for a budget-conscious escape. Think cozy rooms, smack-dab in the heart of Old Town Pasadena. You’re practically tripping over restaurants, shops, and the Metro Gold Line station (bless!). It’s *not* the Ritz. Let’s be clear. It’s not going to have a butler offering you a champagne flute at 6 am. But for the price? And the location? You're laughing. I mean, I went in expecting *nothing* and left genuinely charmed. It's like, the under-the-radar cool cousin of fancier hotels.

How budget-friendly are we *really* talking? Because "budget-friendly" can mean a lot of things.

Now, this is where Pasadena Getaway shines. Seriously. Depending on when you go and what kind of room you snag (they have some different sizes, naturally), you're looking at prices that, in this crazy California landscape of insane hotel costs, will actually make you breathe a sigh of relief. Think: way, *way* less than those fancy places with the rooftop pools you'll never use anyway. I remember one time, I scored a deal that was… well, so good, I almost thought it was a mistake. I’m not gonna tell you the exact price because it varies, but let's just say it left me with enough cash leftover for *multiple* gelato cones. And trust me, you *need* gelato in Old Town Pasadena.

Location, location, location. What's the deal? Is it actually *in* the heart of Old Town?

YES. Thank goodness, because parking is a nightmare everywhere! Seriously. You walk out the door and you're *there*. Literally. Restaurants? Around the corner. The shops? Everywhere you look! The Metro? A short, breezy walk and you're whisked away to LA proper. I loved being able to wander around at night, grabbing a late-night slice of pizza without having to worry about driving and parking. And trust me, that pizza was glorious after a long day of wandering. It really felt like an oasis of convenience. I remember one time, I'd just come off a horrific flight delay, and being able to just *walk* to the hotel and collapse on the bed? Pure bliss.

The rooms. Give me the lowdown. Are they...clean? Modern? Do they have enough outlets for my phone and ALL my gadgets?

Okay, so the rooms. They're… functional. The word I'd use. Clean? Yes, thankfully, the cleanliness did not let me down. They're not going to win any design awards or anything, but they're comfortable, which is what really matters, right? The decor is… well, it's there. Think "classic motel," but updated. The bed was surprisingly comfortable, like, seriously comfortable – I actually slept really well. And the most important thing? YES! Sufficient outlets. I could charge everything, which is crucial because, let's be honest, we're all glued to our phones now. There was once I went to a place that had like one outlet that was hidden somewhere and I wanted to scream. So, yeah, Pasadena Getaway scores big points for basic, functional comfort.

So, the lack of a pool is a deal-breaker for me. Is there even *anything* in the hotel?

Okay, no pool. I said it, I'm sorry. But here's a secret. The lack of a pool actually *helps* the "budget-friendly" part. What it *does* have is… a certain charm. There's a small lobby. There's the friendly staff, who were genuinely helpful (seriously, they gave me good recommendations on where to get the best coffee). And that's kind of it. But you know what? That all the stuff you *should* be using. This place really emphasizes the old "location, location, location" mantra and it does it well. Honestly, I found myself spending most of my time exploring Old Town, so I didn't even miss a pool. Really, I felt like I was spending more time *living* rather than simply being a tourist.

Parking: the bane of anyone's existence in Southern California. What's the situation?

Ah, yes. The Big Question. Parking. Okay, here's the deal. Pasadena, like pretty much everywhere in SoCal, is a parking challenge. The hotel has parking, which is HUGE! It's not free, mind you, but it's *reasonable*. And seriously, paying for parking is way better than circling the block for an hour, getting increasingly stressed, and then ending up with a parking ticket. I've been there. Trust me. The hotel parking is your best bet. Don't even try to find street parking. Just. Don't.

Are there any downsides? Be honest.

Okay, the honesty train is pulling into the station. Yes, there are downsides. The rooms are not soundproof, so you *might* hear some street noise (especially on a weekend). It's not the most luxurious place on earth. And, well, if you're expecting a spa, a gym, or a gourmet breakfast buffet, you're looking in the wrong place. But honestly? For the price and the location, those are pretty minor quibbles. I mean, you're in Old Town Pasadena! Go get breakfast at one of the amazing cafes! Go shop! Go *live* a little!

Would you recommend it? Give me the bottom line!

Yes. Absolutely, yes. If you're looking for a budget-friendly, centrally located place to stay in Old Town Pasadena, book it. Don’t expect perfection, embrace the quirks, and enjoy the heck out of being in such a vibrant place. It's perfect for a solo traveler, a couple, or even a small group of friends who value location and convenience over fancy frills. Seriously, I’d go back in a heartbeat, and that’s coming from someone who is, let’s just say, *picky*. It’s not a perfect gem, but it is a darn good deal. Just go! You might just love it. And if you see a slightly frazzled-looking person with a gelato cone wandering around Old Town, it might just be me, reminiscing about my amazing, unexpectedly delightful stay at Pasadena Getaway.

Okay, I'm in. Any tips to make my stay even better?

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Motel 6 Pasadena, CA – Old Town Pasadena Area Los Angeles (CA) United States

Motel 6 Pasadena, CA – Old Town Pasadena Area Los Angeles (CA) United States

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