Howard Johnson by Wyndham Pasadena

We were only there for about ten hours: checked in, ate a little in the room, slept, and left at 6 am. The area felt clean and quiet, and it's next to Cinnabon and a Boba spot, a nice treat at night. Parking inside the hotel was easy, and the front desk was quick and professional. I liked having a separate little living room between the front door and bedroom. We had a suite with two TVs, a fridge, microwave, six fellows, hair dryer, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, and soap. I would strongly suggest getting a suite if you can. There was a lot of activity on the fourth floor, with people standing by our door and going back and forth in the hallway. It was loud, but the living room helped keep it from disturbing us too much. It's an older place that hasn't been upgraded. The maroon carpet was scuffed all over, and the shower handle was broken but still usable. It spun a full 360 degrees, so you had to hold it firmly to get colder or hotter water. It was clean, the bed was comfortable, and the service was good, but anyone after modern furniture and lots of light may not like it.

I was told earlier that the hotel doesn't serve breakfast. My reservation was for today, but my flight was cancelled, so as a diamond member I asked if they would return my 15,000 points. I cancelled 17 hours before check-in, as soon as I learned about the flight, although the policy requires cancellation 24 hours ahead. I had also left a voicemail shortly after 11 pm the night before and got no reply. Tommy, who said he was the manager, told me his boss had said he must not return the points under any circumstances. He suggested that, with the Pasadena Rose Bowl parade tomorrow, they could make more money renting the room for cash. I felt returning the points as a courtesy would have been fair. Wyndham diamond rewards services contacted Tommy on my behalf before I spoke with him, but that didn't help. I realize it's a busy time, but a manager should speak with more composure and kindness. When I asked for his boss's name, he refused. If Tommy is the manager, I'm not sure who he consulted.

I picked this place for its proximity to the Rose Bowl to see Chappell Roan, and it worked out really well. There's plenty of chain and local food nearby, and it's about a 20-minute walk to the Metro. The hotel is cozy and welcoming for the price, though it definitely isn't five-star. Staff were incredibly kind and thoughtful, and I had a peaceful stay. The elevator was out of service, with a notice saying it would be down sometime from September 25 to December 25, so keep that in mind. If you just need a bed for the night, it's a good spot.

The area is great and felt safe, and the front desk staff were polite. I was staying here while my apartment was being repaired and needed a fridge, microwave, and coffee maker so I could work from the room. It was basic but clean and had what I needed. If you're working there, bring earplugs because you can hear the staff cleaning in the morning.