My company likes to book me into mid-luxury hotels, the Sheratons, Renaissances, and Hiltons of America. But I’ve learned that in some locales these traditional, full-service hotels can be both inconvenient and a drain on the wallet. Greater Los Angeles is one such locale, and the reason is cars.

In L.A., there are almost no neighborhood conveniences close to full-service hotels, at least none within walking distance. As a result, when you want a meal, a snack, toothpaste, a book or a newspaper, your choices are a) buy it at the hotel and pay through the nose, or b) get in your car and drive somewhere else. Choosing option b) can be a chore, though, having to traipse through a city-block-length parking garage, or wait (and pay) for a valet to retrieve your vehicle. When you start to add up parking fees and how many times you’ll be needing your car, the inconvenience/cost factor begins to be substantial.

Fortunately, Los Angeles is surrounded by smaller, convenient motor inns and motels, covering the whole of the cleanliness-creepiness spectrum.

I had a week of business to do in Pasadena. I had chosen the Saga, but my company sent me to the Best Western Pasadena instead, and I’m happy they did.

The Best Western Pasadena is a two-story motor inn located on the eastern edge of town, just a hop and a skip from Arcadia. There’s no concierge, room service or mini-bar, no turn down service or chocolates on your pillow, no flat-screen TV, in-room movies, Bose radio or jacuzzi tubs. What you get is a very tidy room with the basic amenities: a comfy bed, cable TV (with HBO), a little clock radio, free wireless internet, toiletries, an iron and a full-sized (hallelujah!) ironing board, and a refrigerator.

Parking is free and usually right outside your door. There’s the requisite outdoor swimming pool and free continental breakfast, and a little coin-op laundry room on the first floor. Heat and A/C are via a front in-wall unit that’s a bit on the noisy side, but it works just fine. The traffic noise factor is surprisingly low, as was the guest rowdiness noise factor during my entire stay.

The desk and housekeeping staff are friendly and pleasant to deal with.

My only quibble was with the wireless internet, which was always poky and sometimes just plain unavailable. Without getting into a whole rant on this topic, let me just say these days solid, reliable, and speedy internet access in hotels is absolutely essential, and it should always be included in the daily room rate.

You will stay here for the convenience, not the luxury. And the conveniences are many. The inn is two blocks from an I-210 interchange (Rosemead Blvd.), and a straight shot down Colorado Blvd., several miles to the 110 Freeway. It’s not far from Caltech, Pasadena City College, the Arboretum or Santa Anita racetrack. There’s a Whole Foods and a Ralph’s supermarket a half mile away, and at least one of every upscale and drive-thru eatery chain in North America (including In-N-Out Burgers) within a mile or two. One of Pasadena’s most popular Japanese eateries - Gin Sushi - is just across the street. And you really should experience Top’s, a quintessential (since 1952!) SoCal drive-thru (you can also eat inside) with fabulous burgers and tremendous sandwiches; it’s just two blocks east on Colorado. The legendary Zankou Chicken sits several blocks west, as well as a beautiful new gym (Evolution Fitness) where you can pay by the day.

As I’ve said, the Inn’s rooms are spartan compared to your average business hotel. If you’re looking to be pampered and spoiled, or just plan on spending a lot of time in your room, this isn’t the place for you. But if you just need a place to rest, refresh and recoup after a busy day at work or sightseeing, you could do much worse than the Best Western Pasadena Inn. At under a hundred bucks a night, it’s a true bargain.

PS: Although I didn’t explore it, across the street is the Best Western Pasadena Royale, a 3-level all-suites joint.