Hi-Way Host Motel
Hi-Way Host Motel is a small, classic roadside motel on East Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena. It sits right along historic Route 66, between the San Gabriel Mountains and the main attractions of the city. This is not a resort or a designer hotel. It is a simple, affordable place to sleep, park your car, and rest between museum visits, campus tours, or trips across Los Angeles.
Location in Pasadena
The motel is located at 3474 East Colorado Boulevard, in a quieter, more residential part of Pasadena. By car, you can quickly reach:
Caltech and Pasadena City College
Pasadena Convention Center and Old Pasadena
Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
Colorado Boulevard connects straight to the 210 freeway, so it is easy to combine Pasadena plans with trips to downtown Los Angeles, Glendale, Arcadia, or nearby suburbs. For guests who prefer not to drive every time, there is a Metro station within walking distance. You can leave the car in the motel parking lot and still move around the area comfortably.
Route 66 Heritage and Retro Vibe
Hi-Way Host Motel is part of the old Route 66 story. The tall retro sign, one–story buildings, and cars parked right outside the doors look exactly like the road-trip motels many people know from movies and photos.
Travelers who follow Route 66 often choose this property because it keeps that original roadside feeling without turning into a themed attraction. You spend the day in Pasadena or in the nearby mountains and, in the evening, come back not to a huge high-rise hotel but to a classic, low-key motel that matches the atmosphere of the historic highway.
Rooms and Basic Comfort
The rooms follow a traditional roadside layout. Most of them open directly onto the parking area, which is convenient when you are unloading bags, groceries, sports gear, or medical equipment. Inside, each room is built around simple, practical needs:
A bed with a firm mattress
A private bathroom with shower or tub
A small seating area
Space for clothes and luggage
In addition, guests usually have air conditioning and heating, cable TV, a mini-fridge in many rooms, a coffee maker, and free Wi-Fi for maps, email, and streaming. The décor is plain and slightly dated. The focus is not on design or trendy details, but on fair price and basic function.
Room Types and Approximate Rates
| Room Type | Features | Approx. Price/Night |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Queen Room | One queen bed, private bathroom, TV, Wi-Fi, air conditioning | Budget-friendly rate, usually the lowest option |
| King Room | One king bed, extra space, seating area, TV, Wi-Fi, air conditioning | Moderate rate for couples or solo travelers |
| Double Room | Two beds, private bathroom, TV, Wi-Fi, air conditioning | Economical option for friends or small families sharing one room |
Amenities: Pool, Parking, Wi-Fi
From the street, Hi-Way Host looks like a textbook Route 66 stop: low buildings, a bright roadside sign, and cars lined up in front of the rooms. Behind this picture there is a small set of amenities that really matter during a road trip:
Free self-parking directly in front of the rooms
A gated parking lot that closes at night
An outdoor swimming pool to cool down after a hot day
A front desk that can help with directions and simple local tips
Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the property
There is no breakfast service and no on-site restaurant. Guests use the cafés, diners, and takeout spots in the neighborhood around East Colorado Boulevard, which gives more flexibility in price and food choices.
Food, Shops, and Daily Basics Nearby
The neighborhood around the motel is typical East Pasadena: low buildings, local businesses, and a calmer rhythm than in Old Pasadena. Along Colorado Boulevard you can find:
Classic American diners and coffee shops
Mexican and Asian restaurants
Fast-food chains and takeaway options
Grocery stores, pharmacies, and gas stations
For longer stays, many guests buy simple groceries, keep them in the mini-fridge, and treat the motel as a practical base. You can have breakfast at a nearby diner, grab coffee to go, and come back in the evening to a familiar, no-frills room.
Getting Around Without a Car
Most visitors arrive by car, but it is still possible to stay here without one. The nearest Metro station is close enough to walk. From there you can reach central Pasadena and continue toward downtown Los Angeles. Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft also come quickly, since Colorado Boulevard is a major street.
This works well for travelers who do not want to drive every day, prefer walking in Old Pasadena, and are happy to return in the evening by train or rideshare instead of dealing with traffic and parking.
Who This Motel Is Best For
Hi-Way Host Motel suits guests who want simple comfort and easy access more than a long list of hotel services. It is especially practical for:
Road-trippers driving along Route 66
Families visiting students at Caltech or Pasadena City College
Budget-minded travelers who use Pasadena as a base for trips around L.A.
People who spend most of the day outside and only need a place to sleep, shower, and recharge devices
If you think of the motel as a clean, basic “base camp,” it usually matches expectations.
When Another Hotel Might Be Better
This property is not the right choice for everyone. It will not suit travelers who expect a full-service hotel experience. It may disappoint:
Guests who want an on-site restaurant, lobby bar, room service, or spa
Travelers who expect very modern interiors and designer furniture
People who are extremely sensitive to noise and want heavy soundproofing
The motel sits on a busy boulevard and uses the classic open-air layout with doors facing the parking lot. Sound insulation is not the same as in a new high-rise hotel with internal corridors.
In-Room Doctor Visits for Extra Peace of Mind
For some travelers, access to medical care is just as important as Wi-Fi or parking. In Pasadena, concierge medical services can visit guests directly in their motel room. These doctors work independently from Hi-Way Host Motel but can come to the property if a guest needs help.
This option can be helpful in typical travel situations: a business traveler wakes up with a sore throat before a conference and wants to see a doctor without spending hours in urgent care; an older adult visiting family needs a blood pressure check or medication review; a child suddenly develops a fever at night and parents prefer a pediatric consultation in the room.
Appointments and payments are handled directly with the medical provider, and insurance coverage depends on each guest’s plan. The motel itself does not organize or bill for these visits; it is simply the place where the doctor comes.
Practical Tips Before You Book
A few simple decisions can make your stay more comfortable:
If you are sensitive to noise, ask for a room farther from Colorado Boulevard, closer to the back of the lot.
Check the exact check-in and check-out times in your booking and ask about early check-in if you arrive in the morning.
Plan in advance where you will have breakfast and dinner, or buy snacks and drinks in a nearby supermarket.
For major holidays, big conferences, or the Rose Parade period, book early: budget rooms in Pasadena fill up quickly on those dates.
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