Thanks for the actual trip reports. Not as good as I'm hoping but better than I feared, I guess.

My main concern is probably safety of the area (since it looks a bit industrial), size (since I'm travelling with kids), and cleanliness. I stayed in a Crowne Plaza at SF Airport once and the decor was terrible, like something straight out of a Brady Bunch episode. If I remember correctly, the sofa was actually corduroy and I do have a personal aversion to popcorn ceilings.

The location seems great with easy access to the 210 and Pasadena. I would have preferred something IN Pasadena, but the prices are crazy near the end of the year, most likely due to the Rose Parade. Not the best timing on my part.