Description: We have been commuting down to Pasadena all month and have been happy with the Sheraton (see other review). However, on our last trip, all of Pasadena hotels were sold out. We decided to get a motel by the Burbank/Pasadena Airport.
I remembered an article in the Alaska Airlines magazine about a fun new property that Coast Hotels opened, a retro, mid-century motel that they turned into a hip airport motel called The Safari Inn. We booked it.
On arriving Burbank Airport, we called the motel and they were unable to provide directions to the motel, as nobody at the front desk knew how to get there from the airport. We found this strange, as they are only a few miles and it's a fairly straight shot.
On arriving, the motel brought back fond memories of the road trip our family took in 1961 from Minnesota to California. This was exactly the kind of motel we stayed in on that trip: small, two story motels that were in the shape of an "L," hugging a small pool. They had 1960 names that had either Hawaiian, African, or space themes to them.
The big neon sign lit up the night sky with a huge SAFARI INN. The pool was there, lit for night and on busy Olive Avenue. The hotel does have free parking, but we took the last spot at 8pm, so I am not sure where the guests who come later park.
The lobby was very retro. The two desk agents apologized for not knowing how to drive from the airport. My suggestion was to have printed directions near the phone.
The rooms were an average size. They were not as retro as the lobby. As a matter of fact, they had pretty standard motel furniture, although it was new. The room had one very tiny window and made the room feel somewhat cavernous. The only color in the room were two small prints on the wall and a bright bedspread. However, the room did have things like a data port, iron and ironing board, mini-fridge, hairdryer, shampoos, and free local phone calls. The room was well stocked and amazingly clean. It was so clean that it sparkled. We even noticed how clean it smelled!
The hotel is near Burbank Airport and only a few blocks from the front gates of Warner Brothers Studio. Olive Avenue is busy and has a lot of businesses and places to eat on it. The motel itself does not have a restaurant.
The best news is that this room only cost us $83. I have to say that this was a deal. The motel has a few minor flaws, but for that price, I can live with them. It has a good location, fair-size rooms that are clean, and extra amenities. I would not hesitate to stay here again for that price!
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