Hyland Inn perfectly met our needs for a last minute place to sleep after an impromptu road trip to spend Christmas Day with my wife's family in San Marino. It is not luxurious like other hotels closer to Old Town Pasadena, but it is perfect if your priorities consist of:
1. Excellent customer service at check-in with their Front Desk,
2. FREE, safe parking lot on a relatively quiet, tree-lined street,
3. Extremely clean, no frills room (minimal towels, no tissue box, not a problem at this price point in this location), and finally...
...a peaceful evening of sleep (did I mention quiet, even though you're two blocks from the freeway)
And bonus was the view of the San Gabriel Mountains from the 3rd floor this morning as we were walking to an excellent coffee shop called Rosebud.
Would definitely stay again next time we're in Pasadena.