I chose Hotel Gardenias because its bilingual staff could communicate with my Sesame Street Spanish. For $34 USD, I got a room with two full beds, television (which I never turned on), private bathroom, and free access to the beautiful pool.
For under $5 USD, I got a "Continental" style breakfast, including juice and coffee. The hotel had simple maps available, and arranged for my taxi to the airport before I had checked out. They also had several paperbacks (in English) for the taking.
The bedroom floor was tiled, not carpeted. I actually liked this more than I thought because I believe it was easier for the house staff to clean.
Because the bed linens were mended, I noted that they had been changed daily. (I've marked sheets in more expensive hotels and not had them changed.)
The only thing that kept this from a perfect review is that the hotel does not offer internet access (at the time of this writing, summer 2005).
The staff made itself available to us, and they were very nice. I was in Mexico for what amounts to a body modification convention. Unlike what I've experienced in the States, I was met with some curiosity but with no rudeness. I would probably consider a car next time, since I got lost in town before I got my map (and I have the blisters to prove it) and Hotel Gardenias is not on the Strip. However, I would certainly consider Hotel Gardenias upon my next visit to La Paz.