Just how bad is the parking at Desert Inn & Suites?

[Cal-Pie]

I'm considering a stay here early next year, but I've heard nothing good about the parking situation. Is all the parking underground? Do they have an overflow lot offsite somewhere? What's the likelihood of finding a space, considering it's off season?

Give me the lowdown

 

[starshine514]

The parking is bad. They have underground and surface parking. We normally find a spot and then don't move our vehicle again until we leave. The first time we stayed here, we didn't realize how bad it was and went somewhere, returning after 9 PM - we only found one spot, for a compact car (so, it totally wouldn't fit our extended-cab, full size pickup). We gave it to the valets, who parked it (no additional fee for this). They basically double-parked it in their backlot area. Before that first stay, I had inquired about bringing a second vehicle and they told me that they had an agreement with a nearby facility that we could park our second car at for $15/day. So, offsite is an option, but I think they normally just double-park in their restricted-access area for the valet.

That was the only time we've used the valet. Normally, we find a spot, park it and just keep it there.

 

[Cal-Pie]

The parking is bad. They have underground and surface parking. We normally find a spot and then don't move our vehicle again until we leave. The first time we stayed here, we didn't realize how bad it was and went somewhere, returning after 9 PM - we only found one spot, for a compact car (so, it totally wouldn't fit our extended-cab, full size pickup). We gave it to the valets, who parked it (no additional fee for this). They basically double-parked it in their backlot area. Before that first stay, I had inquired about bringing a second vehicle and they told me that they had an agreement with a nearby facility that we could park our second car at for $15/day. So, offsite is an option, but I think they normally just double-park in their restricted-access area for the valet.

That was the only time we've used the valet. Normally, we find a spot, park it and just keep it there.

Thanks! Sounds like we'll park the car and leave it. The only time we move it is for our beach day anyway. Can't beat the $79/night parlor suite rate.

 

[AulaniP]

How did you get a $79 rate? Share please.

 

[starshine514]

How did you get a $79 rate? Share please.

$79 is the cheapest rate that they offer for their parlor suite. It's usually only available until they reach a certain amount of capacity. I just checked yesterday and it was available at that rate for our days in January. Unfortunately, I've never seen the rates at the DI&S go back down, once they go up, they seem to stay up.

 

[nannyz]

The parking is indeed horrendous and one of the reasons we will not stay there again. I also dislike the exterior doors, the noise from the people walking up and down the walkway outside our room at all hours. And there is just something creepy about that place.

 

[wvnative]

We like DI&S. We generally arrive early enough in the day that parking isn't an issue. As was mentioned before, we park and don't move it until it's time to leave.

 

[MrsPinup]

I have never had a problem parking there - we have always had above ground parking, but we always arrive early. Be careful going underground though - the concrete is scared from cars scraping their undercarriage on the way down.

 

[michelleh1]

I personally didn't think that the parking was too bad. Yes, it was a pain when we needed to turn around - not enough room to do a full turn, so lots of back and forth. We did leave several times and return and always found a spot - it was during the day if that makes a difference. We drive a mini-van.

 

[kirstie101]

$79 is the cheapest rate that they offer for their parlor suite. It's usually only available until they reach a certain amount of capacity. I just checked yesterday and it was available at that rate for our days in January. Unfortunately, I've never seen the rates at the DI&S go back down, once they go up, they seem to stay up.

Ditto! DI&S is one place I always book as early as possible. I've never seen their rates go down, only up.

And parking is tight though we've always gotten a spot. Like the pp we park our car and leave it. I prefer the above ground parking but last trip we were underground. Honesty, when I travel with the kids and my mom, without DH, we prefer the Hojo and one of the reasons is so I dont have to try to get the car parked at DI&S. But as long as DH is the one parking the car it doesn't bother me at all He's never complained and for the rates we get its totally worth it for our big family trip.

 

[jennabennabofenna]

I stayed at the Desert Inn and Suites in April, and the parking wasn't bad IMO.

We pulled all the way to the back of the parking lot to park and unload our stuff. Our room was on the bottom floor (which i would highly recommend to request if you stay there), then we parked our vehicle underground and walked back up the steps to our room. Nothing horrendous about it. But originally when we puled up to check in i was bothered by the underground parking... but turned out to be okay

 

[ty71803]

would you stay at desert inn, del sol, or park vue if the prices were all equal?

 

[mysteriouspnai]

would you stay at desert inn, del sol, or park vue if the prices were all equal?

Park Vue: Better breakfast, fruit basket when you come in, appetizers in the afternoon... but I've never stayed at Park Vue or Del Sol so I don't have first hand experience.

 

[starshine514]

Park Vue -I haven't stayed there, but I've heard good things about it. The evening food would be appealing also!

 

[Mommy26]

I just stayed at the Desert Inn and Suites May 29 to Jun 3rd. I did not like the customer service, the parking, the breakfast, and the hard beds. Everything else was fine.

I stayed at the Park Vue Inn two years ago and remember it being quite nice.

I cannot say anything about the other hotel, I have never been there.

 

[Cal-Pie]

would you stay at desert inn, del sol, or park vue if the prices were all equal?

I'd absolutely stay at Park Vue if prices were equal. We've stayed there before and loved it. But, for our next stay prices at Park Vue are about $60/night more than DS&I, that's why I was looking at some other options.