I used to work there right after high school
Also at Hamels too
Dana is very nice, clean, and a good location for traveling into Mission Beach, Valley, Old Town anything off the 5 or 8. Summer gets nutty with traffic. You want to be in the newer section of the hotel. Also do not leave food or a sweet drink in your car you will get those little ants invading it. The last time we stayed there we had black ants so bad climbing in to get some sugary crumb cake one child spilled on the floor of the car. We drove up into the IE and as the van got hotter they would come running out from the dashboard or steering wheel. Gross
If you cant get into the new section IMHO its not worth the money. Ask to see your room and if its not up to your standards
If you are trying to stay down 'at the beach' in a hotel I reccomend http://www.catamaranresort.com/
If you really want at the Beach you can rent a home from http://www.missionbeach.com/search.php
try south side of Mission Beach on the bayfront for the most peaceful you can map out mission beach and see each court in alphabetical order to see where you might rent from.