San Diego hotels

[ChristieJA1971]

Thanks to all your help, I have the hotel in Disney figured out.

Now to San Diego....I'm struggling more here with hotel choices due to being a family of 5 and cost. Many like the Catamaran do not have rooms left to accommodate us. We will be having a beach day and going to Sea World and the Zoo during our 3.5 days in San Diego. We also will have a vehicle if that makes a difference for location. I really would like to keep the price under $130.00/night so for now I've called and these hotels are available:

Comfort Inn and Suites Chula Vista

Best Western Yacht Club

Old Town Inn (it's been recommended by a few on this board to not stay there)

Any experience on the above hotels? Any other good suggestions? We would like a pool, free parking if possible and clean/friendly. Breakfast would be nice but beggers can't be choosers!

Thank you

 

[Huff]

San Diego hotels are often pricey. The last several trips we have been staying at the Holiday Inn Bayside on Harbor blvd about 4 miles from Sea World. It overlooks the bay and marina. There are two sections, older with outside rooms and a newer tower with inside hallways. The older section surrounds the pool, pool/bar area and is why I prefer it. The newer tower is a bit nicer and more modern but further from the pool.

Depending on your dates I have had great luck getting this hotel for a rate of $65-$85/night booking online and selecting the entertainment rate. I have never had to actually show an entertainment card when checking in, but they can be bought online or at stores in your home town for $30 or less.

Parking is free. They do have a restaurant and a deal where kids eat free but thats only if you pay full rack rate which is often $150 or so.

Eat breakfast downtown at Richard Walkers Pancake House. Excellent but often has a line down the sidewalk if you arrive at busy times.

 

[ChristieJA1971]

Wonderful info, thanks Huff. I just made reservations and with the Entertainment Card it's $69/night!!! Just to make sure I was given the correct information, there is a refigerator in each room, right?

I'm excited and thanks so much for your help!!!

 

[Huff]

Yes, theres a fridge in each room. I had trouble finding it in the older section as its sitting inside one of the large cabinets next to the dressers.

I find this hotel a great value. Nothing fancy but a nice, clean comfortable place. Across the street are a couple restaurants overlooking the marina. One of them is a pizza/pub type place thats really good. Before 6pm they have happy hour prices on appetizers and some individual size gourmet pizzas. We go there and order several for a cheap but good dinner.

Is 2 queen beds enough for the 5 of you? Should work if you have small children.

 

[ChristieJA1971]

You described exactly what we're looking for in a San Diego hotel because other than evenings, we won't be therel much.

If you don't mind me asking, is there a good beach to go to so my girls can collect sea shells and dip their toes in the ocean?

I'm a little concerned about the two queen beds but the next size room wasn't available. I did ask and we can rent a roll-a-way for $10.00 a night and I think that will be perfect. We have three girls ages 3, 5 and 13 so the little one can always sleep with us if an alternate bed is not available.

Are the rooms in the older section smaller than the newer section? I'm thinking we can go to the hotel at around 12pm and check in so that maybe we can get nicely located room as well (even though I realize we most likely won't be able to go to the room yet).

Any other tidbits you can tell me about this hotel?

I can't thank you enough for the suggestion. For some reason I didn't run across that hotel in the 50,000 I looked at.

 

[DollBabyKG]

Do NOT, I repeat, do NOT stay at the Comfort Inn. We had a DISASTROUS experience at a San Diego Comfort Inn. Would never stay there again. We stayed at the Best Western Plus Island Palms on Shelter Island in San Diego, and LOVED it. We had an ocean view, and a gated front patio for the kids to run around it.

 

[Huff]

I don't recall if the newer section has larger or smaller rooms. Seemed about the same but ask when checking in.

We like going to Mission Beach which is close to Sea World. There's a small amusement park there, shops, food etc. Nice beach, life guards, showers to rinse off. If there before amusement park opens then park in their lot otherwise if no spots there then use city park that's short walk to beach. Parking is free there.

 

[candy0730]

Wonderful info, thanks Huff. I just made reservations and with the Entertainment Card it's $69/night!!! Just to make sure I was given the correct information, there is a refigerator in each room, right?

I'm excited and thanks so much for your help!!!

Hi, I have been looking for a hotel in SD for March 17-18. I checked Holiday Inn Bayside and the cheapest I find is $153. Did you find $69 on their website?

 

[ChristieJA1971]

When I initially called I was quoted a rate of $130.00 if I recall. I then asked about the Entertainment Card rate and the quote dropped drastically. I actually leaned about using the card for hotels from these boards so I bought one a week or so ago (it's now on sale through tomorrow for $20.00 including shipping) and Huff told me she uses it for this particular hotel.

Good luck to you and have a great trip!!!!

 

[candy0730]

Thank you so much for the info. I am going to call them tomorrow and ask about the entertainment rate. That is an awesome deal you got! I was able to reserve a room at Hojos near DL at the entertainment rate for 4 out of our 6 nights so that is a big savings.

I hope you have a wonderful trip also!

 

[Huff]

I've always booked online at holiday inns website. There's a selection for the entertainment card rate.. Callng and asking sounds like it works as well.

 

[Huff]

Hi, I have been looking for a hotel in SD for March 17-18. I checked Holiday Inn Bayside and the cheapest I find is $153. Did you find $69 on their website?

Looks like the entertainment rate is not available for the night of March 17th. Perhaps the Holiday Inn Express in La Mesa may work for you. Its further away from Seaworld but easy drive on I-8. Should be able to get for about $89 and I believe they give free breakfast (cereal, fruit, toast).

 

[candy0730]

Looks like the entertainment rate is not available for the night of March 17th. Perhaps the Holiday Inn Express in La Mesa may work for you. Its further away from Seaworld but easy drive on I-8. Should be able to get for about $89 and I believe they give free breakfast (cereal, fruit, toast).

Thank you for the suggestion. We are not sure if we are going to Seaworld but do plan on the zoo and we would like to check out Lajolla Cove. Would the HI in La Mesa be close to either of those two places? We really just need a decent place to sleep since we don't plan on spending much time at the hotel. Of course free breakfast would be wonderful.