The 193-room Porto Vista Hotel offers a mid-range option with a ‘60s motel vibe, a restaurant with harbor views, and a cool rooftop bar with plenty of lounge space. But despite the veneer of trendy decor in some areas, this is a no-frills property: Rooms have motel-style, exterior entrances, and the hotel's location in Little Italy, right off the freeway, isn't ideal for exploring Downtown San Diego on foot. A free (limited) breakfast is included in some room rates, and the hotel has a free airport shuttle. Wi-Fi throughout is free. Those who don't mind giving up an on-site restaurant and gym may prefer the nearby, charming Hotel Vyvant for around the same price.
The 193-room Porto Vista Hotel offers a mid-range option with a ‘60s motel vibe, a restaurant with harbor views, and a cool rooftop bar with plenty of lounge space. But despite the veneer of trendy decor in some areas, this is a no-frills property: Rooms have motel-style, exterior entrances, and the hotel's location in Little Italy, right off the freeway, isn't ideal for exploring Downtown San Diego on foot. A free (limited) breakfast is included in some room rates, and the hotel has a free airport shuttle. Wi-Fi throughout is free. Those who don't mind giving up an on-site restaurant and gym may prefer the nearby, charming Hotel Vyvant for around the same price.
The Bay Club Hotel & Marina is a low-rise three-pearl property set on Shelter Island overlooking North San Diego Bay. The on-site restaurant has lovely views over the water, as do the pleasant rooms, which have at least partial marina or bay views. However, bathrooms are showing signs of wear. Rates are perfectly reasonable for the area, though the nearby Kona Kai Resort offers more amenities and is only a touch more expensive.
The Bay Club Hotel & Marina is a low-rise three-pearl property set on Shelter Island overlooking North San Diego Bay. The on-site restaurant has lovely views over the water, as do the pleasant rooms, which have at least partial marina or bay views. However, bathrooms are showing signs of wear. Rates are perfectly reasonable for the area, though the nearby Kona Kai Resort offers more amenities and is only a touch more expensive.
Sheraton Mission Valley's convenient location right off of I-8 is also its drawback. The property is equally close to downtown San Diego and Qualcomm Stadium and has easy access to Fashion Valley Mall, but you need a car to get anywhere and the freeway noise is constant. Guest rooms have all the expected upper-mid-range conveniences with the addition of trendy decor, and some units have private balconies (though there isn't much of a view from any of them). Rates here are cheaper than at nearby competitors like the DoubleTree by Hilton Mission Valley or Courtyard by Marriott, but fees can stack up.
Sheraton Mission Valley's convenient location right off of I-8 is also its drawback. The property is equally close to downtown San Diego and Qualcomm Stadium and has easy access to Fashion Valley Mall, but you need a car to get anywhere and the freeway noise is constant. Guest rooms have all the expected upper-mid-range conveniences with the addition of trendy decor, and some units have private balconies (though there isn't much of a view from any of them). Rates here are cheaper than at nearby competitors like the DoubleTree by Hilton Mission Valley or Courtyard by Marriott, but fees can stack up.
This 120-room, two-pearl chain hotel sits off the I-5 in San Ysidro, just north of the Mexican border. Rooms are modern and spacious, especially when compared to other chain outposts, and come with free Wi-Fi, microwaves, and mini-fridges. The hotel has an outdoor pool and hot tub, as well as a small fitness room with modern equipment. A free breakfast buffet with continental options and make-your-own waffles is served every day. While some locals would consider San Ysidro dicey, most guests feel safe and the hotel is one of the best affordable options for anyone with cross-border business or appointments.
This 120-room, two-pearl chain hotel sits off the I-5 in San Ysidro, just north of the Mexican border. Rooms are modern and spacious, especially when compared to other chain outposts, and come with free Wi-Fi, microwaves, and mini-fridges. The hotel has an outdoor pool and hot tub, as well as a small fitness room with modern equipment. A free breakfast buffet with continental options and make-your-own waffles is served every day. While some locals would consider San Ysidro dicey, most guests feel safe and the hotel is one of the best affordable options for anyone with cross-border business or appointments.
While showing some age, Bahia Resort Hotel still has a lot of character and nice extras. A beautifully restored sternwheeler ship offers free cruises around Mission Bay for guests, and kids like watching the rescued seals kept in an enclosure on the well-maintained grounds. The rooms are a little bland, but the property is an ideal spot for families who want to take advantage of the calm bay waters and the sandy beach. While located on quiet peninsulas stretching into the bay like other hotels, the Bahia tends to have lower rates than its competitors.
While showing some age, Bahia Resort Hotel still has a lot of character and nice extras. A beautifully restored sternwheeler ship offers free cruises around Mission Bay for guests, and kids like watching the rescued seals kept in an enclosure on the well-maintained grounds. The rooms are a little bland, but the property is an ideal spot for families who want to take advantage of the calm bay waters and the sandy beach. While located on quiet peninsulas stretching into the bay like other hotels, the Bahia tends to have lower rates than its competitors.
Historic charm sets Gaslamp Plaza Suites apart from the rest, with the hotel located one block away from Horton Plaza in San Diego's hip Gaslamp Quarter. At 11 stories, the property was the city's first skyscraper and still has fantastic views from its rooftop terrace, where you can partake of the free continental breakfast. Rooms vary in size, decor, and layout (some are time shares), but renovations have preserved their character while updating the furnishings. Noise from the surrounding neighborhood is common at night and the hotel's own wine bar may add to it, especially on weekends.
Historic charm sets Gaslamp Plaza Suites apart from the rest, with the hotel located one block away from Horton Plaza in San Diego's hip Gaslamp Quarter. At 11 stories, the property was the city's first skyscraper and still has fantastic views from its rooftop terrace, where you can partake of the free continental breakfast. Rooms vary in size, decor, and layout (some are time shares), but renovations have preserved their character while updating the furnishings. Noise from the surrounding neighborhood is common at night and the hotel's own wine bar may add to it, especially on weekends.
The Days Hotel - Hotel Circle is a mid-range, motel-style property located just off the freeway in San Diego's Mission Valley district. While the immediate surroundings are unattractive, its central position makes for an easy drive to most San Diego attractions. Rooms are well-maintained, but they do get some noise from the freeway. There are a swimming pool and a hot tub on-site, and Wi-Fi and parking are free. While there are plenty of similar lodgings on this stretch of road, the Days Hotel is one of the better values.
The Days Hotel - Hotel Circle is a mid-range, motel-style property located just off the freeway in San Diego's Mission Valley district. While the immediate surroundings are unattractive, its central position makes for an easy drive to most San Diego attractions. Rooms are well-maintained, but they do get some noise from the freeway. There are a swimming pool and a hot tub on-site, and Wi-Fi and parking are free. While there are plenty of similar lodgings on this stretch of road, the Days Hotel is one of the better values.
The Hampton Inn is a standard mid-range property located just off a busy freeway interchange in the unattractive Kearny Mesa area. Clean, modern rooms feature useful touches such as bedside charging points and lap-desks. Free hot breakfast is a welcome bonus and the pool terrace is a pleasant place to hang out in the sun. While the location is far from convenient for exploring San Diego's attractions, this chain hotel offers a perfectly pleasant place to spend the night for those stopping through Kearny Mesa.
The Hampton Inn is a standard mid-range property located just off a busy freeway interchange in the unattractive Kearny Mesa area. Clean, modern rooms feature useful touches such as bedside charging points and lap-desks. Free hot breakfast is a welcome bonus and the pool terrace is a pleasant place to hang out in the sun. While the location is far from convenient for exploring San Diego's attractions, this chain hotel offers a perfectly pleasant place to spend the night for those stopping through Kearny Mesa.
The Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Del Mar is a mid-range, business hotel located in San Diego's Sorrento Valley, near Torrey Pines in La Jolla. Clean, chain-like rooms don't deviate from the Hilton Garden Inn mold, and have mattresses with adjustable firmness as well as ergonomic desk chairs. Walls are on the thin side. The pool is tiny, but for those with business in the area, or budget-minded families and couples who want a home base for visiting La Jolla and Del Mar, this hotel perfectly adequate. For something a little more upscale take a look at the nearby San Diego Marriott Del Mar.
The Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Del Mar is a mid-range, business hotel located in San Diego's Sorrento Valley, near Torrey Pines in La Jolla. Clean, chain-like rooms don't deviate from the Hilton Garden Inn mold, and have mattresses with adjustable firmness as well as ergonomic desk chairs. Walls are on the thin side. The pool is tiny, but for those with business in the area, or budget-minded families and couples who want a home base for visiting La Jolla and Del Mar, this hotel perfectly adequate. For something a little more upscale take a look at the nearby San Diego Marriott Del Mar.
The Wyndham Garden is a low-rise property located in San Diego's Midway District, a 15-minute drive to the airport. While the colonial-style architecture and abundance of tropical plants is pleasant, the overall feel is more that of a budget motel than a proper hotel, owing to tired room decor and musty bathrooms. The pool area and 24-hour restaurant and bakery are nice enough, though ultimately there's not much to make this property stand out beyond its close proximity to the Valley View Casino Center and SeaWorld.
The Wyndham Garden is a low-rise property located in San Diego's Midway District, a 15-minute drive to the airport. While the colonial-style architecture and abundance of tropical plants is pleasant, the overall feel is more that of a budget motel than a proper hotel, owing to tired room decor and musty bathrooms. The pool area and 24-hour restaurant and bakery are nice enough, though ultimately there's not much to make this property stand out beyond its close proximity to the Valley View Casino Center and SeaWorld.