2270 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, California, United States | (888) 635-3814
Convenient location near shopping and freeway
Adjacent to Riverwalk Golf Club
Large rooms with private patios or balconies
Quiet zones ensure no late-night or early-morning disturbances
Variety of on-site eateries with Pacific islands theme
Outdoor pool in waterfall-filled garden grounds
Meeting rooms and large ballroom for events
24-hour business center
Small fitness center
Free area shuttle
Dated decor throughout
In a busy, high-traffic area
Fee for Wi-Fi (but free for rewards club members)
Fee for self-parking
The upper-middle-range Crowne Plaza Hotel San Diego isn't an ideal
spot for those hoping to walk to attractions, but its relatively central location right off
the freeway makes it a convenient base for driving around the city. The tropical decor feels dated, and enforced quiet zones, the nearby golf course, and large
rooms with ergonomic work chairs make the venue a fit for business travelers, but everyone has to sign up
with IHG's rewards club (it's free) if they don't want to pay for Wi-Fi. The nearby
Courtyard Marriott is a bit pricier, but it’s much more modern -- with free Wi-Fi
for all. Just to the south in Old Town, BEST WESTERN PLUS Hacienda Hotel
has interesting local flair and cheaper rates.****
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Pleasant, Polynesian tropical motifs with patios and waterfalls can nonetheless feel dated.
Opened
in 1954 as the Hanalei Hotel, the Crowne Plaza didn't abandon its original tropical decor
when it became part of the Intercontinental Hotels Group. Like many properties in the Hotel Circle area, this one
is a bit dated, but it differentiates itself with Polynesian themes --
including colorful wood carvings and outrigger canoes at every turn -- and a courtyard
filled with tropical plants shading waterfalls and fish-filled streams. The
pleasant sound of running water pervades the entire building, with a damp smell as the only trade-off.****
Location
Part of Hotel Circle in Mission Valley; accessible to many sights via car
Located
on a busy street in Mission Valley’s Hotel Circle, a strip of hotels along 8 Freeway/Kumeyaay Highway, the hotel is not within walking distance of major sights, but offers easy access to the rest of San Diego by car. It's
adjacent to the Riverwalk Golf Club, while Fashion Valley Mall is close by as
well. San Diego’s Old Town is less than a 10-minute drive southwest,
with its adobe buildings, Mexican restaurants, and touristy Plaza del
Pasado. Downtown San Diego, as well as some of the area’s top attractions -- Balboa Park, La Jolla, SeaWorld, and Mission Bay, to name a few
-- are all manageable drives away. San Diego International Airport is 20 minutes south by car.****
Rooms
Large rooms with work desks and free HBO
The Crowne
Plaza’s rooms are more contemporary than the Polynesian decor found in the rest of
the hotel, but they could still use a refresh. Floral print carpets and curtains with striped wallpaper and bulky, light wood
furniture look dated. Some units have furnishings that are more sleek and modern. All
rooms have desks with ergonomic chairs, coffeemakers, and free HBO on flat-screen TVs -- but mini-fridges are only available upon request. Large vanities with double sinks in
many of the bathrooms are a welcome touch. Shower/tub combos look average. Private
balconies or patios overlook the nearby golf course or courtyard pool. ****
Features
Sushi & Pupu Bar, an outdoor pool, and a free shuttle to nearby attractions
Amid
water pouring down rock walls, tropical plants, and numerous little streams and
ponds, the courtyard houses a heated outdoor pool and patio with covered
seating. The hotel's 30,000 square feet of flexible event space include multiple meeting rooms and a large ballroom with on-site catering. There are a
couple of dining options: The Islands Restaurant is the least interesting choice, with average casual Californian fare and a standard daily breakfast buffet that’s
not included in room rates. More
exciting is The Islands Sushi & Pupu Bar, a popular local joint specializing
in sushi and Polynesian appetizers with tropical cocktails. Across from the
bar, Kona Cafe & Market has to-go snacks and an espresso machine. A free
shuttle service can take guests to Fashion Valley Mall, Riverwalk
Golf Club, and Old Town.****
