Hampton Inn San Diego/Mission Valley

The hotel's stylish renovation is reflected in its bright and welcoming public spaces. Light-wood planks cover most of the lobby's floor, and one standout wall is made of beautiful hardwood pieces, offset by framed black-and-white photographs. One corner of the lobby holds modish yellow, orange, and gray sofas and armchairs clustered around a dark coffee table below lantern-style chandeliers. Mustard-yellow colored leather chairs, which coordinate with the gold-and-pale-blue carpeting, are grouped around wood cafe tables in the spacious lobby/breakfast area. Two long white tables rimmed with high-back orange upholstered chairs occupy the center of the dining room. The cozy outdoor patio, with brightly colored chairs and sofas encircling a gas fire pit, is a favorite gathering place among guests -- with the outdoor pool nearby.

The Hampton Inn San Diego/Mission Valley is located in the Mission Valley Hotel Circle, right off the Mission Valley Freeway. It's within a short drive of several restaurants and area attractions -- Fashion Valley Mall, home to several restaurants, a movie theater, shops, and Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus department stores, is a four-minute drive from the hotel. Old Town and the Riverwalk Golf Club are about a five-minute drive (Old Town is seven minutes by public transportation), and Balboa Park, Mission Beach, and SeaWorld are about a 10-minute drive. San Diego International Airport, the San Diego Convention Center, Petco Park, and the downtown Gaslamp District are about a 15-minute drive or taxi ride away.

The Hampton Inn San Diego/Mission Valley's 186 rooms are fairly spacious, and come with single kings or two queen beds. Like the lobby, rooms have a gold and teal-blue color combination in the drapes, patterned carpets, and accent walls -- armchairs are also upholstered in a soft teal. Wood headboards are brightly finished in a golden tone, and beds are topped with fresh white bedding. Dark-wood furniture includes nightstands and large desks with black-leather tops. Entryway and bathroom floors are in tan tile, which also frames the roomy walk-in showers with clear glass sliding doors. Spacious espresso-colored wood vanities have black granite tops that surround the sinks. All rooms include mini-fridges, lap desks, 39-inch flat screen TVs with a free movie channel, free Wi-Fi, and Neutrogena toiletries. In-room microwaves and safes are available for an additional fee. While rooms are generally quiet, they do pick up some noise from the adjacent freeway, which many rooms overlook. Some guests have also complained about noisy air-conditioning units. 

Features here are plentiful for a mid-range hotel and reflect the larger Hampton Inn brand. They include a free hot breakfast buffet with changing daily selections, and free coffee and tea available all day in the lobby. The convenience store is open 24/7 and sells wine, beer, sundries, snacks, and microwaveable entrees. Free "USA Today" newspapers are on hand during the week, and a safe deposit box is available at the front desk. The fitness center, open 24/7, is spacious and includes a range of cardio- and weight-training machines, as well as free weights. The heated outdoor pool is a bit small, but it has a whirlpool and loungers. The outdoor patio near the pool has comfortable seating and a gas fire pit. Valet dry cleaning and laundry services are available, and the guest laundry room is open 24/7. The business center has two computer stations with internet access and a printer, and the meeting room can host up to 10 people. Self-parking -- both covered and uncovered -- is available, but it’s somewhat pricey for a hotel outside downtown. Electric-vehicle charging stations are on site (the hotel is LEED certified). Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, and there's an ATM in the lobby.