Handlery Hotel San Diego

The large marquee sign welcoming convention groups suggests this hotel gets busy, and it does. The circular lobby bustles with activity from the attached Enterprise rental car office as well as from arriving tour groups, conventions, and tourists. Dark brown tile, wood slats on the ceiling, and a brown tile/granite front desk create a rather dark lobby environment, despite a circular skylight and lots of floor-to-ceiling windows. A few chairs surround a small round coffee table, but this isn’t a lobby made for lingering. The events area with its wide foyers, gold walls, and beige patterned carpet stays active, as does the large outdoor pool, which connects to several of the rooms through a patio. The 950 Lounge also sees crowds, especially when groups are meeting and on Friday evenings when live music is featured. This is a casual hotel in a city that celebrates a beachfront, casual lifestyle.

The Handlery is located in Mission Valley, just off the Mission Valley Freeway and near a host of area attractions. It’s a three-minute drive to Fashion Valley Mall, home to several restaurants, movie theaters, shops, and Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus department stores. Several other restaurants are nearby including some just across the busy Mission Valley Freeway, but the distance must be crossed by car (not on foot). The hotel is adjacent (a two-minute drive) to the Riverwalk Golf Club, and Old Town and its museums and historic sites is a three-minute drive. Other nearby attractions include Balboa Park (eight minutes), SeaWorld (10 minutes) and San Diego Convention Center, Petco Park and Gaslamp District downtown (10 to 15 minutes). An Enterprise Car Rental office is on-site, and other rental car offices are nearby. 

Built in 1954, the Handlery shows its age in the guest rooms. Rooms are clean but generally small, especially the bathrooms where the tiny, granite vanities are wedged between toilets and shower/tub combos. And the white tile grout framing the shower looks in need of a good scrubbing in some rooms. Painted brick walls inside the closet reveal the property’s bones, and old-style sliding glass doors lead out to patios or balconies. Standard rooms (king or two doubles) don’t offer patios or balconies -- but Superior Rooms do. Premier Rooms add bathrobes, pool views, and free bottled water and newspaper delivery. Free Wi-Fi, 42-inch flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, iHome docking stations, and safes are available in all rooms. Suites offer a separate living area, wet bar, and upgraded toiletries. Room decor is simple yet pleasant, with light brown carpet and light tan walls and drapes accented by reddish-brown wood headboards and matching nightstands and dressers with tan granite tops. Small, glass-topped wood desks and office chairs provide a comfortable work station. Some guests complain that rooms closest to the adjacent freeway can be a bit noisy.

A free shuttle runs a regular schedule to the Fashion Valley Mall and Old Town, along with once-daily shuttle service to and from both the San Diego Zoo (Balboa Park) and SeaWorld. On-site parking is available for what some guests consider a hefty fee. The Postcards Restaurant has a hot breakfast buffet daily, but it’s not included in the room rate. It also serves lunch and dinner. And room service operates during the restaurant’s open hours. The 950 Lounge has daily happy hour specials and offers live music on Friday evenings. The large pool complex has several umbrella tables, loungers, and a whirlpool. The tropical-themed Reef Restaurant abuts the pool complex and provides poolside service during the summer. There is 42,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor function space, free Wi-Fi is available property-wide, and the business center has two computer stations and free printing. The fitness center is rather small, with a few cardio machines and dead weights. Self-service laundry facilities and same-day dry cleaning and laundry services are available. An ATM and snacks shop/convenience store are on-site. Concierge services are offered.