Hilton HHonors - Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter Trip Reports and Reviews

Last weekend during a status/shopping run we had the pleasure of staying in the Hilton Gas Lamp.

The hotel is brand new, and in a great location, directly across from the convention center, and adjacent to the trolley station (a quick 25 minute ride to the Mexican border).
We reserved an executive room months in advance (before I earned gold) on the Hilton web site, at a rate of $159 per night. Check in was flawless, with all our keys and paperwork waiting for us. The front desk agent very politely commented that our rate was extremely low, but gave us a fabulous corner room (room 1113), with a king bed.

The room was large and very comfortable, with the standard full desk (with high speed Internet access that I was never charged for), two bottles of Evian a day, a very comfortable chair, turn-down service with great chocolate, Frette linens (anyone know where to buy these?), mini bar/refrigerator, and 27-inch television. However, I immediately discovered by the lack of an ashtray, that it was a non smoking room. A quick call to the front desk sent a bellhop up with a new room assignment on the 9th floor (the only floor where smoking is permitted). As this room was missing the executive level room amenities (Executive level rooms are on the 11th and 12th floors), I gave my word that I would not smoke in the room and returned to 1113 (I made many trips down during my stay).

They decided to close the executive lounge during the breakfast hours, and provided me with coupons for a free “All American” breakfast to use in their restaurant. The waiter gladly accepted them as payment in full for the buffet on Saturday, and brunch on Sunday. During the evening hours the lounge was open only from 5:30 until 7:00. I politely complained about these unposted hours, and was cheerfully given a few free drinks at the bar.

This hotel has a very professional and courteous staff, I will gladly stay there again. The money we saved shopping in Mexico more then paid for the room

We stayed in that very room 1113 (!) a couple of weeks ago, on the executive floor. Great linens and bed, loved the complimentary Evian. Never got charged for the DSL either. The $ 140/night rate included breakfast for two.
Great decor. Loved it.

[This message has been edited by Droneklax (edited 12-17-2000).]

Is this a new Hilton and therefore having a special pricing for the opening? I checked for the remaining of DEC and the cheapest(standard) rate is $99 for most of the days. I will be in San Diego for the first weekend of JAN and the cheapest rate jump to a whooping $279 per night. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/eek.gif

[This message has been edited by OnePassLover (edited 12-18-2000).]

Joe and I stayed at this hotel a couple of weeks ago.

The executive floor was full, but they did give us a very nice suite on a lower floor, lounge privileges, a lovely fruit place, evian water, and they brought us bathrobes and big towels, which I truly love. I think I might be getting a little spoiled in my old age. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif OBTW, the bed was fantastic.

I personally prefer th old hotels like the Drake and the Chicago Hilton and Towers, but this is certainly more than acceptable.

An update on the Gaslamp; I found it to be a very nice property with an excellent staff. Our room on the 12th floor was fairly standard (I'd request one facing west next time for the sunsets) but the beds were great. The lounge was nice, friendly staff with hours 6:00 - 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. but they stayed open later the nights we were there.

Two thumbs up.

drtravels, thanks for the update. I looked into booking this property during the SAN Flyertalk gathering, but the best rate they'd quote me was $279! No award availability either (surprise!).

Maybe I'll try again for early December, which is about as "off" a season as SD gets.

Yup, ive walked thru it while staying (elsewhere)at the Harbor Island Hilton.....I need to try it out, but it is pricey... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

They've got a pretty liberal definition of "government employee" which last week was $109/nt or $149 at the other lowest.

I personally liked this property very much (my most recent stay was in Jan or Feb), but recall someone here said they had some problems there. It is only a couple of years old, and although the rooms were pretty small (~300 sq. ft.), the furnishings were nice and the beds were extremely comfortable.

I was upgraded to the executive level as Gold on my two stays there (first stay was priceline and second was regular rate-both stays were for weekend getaways), although the lounge only offered a small breakfast each day, I was also given two drink coupons for the bar downstairs. If I recall correctly, the workout facilities were not extensive and there was a small pool outside. As far as the area is concerned, there are many shops and restaurants within walking distance of the property. Parking was at least $20 a night.

It's a great hotel.
The lounges by the pools are soooooo comfortable.
The bed we had on one of the exec floors was amazing.
MissBumpMe! will probably convince me to get us back there just for the bed.

3 night stay was very nice. Pool and patio made it quite relaxing. Gaslamp area is very lively and modern. Walking distance to everything. Many iDine listed restaurants. Gold will get you drink vouchers in the lobby bar for each person/night and executive level room. Only a 12 story hotel so no real view except from executive lounge. Hotel is alongside tracks; freight and passenger trains are loud but infrequent. I'll be back, great hotel great area.
Mattress run of sorts, then to Embassy Suites on the Bay (6 blocks) which gave me top floor bayfront balcony with manager's reception and full breakfast. Worth your consideration, too.

I stayed there four nights last week (convention center convenience) -- they treated me well as a Diamond.

1. upgrade to the upper level view room I wanted and had requested in advance (hotel sold out)
2. 2 thirsty bathrobes in the room, nothing broken in the room
3. high speed internet in the room (free)
4. front desk/concierge polite and helpful (recommended upscale seafood restaurant with view: Star of the Sea, 15 minute walk along the water -- excellent food!)
5. easy access to everything
6. heated pool, air-conditioned exercise area, spa on premises for the women who need manicures, haircuts, etc.

Downside: exec lounge has a nice view but is only open for breakfast and it's a very simple continental breakfast at that with almost no choices (one kind of bread, cereal, uninspiring fruit, and on one day there were some uninteresting Danish), in a tiny room with three tables and a TV area -- all it took was one guy with his wife and 3 kids up there to take over and ruin the whole atmosphere.

I stayed there four nights last week (convention center convenience) -- they treated me well as a Diamond.

1. upgrade to the upper level view room I wanted and had requested in advance (hotel sold out)
2. 2 thirsty bathrobes in the room, nothing broken in the room
3. high speed internet in the room (free)
4. front desk/concierge polite and helpful (recommended upscale seafood restaurant with view: Star of the Sea, 15 minute walk along the water -- excellent food!)
5. easy access to everything
6. heated pool, air-conditioned exercise area, spa on premises for the women who need manicures, haircuts, etc.

Downside: exec lounge has a nice view but is only open for breakfast and it's a very simple continental breakfast at that with almost no choices (one kind of bread, cereal, uninspiring fruit, and on one day there were some uninteresting Danish), in a tiny room with three tables and a TV area -- all it took was one guy with his wife and 3 kids up there to take over and ruin the whole atmosphere.
Bingo
I agree with the exec lounge assessment.
This was the only reasons I never went back. The Hyatt Manchester across the street has an executive lounge that is superior in evey way. And it has a professional welcoming staff.I can't believe that this hotel still puts out a poor selection in one of the most important high occupancy cities in the country.
It really is a blow to the Hilton standard which IMO has a very good track record with Excecutive lounges worldwide.
It must be owners that are penny pinching.
At those rates there is no excuse for the dismal offerings.

FYI 30 minutes before the lounge closed I asked if there was anymore fruit as they had run out.She said to come back the next day..........
That next day I was back at the Hyatt across the steret.
The Hilton property needs to try harder and deliver more.
It's a great hotel city with many compelling choices.It didn't work for me

I have stayed at this property three times. Apparently there are 2 types of "5th avenue lofts." There is annex across the 2 floor courtyard from the main building that fronts "5th avenue" (the street around the corner). Some have the jacuzzi and others do not. Make sure to ask. As a diamond I was "upgraded" to the 5th Avenue Loft, but did not have the jacuzzzi. The room had a higher ceiling than the rooms in the main building, but did not appear that special. This property is one of the most expensive Hiltons due to the proximity to the Covention center across the street, but I do not see the value in paying more for this room unless you are guaranteed the jacuzzi (still not seen by me). Service at this property was spotty the last time I stayed for 2 nights on the weekend. Both soda machines were broken in the "loft" annex all weekend and were not capable of being fixed until the following week- so the choice was overpriced soda from room service or get dressed and walk to the main building across the courtyard. Also, room service was horrible. The menu in our room was outdated and even though we placed an order, they later called back to say that the menu we had in our room was no longer in effect. We did this weekend as a romantic getaway so we planned to order room service quite a bit. One time the wrong food came and for a different meal, the bacon on a sandwich was raw. Upon checking out, when asked whether I could give a "10" to all points of the stay, I told them my concerns and to the property's credit, they took $100 off the room service bill. I would stay at this property again, but sometimes the rate is a little outrageous ($300) per night. For this reason, I am tempted to try one of the other downtown properties as a point of comparison.

Just a heads up!

This hilton has closed its top 3 floors for renovations including the lounge. They plan a complete redo of each room with new furniture/carpets. Should take a few weeks still.

BTW, as a Diamond they upgraded me to a large room next door. Great room. Great service. Got coupons for the breakfast buffet plus a choice of welcome amenities. ^

Any new input regarding this property?

Thanks All


SCA

Any new input regarding this property?...

Any specific questions? Generally a good hotel stay, with upgrades (as a diamond), breakfast, great location, etc.

My rooms have all been nice, when I've gotten the a loft room the ceilings are higher and seem nicely appointed, and maybe quieter than others (not so much traffic).

Downside is valet parking only, if you are trying to save $ by self-parking. But, if you are trying to save $ don't stay here anyway, as it's a little pricey.