Hilton HHonors - San Diego - Hilton Gastown or Embassy Suites?

I will be in San Diego for 2 nights next July. And I am trying to decide between the Hilton Gastown and the downtown Embassy Suites. They are very near each other, and both close to the airport and the rates are about the same. So, is anyone familiar with the area and can offer suggestions. This part of my trip is over the weekend and for pleasure.

It's called the GasLamp district. A great place to visit.

Check out the following threads.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/008689.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/007354.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/006613.html

Recently stayed at the Hilton. Very upscale boutique-like property (with frette linens, etc). Very creative room service, not typical fare. Walking distance to local shopping and restaurants, etc. Property is also near convention center so early check in not likely to be possible. If HHonors Gold or Diamond, Front Dest clerk may need to be reminded what the benefits are. When we checked in--- they had no clue. Would gladly stay at this property again. Sorry I cannot compare to other property.

We stayed there a couple weeks ago for a night out. Agree with the above poster. Great location for strolling, nice view from the 10th floor, fluffy beds. B/F in the lounge; drink coupons for their bar/restaurant which we luckily finished before a giant crowd appeared - about four times as many people as would fit. Only negative is some of the staff seems new and confused (trainee tags and such).

I have had the pleasure of staying at both the Gaslamp Hilton (albeit 2 yrs ago) and very recently the Embassy Suites Downtown.
The ES was a very nice hotel very close to everything, extremly convenient for public transportation, opposite the seaport village with shops and dining, walking distance to gaslamp district (10 mins) with the bars and restaurants. The ES has the regular ES suites, 2 rooms and they are quite nice. The hotel has a nice atrium and nice pong with japanese fish. The free cooked to order breakfast is certainly nothing to laugh about and as a gold card holder I had the Embassy Touch waiting for me in my room. The Hilton I remember had to be reminded to get any benefits. If you want a quiet time away from kids stay at the hilton, if you don't mind kids then the ES can't be beaten on location etc. (well the Marriot & Hyatt can but let's not go there...)

Sorry, I'll take the San Diego Harbor Island Airport Hilton over either of those any day. No Exec Lounge, but breakfast coupons, Gold and Diamond recognition instantly, jacuzzi marble baths for upgraded rooms, great views of the harbor and exactly 6 minutes from the airport by Hotel shuttle. I call room 926 my apartment!

AIRcop
I agree! It's really my favorite SAN HH property.

If you are going to attend a meeting at the Convention Center then Gaslamp is the best. Very stylish hotel, and very new. I found the staff very professional. Upper floors are "HHonor" floors - for what ever that is worth.

It is a bit far from the water's edge if you want to stroll there (10-15 min), but very well located for the Gaslamp distric night life. I really enjoy this hotel.

The ES is closer to the water's edge. further away from the convention center and the Gaslamp district. Standard ES has far as I am concern.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

and usually cheaper than the Gaslamp and ES.

Aircop is right - Airport Hilton is my favorite also. If I had to choose between ES and Hilton Gaslamp, I would choose ES - nicer rooms and better breakfast.

gaslamp gaslamp gaslamp I think has the best beds in the US. I stay there about 25 times a year.

Looking for more recent experiences with these two properties. Opinions from this thread seem mixed about which would be the better choice.