Hilton HHonors - Hilton San Diego Airport/Harbor Island

I have a standard room booked at the Harbour Island Hilton, San Diego for one night. When I check in and show the desk I am now Gold VIP, can I expect to be upgraded to a Harbour View.

I have stayed at this property several times over the past two years. Not once have I ever gotten off the elevator and turned in the right direction to get to my room. Not once! Just by chance alone, it should have happened. I am not usually directionally stupid, so the layout must be confusing.
Ever happen to any of you?

I've stayed there many times and really like the hotel. I still remember sitting out on the deck and watching a yacht race one beautiful SAN day. I,however,don't recall a confusing layout.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by RobertS975:

Ever happen to any of you?</font>

Maybe at 2AM http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I have stayed there three or four times and agree it is a pretty confusing layout. They could probably improve the situation by adding a bit to their directional signage.

I will be staying her next month (a priceline bid) - can anyone tell me what they think of it. When we go out for an evening we will not be taking our car (so we can enjoy a few beers) - anyone know if their is any public transport to the Gas Lamp area or is it a taxi? If so - how much is the taxi? Any comments would be much appreciated.

I like this property. I always get a great water view and love to sit on the deck watching the sailboats. I always rent a car,so I can't specifically answer your questions about taxi,but I once rented a bike and biked to the area you're referring to.It's probably only 3-4 miles.The hotel may have a shuttle down there.Give them a call.A taxi shouldn't be too much.Have a great stay!

ok, here's the deal with harbor island, its 3/4 mile directly across from the airport but it can tricky because its kind of highway like from what I remember. The access road is over and past the rental areas. Taxi shouldnt be more than $6, I don't remember the area being cab zoned like DC. DC can cost 12 bucks to go 500 feet when moving form one zone to another.

I terms of places to go grab a bear, you may be better off staying at the Hilton Gaslamp in my opinion as the Gaslamp Quarter (just under 4 miles from the airport) as a whole, has much more going on as well as a pool hall if you like to play.

There also may be some thing on the way on north harbor drive and pacific highway, but gaslamp is where the actin is when go down.

Great place to check out also is the Seaport Vilage. There are some shops and restaurants there which are nice in the mid afternoon while sipping a corona and watching the boats go by. I remember "REEL NAUTI" being there my last visit.

[This message has been edited by PaulGQ (edited 09-09-2003).]

- Hilton's own bar has a nice view of the marina and out on the water, as well as patio seating

- Hilton rooms and facilities are fairly nice (complete renovation from an old Travelodge, believe it or not)

- business center near the front desk has complimentary internet access

- The front desk staff (for the most part) is rather rude and inhospitable-- especially to priceline guests

- I've stayed here a few times before without a rental car- you can use public transportation.

1) Take the Hilton shuttle bus or walk to the airport (it is quite a nice walk during the day).

2) Take the #992 San Diego Flyer bus. It departs every 20 minutes or so. There is a bus stop in front of each of the terminals-- One, Two, Commuter. The bus ride is not very long (15-20 minutes). It takes you past the cruise ship terminal (there are some seafood restaurants around this area) and Seaport Village to downtown. There are numerous options for dining & entertainment downtown. Bus fare is $2.25 (if I recall correctly).

[This message has been edited by TransWorldOne (edited 09-09-2003).]

I second the public transit in San Diego. Timely and fairly clean Don't get me wrong, it is a nice facility, but there may be better action less 4 miles away.

I could be mistaken but I don't remember a bus route from Harbor Island though, I though it ran back and forth along pacific and north harbor.

Taxi from the airport to Harbor island is about $5.

Taxi from Harbor island to Gaslamp is $10.

Taxi from Harbor island to Seaport aVillage is $7

I think that should include the tip.

[This message has been edited by PaulGQ (edited 09-09-2003).]

That's because there isn't one. You either need to walk to Pacific or walk/shuttle to the airport to catch the bus.


<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by PaulGQ:
I could be mistaken but I don't remember a bus route from Harbor Island though, I though it ran back and forth along pacific and north harbor.
</font>

That's what I thought. If funds aren't an issue, then I think taking a taxi is the way to go.

[This message has been edited by PaulGQ (edited 09-29-2003).]

While I think that SAN is a perfect city for car,if you rent you'll pay for parking at the Harbor Hilton.

The Hilton Harbor Island was the worst Hilton I have stayed at ever. The person who said the front desk is rude to price line members shouldn't feel bad. I paid full price and am Gold and they were very rude to me.

The service in the restaurant is horrible. The high speed Internet connection was down half the time I was there.

The hotel is not near anything but the airport. It is a $10 cab ride each way everytime you want to go the Gas Lamp district or convention center.

No executive floor or lounge.

Stay away from this place. I was told it's a privately owned Hilton. It's not up to par.

Know you're staying w/Priceline, but if you're in area next time and can be up by La Jolla, you might also want to look into the Hilton Lodge At Torrey Pines. Sometimes you can get a really good deal on weekends. I'll be there for a night in January and got a net direct rate of $99. The next cheapest rate was $205, and this may be Hilton's nicest property in the area.

I stay at this property quite frequently and recommend it. As far as getting to the Gaslamp district, I always have the shuttle bus take me and save the cab fare. This hotel is where Alaska flight crews stay, and part of their deal is shuttle to/from Gaslamp. I have never had a problem getting a shuttle to/from Gaslamp, unless it is after midnight.

My spouse and I loved the hotel a couple of summer ago; a perfect high floor room from whose balcony you could watch both the runway at SAN and the bay. We enjoyed the restaurant so much we ate there a couple of times.

I have always liked it. Wonderful views,nice rooms and for me great service.

If you are going there on vacation and just interested in the views, don't need concierge service, spa service and like the isolated area, this is a fine location.

If you like service and want to be pampered beyond having a nice view, stay somewhere else.

I received excellent service there a couple of weeks ago during a one night stay and can't recall a truly bad experience there in the other half a dozen times I have stayed at the location. I have eaten at a couple of good restaurants within walking distance (don't recall the names). I kind of like the fact that it is a bit isolated, but close to the airport for an early morning flight out. And, as said before, there are some great views to be had from some of the rooms.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by in_vivo:
...isolated area... </font>

I think "isolated" is a bit strong? Not like it's Barstow or something. When we stayed there the shuttle driver was happy to take us to the Amtrak station and from there we could trolley anywhere.

I was there in May and the stay was unremarkable. As coincidence would have it, I shared an elevator with several Alaska female flight attendants.

I had a car so the trip to the Gas Lamp district was simple. There is virtually nothing to do in the area of the hotel. That is what is meant by the relative term of "isolated."

Of course, I was not particularly impressed with the Gas Lamp district either, though it seemed to be a slow night.