Hyatt Gold Passport - Going to San Diego for the first time with the lady

Hey guys,

Being born and raised in Nothern California, Its safe to say that besides the many trips to seaworld at a young age, I havent truely experienced San Diego. My GF and I will take a 2 day, 1 night trip to San Diego and want to stay at a hotel property.

My question is, Which Hyatt Hotel will be the best to use with points? Im looking at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego for 18,000 points. I have a total of 21,500 points but can transfer over UR points if I need it.

According to Hyatts website, this location is close to Downtown and the night life?

Im not sure 100% sure what we want to do but we definitely want to visit the San Diego Zoo. And yes we will have a car for transportation.

You can check out the master threads for each property to get specifics, (the Manchester Grand has some challenges), but for one night it has a good location.

I would also look at the Andaz (also downtown, same points). I personally wouldn't stay in La Jolla or Mission Bay if you're only coming for one night.

sweet thanks.

I read some reviews on yelp for both locations and wasnt that impressed.

Also for 18,000 points, it might not be worth it. I hear you can book it via priceline for 90 bucks. : /

I know this section isnt the place to ask, but I also have SPG points (26K) so if anyone knows of a good SPG hotel to stay at in San Diego. let me know :)

weekend rates in sd are quite low and not worth spending points so either book direct or use pl. Westin or w are in downtown area and may be an option too as well as many other decent hotels there. Some of them get busy and more expensive if padres have a home game.

Location choice will depend on what you want - downtown is good for busy city stay but mission bay is more of a resort place. I wouldnt pick la jolla - it is a decent but generic business hotel.

Andaz San Diego is a serious party hotel on the weekend. The nightclub takes priority over the hotel. It's tough to get attention from the front desk on the weekend. I understand it is an entirely different hotel on weekdays, with a quieter convention clientele.

Manchester Grand is a huge convention hotel with a superb location on the waterfront. You can easily walk to the Gaslamp Area from it, as well as take the trolley to Old Town.

On the SPG side, the U S Grant is a lovely historic hotel located downtown. Rooms can be small with small bathrooms but are charming. Generally good service and restaurant/bar off lobby.

There's a W on the edge of downtown which also turns into a big party scene on weekends.

On the SPG side, the U S Grant is a lovely historic hotel located downtown. Rooms can be small with small bathrooms but are charming. Generally good service and restaurant/bar off lobby.

There's a W on the edge of downtown which also turns into a big party scene on weekends.

Sweet thanks!

the US Grant is 4800 SPG points + 90 dollars. Thoughts? or 12000 SPG points which i think its lots of SPG points >.<

I am thinking that, depending on the weekend (and your valuation of SPG points), the cash & points may be a very good deal. Your 1 night should be spent in The Gaslamp. I did a "parking (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/search.php?searchid=13092208)" search of the US Grant thread in the SPG forum - $35 now, but there seem to be options nearby.

There's a W on the edge of downtown which also turns into a big party scene on weekends.

Im assuming the 30 thousand dollar millionaire crowd like most Ws on the weekend?

Some of the negativity on the Manchester is that there was a movement to boycott it for political reasons, so some reviews will be biased and inaccurate. I personally enjoy this property a lot. It's a beautiful property in a stunning location. The views are incredible from a high vantage point.

Andaz San Diego is a serious party hotel on the weekend. The nightclub takes priority over the hotel. It's tough to get attention from the front desk on the weekend. I understand it is an entirely different hotel on weekdays, with a quieter convention clientele.

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This is a totally on-the-mark response imo and from my experiences very true - great if you want to party though.

One of the things I would recommend is visiting Elegant Desserts (?) - absolutely wonderful!

My GF and I will take a 2 day, 1 night trip to San Diego and want to stay at a hotel property.

Im not sure 100% sure what we want to do but we definitely want to visit the San Diego Zoo. And yes we will have a car for transportation.

Did exactly that kind of trip a couple years back, except stayed 2 nights at Andaz. Agree 100% with all comments about it; party-party on weekend nights. Struggled just getting to the front door, through the crowd spilling over the sidewalk and into the street. Then the in-your-face, too-much-to-drink crowd waiting at the elevators, etc. :rolleyes: Picked the Andaz 'cause the glass shower/tub combo that can be seen in some of the hotel pics looked like fun. :D It was.

The Andaz rooms are smaller than they appear in the pics. Diamond breakfast was on the rooftop, in what I presume is the club at night.

Whatever property you pick, be sure to factor in parking, etc. Got lucky with Andaz parking, having arrived late, just as clubs were closing, and found a spot nearby; doubt we'd be so lucky a few hours earlier.

SD Zoo is huge. Had planned only 1 day, but ended up going back for 2, making the zoo about the only thing we did on that trip. No regrets; had a good time. Driving to the zoo from the downtown hotels isn't hard.

Really depends on what you want to do while down here.
Although it feels smaller, San Diego is one of ten largest cities in US at this point, and there is a massive amount to do and see there.

the Gaslamp is basically a giant drink-your-face-off party, a version of Austin's 5th street or NewOrleans' Bourbon Str. If that's your thing, both Hyatt & SPG have 5 or 6 hotels between them downtown, or, since you have a car, you can stay up in Hotel Circle outside of downtown for much less $$$ or points.

Grant is old school luxury collection, great old property, great location, tends to be cheaper on points than most. Westin is a bland property (as they are oftentimes), but a good location and also a normally cheaper option.
W was a crownjewel property, but they've had massive financial problems, and they've toned the costs down a lot, and it can be a good bargain. Great Sunday mimosa party, and a fun bar "the Beach". A bit less aggressively snooty W vibe than many other cities (NYC, Montreal), as is the case in San Diego in general - pretty laidback. Andaz is a fun property, but a freaking zoo on weekends. Again, depends on what you want out of your time here.
Manchester would likely be an odd choice for leisure travel, and they don't full participate in Hyatt GP, so make sure you clarify everything beforehand.

You could also aim for more of zoo (both of them, as there are 2) / SeaWorld, or Balboa Park area with shopping & museums, or get up into NorthCounty for the Beer culture - currently the #2 most populous area in nation for craft brewing. This also translates into some fantastic beer bars downtown. Fun city, and the weather is epic this time of year.

Really depends on what you want to do while down here.
Although it feels smaller, San Diego is one of ten largest cities in US at this point, and there is a massive amount to do and see there.

the Gaslamp is basically a giant drink-your-face-off party, a version of Austin's 5th street or NewOrleans' Bourbon Str. If that's your thing, both Hyatt & SPG have 5 or 6 hotels between them downtown, or, since you have a car, you can stay up in Hotel Circle outside of downtown for much less $$$ or points.

Grant is old school luxury collection, great old property, great location, tends to be cheaper on points than most. Westin is a bland property (as they are oftentimes), but a good location and also a normally cheaper option.
W was a crownjewel property, but they've had massive financial problems, and they've toned the costs down a lot, and it can be a good bargain. Great Sunday mimosa party, and a fun bar "the Beach". A bit less aggressively snooty W vibe than many other cities (NYC, Montreal), as is the case in San Diego in general - pretty laidback. Andaz is a fun.















property, but a freaking zoo on weekends. Again, depends on what you want out of your time here.
Manchester would likely be an odd choice for leisure travel, and they don't full participate in Hyatt GP, so make sure you clarify everything beforehand.

You could also aim for more of zoo (both of them, as there are 2) / SeaWorld, or Balboa Park area with shopping & museums, or get up into NorthCounty for the Beer culture - currently the #2 most populous area in nation for craft brewing. This also translates into some fantastic beer bars downtown. Fun city, and the weather is epic this time of year.

Hello could you please clarify what you mean when you say Manchester does not fully participate in hyatt GP I currently have a five day stay the first week of July planned and used a suite upgrade with no problems also was able to take advantage of their 48 hour sale with no issues.

Hello could you please clarify what you mean when you say Manchester does not fully participate in hyatt GP I currently have a five day stay the first week of July planned and used a suite upgrade with no problems also was able to take advantage of their 48 hour sale with no issues.

Never had a problem here in many stays. If you get the standard suite you might not be happy. If you get one of the larger conference suites you will be happy. You had no problem getting the upgrade because they have a ton of suites here. Some times you have to remind the MG of GP benefits but all should be good.

Never had a problem here in many stays. If you get the standard suite you might not be happy. If you get one of the larger conference suites you will be happy. You had no problem getting the upgrade because they have a ton of suites here. Some times you have to remind the MG of GP benefits but all should be good.

Thanks for clarifying I was able to score the conference suite so all should be good