California - Help with San Diego hotels

Hi FTers,

I have a conference at the Town & Country resort in November, and am looking for hotel suggestions. The conference rate for the T&C is $169/night, but most of the reviews that I've read seem to be mixed. So, I figured that my hotel dollars could be better spent elsewhere. I've never been to San Diego, and it sounds like the Mission Valley/Hotel Circle area isn't very desirable in general. So, I figured I'd seek the advice of the FT experts regarding a place to stay...

We will be renting a car, so I would prefer to stay in a nice hotel in a good location. From what I've read it seems like the Downtown and Coastal zones seem like the best bets, but I'm not sure how far away from the T&C they will be. FYI, I usually get rooms via Priceline, so any suggestions on which areas to bid and which ones to steer clear from would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

Cheers,

Rob

I am a fan of staying in La Jolla - probably not going to get your price at La Valencia or Parisi IMO - not sure about Priceline, but maybe the Hyatt (near freeway) or the Hilton Torrey Pines (I have never visited the Marriott or the Radisson) -

Priceline may also do you right on the Harbor Island properties (near the airport - but rather dull location in comparison)

Stayed at the Hyatt in La Jolla and was completely underwhelmed. I didn't think the rooms were anything special or the location; you can't walk to anything from the hotel and it's just 'ok.' The more I stay at Hyatts, the more I think they're sort of second-rate at a relatively high price. The Park Hyatts are good - but service there is hit or miss.

I'd recommend staying downtown -- since you will be centrally-located and can jump on the freeway to go and see other sites (e.g., La Jolla, San Diego Zoo, Old Town, etc.). Staying in La Jolla is great, but can be expensive and isn't near other attractions. Getting back to your convention might take a while from downtown with traffic though, so not sure how important that will be?

Warning however, that parking can be a cost to remember if staying downtown. There are quite a few decent hotels there, but not sure which is best using Priceline?

I'm in HHonors so I've stayed at the Hilton Gaslamp (which is very nice, and close to restaraunts, etc., but expensive), and the Embassy Suites is in a central location, easy to get in and out of, and it's not a bad hotel (standard ES).

I'm not a big fan of T & C. It always seems run-down to me. However, it hosts lots of conventions, and many visitors to San Diego seem to like it. I think that's because it has several outdoor areas which make it seem resort-like. It's very near a golf course and a large mall. The question to ask yourself is--how close to the Town and Country do you need to be? Do you really want to fight the traffic and parking in La Jolla or downtown? Or do you just want a nicer or cheaper hotel fairly close to the convention? Mission Valley does have better hotels, I think. How about the Mission Valley Marriott, for example. But if you want a more interesting location, both downtown and La Jolla are do-able.

Thanks everyone for the replies and suggestions. That info helps out a lot. Just from surfing around, I was definitely leaning towards the Downtown/Harbor Island zone. The high parking rates seem to be the biggest drawback I guess. Along with not knowing how long the drive will take to/from the T & C each day. I did a quick Mapquest search (even though I usually hate their directions info), using the Manchester Grand Hyatt->T&C Resort, and it told me just over 5 miles. Is that in the ballpark for distance? And any idea what that drive might take on a typical day?

A little more background: The conference is Sat->Wed in November, with the majority of the sessions on the weekend. My g/f will be traveling with me, so something near the water would definitely be nice for her, since she's an ocean person :) Also, she will be driving/picking me up each day, so she can have the car to play while I waste away indoors :)

I guess our thought is that it would be preferable to be in a nice hotel, near the water, than in a cheaper/older place surrounded by other hotels, malls, golf courses (we don't golf), etc. I was hoping that Priceline might equal the playing field, since people routinely get 4* hotels in the DT/Harbor Island zone for $85-140ish.

Thanks again for the info...

Cheers,

Rob

The Manchester Grand Hyatt is a good hotel in a fantastic location for sightseeing - ask for a harbor view room! You're smart to get out of the Mission Valley area - ugly!!

I actually don't think the Mission Valley is bad at all. The T&C might not be so great, but the Double Tree in Hazard Center is nice, so is the Marriott down the street on Rio San Diego. The best part is that parking is usually free or up to $8/night at the most. You can also take the trolley at Fashion Valley Mall downtown which is much more convenient and cheaper than parking your car downtown. Mission Valley is also very centrally located...about 10 minutes to downtown, Balboa Park and La Jolla. It's also where Sea World is located.

There's a very nice hotel on Shelter Island called Humphrey's Half Moon Inn. It doesn't get a lot of publicity but we've stayed there twice and found it very pleasant and convenient. It's about 2 minutes from the airport but right on the marina. The rooms surround a green area with a putting green and swimming pool and they have a wide range of accomodations that are generally a good value for what you get.

I believe it is generally a 3 star property - not luxury - but very comfortable.

www.halfmooninn.com

The Manchester Grand Hyatt is a good hotel in a fantastic location for sightseeing - ask for a harbor view room! You're smart to get out of the Mission Valley area - ugly!!

I second this...this is a great hotel, despite the fact that they don't participate in the FFN promotions (for redemption) but the location is excellent...you can easily drive out to Hotel Circle where the T&C is located and come back and enjoy a great Regency Club, walk to the Gaslight District for great food and music and walk the Embarcadero for a taste of San Diego...be sure to drop by Anthony's Grotto...that was my first "grown up" restaurant when I was growing up and we used to go to SD every summer to see my mother's family...kind of a glorified Red Lobster but back in the day...it was the bee's knees!

I was in San Diego a little while back and stayed at the Ramada Inn & Suites (http://www.stjameshotel.com/) and was exceptionally happy.

You're under 10 minutes drive from Hotel Circle and in quite a beautiful location.

I picked up a double room for $170 a night when I stayed over Xmas through Wotif (http://www.wotif.com/Hotel.jsp?hotel=10888). A double is $140-170 atm depending on the date.

I recently returned from San Diego, where I had Priceline stays at the Omni and at the Manchester Hyatt - both very nice, especially the Omni, where I was placed in a huge suite for my $96 bid :)

The Omni opened last year, and is next to Petco Park (a skybridge connects the hotel to the ball park). The Omni sits at the base of the Gaslamp District, and is across the street from the sothern end of the SD Convention Center (to give persepctive, the Manchester Hyatt is just north of the nothern end of the SD Convention Center). The Omni houses a branch of McCormick and Schmick's in its lobby.

The rooms at the Hyatt are small but well-equipped. Highspeed (wired) is $9.95 per day (wi-fi is free at the Omni).

Both hotels are within a block of a Trolley stop (orange line, transfer to the Blue Line to get ot Old Town, Mission Valley or Tijuiana if you don't feel kuje driving).

Any recomendations on San Diego Starwood properties for a family of 4 (two kids under 12) ?

Any recomendations on San Diego Starwood properties for a family of 4 (two kids under 12) ?

Hi rserson, there has been a lot of discussion of the San Diego Starwood hotels in the Starwood forum. There are a lot of threads on San Diego properties. Many have in depth reports on individual properties. If you don't find what you need already posted, I'm confident you'll get knowledgeable responses by posting there.

I strongly recommend the Westin Horton Plaza on priceline. Take heed of the parking issues on www.tripadvisor.com but it's a great hotel, superb location for Gaslamp and shops, and those beds can't be beat....

If you want to stay in a piece of history there is always the Hotel Del Coronado. Many movies were shot there including "Some Like it Hot" with Marilyn Monroe. It is a beautiful hotel, lobby and grounds, but I have not beem in a room before. It's at least worth a visit while you were there.

If you want to stay in a piece of history there is always the Hotel Del Coronado. Many movies were shot there including "Some Like it Hot" with Marilyn Monroe. It is a beautiful hotel, lobby and grounds, but I have not beem in a room before. It's at least worth a visit while you were there.

Stayed there this week. You are right about the common areas, which are beautiful, and it has all the trappings of a resort. However, I would still grade the property 3.5 stars - they miss on many little details, and despite a relatively recent renovation, there are things like peeling wallpaper and the like which could - and should - be taken care of. Lastly, like may hotels of its size, there are all kinds of functions daily...meaning staff setting up tables chairs, etc., and this was somewhat intrusive. They have also begun some construction on the beach side. My conclusion on The Del - go for the history and a "nice enough" property on the beach.

If you want to stay in a piece of history there is always the Hotel Del Coronado. Many movies were shot there including "Some Like it Hot" with Marilyn Monroe.One of the others is a great, underrated film named "The Stunt Man" with arguably Peter O'Toole's career performance (yes, better than L of A). The hotel buildngs and grounds are almost a character in themselves. Well worth watching/renting.

I live in San Diego and know the city well. I recomend that you stay 15 minutes away in La Jolla at the Grande Colonial Hotel. This is a beautifully renovated historical building. La Jolla is part of San Diego, but has a village atmoshpere (it is one of the most desirable parts of the city and probably the best place to be based out of on vacation-lots of things to do such as shopping, restaurants, sight-seeing). The location can't be beat (the main intersection in La Jolla). The Grande Colonial has great ocean views and a very sophistocated and hip restaurant (Restaurant 910). My office was in the neighborhood and I would frequently go by and use the free WiFi. Also many friends have stayed at the hotel. The beds are great and the service is top notch, understated - not over the top. The hotel has about 100 rooms. The rates are very reasonable for the location and quality.

Hi FTers,

I have a conference at the Town & Country resort in November, and am looking for hotel suggestions. The conference rate for the T&C is $169/night, but most of the reviews that I've read seem to be mixed. So, I figured that my hotel dollars could be better spent elsewhere. I've never been to San Diego, and it sounds like the Mission Valley/Hotel Circle area isn't very desirable in general. So, I figured I'd seek the advice of the FT experts regarding a place to stay...

We will be renting a car, so I would prefer to stay in a nice hotel in a good location. From what I've read it seems like the Downtown and Coastal zones seem like the best bets, but I'm not sure how far away from the T&C they will be. FYI, I usually get rooms via Priceline, so any suggestions on which areas to bid and which ones to steer clear from would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

Cheers,

Rob

I hear, but have not verrified that the Del Coronado is undergoing renovations and is currently to be avoided. Again I don't know if this is true.

If you want to stay in a piece of history there is always the Hotel Del Coronado. Many movies were shot there including "Some Like it Hot" with Marilyn Monroe. It is a beautiful hotel, lobby and grounds, but I have not beem in a room before. It's at least worth a visit while you were there.

Any thoughts on the SD Marriott Hotel and Marina? I believe it's next to the convention center. I'll be at a convention later this year, and am looking for a nice hotel.

I hear, but have not verrified that the Del Coronado is undergoing renovations and is currently to be avoided. Again I don't know if this is true.
That would explain the cheap rates (under $129) I'm seeing in the Travel sections. You normally can't touch that place for under $200.

Any thoughts on the SD Marriott Hotel and Marina? I believe it's next to the convention center. I'll be at a convention later this year, and am looking for a nice hotel.

Do a search of the Marriott forum, and if there isn't sufficient information, post a quesiton there. The location is great, easy walk to the Convention Center, the Gaslamp Quarter, and Seaport Village, with a great view over the harbor.

Thanks for the suggestion!