Budget Travel - Need a second opinion?

I am eagerly looking forward to a long delayed trip to the Sea World in San Diego. I have heard volumes about it, read about it and seen some awesome pictures and videos. But I have never been there. I love marine life and this trip sure is gonna be a dream come true for me. I have been hunting for some good place to stay, somewhere near the Sea World. Mark, a friend of mine suggested California Suites Hotel, which he says is located nearby and is good value for money. I checked out their web site www.californiasuiteshotel.com/. So far it looks good. But a second opinion is always welcome. Can someone tell me if it is a good budget hotel?

Yes, start with betterbidding.com. Look in the San Diego, CA area for some recently posted results. Then click thru to Priceline and bid. You will see it at the top of the first screen.

A double check on the reasonableness of your bidding level is to look at what hotwire.com offers (also clicking through from betterbidding.com), and start your bidding maybe 10 or 15% lower than that.

You already have a comparison number from California Suites. You can probably see what star rating they get on the direct buy side of Priceline.

Seaworld is truly wonderful, IMO. And if you want to get out and about in the LA area, the train system is very workable.

Romelle

You can look to TripAdvisor for second, third... eighth...seventieth opinions on the California Suites:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60750-d79880-Reviews-California_Suites_Hotel-San_Diego_California.html

Exercise the usual common sense with TA reviews!But they seem generally positive.

I have not stayed at the California Suites, but another budget option for a similar price that you could consider in San Diego is the Hotel Occidental. I recently stayed there and was very happy with the experience. However it is downtown rather than next to Sea World.
http://www.hoteloccidental-sandiego.com/

And BTW welcome to FlyerTalk!

If you decide on California Suites, or some other specific hotel, check the rates for your dates via their own web site, but also maybe kayak.com to make sure you are getting the best deal for yourself. But watch the various add-on fees as that can change the situation.

Romelle

There are plenty of budget hotels closer to Sea World that this property. Had never heard of it, looked it up and I believe it used to be another property.

If you want to maximize your time - stay in Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, Old Town or Hotel Circle. More hotels to choose from and less traffic to get to Sea World.