Tijuana Marriott Hotel?
Aug 24, 2007, 10:18 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: montreal
Posts: 305
Tijuana Marriott Hotel?
All the San Diego hotels are mucho expensive. The Tijuana Marriott Hotel is only $110 a night. I'm thinking I'll stay in Tijuana and commute to San Diego for the few things I want to see there. I visited Tijuana a long time ago and quite enjoyed the craziness. What am I getting myself into as far as the hotel, the city and the commute? Comments please!
Aug 24, 2007, 10:47 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SNA
Posts: 18,240
The commute across the border has probably gotten MUCH worse since last tiem you were there. Plan on waits of an hour plus if you intend to commute each day by automobile. Speaking of autos, many US rental agencies will not allow you to take your car into Mexico.
As for TJ itself, I've never seen the attractrion for anyone old enough to drink on this side of the border.
As for TJ itself, I've never seen the attractrion for anyone old enough to drink on this side of the border.
Aug 25, 2007, 8:58 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Pasadena,Ca.,US.
Programs: AA, Delta, United, SPG plat, Hyatt dia
Posts: 7,140
Tijuana is a hole,a dirty congested, dangerous hole.
Why anyone not looking for cheap booze,sex,and drugs(both legal and illegal)would even think of staying there is beyond me.
Why anyone not looking for cheap booze,sex,and drugs(both legal and illegal)would even think of staying there is beyond me.
Aug 25, 2007, 2:21 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: LAX
Programs: Airline Free Agent/MR Gold/ HH Diamond/National/MGM/Amex
Posts: 662
honestly, i would stay WAY AWAY from TJ if your over 21. Back in the undergrad days we loved it...until we were 20 and knew better. Its gotten a lot worse in the past few years as well, much like Rocky Point MX.
Aug 25, 2007, 3:58 pm
#6
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Orange County, CA, USA
Programs: AA (Life Plat), Marriott (Life Titanium) and every other US program
Posts: 6,411
I don't think anyone has responded who has stayed there.
1. The Marriott, listed as Tijuana, actually in Rio Del Mar (?) is one of the hidden jewels of the entire Marriott system. It has its own golf course. It is a Residence Inn so you get a bigger room and a decent free breakfast. It has a private off-ramp from the toll road (it is actually located about 15 minutes south of Tijuana). It is on a hillside with great views of the golf course and the ocean. (Don't expect much service - it is a small RI and you carry your own bags most of the time.)
2. Do NOT consider staying and commuting to San Diego. The wait by car can OFTEN exceed 2 hours, and just about always exceeds 1 hour (by a lot). I have waited over 3 hours.
1. The Marriott, listed as Tijuana, actually in Rio Del Mar (?) is one of the hidden jewels of the entire Marriott system. It has its own golf course. It is a Residence Inn so you get a bigger room and a decent free breakfast. It has a private off-ramp from the toll road (it is actually located about 15 minutes south of Tijuana). It is on a hillside with great views of the golf course and the ocean. (Don't expect much service - it is a small RI and you carry your own bags most of the time.)
2. Do NOT consider staying and commuting to San Diego. The wait by car can OFTEN exceed 2 hours, and just about always exceeds 1 hour (by a lot). I have waited over 3 hours.
Aug 25, 2007, 6:20 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Thailand
Programs: Marriott LT Titanium; IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 1,150
I don't think anyone has responded who has stayed there.
1. The Marriott, listed as Tijuana, actually in Rio Del Mar (?) is one of the hidden jewels of the entire Marriott system. It has its own golf course. It is a Residence Inn so you get a bigger room and a decent free breakfast. It has a private off-ramp from the toll road (it is actually located about 15 minutes south of Tijuana). It is on a hillside with great views of the golf course and the ocean. (Don't expect much service - it is a small RI and you carry your own bags most of the time.)
2. Do NOT consider staying and commuting to San Diego. The wait by car can OFTEN exceed 2 hours, and just about always exceeds 1 hour (by a lot). I have waited over 3 hours.
1. The Marriott, listed as Tijuana, actually in Rio Del Mar (?) is one of the hidden jewels of the entire Marriott system. It has its own golf course. It is a Residence Inn so you get a bigger room and a decent free breakfast. It has a private off-ramp from the toll road (it is actually located about 15 minutes south of Tijuana). It is on a hillside with great views of the golf course and the ocean. (Don't expect much service - it is a small RI and you carry your own bags most of the time.)
2. Do NOT consider staying and commuting to San Diego. The wait by car can OFTEN exceed 2 hours, and just about always exceeds 1 hour (by a lot). I have waited over 3 hours.
One could keep their auto on the US side and take cabs to and from the border.
Aug 25, 2007, 6:25 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Pasadena,Ca.,US.
Programs: AA, Delta, United, SPG plat, Hyatt dia
Posts: 7,140
I don't think anyone has responded who has stayed there.
1. The Marriott, listed as Tijuana, actually in Rio Del Mar (?) is one of the hidden jewels of the entire Marriott system. It has its own golf course. It is a Residence Inn so you get a bigger room and a decent free breakfast. It has a private off-ramp from the toll road (it is actually located about 15 minutes south of Tijuana). It is on a hillside with great views of the golf course and the ocean. (Don't expect much service - it is a small RI and you carry your own bags most of the time.)
2. Do NOT consider staying and commuting to San Diego. The wait by car can OFTEN exceed 2 hours, and just about always exceeds 1 hour (by a lot). I have waited over 3 hours.
1. The Marriott, listed as Tijuana, actually in Rio Del Mar (?) is one of the hidden jewels of the entire Marriott system. It has its own golf course. It is a Residence Inn so you get a bigger room and a decent free breakfast. It has a private off-ramp from the toll road (it is actually located about 15 minutes south of Tijuana). It is on a hillside with great views of the golf course and the ocean. (Don't expect much service - it is a small RI and you carry your own bags most of the time.)
2. Do NOT consider staying and commuting to San Diego. The wait by car can OFTEN exceed 2 hours, and just about always exceeds 1 hour (by a lot). I have waited over 3 hours.
Thanks for the review of the Rio Del Mar property-strange they let such a great location be serviced by a RI
Last edited by bigguyinpasadena; Aug 25, 2007 at 6:42 pm
Aug 28, 2007, 8:47 am
#11
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Orange County, CA, USA
Programs: AA (Life Plat), Marriott (Life Titanium) and every other US program
Posts: 6,411
Aug 28, 2007, 3:53 pm
#12
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: DC
Programs: US GP; MR PL
Posts: 128
hysterical rebadc!!! made me laugh out loud...stolen...priceless...
seriously though, why in the world would you want to stay in Tijuana? if you aren't driving, the walk thru security is a breeze and there is always the light rail to take you to Sandy Eggo...
seriously though, why in the world would you want to stay in Tijuana? if you aren't driving, the walk thru security is a breeze and there is always the light rail to take you to Sandy Eggo...
Sep 2, 2007, 11:51 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: montreal
Posts: 305
Ooooh yeah!
I arrived at the Tijuana Marriott after 1AM and spent the day and evening exploring the city. I think it's terrific! This place has far more personality than most US cities I've visited in the past ten years. While Tijuana is has slums and run-down neighborhoods, it is thankfully free of strip malls that so litter the American landscape. Beggars? Yeah, but far fewer than I've seen in other North American cities.
The food is inexpensive and terrific, the drinks are inexpensive and terrific. The bargains are terrific (later today I'll be picking up a fabulous leather coat at a fraction of the price I've seen elsewhere). Renal cars are cheap and the Baja coast is a fascinating drive. I've not hit the beach yet, but the surf is up.
Once I had a chance to look around, I didn't bother reconsidering commuting to San Diego. This place has more than enough distractions for a long weekend. (Although i do intend to spend Monday there.)
As far as the hotels are concerned (I've gone from the Tijuana Marriott to the Residence Inn), I am both pleased and impressed! I'll prepare a review of the hotels later, but for now, I recommend this area for a weekend holiday to anyone looking for something beyond a McDonald/Disney adventure.
The food is inexpensive and terrific, the drinks are inexpensive and terrific. The bargains are terrific (later today I'll be picking up a fabulous leather coat at a fraction of the price I've seen elsewhere). Renal cars are cheap and the Baja coast is a fascinating drive. I've not hit the beach yet, but the surf is up.
Once I had a chance to look around, I didn't bother reconsidering commuting to San Diego. This place has more than enough distractions for a long weekend. (Although i do intend to spend Monday there.)
As far as the hotels are concerned (I've gone from the Tijuana Marriott to the Residence Inn), I am both pleased and impressed! I'll prepare a review of the hotels later, but for now, I recommend this area for a weekend holiday to anyone looking for something beyond a McDonald/Disney adventure.
Sep 2, 2007, 12:05 pm
#14
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SBN
Programs: UA, AA, DL status lost across the board.
Posts: 3,184
No, it often times is not. The last 3 times I went across the border before moving last month, the wait to get back was 2-3 hours.
On another note, it is not just the wait to get into the US that takes forever, the trip back can be long as well.
If you want to go to San Diego, stay in or around the place. If you are willing to drive check out some of the neighborhoods and the suburbs. Just a quick check of dates next month pulled up some rooms in La Jolla for ~$150.
On another note, it is not just the wait to get into the US that takes forever, the trip back can be long as well.
If you want to go to San Diego, stay in or around the place. If you are willing to drive check out some of the neighborhoods and the suburbs. Just a quick check of dates next month pulled up some rooms in La Jolla for ~$150.