noobynoob

Hi all, a noob here who recently got a free night cert! Initially I wanted to use it at the Hilton Riviera as I am planning a trip to PV. But I realized that this place is sold out on the days I am in PV, which made me very sad.

Looking at my trip plans for the next year, I could potentially use my cert at one of the following properties:

-Hotel del Coronado - the location is great but the reviews seem horrendous... though I am curious to try the breakfast buffet for $27 (after the $15 credit)
-Conrad Punta de Mita - it looks like a nice new property, but it is very far from PV and I am not sure if I want to spend 2 days just to stay at this property

Which property would you recommend? As a lowly gold, I reckon my upgrade chance will be limited - would staying on a Monday night help increase my odds?

(my other planned trips include Bangkok/Phuket, Vancouver and Nashville; I looked into Conrad Koh Samui but it does not seem bookable)

Thanks!

Bartolo

I’ve never stayed at the Del but have been there many many times. Location is a bit isolated in that one needs to cross a long bridge to get to downtown SD. However, the Coronado Peninsula is residential and fairly quiet. There is a park at the end of the road with good hiking trails. A car is a necessity.

Historical property on the water but very large and during the holiday period (especially Christmas) very busy.Their annual Christmas tree is something people make a trip to see. It has been used as a film location. As to the rooms, when I’ve peeked in walking through they seem rather ordinary and on the small side. If you go, I would say to avoid ground floor rooms on the courtyard because there would be noise from the courtyard. A Monday might be quieter but they have a lot of function rooms and attendees often spill into the courtyard.

It really depends on what you are looking for and the time of year. I haven’t read any recent reviews but I’m sure they suffered during lockdowns etc. Large resort properties like this have limitations.

tschwartz

We just returned from a 5 day stay at the Del. For us, the location was perfect. Right on the beach, great facilities centered around the beach, very nice restaurants and a quick car or ferry ride to the Gaslamp. We were upgraded to The Views building right on the beach. It was a nearly new room that was incredible. There are many poor reviews of the Del from those who had rooms in the Victorian building. The rooms are old, small, needing repair, and many don't have balconies or views of the ocean.

If you are willing to upgrade your room from the Victorian room they'll give you with your free cert, I highly recommend the Del. If you're not prepared to upgrade, choose another location.

noobynoob

Thank you for your comments. I am planning to visit San Diego this summer and Puerto Vallarta next April.

Did you have to pay for the upgrade / do they sell upgrades at the time of check-in? I wonder how much I should expect to pay for the room upgrade.

I see the renovation for the Victorian building at the Del is estimated to be complete in 2023 so perhaps I should avoid it unless I could get the upgrade as recommended...

asar

Punta Mita is only an hour's drive from PV and you can take an inexpensive Uber there.

Once there, you'd stay at the hotel. I'd choose Punta Mita if you want to relax by the beach, maybe have a few cocktails (or rest after a few nights out in PV). I'd choose Coronado if you want to hang out in downtown San Diego and also walk around Coronado.

noobynoob

Thank you, it looks like a roundtrip from PV will be around US$100 on an Uber (though I've read that it may be difficult to find an Uber in Punta de Mita). The Conrad certainly seems nicer than the Del, but is rather inconveniently located...

Sisosig

Still I wonder, how can a professional noob (with over 100 posts) start a simple question with "HELP!"

tschwartz

We did have to pay for the upgrade. They offered me a ~ $135/night upgrade to a 1 bedroom suite via email which we declined. When we arrived, they offered us the same room for $80. It was steps from the beach and one of the finest oceanfront rooms we've had at any resort. I believe the free upgrade to Diamonds was a one level upgrade, but still within the Victorian building. The Views and the Cabanas rooms are much better than the Victorian.