Feb 9, 2018, 7:15 pm
Last edit by: hhoope01
This thread refers to the various Marriott brands within a specific geographic area. Marriott Bonvoy hotels in XX usually have posts asking which property is better, etc. Trip reports are usually better suited in the property specific threads.
Marriott Bonvoy hotels in the San Diego area
Jul 9, 2019, 12:21 pm
#796
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: Lots of faux metal
Posts: 6,422
Our "go-to" Cat 5 in San Diego is the Courtyard at Liberty Station. It's not a typical Courtyard and features a full restaurant in addition to the usual Bistro nonsense. The food is excellent. The hotel itself is in a complex of stores (even a full-service grocery store), galleries and restaurants in a park-like setting built on the old submarine base. Walking in the area is fascinating, dotted with historical markers and remnants of its former life. Views of airport take-offs across the bay and the water areas surrounding are excellent. Reviews on most sites tend to be well above average. The management is very hands-on and it shows. We're returning there later this year.
I'll just add that with a young one you may regret skipping Legoland. It was a must when our kids were younger.
I'll just add that with a young one you may regret skipping Legoland. It was a must when our kids were younger.
I literally was just at the Sheraton San Diego resort and marina and it was super nice. I'm pretty sure its a cat 5 and while it was right near the airport it was also super close to the zoo (not more than 15 mins away) and is right on the beach and has great views of the ocean, Coronado island, and has some awesome pools on property. Highly recommend!
Edit: googled it to double-check and its actually called the Sheraton San Diego hotel & marina. But I confirmed it is a cat 5.
Edit: googled it to double-check and its actually called the Sheraton San Diego hotel & marina. But I confirmed it is a cat 5.
Jul 9, 2019, 5:12 pm
#797
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Toronto, ON
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, AA Plat MM
Posts: 3,582
It's actually the former Navy Training Center, like boot camp for sailors.The hotels are technically part of Liberty Station, but are a bit of a walk from the shops, galleries and most restaurants that you mention. There are a few restaurants, mostly fast food, close to the hotel. They might charge for parking, but they do offer a free shuttle to/from the airport.
Last edited by yyzflyer; Jul 9, 2019 at 5:15 pm Reason: my inability to spell and type at the same time
Jul 9, 2019, 5:26 pm
#798
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: Lots of faux metal
Posts: 6,422
I'll defer to your knowledge of the history, although all the plaques and historical markers near the mooring posts refer to WWII submarine crews. We've been there a few times, but I don't recall any fast food restaurants nearby. There were a number of more eclectic independent restaurants within very reasonable walking distance, as well as shops and the full-service supermarket mentioned previously. There were plans to build two additional hotels nearby - one of which was a Marriott brand IIRC. It's been 2 years, but we're heading back in September. Coupled with SD's perfect weather it's a great location and we've never had a bad stay. The hotel also supplied walking maps of the entire area.
Jul 9, 2019, 5:34 pm
#799
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: WN A+ CP, UA 1MM/*A Gold, Mar LT Tit, IHG Plat, HH Dia
Posts: 6,284
I stayed at the Courtyard El Cajon earlier this year. It's a newer property (built 2017) so the design is modern and everything is neat and clean. I found the rooms comfortable though bland. I received nothing special as a Titanium member-- no upgrade (yes I asked), and only the standard $10 breakfast voucher, which does not go far in the Bistro! The outdoor pool and hot tub are large and relaxing.
Jul 9, 2019, 5:36 pm
#800
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 169
I'll defer to your knowledge of the history, although all the plaques and historical markers near the mooring posts refer to WWII submarine crews. We've been there a few times, but I don't recall any fast food restaurants nearby. There were a number of more eclectic independent restaurants within very reasonable walking distance, as well as shops and the full-service supermarket mentioned previously. There were plans to build two additional hotels nearby - one of which was a Marriott brand IIRC. It's been 2 years, but we're heading back in September. Coupled with SD's perfect weather it's a great location and we've never had a bad stay. The hotel also supplied walking maps of the entire area.
I'll also be in SD in September. As far as the Courtyard goes, I'm not thrilled about the $19 parking but it's only a couple days if we choose it.
Jul 9, 2019, 5:52 pm
#801
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVPG 75k, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Plat, Kenya Airways Gold
Posts: 224
It's actually the former Navy Training Center, like boot camp for sailors.The hotels are technically part of Liberty Station, but are a bit of a walk from the shops, galleries and most restaurants that you mention. There are a few restaurants, mostly fast food, close to the hotel. They might charge for parking, but they do offer a free shuttle to/from the airport.
I never understand the love for that hotel. It's a hot mess and it's rating on the Marriott website reflects that (3.7 stars, which is the lowest of any of the downtown Marriott hotels). They charge a resort fee yet aren't a resort. There are plenty of much better hotels in San Diego than that Sheraton.
I never understand the love for that hotel. It's a hot mess and it's rating on the Marriott website reflects that (3.7 stars, which is the lowest of any of the downtown Marriott hotels). They charge a resort fee yet aren't a resort. There are plenty of much better hotels in San Diego than that Sheraton.
Jul 9, 2019, 11:39 pm
#802
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 81
The more I think about it, the more it makes sense to use your Cat 4 voucher. You won’t be in the room that much.
I would say the 4Points by SeaWorld but there seem to be a lot of negative reviews. That could just be from disappointed families who were expecting a nice vacation spot and ended up in an industrial neighborhood. The hotel is pretty new.
Another option would be the Residence Inn in Kearny Mesa- that is less than 15 minutes from BayHo- straight down Clairmont Mesa Blvd. It seems to have pretty good reviews.
And if you are traveling after April 2019 a new Cat4 is opening up in Liberty Station.also about 15 minutes away. Liberty Station is in Point Loma.
If you save save money by using your Cat4 certificate go have breakfast in Mission Beach at JRDN at Tower23 or Brockton Villa in La Jolla Cove - both overlooking the Ocean.
After breakfast you could take nice walks and soak up San Diego. In MB you could walk down the boardwalk. And La Jolla Cove is really pretty.
Finding parking is the only challenge.
Pro:
- free parking
- good location if you have a car
- clean
- The room felt dated, and our room had a musty smell when you first enter it (it does fade after being in the room for a while). It's relatively well kept, but it does feel like it came from the 90s. The only sign of disrepair were some cracked tiles in the bathroom.
- No elite recognition, no upgrade - I'm only Gold though so YMMV
- Bathroom is tiny - the sink is outside, which isn't great if you don't want to wake up your partner in the middle of the night
Some comments, not necessarily good or bad:
- they either attract a lot of parties or they're unusually strict about them - there's a sign right at reception saying no parties allowed, and when I was checking in the night manager was in the process of kicking someone out for noise. The only other time I've been at a hotel that explicit about noise it was an adults-only spa resort.
- We did one breakfast there - they have a decent breakfast buffet as far as North American hotels go - eggs, bacon, waffle maker, assorted breads, yogurts, fruits. They stop serving breakfast really early though - 9 am on weekdays and 9:30 on weekends
Jul 15, 2019, 6:13 am
#803
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 169
Others may disagree, but the SD Zoo on one day and Balboa Park on another day sounds plenty to me. It is very easy to spend an entire day at the zoo and another at Balboa Park. There are several museums worth visiting as well as the Botanical Building and the Rose Garden (the California Tower is currently closed for seismic retrofit). The entire park is seriously big, so walking around and taking in the sights can easily fill a leisure visit.
If you still have free time to see other sights or want a meal before or during the above, Seaport Village is fun, Coronado Island is beautiful and Little Italy and Old Town are worthwhile visits as well. There are many other things to do - maybe others will chime in.
If you still have free time to see other sights or want a meal before or during the above, Seaport Village is fun, Coronado Island is beautiful and Little Italy and Old Town are worthwhile visits as well. There are many other things to do - maybe others will chime in.
Jul 15, 2019, 12:59 pm
#804
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 73
Just my opinion, but if you are staying in SD for 2 nights and will mostly be visiting Balboa Park and the SD Zoo within in, then almost anywhere in the surrounding area will be okay. The downtown areas, Old Town, Liberty Station, even Mission Valley. By car, the drive to and back will be 15 to 20 minutes. The closest Marriott property to the Zoo will still be about a 10 minute drive I believe.
I think downtown in general is suitable for families, although some streets are worse than others. Depends on what you if you intend to walk around a lot though I suppose. I suggest looking at properties first and then at the immediate areas. For example, I really like that Courtyard Liberty Station is in walking distance (less than a mile) of the Liberty Public Market. But some may not be interested in the Public Market. The Bayfront Springhill Suites and Residence Inn location is absolutely great for walking access to the water front areas including the Seaport Village. Hope that helps.
I think downtown in general is suitable for families, although some streets are worse than others. Depends on what you if you intend to walk around a lot though I suppose. I suggest looking at properties first and then at the immediate areas. For example, I really like that Courtyard Liberty Station is in walking distance (less than a mile) of the Liberty Public Market. But some may not be interested in the Public Market. The Bayfront Springhill Suites and Residence Inn location is absolutely great for walking access to the water front areas including the Seaport Village. Hope that helps.
Jul 15, 2019, 4:21 pm
#805
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
While staying at a Marriott property in the downtown area _might_ be convenient depending on where you want to go and visit, it will certainly not be cheap from a daily parking perspective.
I would strongly suggest that if you don't need to stay in the downtown area, using the trolley to get in and out from stations where parking considerably less may be more affordable. Also, trying to find parking in the Gaslamp district can and usually is a bit of a pain.
David
I would strongly suggest that if you don't need to stay in the downtown area, using the trolley to get in and out from stations where parking considerably less may be more affordable. Also, trying to find parking in the Gaslamp district can and usually is a bit of a pain.
David
Jul 16, 2019, 11:45 am
#807
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
- CY San Diego Downtown: $49/day valet only
- Moxy SD/Gaslamp: $49/day valet only
- Marriott Marquis: $10/hour self, $35/day self, $50/day valet
A big part of the problem is that downtown San Diego has built over most of the open lots that were where cars were parked before. There are parking structures but they're not any cheaper either.
David
Jul 17, 2019, 9:13 am
#809
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
Mission Valley: CY Hotel Circle wants $27/day; SHS wants $20/day; Marriott wants $29/day self or $39/day for valet
Carlsbad: Westin wants $18/day whether you park your own car or use the valet (and probably will also charge you a "Resort Fee"); CY offers complimentary but is 40+ minutes/30+ miles from downtown
David