San Diego General Discussion Thread (Which hotel is better? etc) [Master Thread]
Nov 16, 2006, 3:55 pm
#91
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1
First of all, you gotta stay at the W or Sheraton Suites hotel. Just book the AAA rate and ask for a corner roombetween the 20th and 24th floor, donīt need to be a gold or platinum member to stay there. room number #2316 or #2318. Youīll have an exceptional view over the bay all the way to Coronado!!! Check it out!!!
Chec out 5th AVE and Broadway, the restaurant & club is called "Yardhouse" -great food and drinks, I think you have like 125 draft beers on tab....
Chec out 5th AVE and Broadway, the restaurant & club is called "Yardhouse" -great food and drinks, I think you have like 125 draft beers on tab....
Originally Posted by Vader
Hi All:
I have looked through a lot of the threads about the SPG properties in San Diego, but wanted to get your input...
Taking my wife for her 30th birthday, will get there on December 7th and leave on the 10th. We like to walk around cities and use public transit whenever possible. Things we would probably do in SD include kayaking in the bay, visiting the zoo and possible Sea World.... other than that maybe some museums in Balboa park and shopping.
Trying to be reasonable about the price as I am already flying her there in FC...
So far the rates are:
W SD - $225 per night using an SPG50 reward that I got for free
Horton Plaza - $189 per night using AAA discount
Shertaton Suites - $179 per night using AAA discount
Marina - $125 prepaid for Friday and Saturday - find something else for Thursday. This is a limited view room in the West tower. Not sure if being Gold I could get a better room on check in??
Any thoughts or opinions as to what I should choose given what we want to do??
Thanks,
Vader
I have looked through a lot of the threads about the SPG properties in San Diego, but wanted to get your input...
Taking my wife for her 30th birthday, will get there on December 7th and leave on the 10th. We like to walk around cities and use public transit whenever possible. Things we would probably do in SD include kayaking in the bay, visiting the zoo and possible Sea World.... other than that maybe some museums in Balboa park and shopping.
Trying to be reasonable about the price as I am already flying her there in FC...
So far the rates are:
W SD - $225 per night using an SPG50 reward that I got for free
Horton Plaza - $189 per night using AAA discount
Shertaton Suites - $179 per night using AAA discount
Marina - $125 prepaid for Friday and Saturday - find something else for Thursday. This is a limited view room in the West tower. Not sure if being Gold I could get a better room on check in??
Any thoughts or opinions as to what I should choose given what we want to do??
Thanks,
Vader
Nov 18, 2006, 12:08 pm
#92
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: BOS
Programs: DL PM, SPG Platinum, AA Plat
Posts: 119
I second all the opinions on the W.
Avoid the Sheraton Mission Valley at all costs. I just got back from a stay there, and the hotel is definitely showing its age. The staff were not very friendly either. The location is OK for driving places (right near 163 and I-8), but I'd much rather be downtown than at the intersection of two major highways.
Avoid the Sheraton Mission Valley at all costs. I just got back from a stay there, and the hotel is definitely showing its age. The staff were not very friendly either. The location is OK for driving places (right near 163 and I-8), but I'd much rather be downtown than at the intersection of two major highways.
Nov 19, 2006, 9:59 pm
#93
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: ORD LAS HKG
Programs: Bonvoy LTT; IHG DiamondAmb; WoH Globalist; UA1K2MM; NationalEE; AvisPC; HertzPC
Posts: 703
Stayed at W San Diego last weekend for one night. Agree with comments posted here. The Kool Corner Room is pretty cool indeed. But the restaurant (Rice) was close last Sunday due to "some" problems at the kitchen. It's nowhere near the tourist area but Gaslamp district is still within walking distance (10-15min). You can take the trolley (light rail) to some tourist attractions. For $5, you can get a day pass that can even get you to the Mexican border and you can cross the border to do some bargain shopping without paying insurance (you need to buy insurance if you drive across the border). http://www.sdcommute.com/Rider_Infor...Trolleymap.asp
Dec 2, 2006, 8:43 am
#95
Join Date: Oct 2003
Programs: UA 1K, HH Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 223
The Sheraton San Diego Marina is a bit isolated (it's on the far side of the airport from everything, and you'll wind up taking cabs or, as an alternative, use the hotel's shuttle to the airport and take public transit from there). A cab to Balboa park is about $10-12, and the price difference in the rooms will easily make up for that. Read this thread, particularly post #21, for a description of the place. And the hotel has a free airport shuttle, which, again, could offset some local ground transit expenses.
Dec 3, 2006, 1:45 am
#96
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: PHX
Programs: A few
Posts: 245
I'll be staying in SD for a few nights in February as well, was contemplating the US Grant, Westin Horton Plaza, or the W.
From the looks of what everybody has said here, it's making me lean more towards and Westin.
Cheers,
Adrian
From the looks of what everybody has said here, it's making me lean more towards and Westin.
Cheers,
Adrian
Dec 6, 2006, 7:05 pm
#98
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: DC|NYC
Programs: UA GS, DL Plat, Marriott Bonvoy LIfetime Titanium/SPG refugee, Hertz Prez, Amtrak Select
Posts: 3,201
The corner rooms at the W SD are very, very nice. One of my favorite Starwood rooms. Worth the modest extra cost over a standard room. The Westin is like a 5 minute walk from the W, so at least in my mind the location is not that much of an issue... unless you are on crutches.
The Westin has excellent service and better location for walking around.
Dec 6, 2006, 10:55 pm
#99
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: DFW -
Programs: AA EXP 5MM, DL DM, Bonvoy Titanium, Avis CHM, National VIP
Posts: 556
Any reviews of the US Grant? Heading to San Diego right after Christmas for the Holiday Bowl with my family, and looking at an award reservation there. It sounds like the hotel has a fair number of suites - any experience with Plat upgrades?
Dec 12, 2006, 9:23 pm
#100
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: YWG
Programs: AC Altitude E35K, *Silve, UA Premier Silver, Marriott Platinum, SPG Preferred Plus, a bunch of other
Posts: 410
TRIP REPORT
Our stay at Westin Horton Plaza was great! As everyone said, it is in a great location and you can walk almost anywhere downtown.
We used public transit ($15 pass for 4 days) for other areas and it was easy
1 bus from the airport to 1 block from the hotel - 15 minutes
1 bus to the zoo - 20 minutes
1 bus to La Jolla - 50 minutes - this was way too long, but my wife wanted to try it.... it is a beautiful area and the waves were huge. Have never seen anyone body surfing in such big waves!!
1 train to Old Town - 12 minutes...
Sent an email to the regular address for the hotel and was upgraded from a traditional room to a deluxe room on the top floor - Room 1606. It was a corner room with lots of space, extra chairs and a view out to the bay. Water in the room everyday as well as trials of an energy drink and a yoga drink (don't ask).
Water also available for free in small bottles throughout the day in the lobby, and large bottles of an energy drink also available for the joggers :-)
I would definitely recomend it...
Vader
Our stay at Westin Horton Plaza was great! As everyone said, it is in a great location and you can walk almost anywhere downtown.
We used public transit ($15 pass for 4 days) for other areas and it was easy
1 bus from the airport to 1 block from the hotel - 15 minutes
1 bus to the zoo - 20 minutes
1 bus to La Jolla - 50 minutes - this was way too long, but my wife wanted to try it.... it is a beautiful area and the waves were huge. Have never seen anyone body surfing in such big waves!!
1 train to Old Town - 12 minutes...
Sent an email to the regular address for the hotel and was upgraded from a traditional room to a deluxe room on the top floor - Room 1606. It was a corner room with lots of space, extra chairs and a view out to the bay. Water in the room everyday as well as trials of an energy drink and a yoga drink (don't ask).
Water also available for free in small bottles throughout the day in the lobby, and large bottles of an energy drink also available for the joggers :-)
I would definitely recomend it...
Vader
Last edited by Vader; Dec 12, 2006 at 9:24 pm Reason: spelling
Dec 12, 2006, 11:34 pm
#101
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: AA Plat, SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond, IC Amb
Posts: 507
Thanks for reporting back Vader^
My family has visited every *W property in San Diego this year, except for the US Grant, and we think the Westin Horton Plaza is a terrific choice as well (especially for families). Glad you enjoyed your stay.
My family has visited every *W property in San Diego this year, except for the US Grant, and we think the Westin Horton Plaza is a terrific choice as well (especially for families). Glad you enjoyed your stay.
Dec 13, 2006, 9:42 am
#102
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: I'm From Here
Programs: AC*SE & MM/*Wood Gold/HHonors Diamond/Marriott Silver/AirMiles Gold
Posts: 4,567
TRIP REPORT
Sent an email to the regular address for the hotel and was upgraded from a traditional room to a deluxe room on the top floor - Room 1606. It was a corner room with lots of space, extra chairs and a view out to the bay. Water in the room everyday as well as trials of an energy drink and a yoga drink (don't ask).
Vader
Sent an email to the regular address for the hotel and was upgraded from a traditional room to a deluxe room on the top floor - Room 1606. It was a corner room with lots of space, extra chairs and a view out to the bay. Water in the room everyday as well as trials of an energy drink and a yoga drink (don't ask).
Vader
Was it a request to be upgraded, or more in general...just out of general wonder...
Dec 13, 2006, 2:12 pm
#103
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: YWG
Programs: AC Altitude E35K, *Silve, UA Premier Silver, Marriott Platinum, SPG Preferred Plus, a bunch of other
Posts: 410
When I booked the room it was a traditional room, but after I emailed in the request, my online reservation details changed to a deluxe room a few days later. Did not get a confirmation to my request though, it just happened.
Vader
Last edited by Vader; Dec 13, 2006 at 2:14 pm Reason: added more detail
Dec 26, 2006, 10:53 pm
#104
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: DFW -
Programs: AA EXP 5MM, DL DM, Bonvoy Titanium, Avis CHM, National VIP
Posts: 556
US Grant - Great!
Checked in to the US Grant today - staying on Starpoints with family. Upgraded to a beautiful "Signature Suite" - with living / dining room, HUGE shower with 6 shower heads, great carpets, etc. The hotel is very nice - brand new, very friendly staff, well located. Hotel doesn't seem too busy, but this one is definitely at the top of my list in San Diego!
Dec 27, 2006, 7:37 am
#105
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: LAX
Programs: AA 2 MM Plt, *wood Plt
Posts: 652
I second all the opinions on the W.
Avoid the Sheraton Mission Valley at all costs. I just got back from a stay there, and the hotel is definitely showing its age. The staff were not very friendly either. The location is OK for driving places (right near 163 and I-8), but I'd much rather be downtown than at the intersection of two major highways.
Avoid the Sheraton Mission Valley at all costs. I just got back from a stay there, and the hotel is definitely showing its age. The staff were not very friendly either. The location is OK for driving places (right near 163 and I-8), but I'd much rather be downtown than at the intersection of two major highways.
Staff was very friendly and addressed me by name the whole time.
The hotel is a bit tired, but the location is very close to sea world, Balboa Park (and zoo), and with the kids, it worked out great. And you can't beat the price, when doing Cash and Points. However, for a romantic weekend away, I suggest one of the downtown hotels. I wish SPG had a property in La Jolla.