redbirdsj

We stayed over July 4 and loved the location. Other than obligatory excursions to Legoland, the Zoo and Coronado, we stayed close by and spent half-days in La Jolla, Torrey Pines, and the Botanical Gardens in Encinitas. It was great to come back to Solana Beach in the afternoons and be able to put the kids down for a nap, wake up and walk 3 minutes to the beach with my cooler bag and enjoy the sunset and some drinks while the kids played. We were able to avoid the SD Fair traffic for the most part and walked down the hill on July 4 to get a good view of the impressive fireworks show.

The hotel itself was decent if you kept your expectations in line: it's a dated 3 star accommodation that has endured years of beach-goer abuse. A somewhat recent refresh kept the rooms feeling superficially new and the bar/bistro was surprisingly good quality and priced right. There's also an excellent Thai restaurant in the strip center next door and probably 15 other restaurants within a 15 minute walk. If you stay and don't want to pay for the unnecessary overpriced underground parking, ask for a room on the west side of the hotel and park on the street where parking is plentiful. All of our minimal service requests were met with a smile. I was offered an upgrade as a gold, but the only upgraded room category is an executive king and we needed two queens, so I declined.

tmiw

The outside looks almost done at least (taken earlier today):

C17PSGR

Might go in a day early on a business trip and looking for a property that is in a walkable location. Normally, my preferred property is the Marquis as it is on the water and they generally upgrade me to a suite. But .... they have added the dreaded destination fee and received an exception to the weekend breakfast requirement so I'd prefer not to patronize them. I'm checking out the Grant on the work trip so I suppose I could go there early. The Pier South always seems interesting but not sure how isolated it is from restaurants/bars etc. within walking distance.

Any other suggestions? Maybe one of the Gaslamp properties (but no water view).

Thinking of cheating and checking out the Andaz.

DELee

Do it. And report back.

David

FlightNurse

I've stayed at the Grant a couple of times as a PLT and have always been upgraded to a larger room (never a suite) it's an older hotel if that makes a difference. The Four Points downtown has always treated me well. In a week, I'll be at the new IC San Diego, very much looking forward to this stay.

kennycrudup

When I stay at the Courtyard on Broadway I walk up to the Andaz' rooftop bar and have breakfast (and/or hang out poolside). I am curious to what the rooms are like if you do end up staying, though (I get a "W-ish" vibe.)

kennycrudup

The "round" one? At least there you don't have to worry about upgrades, all the rooms are all apparently pie-shaped and the same size

DELee

Maybe the day to stay there is on March 14th.

David

jtp1947

DELee, I see what you did there. Very clever!

C17PSGR

Looks like the Marriott Gaslamp has a rooftop bar....need a place to work with a view

But if I go to the grant, I'll have a two day stay ... decisions decisions ... doesnt sound like there is a view from anything at the grant though.

kennycrudup

Heh ... just to be warned, no matter when I'm up there, it's kinda "partyish" (music, activity) so I wouldn't expect to get a lot done (and definitely not after sundown).

C17PSGR

ahhh ... the elusive search for rooftop bars that are classy and cool but not clubby

kennycrudup

Try the Andaz then ... plus there's more places to work on their rooftop.

FlightNurse

Yes, it was a Hoilday Inn for MANY years, Whether it was the HI or 4 Points I always get a room facing the ocean.

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