My girlfriend and I will be heading over to San Diego for Xmas and I'm looking for hotel ideas. I know it's a difficult question as it's such a subjective matter but we've looked at so many options and frankly it's bewildering. Del Coronado, Marriott Coronado, Loewes, Westgate, Westin etc etc I know they are in different areas and therefore hold different appeals but we're looking for a good quality hotel, with good rooms, close to enough to everything and with a bit of Xmas spirit. (We're old fashioned 30 somethings and we want to be somewhere special on Xmas day). Thanks for your help and a pint of bitter and pork pie goes to the best suggestion.

All of them are good but the Hotel Del may be the best for you as it is known for its "Christmascy" feeling and Christmas dinner. It is on the best beach and not far from downtown San Diego. It will be the most expensive of the ones you listed.

Andrew, I agree with Paul. The Hotel Del is most likely to be what you're looking for. At Christmas it's beautifully decorated.

Another vote for the Hotel Del. The Gaslamp District should be nice at Christmas as well but Coronado Island is very special. Keep in mind that whale watching begins in December so you might want to take a charter to look for them. And a bit of questionable English history---many say that Edward, Prince of Wales, met Wallis Simpson at the Del when he visited in the 20s. Now, do we all have to share the pint of bitter?

Another vote for the Hotel Del.

the westgate is fantastic for the price(starting at $179.00, seriously. its old world, high minded sensibilities... ask for a room on the 19th floor facing the harbor...it is downtown in the gaslamp, therefore convenient and very festive...the hotel food is only okay to bad, but thats okay because you have the city at your toetips. take it from me, i lived in s.d for years and am currently renting a vacation home in coronado island. coronado island is quaint and cute, but i have yet to find a decent bakery, not to metion the toll booth and the traffic to get in and out of the island. if you want the beach go to coronado or better yet La Jolla! if you want good restaurants, cafes, playhouses, SHOPPING, or museums stay downtown, where you and the missus can walk across the street to the Lyceum for the annual production of A Christmas Carol. the westgate is not a cookie cutter chain hotel...and they will even offer you your high noon tea everyday. good luck.

Thank you to you all. Great suggestions. Hotel Del looks nice but their prices are crazy for 250 sq ft rooms with a view of the car park! I think we'll go for downtown. Now where is that cucumber sandwich?
ps Let's hope for an England vs USA final (England winning of course).

For a very informative site concerning San Diego, see
http://members.cox.net/sandiego-info/
also
http://wwwgaslamp.org/lodge.html

If your English, I would recommend SPF50 at the least.

agree the del is the best choice for christmasy but like you, i would never pay the price. there are a few other hotels (littler ones) on coronado, do a search for them.
not christmasy but check out pacific terrace on pacific beach or the catamaran.

Andrew - You might consider the Paradise Point Resort on Mission Bay if prices compare favorably to others. This is a sprawling resort of one story rooms surrounded by gardens. It's very relaxing and California-ish. Then, consider going for Sunday Brunch at the Hotel Del Coronado. Watch the movie "Some Like It Hot" with Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon. It was filmed at the Hotel Del Coronado, although the movie is set in Florida. The story is it that there were shark warnings off the coast of Florida so Billy Wilder moved the filming to San Diego so as not to jeopardize Ms. Monroe during the surf scenes!

Try La Jolla Travelodge. No Christmas atmosphere--sorry, but a good price and close to the beach and restaurants.
http://www.lajollatravelodge.com/

Does the Hotel Del possibly have holiday packages? It's not the top destination in the U.S. for Christmas. Worth a try at least. Otherwise, there's the other restored historic hotel in the Gaslamp District---Horton Plaza??? If you could splurge for two nights at the Del I'm sure you would fine it worth it. You could economize later. It is Christmas, after all!

Del would be a great choice. There are many very nice properties in and around San Diego. You might consider priceline and stay with the 4 stars (I got the Lowes for $79).My last trip I stayed at the Shelter Point Inn (Shelter Island). Very nice.

FWIW, during the week after Christmas, San Diego hosts the Holiday Bowl (a college football game). Some friends of ours stayed downtown during that week around 3 years ago(?) and said never again because of all the drunken rowdy students and fans.

Coronado or LaJolla should be fine unless you want the excitement.