My husband and 3 children (ages 17,14,12) are coming to SD soon - I have reservations for a suite at Bahia for $230 per night. Is this a good place to stay?

The location is good, and the remodeled rooms are nice. For that price, though, I would look into the Paradise Point resort. It is about a million times nicer, on the same bay as the Bahia, across from Sea World, and with easier access into Pacific Beach, which is a better beach area than Mission Beach. There are also boat rentals and a great pool there.

Melissa posted exactly what I was going to say. Bahia, at that price is no bargain.

Your kids will love the location of the Bahia because it is right next to Belmont Park. Old wooden rollercoaster, arcades a mini-McDonalds and it's across the street from the beach. The Bahia is an OK hotel but for $230 I recommend you look into renting a house or condo in South Mission Beach or PB. A lot more room and you can cook and eat in.
Although Paradise Point is much nicer you'll have to drive or bike to the beach. Biking is on a bike path along a very busy road though. Your kids will have much more fun if they can walk to the beach so you don't have to drive- finding a parking spot is pretty tough also.

Thanks for your responses. Now I am confused though - we checked P. Point but didn't really want to stay there because we were told we'd have to drive anywhere we went. Any other suggestions? I'm thinking I should cancel at the Bahia!!! HELP!

I haven't stayed at the Bahia for 2 years, so it may have been remodelled since then. However, at that time, our room -- not a suite -- was not very big and was a little musty. I would suggest searching elsewhere.
However, a friend just stayed at the Hyatt at Mission Bay and was very disappointed in it, so I wouldn't consider it an alternative.

It's been a while since my husband and I stayed at the Bahia but we really liked it. As I recall, you could step out of your room right onto the sand, we had a kitchenette, there was a BIG jacuzzi (biggest I've ever seen) that you could float in; and a lovely fire pit (w/gas logs) for the cool evenings in the public area. Again, this was a while ago, so I'm not sure all these features are still there, but it was a lot of fun.

You're pretty much going to need to drive to get anywhere in SD no matter where you stay. If you want to be able to walk to locations in Pacific or Mission Beach, the closest nice hotel that comes to mind in the Catamaran. It is not as big or "resorty" as Bahia or Paradise Point but is very nice, great pool area, on the bay but across the street from the beach. By the way, the bike path from paradise point to pacific beach is separated from the street by huge concrete barriers so safety is realy not an issue. I'd stay at PP and rent bikes for the weekend or the Catamaran if walking is more important to you. In any case, I'd still rent a car to get around if you plan on leaving the beach at all.

I live in Mission Beach and the ages of your children the Catamaran Hotel would be a much better place. Nice Hotel on the bay, close to beach, restaurants, and the boardwalk which the kids can skate or rice bikes. I have nothing to do with the Catamaran but for my grandkids that would be perfect and I know how it is when you go someplace you don<t know, thats why I love this site.

another vote for the catamaran. a lock or two from the beach, bay, tons of restaurants, mission beach roller coaster/arcade area is only a few miles away (nice walk).
don't stay at paradise point. the age of your children they will want to venture out a bit and there is no where close that is good to walk to.

Thanks for the input - I can't get a suite at the Catamaran and haven't found anything else yet...any other suggestions? I really like the location of the Bahia, but I'll hate it if the rooms are dirty and smelly. Maybe we should consider the downtown area?

See if the Bahia has dropped their rates and go back there. I"ve seen rooms at the Bahia for 129/night! Have you looked on turbotrip.com? Or quikbook.com?

I have found that the hotel will say they are sold out, but do indeed have space if you go through a tour operator. Tour operators have blocked the rooms. Funjet packages the Paradise Point. Not sure, but you may have to call a travel agent to book Funjet. Or you can try their website and see if you can book it yourself. Good luck and let us know!

The rooms at the Bahia are not dirty or smelly! I just think the price you are paying is pretty high. Did you try for a AAA discount, or booking online, etc? I, myself, have even stayed at the Bahia, but for under $150. I don't think the Catamaran has too many suites, so I'm not suprised if it's booked. See if you can get adjoining rooms there if you are really concerned.

Is the price too high for a suite though? The one I have reserved is SUPPOSEDLY 2 separate rooms, which would be nice with there being 5 of us. I have not seen a rate that low on any of the booking websites I've visited. Maybe I'll give the Cat. a call back and see if the status is still the same. Thanks for the help!