Coronado Marriott OR Residence Inn-Hotel Circle
 

My 18 yr. old son and I will be visiting SD end of Feb/first part of March. We will have a rental car and wish to visit Balboa Park, Cabrillo Natl. Park, Gaslamp?, 2 hour Harbor Cruise. I have a love for being on/near the water, but my concern is staying where it is most convenient to get to the tourist sights in a timely fashion, as we only have 3 1/2 days in SD! Any thoughts/personal preferences on these hotels would be appreciated. Thanks

Hi,

Hotel circle is a convenient and cheaper location. Remember thought that San Diego is not that big and even Coronado Island is not very far. I like Coronado Island (I find that there is not as much traffic then there is on Hotel Circle)

Did you try www.tripadvisor.com to find out what people think of the hotels that you mentionned?

Thank you for your reply mist. Yes, I have looked over trip advisor's posts like crazy...for weeks! The Residence Inn has excellent ratings. The Coronado Marriott's are mixed. I just want this trip to be perfect, and probably just think too much!

SD is one of my favorite places. About 4-5 years ago I even got to go there for a convention. Stayed at Hotel Circle. Even tho public transport is a plus, this area just reeks of convention, buiness travel, pavement, etc. You could be transported to a dozen other towns and not know the difference. I would definitely recommend staying nearer the water. The freeway system and city streets are easy to navigate. Although I think SD is pretty big, the things you want to see are not terribly far apart. Sounds like you're trying to stay with a Marriott, right? You have good options. The one on Coronado is near the water shuttle if you just want to ride over to SD for dinner or whatever. Rather than views of open water it has views of SD, and you'll be able to see any Navy ship coming in or out of port. Coronado is much neater than Hotel circle. If you can, go to Hotel Del for their Sunday brunch. Yum Yum!

an alternative on coronado island: the glorietta bay hotel, set in the old spreckels mansion.

You are comparing a budget property with a more upscale property in 2 different locations. I have stayed in both...if you want a nice environment and a resort feel with more upscale rooms, then pick Coronado Marriott.If you want a budget property in a business area then pick the Residence Inn.By far, the nicer area is Coronado. Travel to the sights should not be a concern, since you will have a renatal car. You might benefit from getting a car with a GPS system...I found it a real help in this area.

I recently had this same decision as my husband & I along with our 18 yr old daughter are going to SD for 4 days in mid march. My very first choice would be near the water but I decided on the r.inn because it gives us more space. While I expect to spend little time in the hotel, at night Mom and dad can go to sleep while daugh watches tv or is on the internet in the living room. The price & breakfast along with the tripadvisor comments helped alot with this decision. I can't wait to go, have a good time!