Help with a Hotel decision
Oct 19th, 2000, 05:31 PM
#1
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Help with a Hotel decision
Can anyone help me. I'm looking to go to California in May, and a list of available hotels camae up, and a few of them say Hotel circle, such as Days Inn, Ramada, etc. It says its located in downtown. But. These prices are much cheaper than others, so I was wondering if Hotel Circle is not in walking distance of many of the attractions. Can anyone link me, or show me where to go to find an accurate map of Downtown. I've searched and searched, but don't want to make the wrong decision, its for our anniversary, a suprise. I also saw Holiday inn on the Bay and the marriot, are those locations nicer than Hotel circle. Help please, thanks
Oct 20th, 2000, 07:26 AM
#4
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I live in San Diego. Hotel Circle is in Mission Valley and is definitely not downtown. It is about 5 miles from downtown.
I do not recommend Hotel Circle because there is no attraction there for tourists. You can't walk anywhere. There is nothing bad about the area but it is really for the business traveler and not tourist.
Downtown is a great place to stay but it will be a little more pricey. Two places that I can recommend downtown, that are cheaper, are the Gaslamp Plaza Suites, and the Ramada. There are many other excellent choices, i.e. Embassy Suites, Westgate, etc. but they are not inexpensive. The adavantage to downtown is there are many things to do and see all within walking distance.
I do not recommend Hotel Circle because there is no attraction there for tourists. You can't walk anywhere. There is nothing bad about the area but it is really for the business traveler and not tourist.
Downtown is a great place to stay but it will be a little more pricey. Two places that I can recommend downtown, that are cheaper, are the Gaslamp Plaza Suites, and the Ramada. There are many other excellent choices, i.e. Embassy Suites, Westgate, etc. but they are not inexpensive. The adavantage to downtown is there are many things to do and see all within walking distance.
Oct 20th, 2000, 07:49 AM
#5
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Thanks for the info. That's exactly what I meant, Downtown San Diego. That definitely narrows down my search. Hotel Circle is out. The way they make it sound (some of these travel agents) is that Hotel Circle is right in the middle of it all. I am definitely looking to be in the heart of it all. Can anyone tell me if the Marriott-Mission Valley is in the Heart of it all, as well as the Holiday Inn on the Bay? Those 2 sound quite attractive, I'm just not too sure where they are. Again, does anyone know where I can find a link to see a very clear map of the downtown area. Thanks again
Oct 20th, 2000, 11:54 AM
#6
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Look at a map of San Diego ... Hotel Circle *is* in the center of the city and very convenient to stay when seeing the city, but not too great as a destination. The Marriot Mission Valley is a great hotel just east of hotel circle and we always stayed their on vacations before I moved here.
I disagree with the anti-Hotel Circle people because it is so convenient to use as a base of operations ... 5 minutes to zoo, 20 minutes to Wild Animal park, 5 minutes to Sea World, 10 minutes to Sea Port village, 15 minutes to La Jolla/Torrey Pines, 5 minutes to Old Town, etc... I do agree that the area has a lot to be desired as a destination ... there is nothing to do there accept visit chain restaurants and shop (and hotels).
I disagree with the anti-Hotel Circle people because it is so convenient to use as a base of operations ... 5 minutes to zoo, 20 minutes to Wild Animal park, 5 minutes to Sea World, 10 minutes to Sea Port village, 15 minutes to La Jolla/Torrey Pines, 5 minutes to Old Town, etc... I do agree that the area has a lot to be desired as a destination ... there is nothing to do there accept visit chain restaurants and shop (and hotels).
Oct 20th, 2000, 12:30 PM
#7
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Roni:
If you buy a good San Diego travel guide, you will find detailed maps of the various areas of interest. I visited last month and used the Fodor's guide (I think it cost $20).
By the way, here's my unsolicited take on the difference between the two SD residents' above responses. SDSam is correct if you don't want to rent a car (or if you do want to rent a car, but, for one reason or another, would rather not drive it): the airport is practically smack downtown--at most, a five minute taxi ride to Gaslamp district; the Gaslamp district is great at night--lots of restaurants and entertainment; there is a downtown ferry to Coronado; one can walk to the downtown pier for the Harbor cruise; the Harbor Village shopping district is within walking distance; there are shuttles to Balboa Park; there is a trolley to the Mexican border--all downtown.
Joe is correct if you do rent a car (though he may be being a little technical on the "center of the city"--maybe the geographical center, but not downtown by any means): San Diego is a relatively compact city and easy to navigate; the attractions are within short distances of each other. Plus, with a car, one can go to La Jolla (or Del Mar, or the desert, etc.). I couldn't figure out how to get to La Jolla without a car.
By the way, I've stayed downtown my last three visits. More $$, but worth it. It's great--you'll love San Diego.
Oct 20th, 2000, 08:23 PM
#8
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Everyone, thank you so much for all the advice. I'm definitely going to purchase the Fodors Guide, (thanks Joe). I think I've narrowed down my searches to Gaslamp Plaza Suites, Embassy Suites-downtown, Ramada or Westgate. Does anyone have anthing bad to say about these hotels. Thanks again. I can't wait to go, wish it were sooner. I'm planning it for may, before the summer rush, I just don't remember when spring break is, I just hope its not then. Thanks all.
Oct 22nd, 2000, 12:26 PM
#9
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Roni:
I will be happy to give you my comment on the 4 properties you have mentioned.
Gaslamp Plaza Suites: - It is actually a timeshare resort though it does rent units to the public on a daily basis. Actually we own a timeshare there but I will try to be objective about it. By the way we have stayed there many times. It is a converted historical landmark building and as such is quite quaint. The units are quite nice and well appointed. Excellent location with a roof top patio offering a great view. The downside is that it does not have an onsite pool nor exercise facilites. It is fairly reasonable for the location and quality of accomodations. I believe that the nightly rates are in the $89-129 range.
Westgate: - This is the most upscale of the 4 properties. Mu wife and I have stayed there for our anniversary a couple of times. It is well located on Broadway across from the Horton Plaza. It is a couple of blocks from the Gaslamp area. It is a very nice property but is the most expensive of the 4.
Embassy Suites Downtown: - This is a fairly typical Embassy Suites ( I do like Embassy Suites ) that is located close to Seaport Village. It is very well located also, especially for walks along the waterfront.
Ramada:
The Ramada is the most modest of the four properties and is priced accordingly. I have not stayed there so I cannot comment on the quality of the property as Ramada tends to be somewhat inconsistent from one to another. However I have heard good reports about it.
I think that any of the above would be fine. My first choice if money was no object would probably be the Westgate with the Embassy suites a close second. The Gaslamp Plaza Suites is an excellent choice if having no pool is not an issue. It certainly has more character than the others and is failry reasonably priced for downtown.
I just want to make one comment regarding Joe's comment about Hotel Circle. I am not in any way suggesting that there are not some very nice properties in Mission Valley including Hotel Circle. It is just that I personally prefer to be able to walk out the door of my hotel to restaurants and other attractions. I think that your vacation can be more enjoyable if you don't always have to jump in your car in order to spend an hour or so browsing. As I said before, Hotel Circle is 5 miles from downtown. The closest attraction where you can walk around is Old Town and that is still a couple of miles. Mission Valley ( including Hotel Circle ) is just not conducive to walking.
There are many other fine hotels in the downtown area that you may want to consider as well. However the four that you have mentioned should serve you well
I will be happy to give you my comment on the 4 properties you have mentioned.
Gaslamp Plaza Suites: - It is actually a timeshare resort though it does rent units to the public on a daily basis. Actually we own a timeshare there but I will try to be objective about it. By the way we have stayed there many times. It is a converted historical landmark building and as such is quite quaint. The units are quite nice and well appointed. Excellent location with a roof top patio offering a great view. The downside is that it does not have an onsite pool nor exercise facilites. It is fairly reasonable for the location and quality of accomodations. I believe that the nightly rates are in the $89-129 range.
Westgate: - This is the most upscale of the 4 properties. Mu wife and I have stayed there for our anniversary a couple of times. It is well located on Broadway across from the Horton Plaza. It is a couple of blocks from the Gaslamp area. It is a very nice property but is the most expensive of the 4.
Embassy Suites Downtown: - This is a fairly typical Embassy Suites ( I do like Embassy Suites ) that is located close to Seaport Village. It is very well located also, especially for walks along the waterfront.
Ramada:
The Ramada is the most modest of the four properties and is priced accordingly. I have not stayed there so I cannot comment on the quality of the property as Ramada tends to be somewhat inconsistent from one to another. However I have heard good reports about it.
I think that any of the above would be fine. My first choice if money was no object would probably be the Westgate with the Embassy suites a close second. The Gaslamp Plaza Suites is an excellent choice if having no pool is not an issue. It certainly has more character than the others and is failry reasonably priced for downtown.
I just want to make one comment regarding Joe's comment about Hotel Circle. I am not in any way suggesting that there are not some very nice properties in Mission Valley including Hotel Circle. It is just that I personally prefer to be able to walk out the door of my hotel to restaurants and other attractions. I think that your vacation can be more enjoyable if you don't always have to jump in your car in order to spend an hour or so browsing. As I said before, Hotel Circle is 5 miles from downtown. The closest attraction where you can walk around is Old Town and that is still a couple of miles. Mission Valley ( including Hotel Circle ) is just not conducive to walking.
There are many other fine hotels in the downtown area that you may want to consider as well. However the four that you have mentioned should serve you well
