We will be visiting San Diego next summer and I am checkinging hotels on Hotel Circle North and Hotel Circle South. I am amazed at the way prices vary. Is one side of the circle better then the other? How long is the circle? Is West Broadway a better/nicer area?

No big difference as I recall - "North" is just north of the I-8 freeway, "South" is south of it. Hotels in hotel circle are really right next to I-8. The Hotel Circle is not a particularly exciting area - you pretty much have to drive to go anywhere, though there is a mall and some chain restaurants nearby.

Next time I go to San Diego, I'll be using Priceline and BiddingForTravel.com to get a great hotel deal. But because Priceline is non-refundable, I wouldn't book anything so soon for next summer. If I were planning my trip now, I'd book a hotel you can cancel by 6PM and try booking via Priceline a few days before departure. If you can't get a good Priceline deal then, keep what you have.

Andrew

Several of the hotels on Hotel Circle North back on to a golf course. Most of the hotels in Hotel Circle are set back from the freeway and there is a frontage road in between. The difference in price might just be because some are better quality hotels than others.

There are quite a few restaurants in the Hotel Circle area and the adjacent mall is Fashion Valley, IMO the best shopping mall in San Diego. You would have to drive most places, however, unless you select a hotel within walkin distance of the Trolley, you will have to drive anyway. Hotel Circle hotels have plenty of parking though at most of the better hotels you have to pay now, around $8 per day.

West Broadway is downtown. What hotel are you considering there? From there you can walk to the Gaslamp District and to the Embarcadero and Seaport Village. Many restaurants and clubs are within walking distance, plus another mall, Horton Plaza.

Thanks to both of you for this info. I appreciate it.

In any case do not stay at the Handlery hotel and resort on hotel circle...

A couple of years ago we stayed at the Hawthorne Suites on the circle and I can honestly say I have never been in larger rented quarters. The suite was huge!

My son loved it, he could watch his shows on one TV, and we couldn't hear it in the living room. You might check it out.

If given a choice in comparison, I would choose the Gaslamp ditrict downtown versus the circle if that is possible. It is a nicer area. Nothing wrong with the circle, just one hotel, motel after another. You can get around with a car, easy enough. Just gaslamp is a nicer area in my opinion.

the hotels really do vary in "hotel circle". if you narrow it down to a couple, come back and ask specifically about that hotel. definitly the best bargain area in san diego. but, if you are the type that enjoys an evening walk, that's not the place to be.

Hi
If you have children, there is a new Homestead Suites that opened in Mission Valley/Hotel Circle that has full kitchens. Also, some of the hotels in that area offer packages that include tickets to either Sea World or SD Zoo. The hotel on W. Broadway is downtown at Horton Plaza, and very nice. If you enjoy night-life and a huge variety of restaraunts, stay downtown. There are quite a few hotels downtown that are very nice. As someone else noted, Hotel Circle South is on the south side of I8, and Hotel Circle North is on the north side of I8. You also might check out some of the places in Old Town.

Jef, Handlery was one being considered, but I guess I'll scratch that one. Others being considered are Holiday Inn Select, Red Lion, Kings Inn and Best Western Seven Seas on the circle.

Since we do like to get out and walk around, should we consider something around W Broadway where we can walk to some of the attractions?

Yes! Kings Inn is very OLD. Been there for many a years. That doesn't make it bad, just not sure if it has been recently renovated or not. The others you mention are typical chains. If on a strict budget, and you want a place to wander in the p.m. downtown is the best.

From your list, I would go with the Red Lion. You might also look at the Doubletree Mission Valley on Hazard Center Drive. Sometimes they have good deals and it's very nice.

i think you should check into old town hotels - the ramada or holidy inn & suites. type in old+town+san+diego on the web and you see others. they are relatively inexpensive and nice places to walk to. i personally wouldn't want to stay downtown unless i was planning on hitting going to the gaslamp district a lot (restaurants & bars).

I'd add that I once stayed at the Regency Plaza Hotel on the South Hotel Circle. It was very nice - I got a decent rate ($79/night?) with one of those hotel discount magazines you find at McDonalds. This was about two years ago...before I discovered Priceline.

I also stayed at the Marriott Mission Valley last year for $55/night (after I discovered Priceline - that's just east of Hotel Circle. Decent hotel, fantastic for that price of course.

I probably won't stay near Hotel Circle next time. Pacific Beach is cool, but I will probably go for something near downtown/Gaslamp.

Andrew

Town & Country on Hotel Circle is very nice. You are walking distance to the mall AND the Tolley stop which will take you downtown, Gaslamp, etc. However, for the same price or close to it, I'd try the new Hilton Gaslamp, pefect location for walking to shopping, eating, even the waterfront is within walking distance.

Have you considered the Wyndham at Emerald Plaza? They are within walking distance of the Gas Lamp and Sea port areas.

Thanks again for all your replies.

pricelinepricelinepriceline.
$50 got me a large marble and oak accented room downtown. Don't even remember name of hotel, just pricelinepricelinepricelinepricelinepricelineprice linepricelinepricelinepriceline.
ps. i don't work them, just love getting a deal.