We are visiting relatives in San Diego (Mission Valley area) over Thanksgiving and wanted to stay in a centrally located nice hotel. Has anyone recently stayed in the Marriott Courtyard in Old Town. I think it used to be a Holiday inn Express. Is Old Town a good place to stay. I have also looked at the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina. It looks nice but really big. I am looking for a nice hotel where we can go at the end of the day and relax with a room that is not cramped (we have 2 kids 10 & 13). I have read about many hotels on this forum and there are so many conflicting opinions about hotels in San Diego I am not sure what to think. I would like to spend no more than 250.00 a night, if possible. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I THINK the Holiday Express use to be a Ramada Inn. The Marriot is still the Marriot. Not sure what to suggest as I have the same problem I am contemplating only different timeframe. I am thinking of the Best Western Suites in Old Town. One plus for the Holiday Inn is it includes a breakfast. I am also visiting family, only in October. I am leaning toward the Old Towm area as it it centrally located and it is a quaint area full of charm, history, and Mexican food. Good luck.

How about Embassy Suites in Gaslamp area. Close to trolley, seaport village and gaslamp. Kind of nice to have both rooms when you have kids.

old town is a decent enough area to stay in. lots of restaurants.

Just keep in mind that the Courtyard Old Town sits right on I-5. You might get a freeway view and that can be pretty noisy at night. The Marriott in Mission Valley is nice and quiet.

bethyk,

Went to San Diego for the first time this summer. I don't recommend you stay in downtown San Diego with kids. Old Town is nice--I would have preferred staying there (yes, we ended up in downtown, which is good for adults and business travelers, in my opinion, but not for little kids). The best place, I think, is a hotel on a nice beach. But Old Town would suffice for me.