I'm thinking of visiting San Diego next July with my family of 4 (kids age 9 and 6). I have a gift certificate for Hyatt, and am hoping to get some assistance with which Hyatt would be best. The 3 I'm considering are the Manchester Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency Islandia, and Hyatt Regency LaJolla at Aventine. We're looking to visit Sea World, the Zoo, the beach and other family-friendly attractions. Can anyone provide me with your recommendation for lodging? Thanks!

Spent a week in the San Diego Area (2 days in La Jolla) in June. My husband and I stayed at the Hyatt in La Jolla - very nice and a great price with the Entertainment Rate, but not a good location for family vacations...more of a business type hotel, a few miles from the water and downtown LJ. The area of LaJolla is great, but not a lot of family type activities that I can recall. Probably about 20-30 minutes to Sea World.

We stayed at the Embassy Suites in San Diego, but visited the Grand Hyatt during my convention. Both very nice hotels...Hyatt was very nice, but still partially under construction. Other convention attendees who stayed there said they did not really notice the construction. About 10 minutes to Sea World (depending on the time of day). As for the area, okay for being near the convention center, and had a great place to shop/eat next door (Seaport Village) and was right on the rail system for getting around town. But probably, again, not a lot for young kids to do around there.

I do not know anything about the Islandia, but I did drive by it and it is very close to Sea World and other attactions (Mission Bay Boardwalk).

Hope this helps and someone else can let you know about the Islandia.

Debbie,
Tampa, FL

The Hyatt Islandia is definitely the Hyatt closest to Sea World.
I stayed there a couple of years ago (quite a bit, I suppose some 5 to 7 years). I had a tower room at a pretty attractive rate, which of course does not matter that much to you, I suppose, as you have those certificates.
I am usually a fan of Hyatt, but I remember that I was not that satisfied on my stay there. They did have a nice pool with very attractive illumination if you wanted to swim at nights, but the rooms and the corridors were a bit dated.
They might have undergone renovation by now, but I guess to play it safe, I would stay at the La Jolla property at the Aventine the next time if I were to choose a Hyatt in the area.
Although you will need a car there, they seem to have a very attractive fitness center adjacent and the location is not that bad at all, as you are very close to the Freeway which will take you to Sea World, Downtown areas in approx. 20 min. The beach at La Jolla Cove shouldn't be further than 10 minutes away.
Cannot comment on the Manchester Grand Hyatt downtown- the location would certainly fit you even a bit better-Coronado is not far away for a beach and the Zoo and Sea World are also easily rechable. The Manchester Grand Hyatt, would appear to be a bit more convention oriented to me, but again- I cannot judge.

It really is a toss-up in terms of proximity to attractions for the 3 hotels you mention. Most of your points of interest will be within 5 - 20 minutes of each hotel with a car.

Within 5-10 mins:

Downtown Hyatt: gaslamp, balboa park(zoo), bay.
Islandia: Sea World, Mission Beach/Bay, Balboa Park
Aventine: La Jolla, Birch Aquarium, Torrey Pines

From an oldtime (not really too old) S.D. vacationer. The Islandia is a quite old (60's) resort. The question to ask is when it was remodeled and which wing is the best. It has the best location for what you want. It won't be the most luxurious, but lots to do for families in the Mission Bay area(think boating, bike riding and Sea World). I've also stayed in La Jolla which is lovely, but I agree that you'll need your car for every venue. It's about 15-20 minutes north of Mission Bay. The convention center area is nice and fairly central too, but don't have any personal experience at the hotel. The zoo and the museums in the Balboa Park area are a drive from each place but be sure not to miss it!