San Diego, Wyndham Emerald Plaza
 

Looking at a five night stay in San Diego in early August just for fun. Want to stay downtown, prefer walking distance to Gaslamp Quarter. The places in the Quarter seem pretty dumpy and expensive, except the Hilton which is merely expensive (lowest rate I could find was something like $269 a night). I found the huge Wyndham Emerald Plaza at a Costco Rate of $154 a night (even the AAA rate was $ 180). How is location and the hotel? Looks like a short walk to Gaslamp -- is it? I realize it's huge, so low on charm, but I do like my Wyndham by Request with free high speed internet, etc., so I'm not opposed to the big hotel idea.

I will check later for lower prices, and had thought of Priceline when it gets closer, but looks like there is no way to guarantee that area at all, and I don't want to be farther away from there.

Patrick; when I was looking for a hotel in SD, a poster here gave me some great advice: try www.sandiego.org. They're the SD convention and visitors bureau and they get great rates on hotel rooms. I checked out the Wyndham for you and saw rates of approx $144/164 for early August. You can look at this site for other hotels too - they offer just about everything.

Interesting. Yes, I checked that out and can book there for $ 10 less per night. But must pay a non-refundable $25 deposit. Since it's so far ahead, I'm not too sure. Especially since I can't figure out (but think I will) lose the FF points I get for booking on line with Wyndham on my AA FF number. But it is nice to know. I may keep checking that site as well. Thanks.

Hi Patrick,

I haven't seen the rooms so I can only comment on location. It's right on Broadway, between Horton Plaza and the harbor. It's about a 5-6 block (pleasant) walk to the Gaslamp, and even less to Horton Plaza and the bay. I personally would love the location because it's within walking distance to so many attractions (including the ship terminal) and restaurants. It's a very tall building, so I assume you'd have potential for some grand views. The few times I've walked into the lobby they've had a live pianist there to greet you.

Patrick, don't know if you're a baseball fan, but I just checked out the new downtown baseball park this morning (first time open to the public) and it's quite a spectacular sight--very "San Diego." And if you haven't seen "Triple Espresso" here, be sure to catch it. Very funny!

Enjoy San Diego.

Patrick (total speculation here), it would make sense that hotels on the south side of the Gaslamp (like the Hilton, if I'm remembering the location correctly) will have price increases this summer because of the proximity to the new ballpark. The Emerald Plaza is on the north side, probably too far for most people to walk to the ballpark. So, if you're NOT planning on going to a bunch of games, it would make a lot of sense to stay at Emerald Plaza, unless of course, you want to be where all the action is.

If you like Seaport Village, others here have reported getting good deals at the Grand Manchester Hyatt, a great hotel right on the bay.

The Wyndham Emerald Plaza has the hotel rooms on the upper levels of the plaza. The room we stayed in was nice with view of the Harbor but I thought it was a bit small. The location is within walking distance to the Gaslamp Quarter and the Horton Plaza. Hotel does not have free parking for guests.

Thanks for the comments. No, not into baseball. And yes,the parking (valet only) is $22 a day -- ah, here we are in the "big city". I think the Wyndham at Emerald Plaza looks like a "keeper". Have booked it at that $154 rate. I also hope that keeping my booking through my Wyndham by request will give me a greater opportunity for upgrades than if I switched to that Convention bureau rate for $10 less.

And funny you should mention Triple Espresso, Jocelyn. The first thing I did after booking was go to the San Diego theatre site and see what's already scheduled for then. I noticed Triple Espresso, which I actually haven't seen anywhere, but knew it was from SD. It only shows booking for another couple months, but hasn't it been playing for years and probably will continue to do so?

Yes, Triple Espresso has been playing here for several years (off and on, though--I remember at least one long hiatus). If you sit near the front or on the aisle, be prepared to be part of the show! We saw it about 5-6 years ago, and we all were sore the next day from laughing so hard.

Hi Patrick!
I have a question for you regarding the location of both the Hilton and the Wyndham. I'm trying to book a 4* hotel through Priceline, and am wondering if both of these would fall under "Downtown San Diego & Harbor Island?"
Also, do you (or anyone!) know if the Torrey Pines Hilton is the same as the Torrey Pines golf resort?
Thanks in advance for any help!

Oh, I'm not the person to answer this. Except you have brought up the reason I wasn't going to use Priceline. I DID NOT want Harbor Island, and it seems to be part of the mix with downtown. There are two Wyndhams (not counting the historic US Grant Hotel which used to be a Wyndham, but no longer is). I think there are also a couple of Hiltons. The one I would have considered but is so pricey is the Hilton Gaslamp.

Dreamer, check out this thread:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34474515

The poster bid on Priceline for downtown (I believe 4 star) and ended up at the Sheraton on Harbor Island, by the airport. Not what he wanted. There are some other good tips on that thread about getting a good hotel at a good price in San Diego.

Thanks Jocelyn!

Priceline isn't so great for downtown San Diego, precisely because of the risk of ending up with the Sheraton by the airport (if you bid 4*) or the Hilton Harbor Island (if you bid 3*). I was happy with the Hilton Harbor Island for one night when we flew in at 11 PM, but I wouldn't want either of those hotels by the airport for a several-day vacation stay.

Yikes!
I don't think I can get as stressed as Steve on the other thread about which hotel. Is the Sheraton by the airport a bad place to stay for a couple nights? From reading Bidding for Travel and Patrick's post here, I don't think there is any way to request the Gaslamp area. What about staying in Old Town? Or should we just specify La Jolla, and drive into town for the day? We want to do the Trolley Tour and either visit Balboa Park or do late entry to the zoo.

No, the Sheraton by the airport is not a bad place to stay. It's very nice. Not walking distance to many restaurants or any shopping, but a nice hotel with great views of the Bay and city. Despite being across the road from the airport, there is no plane noise at all because the planes land and take off parallel to the hotel.

Regarding the areas. We've been to San Diego only twice before, each time for about three or four days. The first time we stayed at the Coronado. The second time we stayed in La Jolla. We enjoyed both, but realize that we still haven't really seen San Diego itself to speak of. That's why I was committed to staying downtown this time.