Trying to decide between the Omni San Diego and the Marriott Hotel and Marina. I was all set for the Omni with the glowing reports on Tripadvisor - but then I read the hotel reviews on Fodors and they all talk about the bad neighborhood around the Omni. Can anyone give me any more insight? The Omni sounded like a great hotel - but then again the grounds at the Mariott sounded really nice and relaxing. Note -Omni price $369.00 - Marriott $341.00.
Thanks for the help.

Hi Jenn..
The Omni in the Gaslamp is right next to Petco Park and its in the heart of the Gaslamp and its in a great location but for $369 a night is steep and you can get a Jr. Suite at the Del for that..the SD Marriott is a nice property, its older but across the street and right on the marina..$341 is a little pricey for both properties, unless you have a convention going on there and your company is picking up the tab..
For those prices you can go to the gorgeous US Grant Hotel that was just renovated for $52 million..
I love both hotels but you have to walk several more blocks to the Marriott to get to the Gaslamp quarters..
I love going to the Omni for drinks at McCormicks & Schmicks and they have a killer $20 Lobster dinner on Thursday..
Keep us posted as to where you decide..

usgrant.net

The Marriott grounds and pool are very nice IMO; the hotel is across the street from a Trolley stop and the Seaport Village is literally right next door.

We stayed at Omni 12/04 and loved it. It was next to the ballpark [we could see it from our corner suite]. It is also right by trolley stop and is at the beginning of the Gaslamp district. We had no issues with the neighborhood. The convention center is right near by as are LOTS of big hotels. Safety was not a concern.

Hope this helps...
Debi

Thanks for the feedback. I looked into the US Grant - it looks fabulous -but the rooms look to be around $600.00
per night. I guess I did not expect rooms to be so high. Even when we stay in SF for a night we don't pay that much. I think I had better keep looking for specials... and see what I can find.

Just stayed at the Omni over the Xmas holiday. The neighborhood was fine. The Marriott isn't even that much further away--this New Yorker would consider it to be in the same neighborhood as the Omni!!

Jenn..
When are you going to SD?
They had the US Grant at $349 the last couple of weeks but it all depends on when you are going..prices seem really high..Gaslamp Hilton is right across the street from the Omni..
Did you go direct to the Omni?

gaslamp.org

Yes -I went directly to the Omni for rates. We are going June 2nd - 7th. I guess the summer months are just really high - and it seems that no one has any special packages yet. Everything I look at is around $340.00.

We stayed at the MArriott last summer and loved it! The grounds make you feel like you are at an island resort. It is an easy walk to the Gaslamp Quarter; Seaport Village is also right there!

Checked Expedia and the Hotel Del in Coronado is $273..
Do you need to stay downtown SD?
June is usually considered lower because of our famous June Gloom that hovers over the coast..some years we get it, sometimes we don't..
The Grande Colonial in LJ is $209 which is a wonderful hotel in the heart of LJ and a block from the ocean and La Valencia in LJ is $275..
Saw that the Omni on Expedia is $339..should be about $259..
Padres baseball is in full swing and the Omni is where alot of the players stay and hang out..

DrShpilkes -- LOVE your name!!!

Debi
[a former NYer]

Thanks TahitiTams! I will keep looking.

Did you try Priceline? We got a room at the OMNI for 3 nights over Memorial Day Week-end for $110/night.