The upper-middle-range San Diego Marriott Del Mar is a business-oriented hotel that also appeals to discerning vacationers with a lovely pool area and other upscale amenities. It’s located just off Interstate 5, giving access to central San Diego in about 20 to 25 minutes. The elegant wood and marble lobby is impressive, and its acclaimed restaurant and sushi bar are popular with visitors and locals alike. The free area shuttle service also takes guests to Del Mar landmarks, restaurants, and shopping. Rooms are clean and spacious with modern decor and mini-fridges, but in-room Wi-Fi incurs a fee for non Marriott Rewards members, plus parking is pricey. Rates are competitive, but numerous area alternatives exist, such as the four-pearl San Diego Marriott La Jolla, which offers similar rates and amenities and is closer to downtown.
The upper-middle-range San Diego Marriott Del Mar is a business-oriented hotel that also appeals to discerning vacationers with a lovely pool area and other upscale amenities. It’s located just off Interstate 5, giving access to central San Diego in about 20 to 25 minutes. The elegant wood and marble lobby is impressive, and its acclaimed restaurant and sushi bar are popular with visitors and locals alike. The free area shuttle service also takes guests to Del Mar landmarks, restaurants, and shopping. Rooms are clean and spacious with modern decor and mini-fridges, but in-room Wi-Fi incurs a fee for non Marriott Rewards members, plus parking is pricey. Rates are competitive, but numerous area alternatives exist, such as the four-pearl San Diego Marriott La Jolla, which offers similar rates and amenities and is closer to downtown.
Located in the city's vibrant Castro neighborhood, this mid-range bed-and-breakfast is housed in a charmingly restored Victorian with views of the Bay and Diamond Heights. The eight guest rooms and three apartments are decorated in a colorful and eclectic style, but not all have en-suite or private bathrooms. Apartments come with full kitchens. Breakfast, which gets enthusiastic reviews from guests, is included in the rate, and Wi-Fi is free throughout. Apart from that, there's little in the way of features, but the location does allow for travelers to tap into San Francisco's gay and lesbian community and nightlife. There's also a Zen-style garden in the back with a luscious collection of plants. Another inexpensive option that's full of personality is the Inn at the Presidio, though its location is far more remote.
Located in the city's vibrant Castro neighborhood, this mid-range bed-and-breakfast is housed in a charmingly restored Victorian with views of the Bay and Diamond Heights. The eight guest rooms and three apartments are decorated in a colorful and eclectic style, but not all have en-suite or private bathrooms. Apartments come with full kitchens. Breakfast, which gets enthusiastic reviews from guests, is included in the rate, and Wi-Fi is free throughout. Apart from that, there's little in the way of features, but the location does allow for travelers to tap into San Francisco's gay and lesbian community and nightlife. There's also a Zen-style garden in the back with a luscious collection of plants. Another inexpensive option that's full of personality is the Inn at the Presidio, though its location is far more remote.
Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Old Town/Sea World Area is a mid-range chain hotel with a convenient location for tourists. Numerous restaurants and shops are within a 10-minute walk. Popular attractions, like the San Diego Zoo and the Gaslamp Quarter, are about a 10-minute drive. The property offers 179 simple modern rooms with stylish touches like leather chairs and optional bathroom upgrades. Standard amenities include 47-inch flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and Keurig coffeemakers. The restaurant and bar serves hot buffet breakfast (for a fee), happy hour, and dinner. Other features include a fitness center and a lovely outdoor pool surrounded by fire pits and seating. Two meeting rooms, a business center, and outdoor event space also make this hotel popular among corporate travelers. Families might prefer Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa, offering direct beach access and water sports, but dated decor.
Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Old Town/Sea World Area is a mid-range chain hotel with a convenient location for tourists. Numerous restaurants and shops are within a 10-minute walk. Popular attractions, like the San Diego Zoo and the Gaslamp Quarter, are about a 10-minute drive. The property offers 179 simple modern rooms with stylish touches like leather chairs and optional bathroom upgrades. Standard amenities include 47-inch flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and Keurig coffeemakers. The restaurant and bar serves hot buffet breakfast (for a fee), happy hour, and dinner. Other features include a fitness center and a lovely outdoor pool surrounded by fire pits and seating. Two meeting rooms, a business center, and outdoor event space also make this hotel popular among corporate travelers. Families might prefer Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa, offering direct beach access and water sports, but dated decor.
The mid-range Homewood Suites by Hilton Palm Desert offers all the amenities that many travelers find attractive in the chain, plus a convenient location just off Interstate 10 near many golf courses. The free full breakfast buffet and weekday manager’s reception with free food and drinks boosts its overall value. Other highlights include a fitness center, putting green, and outdoor pool/whirlpool, but the fitness center and pool are rather small. Its 128 suites are modern, spacious, and cheerfully decorated in bright colors. However, noise can be an issue and rooms do feel dim. They feature kitchens with dishwashers, stove tops, and full-size fridges. Rates are attractive for all that’s offered, but another nearby option with comparable amenities and rates is the Hampton Inn & Suites Palm Desert.
The mid-range Homewood Suites by Hilton Palm Desert offers all the amenities that many travelers find attractive in the chain, plus a convenient location just off Interstate 10 near many golf courses. The free full breakfast buffet and weekday manager’s reception with free food and drinks boosts its overall value. Other highlights include a fitness center, putting green, and outdoor pool/whirlpool, but the fitness center and pool are rather small. Its 128 suites are modern, spacious, and cheerfully decorated in bright colors. However, noise can be an issue and rooms do feel dim. They feature kitchens with dishwashers, stove tops, and full-size fridges. Rates are attractive for all that’s offered, but another nearby option with comparable amenities and rates is the Hampton Inn & Suites Palm Desert.
Balmoral Hotel is an upper-middle-range property situated in downtown San Jose. Its location on busy Avenida Centrale makes it convenient to shopping, nightlife, and sightseeing -- all the main attractions are within easy walking distance. The hotel’s 113 guest rooms are cheerful and tidy, with wood or ceramic floors, colorful accent walls, and nature-themed art over the beds. Some have enclosed balconies and suites have separate living areas. The hotel has a small fitness center, and its restaurant, with its creative twist on authentic Costa Rican dishes, draws guests and local residents alike. Its upper-level bar offers live music several nights a week. Travelers who don't want to stay smack in the city center might prefer Parque del Lago Boutique Hotel.
Balmoral Hotel is an upper-middle-range property situated in downtown San Jose. Its location on busy Avenida Centrale makes it convenient to shopping, nightlife, and sightseeing -- all the main attractions are within easy walking distance. The hotel’s 113 guest rooms are cheerful and tidy, with wood or ceramic floors, colorful accent walls, and nature-themed art over the beds. Some have enclosed balconies and suites have separate living areas. The hotel has a small fitness center, and its restaurant, with its creative twist on authentic Costa Rican dishes, draws guests and local residents alike. Its upper-level bar offers live music several nights a week. Travelers who don't want to stay smack in the city center might prefer Parque del Lago Boutique Hotel.
Regulars flock to this family-owned hotel, open since 1992, mostly due to its low rates. The authentic property is made up of a conglomeration of five houses (from the 1930s) that are attached to each other, containing 35 rooms that are all slightly unique with simple furnishings. Set in the historic district of San José, the hotel allows guests to be away from the traffic, but still within walking distance of the downtown hub for cafés, restaurants, and tourist sites. Breakfast is offered each morning with sustainable, local products (when possible), along with free Wi-Fi and garden areas for working. Original floors and wood clapboard walls adorn the common areas and some rooms, but not all. Short- and long-term stays are welcome.
Regulars flock to this family-owned hotel, open since 1992, mostly due to its low rates. The authentic property is made up of a conglomeration of five houses (from the 1930s) that are attached to each other, containing 35 rooms that are all slightly unique with simple furnishings. Set in the historic district of San José, the hotel allows guests to be away from the traffic, but still within walking distance of the downtown hub for cafés, restaurants, and tourist sites. Breakfast is offered each morning with sustainable, local products (when possible), along with free Wi-Fi and garden areas for working. Original floors and wood clapboard walls adorn the common areas and some rooms, but not all. Short- and long-term stays are welcome.
The DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Santa Monica is popular for two reasons: location and room size. The 253 rooms are all two-room suites, complete with two 55-inch flat-screen TVs, a pull-out sofa, and a wet bar with a coffeemaker and mini-fridge. Decor is classic, though slightly dated and past guests have complained about cleanliness and maintenance issues. There are three dining/bar venues and an outdoor pool, but guests don't tend to linger. The location is a 10-minute walk from the Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade. Note that valet parking costs extra. For more contemporary rooms and to be even closer to the beach, the JW Marriott Santa Monica Le Merigot is a good choice.
The DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Santa Monica is popular for two reasons: location and room size. The 253 rooms are all two-room suites, complete with two 55-inch flat-screen TVs, a pull-out sofa, and a wet bar with a coffeemaker and mini-fridge. Decor is classic, though slightly dated and past guests have complained about cleanliness and maintenance issues. There are three dining/bar venues and an outdoor pool, but guests don't tend to linger. The location is a 10-minute walk from the Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade. Note that valet parking costs extra. For more contemporary rooms and to be even closer to the beach, the JW Marriott Santa Monica Le Merigot is a good choice.
The 78-room Holiday Inn Express West Los Angeles is a value hotel off the I-405 with easy access to local hospitals and tourist sights. Staff are known to be very warm and friendly, and there are free baked goods in the lobby. Guest rooms are clean and bright, and have mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and comfy beds -- although, some guests complain of highway noise. Features include free hot breakfast and Wi-Fi, a 24-hour business center, and laundry facilities. Guests should drive rather than walk in the neighborhood after dark.
The 78-room Holiday Inn Express West Los Angeles is a value hotel off the I-405 with easy access to local hospitals and tourist sights. Staff are known to be very warm and friendly, and there are free baked goods in the lobby. Guest rooms are clean and bright, and have mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and comfy beds -- although, some guests complain of highway noise. Features include free hot breakfast and Wi-Fi, a 24-hour business center, and laundry facilities. Guests should drive rather than walk in the neighborhood after dark.
This 1,499-room business behemoth ideally straddles SoMa, the Financial District, and Union Square, and clearly caters to meeting attendees with its multiple restaurants, huge fitness center, and comfortable, if unexciting, quarters. The public spaces can get so overwhelmed by the suit-and-tie set, however, that it often feels more like a convention center than a hotel.
This 1,499-room business behemoth ideally straddles SoMa, the Financial District, and Union Square, and clearly caters to meeting attendees with its multiple restaurants, huge fitness center, and comfortable, if unexciting, quarters. The public spaces can get so overwhelmed by the suit-and-tie set, however, that it often feels more like a convention center than a hotel.
You don't get the service you'd receive at high-end area competitors, but the Park Central Hotel San Francisco does offer immaculate quarters with super-comfortable beds, solid amenities, and a business-friendly location two blocks from the convention center. For travelers seeking a more subdued environment than the nearby mega-Marriott and who aren't up for paying St. Regis prices, this is an acceptable option.
You don't get the service you'd receive at high-end area competitors, but the Park Central Hotel San Francisco does offer immaculate quarters with super-comfortable beds, solid amenities, and a business-friendly location two blocks from the convention center. For travelers seeking a more subdued environment than the nearby mega-Marriott and who aren't up for paying St. Regis prices, this is an acceptable option.