Mystery Critic

Hotel URL

Stayed On: Apr 2007 

Published Internet Rate: $279  /  Priceline Rate: $90

Orbitz Rating: 4 Stars / MC Rating: 

Cleanness and Comfort
Location and Parking
Noise and Privacy
Service Efficiency and Attitude

       

GENERAL

This is the kind of place that you want to come back again and again.  Combined with a superb location, wonderful surrounding and lots of space around you, it definitely beats staying in one of those high rises near downtown.  I mean, SD is SOOOO small anyways, why do you absolutely need to stay downtown??

PRO

Location is the biggest plus for this resort, particularly for family trips.  It's a five min drive from Sea World, 10 min from Old Town and 15-20 to downtown, Zoo, etc.  Because of its age (ie when land was cheap), it's sitting on a huge piece of land so you get not a hotel room but a little bungelow kind of cabin.  It even looks out to a little pond, amazing!!  It offers a serene environment to just stretch and relax.

The room was tastefully decorated and matches the general feeling of the surroundings.  It's rare to find such a spacious room in California - let along one with a garden view!  It's very quiet (probably because it's almost a standalone unit!) and all the furnitures and beddings are super comfortable.

CON

It's an old resort and, while they did a great job hiding the age, just like in people you'll find little hints of "maturity" here and there.  The bathroom had a couple problems (eg shower curtain doesn't stop water from pouring out) even though it looks like recently-remodeled.  Also, the bed frames squeaks a bit, which is an unusual problem (one that you'll never find in a four-star business hotel), but that could be because it's got a real wood frame versus the usual steel frame with a wooden headboard.

Some minor service issues were also noted.  At night there was one person at the reception desk and you can imagine when she gets TWO customers - wow, long line!  Also, the map we got wasn't very user-friendly so it took us a few minutes to find out unit.  Nevertheless, the overall service was decent.

OVERALL

I would HIGHLY recommend this place to anyone, especially families or couples who want to create a true getaway feeling but also want to be 10 min from the best sushi in San Diego (see my restaurant review under California).  If you plan to hit the tourist attractions, it might not be wise to spend $200 / night here only come back to sleep - do at least plan one day to hang out in the resort.  If you just want a place to sleep, I wouldn't spend more than $100/night for this hotel, or any, hotel.