San Diego hotel -- near pier or Gaslamp Quarter?

[Conanc]

Hi,

 

We will be staying in San Diego for 3 nights pre-cruise in May. We are not renting a car and would like a hotel that is convenient to public transportation and local attractions and on the trolley route. We would like to visit the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, and Old Town for sure and are still exploring other options. We were thinking about the Holiday Inn on the Bay (across from the pier) or the Best Western. For convenience, safety at night, and proximity to attractions, would we be better off staying in the Gaslamp Quarter area -- at the Westin, Marriott or similiar?

 

Any suggestions would be most appreciated. Thanks so much for your input!

[bonezzz]

We have stayed at both, best western and holiday inn at the bay, I liked the holiday inn better. I loved the fact that the morning of the cruise you can look outside and see your ship right there.

[redladya]

I've only stayed at the BW, but it is perfectly fine. The HI is closer to the ship. Both are in a safe area with plenty of shops & restaurants, & close to the train. It is very easy to get around in SD on public transportation.

Enjoy!

[Conanc]

Thank for you the information! :)

[Saraj]

We will be staying at Comfort Inn Airport at Old Town next week. Have never stayed there before so don't know what it is like. They do have free airport and cruise port transportation and also will take you to the Zoo and a few other places near Old Town for free.

[riffatsea]

The location of the Holiday Inn across from the cruise port etc. is just fine. We stayed there ourselves for New Years Eve in order to be downtown.The best views are from their south building. As far as the hotel itself we thought it was a basic 3***so if you want something a bit nicer then some of the Gaslamp hotels will be better for you. I don't like the Westin Gaslamp because it is not really in the gaslamp. It is attached to the Horton Plaza Mall. One other idea might be the W hotel which is also close to the cruise port and seems to be having some REALLY cheap deals lately!!