San Diego Hotels

[Dave Hansen]

I called the San Diego Visotors Bureau and got the name "Pacific Inn&

Suites" There is also a "Marina Inn & Suites" under the same ownership.

We just wanted to be rather close to the cruise dock. If you happen

to be driving to San Diego these two hotels have parking to handle

about one third of the guests. If you look these places up on the

internet, they offer some low rates but if you try to stay, you will

get a much higher rate. Everyone deserves better than this before

their cruise

Fair Winds,

Dave Hansen

[katgar]

Dave, I've looked also, for post cruise in March. I found very good rates on both, initially looking at the Seaport village site. We are thinking of the Marina one, in case a daughter's plans fall through (They live in Oakland) about meeting us after the cruise, we want a place in walking distance to things, and places to eat!

I may contact the visitor's bureau myself, just to be sure about the distance to places!!

[Dave Hansen]

Katgar, It sounds like you plan to drive to San Diego. We had a pleasant

stay at the Days Inn, Harbor View. The address is 1919 Pacific Highway.

The phone number is 619-232-1077. The cruise dock is about a five

minute ride. The ride to the cruise dock is complimentary. Remember,

the visitors Bureau will mention hotel names because they are

members not because they are any good. I think we should all

be able to begin our cruise vacations with a pleasant hotel

experience. You would not find the Pacific Inn or the Marina Inn

do be such an experience.

Happy Cruising

Dave Hansen

[Dave Hansen]

Anyone staying in San Diego before their cruise will do themselves a

huge favor by avoiding the "Pacific Inn" as well as the "Marina Inn".

There are other choices on Pacific Highway that will put you close

to the cruise dock if that's your preference. As much as we all plan

our cruises and savor their arrival you deserve better than these

two blights on the landscape

 

Dave Hansen

[Dave Hansen]

Anyone who has the misfortune to make a reservation at the "Pacific Inn

& Suites" or the "Marina Inn & Suites" will find the price is not what they

advertise on the internet. If you happen to be driving to San Diego the

parking at either of these place will accomodate less than half of the

rooms. A pre-cruise stay should be a wonderful experience and not a

personal Nightmare on Elm Street.

 

Dave Hansen

[Dave Hansen]

If you're going to San Diego for a nice pre-cruise stay, do yourself a

favor and scratch "Pacific Inn & Marina Inn off your list. At another

Hotel you'll be a customer. At either of these two places you're

more likely to be a victim.

Fair Winds,

Dave Hansen

[Dave Hansen]

Thanksgiving is a good way to remember these two hotels in San Diego,

since they are also turkeys

 

Dave Hansen

[kakalina]

Sounds like you had a really bad experience :mad: For a really good experience try the Holiday Day Inn on the Bay. It's directly across from the cruise terminal, good rates, good food and also near by (within walking distance) to other venues.

Good luck

[Dave Hansen]

I've heard good reports about the Holiday Inn and as you say right

across from the terminal. The Pacific Inn runs a bait & switch con

where they offer a low internet rate and raise the rate over the

price they confirm when you go to check in. I refused to pay the

higher price and would not stay. We hauled our luggage a half

block to a Day's Inn and had a pleasant stay where we were

customers as apposed to victims.

[vivian02]

I leave on a cruise out of San Deigo next week. The Hotels that have been discussed on this tread I was hearing "Turkey Stories" now for over six months. I have heard good reviews on the Holiday Inn next to the cruise termianal. I took a chance on Priceline and bid for a 4 Star hotel for under $100 and got the Westin at Horton Plaza. Don't forget I bid this six months in advance...looks like I made out pretty good. You might chech out sites like "Hotwire" and "Expedia" for doing reseach. Do your homework and don't get stuck with a "Turkey" San Diego can be a very nice place to stay. Tim

[Dave Hansen]

Tim, You're absolutely right. I figured tje only thing worse than getting

stuck would be to keep it a secret. As you know we all prize our cruises

and deserve to enjoy every moment. I just want to be sure that everyone

else going to San Diego avoids thse two mistakes, "Pacific inn & Marine Inn"

happy Cruising

Dave Hansen

[Dave Hansen]

If you're coming to San Diego to stay before your cruise. please read

this board. You'll be glad you did

Dave Hansen

[Dave Hansen]

When you come to San Diego, I hope you find a good hotel. Your selection

will be easier by eliminating the two places mentioned in this board.

Nightmare on Elm Street may have been a movie but you wouldn't want

to experience your own personal version.

Have a good hotel

Dave Hansen

[Dave Hansen]

I hope every cruiser who comes to San Diego will read this board.

The only thing worse than being taken would be silence so that

others make the same mistake. Every cruiser deserves better

than the two hotels mentioned in this board.

Dave Hansen

[Dave Hansen]

There are plenty of Good Hotels in San Diego and these two "Pacific Inn"

and "Marina Inn" are not among them. After I had some words with the

head turkey at Pacific Inn we wheeled our luggage a half block to the

Days Inn on Pacific Highway. I would stay at the Days Inn again. Please

read this whole board if you're coming to San Diego for a cruise.

[dosi]

Dave, I don't want to seem unkind, but we get your point....you can stop posting every day.....channel that energy toward something postive!! :)

[Dave Hansen]

I appreciate your comment. I just didn't want anyone else to experience

the same thing. Your right onto other things.

Dave Hansen

[vivian02]

Dave,

Just got back today from our cruise out of San Diego and the stay at the Westin in Horton Plaza was wonderful. I know about the hotely you have been talking about and for an extra $14 I got the Westin on "Priceline". Cab fare from the Airport to the Hotel was $14 tip included. We even walked to the port from the Hotel which was a 6 to 7 block walk. Airfare from the port to the Airport ran $12 including tip. I think it is a good idea to do your home work and make the best of your stay in San Diego. Watchout for Hotels know as "dives" there out there. Tim

[Dave Hansen]

Tim, The next time I get a turkey, I'll make sure it's from a menu and

not a "hotel" offering to carve me too.

Thanks again

Dave Hansen

[Dave Hansen]

Check this board first

Dave Hansen

[momofzeke]

Dave, Dude, we get it. You don't like those hotels. I think your point has been made.

[Trvlr37]

I have some Hilton Honor points and was wondering about the Embassy Suites Downtown vs. the Doubletree in Mission Valley... Any suggestions between the two?

[norm27]

What is the charge for leaving the car? Do they pick you up after the cruise?

[Burg80]

We just cruised out of San Diego to Hawaii. We flew out the day before and stayed at the Bay Club Hotel and Marina, on Sheltor Island. Is was fantastic. They were all so friendly and couldn't do enough for us. I called them when our flight got in and within 15mins they were at airport. The next day we made arrangements with them to take us to the port. Phil the driver was friendly and reassured us he will pick us up when we return. We stayed a few days after our cruise. We arrived at port on the completion of our cruise. I called the hotel at 10:10 and by 10:22 Phil was there to return us to the hotel. Rooms were large and a beautiful view of the bay. We were able to watch cruise and naval ship leave port. Included in our room rate was also a breakfast buffet. Both cold and hot food. Every night there was happy hour in the bar which included appetizer. The dining room staff was great and once agian went out of the way to please us. This hotel is also on the route of the taxi trolley that takes you around San Diego. We took the trolley ride and was told by the hotel staff if we didn't make it back on the last trolley , they could pick us up if we could get ourself back to the port area. They were so accommodating. Be sure to check them out before you book another hotel.

 

 

 

Burg80

[mjbearit]

Hey Burg80! I am so glad somebody found a good hotel here! Since I live in SD I never go to the hotels here :o . That is a really nice area of town you are talking about though so it is not surprising that they were kind and accommodating! Most people here (despite some things you may have read on this board!) are pretty friendly and most of our businees owners are not out to rip off the tourists and business travelers. It is very expensive to stay at the hotels here, I do know that! We pay a pretty penny every time we have a class reunion or other sort of large function because we get no breaks just for being local and if you think the rooms are expensive, try renting out the grand ballroom somewhere! Whew! That'll put a hole in the old pocketbook! Personally dollar for dollar I think the hotels in Mission Valley are far more reasonably priced than the hotels on the bay/beach front. Of course you don't have the view either, but I can sure do some cool stuff with the money I would save from the price difference!

Mike