San Diego Hotel pre-cruise advice

[Arwen]

Hubby and I will be arriving in San Diego on Sunday, Jan 3, 2010, the day before we leave for our 33 day cruise on the Rotterdam.

I have read the Trip Advisor reviews of downtown San Diego hotels. Most say that it is a very noisy area due to planes, trains, and assorted other city sounds that go on, sometimes late into the night.

It would be nice to get a good night's sleep before our big trip. I was thinking of booking a night at the Hilton Garden Inn Del Mar(outside downtown) I have been impressed with this chain. We would need to take a taxi from the airport to the hotel and then a taxi again the next day to the cruise terminal. Looking for your suggestions for the most comfortable and convenient way to do this. Thanks for your help!

[scopewest]

I have to admit that although I love a bay view room at the Holiday Inn on the Bay, our first night (Thursday) we had a forklift beeping all night long every minute (or so it seemed). We couldn't believe the noise. The second night (Friday) all was silent. I have no clue why that forklift (if it was a forklift, it was definitely a backing up forklift noise) had to work all night. If noise is a problem, then your choice of a hotel is probably a good idea.

OTOH if you're arriving Sunday, hopefully the heavy equipment people have that night off! As for trains, I don't recall hearing them.

[olefin32]

We like staying at the Embassy Suites, just down the street and across from the ship terminal. Excellent suite, very quite, includes free drinks 5 to 7 PM and cooked to order breakfast. We request a suite with balcony. The view wasn't bad.

Real close to USS Midway, WW11 aircraft carrier.

Will be staying there in April and visiting the Midway for it was closed the last time we were there.

[Arwen]

Scopewest and Olefin32......thank you both for your prompt replies. A forklift working all night, planes, and trains, Oh My!

I didn't even think consider the fact that all might be quiet on a Sunday night and so it might be ok. I don't know, noise even for one night, is a huge irritant for me. As I get older, my tolerance for many things is lower, LOL!

I will definitely check out the Embassy Suite info. Again, thank you!

[andeesue]

Do consider staying downtown... you'll be paying a premium for a cab from Del Mar. Embassy Suites is a good choice and close.

[Pettifogger]

If you should find that waterfront places cost more than you wish to spend, we and a number of others on our cruise tried the Best Western Seven Seas. It's a few miles from the dock, but the shuttle service they provided worked well for us.

[garydm]

You might also try Priceline with downtown San Diego as your choice. We bid on a 4 Star and got the Marriot Gas Lamp District hotel and it was great. Very quiet and only about $100 (a bargain for San Diego). Go to www.biddingfortravel.com first to see what you should be bidding.

Gary

[duck tune]

DH and I have stayed at the Westgate Hotel located a short cab ride from the pier near Horton Plaza. It is a very beautiful older hotel. The Hilton on Shelter Island is another place that although near the Airport we did not hear a lot of noise plus they have a shuttle from the Airport and will take you to the Cruise Terminal as well. Embassy Suites should be fine too. Have a great cruise.

[TCF]

We stayed at the Sheraton Marina right on the ship canal and across from the Naval base.

We got great service....a great room...staff was very helpful and it was a short cab ride to the cruise pier. It is also nice and close to the Midway Museum too.

As I rcall the price was very reasonable ...we'll stay there again in a heart-beat.

[vegasgirl00]

I also stayed at the Best Western Seven Seas and enjoyed it. It's motel style but they had a restaurant and room service and was very close to a great shopping mall. They also have a free shuttle to the port.

This time we are staying at the Hilton on the Bay. Got a great deal for 2 people with the buffet breakfast included (about $125 per night).

[JamesEM]

I would highly recommend the Homewood Suites by Hilton, San Diego Airport-Liberty Station, great place to stay.

[Smart 4-2]

Best Western Lamplighter Inn looked very good on Tripadvisor.
It is near the University - but we will have a car.
We'll be there next week.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have stayed many times at the Embassy Suites both pre and post cruise.

It is within walking distance of Midway, Seaport Village, Horton's Plaza and Ralph's if you need to buy wine or anything else you may have forgotten.

We also like to eat at the Fish Market -- within walking distance.

The Embassy Suites has their manager's free cocktails from 5:30 - 7:30. There is a gym and indoor pool. Free FULL breakfast in the morning.

[kakalina]

We always stay at the Holiday Inn on the Bay. It is right across the street from the cruise terminal and right next door to Ruth's Chris steakhouse.
A room with a balcony bay view allows you to see the ship sail in the morning of your cruise.
It may be a little pricier than others but the ability to just pull our luggage across the street makes up for it.
We have never had any trouble with airport noise there.

[lorekauf]

Originally Posted by kakalina

We always stay at the Holiday Inn on the Bay. It is right across the street from the cruise terminal and right next door to Ruth's Chris steakhouse.
A room with a balcony bay view allows you to see the ship sail in the morning of your cruise.
It may be a little pricier than others but the ability to just pull our luggage across the street makes up for it.
We have never had any trouble with airport noise there.

I'm going to stay here in Apr.2010. Is it pretty easy to pull your luggage across the street? Is usually don't pack light.

[photomikey]

Downtown is noisy... as downtowns are known to be.

Del Mar is a loooong way from both the airport and the cruise terminal (which are within walking distance of each other).

If you're looking for quiet, what about La Jolla hotels?

[basiaZ03]

Originally Posted by lorekauf

I'm going to stay here in Apr.2010. Is it pretty easy to pull your luggage across the street? Is usually don't pack light.

Stayed 2 nights at Holiday Inn on the Bay for cruise Oct 30/09. We had 3 suitcases 1 backpack, 1 carry-on and a lap top. No problem crossing the street. Best part was while we were eating breakfast we watched the Statendam come into port.
Hotel offers free shuttle pick up at airport. Took us to the SD Zoo, and picked up. The best was we were going to the Wine Bank at 5th and J> Because there was no one on the bus he took us right to the door, and said he would be back to pick us up,
Hotel is also within walking distance of the USS Midway, a some really good restaurants. Cetainly a place I would stay at again

[lorekauf]

Originally Posted by basiaZ03

Stayed 2 nights at Holiday Inn on the Bay for cruise Oct 30/09. We had 3 suitcases 1 backpack, 1 carry-on and a lap top. No problem crossing the street. Best part was while we were eating breakfast we watched the Statendam come into port.
Hotel offers free shuttle pick up at airport. Took us to the SD Zoo, and picked up. The best was we were going to the Wine Bank at 5th and J> Because there was no one on the bus he took us right to the door, and said he would be back to pick us up,
Hotel is also within walking distance of the USS Midway, a some really good restaurants. Cetainly a place I would stay at again

Thx for the info. I appreciate you taking the time to reply.

[DaveOKC]

Last time we stayed at HI on the BAy they offered to shuttle us across the street! No problem at all.

DaveOKC

[PCruzer]

Originally Posted by basiaZ03

Stayed 2 nights at Holiday Inn on the Bay for cruise Oct 30/09. We had 3 suitcases 1 backpack, 1 carry-on and a lap top. No problem crossing the street. Best part was while we were eating breakfast we watched the Statendam come into port.
Hotel offers free shuttle pick up at airport. Took us to the SD Zoo, and picked up. The best was we were going to the Wine Bank at 5th and J> Because there was no one on the bus he took us right to the door, and said he would be back to pick us up,
Hotel is also within walking distance of the USS Midway, a some really good restaurants. Cetainly a place I would stay at again

Wow! That sounds really good. We usually stay at the Hampton Inn, which is very close to Holiday Inn. The rates there are very reasonable. If you get a room in the front of the hotel, you can't hear the noise from the trains. Last year, though, we ended up at the rear of the hotel and the trains shook the entire room. Hampton Inn also will transport you anywhere you want to go within a 3-mile radius. I didn't realize that Holiday Inn does that also. I have read other reviews of Holiday Inn on the Bay, and some people said that breakfast is included in the room rate. Was your breakfast included?