San Diego

[M&M Hayden]

Sailing on the Mercury out of San Diego next February (A LLOONNGG way off I know), and we'd would like to go out a couple of days early (& maybe stay an extra day at the end). Anybody have a recommendation on where to stay? And about how much hotels run in San Diego??

The Celebrity site doesn't have any hotels listed for San Diego.

Thanks for any information you can provide.

[Bruin Steve]

San Diego may have more hotels in more price ranges than any other city in America...There's everything from the Motel 6 to the Rancho Valencia (I've stayed there at over $600 a night!! It actually is something special.)

 

http://www.ranchovalencia.com/

 

A lot depends on what you are looking for in the way of a hotel...You can have pretty much whatever you want...

 

A lot of folks who frequent these boards tend to gravitate toward the Holiday Inn (There are several, but there's one walking distance from the pier)...Of course it's convenient, but not the most glamorous of hotels...

 

Also convenient to the pier are the Embassy Suites, the Hyatt and the Marriott (all near Seaport Village, south of the pier)...

 

http://embassysuites.hilton.com/en/es/hotels/index.jhtml;jsessionid=C1EAPFQGWRSK2CSGBIW2VCQKIYFCVUUC?ctyhocn=SANDNES

http://marriott.com/property/propertypage.mi?marshaCode=SANDT

http://manchestergrand.hyatt.com/property/index.jhtml

 

Also fairly convenient to the pier and in the heart of San Diego's nightlife and restaurant district - the "Gaslamp" are the Hilton, the Horton Gand, the U.S. Grant and the Westin Horton Plaza...

I've stayed in the U.S. Grant before as well and it's a stately old hotel, short walking distance from just about everything in the Gaslamp...

 

http://www.usgrant.net/home.html

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/search/hotel_detail.html?propertyID=1009

http://www.hortongrand.com/location.html

 

There are several Hiltons in San Diego - aside from the one in the Gaslamp, there's one in Mission Bay which is also a nice place to stay...and one in Mission Valley:

 

http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/index.jhtml;jsessionid=C1EAPFQGWRSK2CSGBIW2VCQKIYFCVUUC?ctyhocn=SANGQHF

http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/index.jhtml;jsessionid=C1EAPFQGWRSK2CSGBIW2VCQKIYFCVUUC?ctyhocn=SANHIHH

http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/index.jhtml;jsessionid=C1EAPFQGWRSK2CSGBIW2VCQKIYFCVUUC?ctyhocn=SANMVHF

 

In fact, if you're looking for a large concentration of hotels in all price ranges, Mission Valley/Hotel Circle is convenient to freeways and shopping...There are more hotels there than one could mention...

 

More unique experiences would be to stay at the stately queen of San Diego hotels, the Hotel del Coronado...it is truly a one-of-a-kind and a major landmark...

 

http://www.hoteldel.com/

 

Or one could stay up in La Jolla, one of the more upscale neighborhoods in SoCal and a great area for shopping/beaches/restaurants... (but be wary to stay in the "downtown" La Jolla (La Valencia, La Jolla Cove) are for convenience - as opposed to near the UTC Mall (where most of the larger chains are) or the University...

 

For a first time tourist with a short time, I would stay in the Gaslamp or near Seaport Village...

 

Taxis are short hops from here and there is also a hop-on, hop-off bus that will take you to anything you want in San Diego proper...Stops at: 1) Old Town State Park, (2) Cruise Ship Terminal, (3) Seaport Village, (4) Marriott Marina/Convention Center, (5) Horton Plaza/Gaslamp Quarter, (6) Coronado (Mc P’s Orange Ave), (7) San Diego Zoo, (8) Balboa Park (El Prado)

 

http://shophta.com/acb/stores/15/product1.asp?SID=15&Product_ID=12

 

Have fun...

[MiataKath]

Hi,

 

The best location for us was the Holiday Inn on the Bay. We had a balcony room that faced the harbor. We woke up in the morning, and voila!! There was the Mercury about 300 feet from the front door of the hotel!

 

You can literally walk across the street into the Cruise Terminal. Very convenient to everything! Enjoy your cruise!

 

Don and Kathie

[Wennfred]

This is the one I like, abit pricy but everything is there, Walking distance from the Cruise Terminal and next to SeaPort Village Not too far from The San Diego Zoo and Sea World.

San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina

http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/SANDT

[JoePDX]

I would suggest a couple others:

 

The Westgate (old world style & elegance, yet convenient to downtown/Gaslamp)

http://www.leadinghotelsoftheworld.com/

 

The Manchester Grand Hyatt - big box hotel, but great location next to SeaPort Village and within walking distance of both the cruise terminal and downtown and Gaslamp district. Ask to stay in the new tower. Incredible cocktail bar on the top floor of the old tower. Awe inspiring views.

 

Of course there is also the venerable Hotel Del Coronado. Not as convenient to things, but a city almost unto itself.

 

A caution. February is high season for conventions in San Diego and both of these hotels (and several others mentioned) are usually host hotels and may be booked entirely for conventioneers. So, it's not too early to at least make a reservation to ensure a top pick. You can always change it later!

 

San Diego is a great city just to wander. Enjoy!

 

Joe

[Nancyquilts]

Any suggestions for staying a night in a hotel or motel and parking a car there for the cruise? Thanks. Nancy

[doree]

We stayed at Holiday Inn on the Bay and it was quite nice......directly across the street from the port and there is a BIG parking lot beside it. I'm sure there is a charge, but you can literally just walk across the street. Nice restaurants there, also. Found out about the HI on this site. Think we paid in January, around $139

[JNLROSE]

We also stayed at the Holiday Inn across the st. in Nov & got it through Priceline for $89. As Bruin Steve says, nothing to write home about--clean room, GREAT view of the ship, decent restaurant and best of all, their shuttle drove us directly through the gates past the waiting crowds & we were through embarkation & on board within 10 minutes from leaving the hotel!!!! Worth it---YES!

 

You can cab or trolley it to anywhere else of interest. Just opening the curtains in the early AM & seeing Mercury coming in was worth any ammenity we might have missed! IMHO!!

[L11]

For free parking, the only deal I have heard of is that, if you stay at the Best Western Bayview, they will give you parking free for 7 nights. i cannot confirm that though. They are in a good location, close to trolleys, the airport, the cruise terminal, downtown, shopping, etc. and the hotel looks very nice from the outside. They are at Ash and India Streets, about 3 blocks from the Bay. I do not have their phone number offhand, but that should be easy to get if you are interested.

 

Otherwise, for free parking, you are probably going to have to stay a little farther out from downtown San Diego. FYI, Parking across from the cruise terminal has gone up to about $12 - 13/day.

 

Linda

[L11]

Nancy, i just notice that you are in Sonoma and are probably planning to drive from there. What might work better for you is to rent a car to get down here and rent a car to return. Some car rental agencies have no extra charge for a one way rental. If you cannot find a secure place for free parking close by the port, it will almost certainly be less worry and hassle to rent. It will certainly be cheaper than parking for 10 or 11 days (I am assuming you are doing one of the Mexican Rivira itineraries). Then you do not have to come back to a car covered with soot and dirt, etc. The cars parked near the cruise terminal get VERY dirty from the automobile and airplane traffic.

 

You can also take the train down the Coast to San Diego and use the trolleys or taxis to get around. A taxi ride to the port from the train station is well under $5 and if you are up to it, you can even walk with your luggage to the cruise terminal (about 3 - 4 long blocks).

 

Linda

[Nancyquilts]

Thanks, Linda. Our problem is that even if we were to rent a car to drive the 500 miles, we'd have to leave our car somewhere to get into that rental car. We are taking the 15 day cruise to Hawaii in the fall, so would like to find somewhere (cheap!) to leave the car, as we are not able to rent one from our home. Hmm. Maybe we could drive somewhere and rent one the night before? I appreciate your input. Nancy

[dfhnis]

try Hotels.com if you want to be near the cruise terminal click "cruise terminal gaslamp distric click that etc etc. plenty to choose from in all price ranges

[L11]

Nancy, which Hawaii cruise are you on? We are taking the 10/23 Hawaii druise on Infinity from San Diego.

 

Linda

[Nancyquilts]

Linda-

Bob and I are on that cruise with you. We're already registered for the party. Nancy

[L11]

Nancy, well duh! I guess I need to pay attention! Sorry 'bout that. I'll see you on the rollcall thread.

 

Linda

[doree]

Regarding Holiday Inn on the Bay......I agree, it is nothing to write home about but it is clean and fine for a night.....all we needed was a bed to sleep in....should have checked out priceline. Oh well!!!!!

[JNLROSE]

Doree, it was my first time using Priceline & we thought it worked out great! We were on the 4th floor looking right at the ship! Had a tiny little balcony we could stand on as well!

 

I have used Priceline several times since & had GREAT results & prices.

[mii]

There is all sorts of info on the pre-post hotel board on this site. There is a wealth of info there.

 

Marilyn

[Joyfredsblondecruiser]

Rose: Thanks for the information about the shuttle to the ship from the Hotel. We will be on the Mercury in Oct. I have a question about Price line for the Holiday Inn on the Bay I would like to stay there but did you just pay the asking price or did you bid on it? I have never used Priceline before and so I am a novice to how you really use it. Happy Sailing, Joy

[JNLROSE]

Hi Joy!

 

Email me & I will give you the info!

[Sky Sweet]

When we took our Mexican Riviera Cruise in January we flew to San Diego two days before the cruise and stayed at the Marriot Residence Inn on Pacific Highway. It is a relatively new hotel with spacious suites that is within walking distance of good restaurants and transportation. It also provides free shuttle service from the airport and to the cruise terminal on the day of your cruise.

[Nancyquilts]

I looked at the web sites for both Enterprise and Budget for a car rental. Enterprise says they don't like to do that, but check with them and maybe????? Budget would run just under $200 each way. Now I'll investigate hotel parking. Nancy

[L11]

Ouch Nancy! I know that we were able to do a one-way with Enterprise from San Diego to Laguna Beach for about $50 (including tax and the damage waiver). You do have to call Enterprise to get them to agree to one-way. That Budget rate is outrageous!

 

Linda

[Nancyquilts]

I also called the San Diego Visitors Bureau, and they gave me the name of four hotels that will keep the cars - all have free 7 day parking, and some charge $5 for each day over, which is still a lot better than the parking lot there. Good thing I have 6 months to get organized! Nancy

[Host Anne]

M&M ~ what date are you sailing on Mercury? We're on the Feb. 3 sailing. If you are too, come join our roll call!