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San Diego

Embassy Suites San Diego Bay - Downtown

$143
Recent Rate

601 PACIFIC HWY
San Diego, California 92101
619 239-2400

gaylansue
First Reviewer
Avg. Member Rating
12
Reviews

Very enjoyable

  • July 26, 2008
  • Rated 5 of 5 by a traveler from Travelocity.com
We stayed at the Embassy for a friends 50th anniversary, our stay was most enjoyable. We really enjoyed the breakfast and the varity of food and happy hour. The staff was most helpful when several tables were needed to accomodate our large parties. The hotel being close to the bay made it very easy for us to go to our boat for a ride around the bay. Again thank you so much for an enjoyable stay. Sincerely Carolyn B

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“Great location, above average hotel, overall best value, comfy”

  • May 2, 2008
  • Rated 5 of 5 by a traveler from Travelocity.com
I never write reviews, but my stay at the Embassy has prompted it. Plus wanted to add to what I had read at this site prior to traveling to San Diego. Agree...this is probably one of the best hotels I've stayed in while not paying $$$$ for it. I would rate above average to excellent. We really enjoyed our stay. We requested a bayview room...we were given a corner room on the 7th floor with great views of the Seaport Village and Harbor. For the most part...I thought our room was very quiet and private. Our room was clean, spacious, had a bar sink, microwave and small fridge in the galley area. It had a working desk or table in the livingroom for your laptop or if you wanted take-out one night. What I liked about our room was the big huge sink area in the bath AND one outside the bathroom. This way, my husband had one area, I had on area for our "stuff." Yes, there is some very minor evidence that the Embassy is currently renovating their rooms. But I do not think you would notice this unless you are on the upper floors and you are deciding to take an afternoon nap at between 1-3 p.m. We did this one day..there was only a very faint tapping to be heard. The only other way we knew there was some construction going on at this hotel was reading about this on this website and a small discreet sign in the elevator. I have read here and agree...the beds are VERY comfortable and LOTS of really good fluffy pillows. I see complaints were written about the noise of the a/c or heat. I did not notice the noise of the fan more than any other hotel I have been in. Comments on the free breakfast buffet and a happy hour (snacks and drinks). The breakfust buffet is a real value-add considering that eating an equivalent breakfast out might run you about $15pp. Also the Embassy breakfast is probably better than you can get at any Hampton Inn or similar type of hotel that includes a continental breakfast. You can have an omelet made to order...which is more than I have seen offered elsewhere. Now...here's the catch. Get there early if you are aggravated by crowds or people who think that the food will all of a sudden dissappear or that the Embassy will shut down the breakfast area without notice and they will be out of luck. I think you know what I mean. You still get A LOT of people who think that because it's "free," means they can behave as though it is a "free-for-all." The Embassy must have about 7-8 people , possibly more, working the lounge/breakfast area , keeping it clean, clearing tables, and keeping it "fresh." We went about 7:30 daily and it was a bit hectic and somewhat aggravating for us. Once seated and away from the hordes, you can somewhat relax but it is always difficult for my husband and I to relax while watching people act like it is their last meal. We went earlier on our last day and it was pleasant. None of the craziness. I cannot say enough about how polite and courteous the staff and breakfast crew is. Now about the manager's reception: no biggie. We went downstairs to check it out and decided to pass. Well liquor and nachos and some "freezer" pizza. Save your calories and don't risk any headaches with the well-liquor. Granted it's a nice idea...but not for my husband and I. There is a charge for WiFi [$9.95 per day]. If you can get by without your own laptop in your room, you can use the business center, internet is free. Okay..so you think that the WiFi charge is a bit much? Well...the Embassy makes it up with the free breakfast. [Go outside and order an omelet and see how much that will cost you! ] I did not experience the connectivity issues that others had commented about. The WiFi worked flawlessly. The pool and jacuzzi is average to small size, but the their gym is a treat with treadmills, elipticals and dumbell weights. One of the nicer hotel gyms I have seen for this class hotel. This hotel is 15 min walk from Gaslamp, 1/2 block from their trolley, 10 min walk to the harbor excursions and Seaport Village. Starbucks is attached to hotel downstairs. Some comments on the hotel's Pacific Fish Company restaurant. The PFC will mostly seat people in the bar area, which is noisy and cold. For some reason the air conditioning is cranked in there. The sushi is mediocre at best. My husband had sushi there one night and it didn't look so hot...kind of amateurish (we eat A LOT of sushi). That made me reluctant to try any of the fish. They have a smoked beef salad which is to die for. The Martha's Vineyard Salad is also very good. The food is overall very good tavern/bar food. Again, service is excellent and waitstaff professional. There are so many places to eat in San Diego that I would say there is no need to add this restaurant to your list as "must dine here." I will say that the restaurant is convenient if you come back in late from a day of touring or whatever and you are too tired to venture out much further. You can get a decent meal. A comment..this restaurant also serves the hotel room service. The prices for room service are at least $1.00 more per item, there is a $3.00 room service fee and they add 19% gratuity to the bill. There is clearly stated on the room service menu. Parking is $28 a day without any in/out fee. Now stop acting like this is a big deal. Guess what ? You are in the city. Parking is expensive ANYWHERE and most of the hotels are charging $25 to $30 a day. [I did all this research before I went.] One note, we are not 100% sure but we think one of the valets possibly scratched our rental. We did notice until the vehicle was at Avis and they pointed it out. That can happen with any valet service, just be aware. One review commented on crazy/rude busboys and valets who were falling over themselves to get tips. We did NOT see this. Again, the valets were all very pleasant and extremely polite...as were the rest of the staff. My last few comments. The train!! When reading the reviews about the Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Bayside...I got a bit freaked out because people were commenting the fact that you can hear the train all night long. Guess what? We heard the train as well in our hotel. Talking to some locals, they indicated EVERYONE who lives or stays downtown can hear the the train at night. Someone even commented that it is some age old agenda by Amtrak with the City of San Diego. We didn't hear the train Sunday night, but did hear it through the week. We got used to it. So be prepared! I chose this hotel because it was slightly less expensive than the Manchester Grand Hyatt and I wanted a suite style room. I walked over to the the Manchester to check it out. It is A LOT more plush and caters to business people and older traveling couples. You will pay for this though. Also, parking is $30 per day there. But looking at the Manchester Grand Hyatt and relation to the train tracks...I am sure they hear the train at night as well. Overall, we had a fantastic experience at The Embassy Suites...will be returning here.

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Excellent value

  • March 3, 2008
  • Rated 4 of 5 by a traveler from Travelocity.com
This hotel is currently finishing bathroom renovations, which follow other renovations made to the property. If making a reservation, be sure to ask for a room on the top two or three floors--far away from the work. Rooms on the bay side have fabulous views and I recommend booking one of those even if there is a premium charged. Hot items in the complimentary breakfast are hot, and cold items are cold. The breakfast is full and one couldn't ask for a better one. Crowding and lines were not a problem, and I didn't go to breakfast early. The evening manager's "happy hour" is a delight. I had a problem with the first room I was given, but the front desk staff put me in a second room (which was acceptable) and promised to move me the next day to a better room--which they did, and it was. They couldn't have been friendlier or more helpful. The hotel is convenient to the shops and restaurants of Seaport Village, and about a 10 minute walk to the Gaslamp district. In short, it's conveniently located. I do wish that there was an outdoor area on the hotel property to enjoy the beautiful San Diego weather. This hotel is a great value.

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Great location and close to main attractions

  • January 11, 2008
  • Rated 5 of 5 by a traveler from Travelocity.com
Hotel just recently renovated and upgraded. Perfert location across from the Harbor.The view was beautiful. Just minutes from Sea world, the zoo, Balboa park and the Gaslamp district. Cook to order breakfast a big plus. The concergie was very helpful with recommending restaurants and other things to see in the city. The only downfall is the $26/per day for valet parking. There should be a choice to valet or self park.

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Excellent place to stay

  • November 6, 2007
  • Rated 5 of 5 by a traveler from Travelocity.com
The room was spacious and really nice with a great view of the bay. The beds were as comfortable as any I have slept on. Having the suite allowed me to stay in the living room while my family went to bed earlier. The free breakfast was perfect for my family before beginning the day. We enjoyed the heated pool, and the exercise room was nice. The location could not have been better with the Seaport Village, Convention Center, Gaslamp Quarter, Horton Mall, and the ferry to Coronado Island all within walking distance. There were also the street cars and trolleys available and cab service and car rental was easy as well. We got to everything we wanted to without any hassle. Walking to things is easy because the traffic is not very heavy. This location was also great for walking or running in the early morning along the Seaprt Village, the park, and the dock. It felt very safe. The concierges were all very helpful with mpas, hints, and even coupons that save us quite a bit. The setting in the lobby and courtyard is beautiful. Our only concern was the extreme expense of the room. Overall, it was a great and memorable stay. PS - I had stayed here 10 years ago and wanted my family to experience what I experienced and they were all pleased.

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