Holiday Inn Express San Diego Old Town Hotel

, San Diego, United States
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Holiday Inn Express San Diego Old Town Hotel

3 star

Rooms: 125

3900 Old Town Avenue - San Diego - California - 92110 - United States | 6192997400
25 Traveller

Reviews - Holiday Inn Express San Diego Old Town Hotel

Historical Traveller Reviews of Holiday Inn Express San Diego Old Town Hotel

Nice place for the money

from msbelle51
I wanted a quick getaway for the 4th holiday weekend. Have stayed in San Diego quite a bit. I like to stay at different hotels just for the change.
This hotel is definitely a keeper for me. The room was neat and clean. Since I was traveling alone, I asked for a room other than the 1st floor. The gentlemen put me on the 2nd floor and inside (you had to use your key to access the section where your room was). Definitely a plus for me. Staff was friendly and helpful. I also liked the closeness of being able to walk to Old Town. Also, I have been to hotels that offer breakfast and when it runs out, they don't replenish (even if it's half over). Not here. The second day I went down with only a half hour left. The buffet was still well stocked. I will definitely be staying here again.

Confirm your Resevervation !!!

from A TripAdvisor Member
I had read dozens of reviews of this Hotel and a was pretty much satisfed with most of them. A decision was made to book a Suite at this Hotel. Instead of using the Internet to reserve I called the 1-800 number that Holiday Inn advertizes. The Suite was booked for the week of 06/04/04 -06/11/04. When I arrived on the 4th the Desk Clerk (Sean) said he had me booked in a large room and not in Suite. Now normally that wouldn't be a problem if I was traveling on business but I was beginning a vacation with my wife of two kids. The front desk clerk Sean said the Hotel was booked and there was nothing he could do for me. I asked to speak to somone else or a manager and he said he was the only one working and that he was the manager A look of complete and utter disbelief arrived on my wifes face. I was absolutely besides myself because we just flew in from the East Coast, the evening was getting late and my children were getting cranky. Others guests started arriving and The Hotel clerk (Sean) asked us to move aside while he dealt with the arriveing guests. I began to observe the process of other guests checking in as my wife tried to deal with our kids. The first thing I noticed is that (Sean) recommends that you keep your car in their garage for a $7.00 a night fee. Several guests questioned him as to why they should do that and his response to them was that there had been problems in the Old Town area with cars being broken into. . Finally after waiting 45 minutes Sean was able to deal with me again. He said he did have a Extra Large size King Size room and suggested that me, my wife and kids go take a look. Everyone was tired so we decided to at least look. The first thing I noticed was instead of getting an Electronic Key Card from Sean I recieved an old fashion Metal Key to open the doors instead. I couldn't belief it. I have two children !!!. I questioned him about it and he said that half the Hotel was Keys and the other half was Electronic Cards. Again it was getting late <9:30pm> and we were tired so up to the room we went. As I opened the door the first thing I noticed was the smell. I don't know what is was, but I kid you not a putrid and overwhelming stale air freshener smell emerged. It smelled as though someone attempted to bury something horrible.
I immediately felt like I was in some sleazy overnight motel. Everything looked cheap. We both looked at each-other and agreed that a completely disgusting Hotel Room was in front of us. - My wife said outloud - We are definitely not staying here. So back to the front desk we went. Again other guests were checking in so another wait of 15 miunutes emerged. Finally after 2 hours at this Hotel Sean asked how we felt about the room and I said "thanks but no thanks. The family walked out the frony door in utter disapoinment and defeat. We eventaully found ourselves at the DoubeTree Hotel in Mission Circle which was clean & professionally staffed by no less than 4 clerks.

Holiday Inn Express in Old Town very average

from A TripAdvisor Member
Ok, after reading all of the good (some
even great) reviews of this hotel I was
a little disappointed. Ok, maybe I was
expecting too much? The overall area
(Old town) was great, but this hotel was
too "Old" for my liking. Yes, I did read
in one review that this was an older area,
but this same review also showed that
this hotel was remodeled just last year.
I'm not too sure what they remodeled?

The wallpaper was peeling, some cracks
in the walls and a big hole in the floor
can be felt under the carpet. The
hallways smell of smoke and the doors
that connect one hallway to another
slam VERY LOUDLY. Keeping you up
all night if you are a light sleeper.

Watch the bottom of your vehicle on the
ramp to the underground parking...the
entry is raised and EVERY car scrapes
on the way down to the tight parking lot
that you pay to park in (7 dollars a day).

If you are looking to be shuttled to Sea
World during your stay know that there
is ONLY 1 small van (8 people of less)
that drops people off at 10:30 am and
returns back at 5 pm to pick you up. NO
EXCEPTIONS!!! So make a reservation
for the shuttle as soon as you check in
or you may be told as I was that, "You
can take a Taxi there for only 15 bucks".

On a good note the courtyard was
beautiful!!! Too bad I wasn't sleeping
out there???

Needless to say I will not be returning to
this Holiday Inn Express again. However,
I did enjoy Old Town and would return
to stay at the nice looking Courtyard by
Mariott just a few blocks over.

Mixed reviews

from Member001
Stayed here with my family during spring break. Check in went smoothly, they allowed us to have early check-in. The location was great, very easy to access the freeway and get to Sea World and San Diego Zoo. The front desk provided easy to follow directions to both. The breakfast was exceptional.

The only bad experience was with Amy (name?), the night audit clerk who was extremely rude to us when we tried to replace our room keys that were not working. She was not cfriendly, helpful, or professional. Our request to get new keys was a nuisance to her. We reported her and the experience to the front desk the next morning, and they never got back to us - as they promised.

This experience was unfortunate, as we read great reviews on this site before booking the hotel. This bad experience made an impression on my family and I. I don't know if I would stay at Holiday Inn Express again..not in the near future anyway.

Great value, Good experience

from A TripAdvisor Member
I had a good experience at this Holiday Inn Express; I recommend it as a great value for the cost. I'm the type of person who looks for the best deal possible. I chose the HIE over slightly cheaper establishments in the Hotel Circle because of good reviews and because I was going to be without a car for part of the trip and wanted to be near public transportation and within walking distance of nice restaurants. This was a good decision. I found the HIE to be charming (I did request a balconey overlooking the courtyard), the room was fairly large with much nicer furnishings (including nice size fridge and microwave) than I'd expect at this price, and the staff was courteous. After I left the HIE I stayed for several days at the Hilton Gaslamp San Diego for business and was surprised that the accomodations were only a little nicer than the HIE, though it cost twice as much (Of course, I was primarily paying for the downtown location). The HIE's location was great as it is right on the edge of Old Town and near public transportation. In addition, the hotel provides free shuttles to the Zoo/Balboa Park and Seaworld. When I did rent a car highway 5 was easily accessible and parking was free. The nice was continental breakfast was a good perk.

A Dump never again

from A TripAdvisor Member
I stayed here after reading the reviews on this site. A huge mistake.
What do some people consider a nice hotel? Ruined my whole perception of reviews on this site and San Diego in general. Place is a dump.
Filthy rooms and halls, unkempt courtyard, foliage untrimmed and rotting, construction in pool area made a quiet swim impossible. Doors left open all over the hotel making security nonexistent. Breakfast room was freezing. Beds are rock hard. Manager was patronizing and made me even angrier, Gave me a small discount for crumbs all over the room floor. Never again, no more Holiday Inns unless it's an emergency.
There are dozens of cleaner nicer places for 60 a night all over the area. Next time I'll get the 300 a night room at the fanciest place and not compromise a once in a lifetime visit. I am Pi****ed.

Absolutely Perfect for the Price!!!

from A TripAdvisor Member
Had an absolutely wonderful stay. The staff were very friendly and accomodating. When making my reservation, I asked for a room with a balcony facing the garden area. They gave us a wonderful room. Opened the french doors and a fresh breeze went through the room. Room was oh-so-clean and no funny smells. Hotel is right on the edge of Old Town...perfect! The continental breakfast was more like a buffet...muffins, sweet rolls, bagels, cereal, juice, milk, coffee, and fruit. Will stay there again and again and again. Only real problem, which wasn't that big of a deal, was the walls are a little thin.
People upstairs could be heard walking around, so ask for the top floor and you will have a perfect stay. Loved it!

A bit disappointed

from A TripAdvisor Member
I stayed in this hotel in October 2003 after reading all the reviews here, I have to say I was a bit disappointed. As stated in a previous review I think a bit of undating is required. As soon as I walked in the room it smelt musky and damp. It was clean and tidy and the fridge is a good idea. The breakfast was quite good as well.

What a pleasant place!

from A TripAdvisor Member
We stayed in this hotel for two nights with our two kids (4 and 6) and loved it. It's very nicely and quietly located, walking distance to the old Town (bit touristy, but the kids loved it). A small but private pool. Rooms are standard but clean and big enough. Very friendly service and an OK breakfast. Good to be in a hotel that is not so mega-sized!

Good experience

from A TripAdvisor Member
My family and I stayed here in July 2003 after reading reviews on this web site. If you want a hotel that is authentic to the area rather than a boring high rise that this may be the place for you. You must request a room with a balcony that has french doors that open to the courtyard. Letting the fresh air in was wonderful. The pool, which we swam in after dark was outside, but like bath water which was great. The continental breakfast was better than most we've encountered. The hotel was old and could use a little updating like new shower curtains and new mattresses. However, it was close to the main highway and walking distance to Old Town. We also liked the mini fridge and microwave. I believe that I would stay here again if ever in San Diego.

Top Local Tips for San Diego

Getting Around in Town This hotel (Holiday Inn Express Old Town) has excellent shuttle service. If you are going to the zoo, they will drop you off in the morning & pick you up in the afternoon. (The zoo is a full day event if you want to really see it.) They will also drop you off (& pick you up) in the port or downtown area (& airport, of course). This service lets you forget about car rentals & navigation & just enjoy. It is also very close to the tourist trolley pick-up / drop-off as well as the local trolley which will take you anywhere in town.

Wild Animal Park Everyone has heard about the World Famous San Diego Zoo, and it's absolutely awesome, but if you really love animals and have the time, go to the Wild Animal Park. It's about an hour northeast of downtown/the airport, but its worth the drive. The animals are out in the open, you can have larakeets land on your head, and hold butterflies in your hand. And if you really want to splurge, you can go on a "safari" and actually hand feed the giraffes. (If you go in the summer, it is quite hot at the Wild Animal Park and may be too uncomfortable for very young children, older adults, or anyone adversely affected by extreme heat)

Be sure to - - Check out the passports - we found that we should have purchased the three day passports for Balboa park for ALL the museums. It would have been much cheaper. I also would have road the trolley FIRST to see where things were and planned our day later. We should have had a 2 day or 3 day trolley pass instead of doing it by the day - MUCH CHEAPER!

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Other names for Holiday Inn Express San Diego Old Town Hotel

  • san diego holiday inn
  • holiday inn san diego
  • holiday inn old town
  • Address: 3900 Old Town Avenue - San Diego - California - 92110 - United States
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