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Comic-Con International => SDCC Housing, Parking, and Transportation => Topic started by: Zero on April 02, 2016, 10:26:43 PM

Title: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Zero on April 02, 2016, 10:26:43 PM
Welcome to the new and improved Hotel Review and Feedback Thread for Comic-Con!

Kindly follow this formatting when writing hotel reviews or feedback.
This is mainly to make it easier to read and help people get the major highlights from your post.

PLEASE DO NOT HOLD CONVERSATIONS IN THIS THREAD.  This is for hotel reviews and feedback only. 

Conversations in this thread may be deleted, removed, or split off into the main discussion thread without warning or notice at any time.  You have been warned.

Please go to the main hotel discussion thread if you wish to talk about your experiences at your hotel in depth, which is located here:
https://www.friendsofcc.com/forum/index.php?topic=11028.0 (https://www.friendsofcc.com/forum/index.php?topic=11028.0)



I have created a list of questions that you can answer to help you think about things you may want to include in your hotel review.  You can answer all or some of the questions provided below. 

For help on writing a hotel review and copying the questions to your post, please see the second post of this thread.  Click here to go to the second post! (http://friendsofcc.com/forum/index.php?topic=6079.msg151083#msg151083)

Please try to follow the layout to make it easier for people to read your review and get the main points or highlights about the hotel.

Please note that your hotel review will be archived and added to our Compilation of Hotel Reviews (http://friendsofcc.com/forum/index.php?topic=5512.0) for SDCC so it will be indexed for easy searching and viewing.

If you're looking for a specific hotel and its reviews, check out this thread here: List of Hotel Reviews for SDCC (http://friendsofcc.com/forum/index.php?topic=5513.0)

A big shout-out and thank you to Angology (http://friendsofcc.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=364) for helping us archive the hotel reviews and keeping them organized for us!


HOTEL REVIEW AND FEEDBACK LAYOUT

Name of Hotel:

Type of Room: (Did your room have 1 king-sized bed, 2 full-sized beds, or another type of bed?  Did you have a suite?)

Number of Nights You Stayed:

Year(s) You Stayed There: (Type in the actual year: 2012, 2013, 2014, etc.)

Hotel Review:

(Here are some questions to get you started as you think about your hotel stay during Comic-Con.  Again, you can answer all or some of these questions to help you write your hotel feedback comments.)

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   If "Yes," tell us about the restaurants and type of food they had (if you remember).

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?

* Did you order room service?
   If yes, tell us if you had a good or bad experience with room service.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?  How many people occupied the room during your stay?

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?


What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Since you might have already wrote about it from the questions above, just make a quick list about the things you liked the most about your stay at this particular hotel.

Example list:
- close location to the convention center
- had great customer service
- close to a lot of restaurants
- great view from your room
- a lot of celebrity sightings, etc.


Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Tell us about anything that negatively impacted your stay at this particular hotel that you may not have already mentioned above. 

Example list:
- expensive hotel rates per night
- small size of the rooms
- far distance from the convention center
- long traveling time to and from the convention center, etc.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Zero on April 03, 2016, 03:32:36 AM
To make it easier to copy the formatting in the above post, you can also follow these steps:
1. Click "Quote" at the top-right area of the first post in this thread: Click here to go to the first post! (http://friendsofcc.com/forum/index.php?topic=6079.msg151076#msg151076)
    You will see the quoted text in the "Quick Reply" box at the bottom of the page.
    By doing this, you can "save" the formatting (with bold text as well as the list format) to make it easier to write your hotel feedback.

2. At the beginning of the quoted text, delete the part that says:
    [ quote author=Zero link=topic=####.msg######msg##### date=#########]
   
    Note that the "#" signs refer to the forum's number identification system for each individual post. 
    No need to worry about it.  Just delete it from your post.

    For this example, I had to add an extra space in the quote tags [ quote] and [/ quote]. 
    Otherwise, the forum software will think it's an actual quote from one of my posts.

3. At the end of the quoted text, delete the part that says:
    [/ quote]

4. Next, delete everything before the words "HOTEL REVIEW AND FEEDBACK LAYOUT."

5. Delete my "Example lists" so you can type in your own comments there.

6. Now you have a formatted reply (with the bold text and italics formatting), and you can type your answers to the questions.

7. Remember that you can answer all or some of the questions on the list. 
   
    Just delete the questions that you don't know, don't remember, or don't have an answer for. 
    Remember to delete the [ b] and [ /b] bold tags if you remove a question, or your entire post might accidentally end up in all bold.

That's it!



Thank you for writing a hotel review for the forum!
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: gnunez49 on April 03, 2016, 11:00:46 AM
Name of Hotel:Westin Gaslamp

Type of Room:Two Double Beds

Number of Nights You Stayed:5 nights

Hotel Review:

I enjoyed my stay at the Westin Gaslamp last year.  The staff was wonderful.  The room was quiet and really clean.  I was with a group of 4 guys (no cosplayers), and there was plenty of room.  We never had an issue with the space.

The walk to the convention center wasn't bad at all.  It's a quick walk (about 10 min) with great people watching.  There is a supermarket a block away for any quick runs of food/drinks/supplies.  They have a restaurant inside, but didn't try it.  Did have some drinks and appetizers in the lounge area, and they were good.  They have a to-go snack store inside.

Parking is valet only, and it's pricey, but not more than the others in the Gaslamp.

It was a convenient location for getting in line to get tickets for Conan, since it's right across the street. 

I enjoyed my stay, and would definitely stay there again in the future.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Angie on April 03, 2016, 08:48:01 PM
Name of Hotel: Hotel Solamar

Type of Room: 1 King Bed

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5 or 6

I've stayed here from 2012-2015

Can get noisy with all the parties that go on on the rooftop. They end late at night and are loud enough to shake the room. Try to get a room high up (6th floor and above) or not facing the pool.

The staff is very nice but can get tied up with all the Syfy guests there.

There is a rooftop pool/lounge area but its usually always blocked off for private parties. They have free coffee and water in the lobby in the morning and then wine and beer in the evening.

Rooms are pretty tight. We had a king room with a rollaway bed and it was barely enough room for 3 people. The rollaway was $20/night and uncomfortable.

I only drove down one year. They have valet but its pricey. They will only let you park by the front door for a few minutes to load your bags. Otherwise they want you to keep on moving. I luckily found street parking to unload my bags then drove my car to a parking garage near the airport for the rest of the week.

3 blocks away so a short walk. It can get tricky though because you either have to walk down the main drag through a ton of people OR walk along side petco, then past the Omni and finally to the crosswalk.

Free wifi to Kimpton Karma members. Wifi speed was pretty good.

I've seen tons of Syfy celebs over the years but no one from any other shows. This is the exclusive hotel of Syfy so they have a ton of rooms blocked for their people.


Pros:
- Close to Con Center
- Broken Yolk next door
- Nice rooms/Comfy beds
- Celeb sightings
- Dog friendly!
- Bag holding room for after you check out

Cons:
- Noise level
- Small rooms
- Mini fridge is stuffed with mini bar items - use at your own risk



Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Satam on April 04, 2016, 05:12:14 PM
Name of Hotel: Manchester Grand Hyatt

Type of Room: double room, 1 King Bed

Number of Nights You Stayed: 6

We stayed here in 2015

It's a very nice and very large luxury hotel with a really friendly and attentive staff.

Rooms were quite comfortable, pretty spacious, and since we were kind of high up in the Harbor tower and facing the water we had a really nice view.  We requested a refrigerator and microwave when we checked in, and we got those very quickly after getting to the room.  I also needed a foam pillow (hate those feather things) and extra hangers, and we got those pretty quickly too.

The hotel is just a block or so away from the convention center, but it is a big block with the Marriott Marquis and Marina on it.  I think it's something like a half mile from the Hotel lobby doors to the convention center doors, but it's a pretty easy half mile and only about a five minute or so walk.

We had a nightlight acting up in the bathroom, and the maintenance people never seemed to be able to fix it, but it wasn't that big a deal, and I doubt that kind of thing happens in every room.

We were high up to try to get away from some of the street level noise, but since the Hotel was so close to the convention center and those RR tracks, we couldn't get away from the horn of a train blaring late at night on several nights.  I called the front desk the second time it happened to ask if that happened every night.  I was told "pretty much," and they sent up two pairs of ear plugs.

Overall, an excellent hotel and very positive experience.

Pros:
- Close to Convention Center
- Good sized, comfortable rooms
- Friendly and attentive staff
- Free WIFI with pretty good speed
- Nerdy stuff to do in the hotel during the con (X-Box lounge and some SDCC programming rooms)
- Two nice pools


Con:
-Close to the train tracks and we were awakened by a train horn on multiple nights

Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: marcia29 on April 05, 2016, 02:27:42 PM
Name of Hotel: San Diego Marriott Marquis and Marina

Type of Room: 2 double beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4 nights

Hotel Review:
Dining options: We did not eat at the hotel itself, but it is within easy walking distance of lots of options as well as Ralph’s which was fine for picking up food to stash in the mini-refrigerator.

The hotel staff was polite, they smiled a lot, and were happy to help when I had some difficulty printing out a boarding pass.

We did order room service for breakfast and it was nice and hot- pancakes, eggs, and the like.  We splurged on room service that one time, as it can become expensive quickly.  Our order came on time — we ordered the night before.   

There are a lot of amenities at the hotel and they looked clean and some folk were using them, but we were too busy doing con stuff to take advantage.

The room was nicely sized and the beds were comfortable.  I liked the option of having feather or down pillows.

The Marriott Marquis and Marina is adjacent to the convention center, and although the walk to Hall H can be a long one, there were lots of fans walking and we had nice conversations, and did some costume watching.

The walls were thick enough so that we could not hear anyone in the next room nor in the floor above or below.  That is always nice.  There was some occasional hallway noise, but in most hotels, that is to be expected.

There was free wifi if you are an Honors member. We had the option of early check-in and late check- out at no charge.

As for celebrity sightings- we encountered Stan Lee, some of the cast of Heroes, and many others.  Keep your eyes open if you like to celebrity spot. 

Pros: 
-proximity to the convention center
-at times we didn’t even have to go outside.  It can get hot in San Diego, so that can be a plus! 
-the ease with which we checked in and out, and that they had a luggage area where you could safely keep your luggage after you checked out if you were not quite finished at the convention.

Cons:
There were no negatives that I can think of, and that is saying something.  I would definitely try to stay there again if the comic-con hotel folk deem it so!

Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Craige on April 05, 2016, 06:50:27 PM
Name of Hotel: Hard Rock

Type of Room: Single bed suite

Number of Nights You Stayed: 3

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2015

Hotel Review:
Nice hotel across the street from the convention center with multiple places to eat and bars. Since it's a high end hotel it always has lots of celebrity events going on. It's near pretty much everything so super convenient.


What did you like about staying at this hotel?
-close to convention
-it's in the center of action...great people watching
-rooms are nice, mine was spacious (but I got booked into a suite)
-good views of the main Gaslamp drag strip

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
-Biggest draw back is, it's expensive. I think it ended up being $385 a night. OUCH!
-Next biggest is, it's fairly loud and crowded. I slept with earplugs.

Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Jim Watari on April 05, 2016, 06:58:03 PM
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Name of Hotel: Hard Rock

Type of Room: Single bed suite

Number of Nights You Stayed: 3

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2015

Hotel Review:
Nice hotel across the street from the convention center with multiple places to eat and bars. Since it's a high end hotel it always has lots of celebrity events going on. It's near pretty much everything so super convenient.


What did you like about staying at this hotel?
-close to convention
-it's in the center of action...great people watching
-rooms are nice, mine was spacious (but I got booked into a suite)
-good views of the main Gaslamp drag strip

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
-Biggest draw back is, it's expensive. I think it ended up being $385 a night. OUCH!
-Next biggest is, it's fairly loud and crowded. I slept with earplugs.

Did they still have a lot stuff to buy in the rooms? when I last stayed there the last time there was not a lot of room for my stuff , for example the frig was filled with their their stuff so you could buy it. Same with the top of the dresser.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: mark on April 06, 2016, 10:23:35 AM



Name of Hotel: Residence Inn Downtown San Diego

Type of Room: Studio, 1 queen bed + sofa bed.

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2015

Hotel Review:

Congratulations! If you are reading this you have happened onto one of the best but lesser known SDCC hotels, with a combination of benefits that might well be unique.

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   There is a free breakfast of the usual greasy bacon, powdered egg type. No room service, but you get a full kitchen. You can also fill out a grocery list and they will go and shop for you for a small fee. They also have a pantry where you can purchase snacks. There is a Jack in the box across the street and Little Italy restaurants are within walking distance.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
   Very helpful and polite.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
   Basic, small gym, didn't use. Small pool and hot tub which I did use, mainly while also using the outdoor grill. ATM, laundry.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
   Oh yeah. Rooms are huge.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
   $14 a day.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
   Maybe 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the day and time. There is both a shuttle stop and trolley stop a short walk away, the shuttle stop is at a good spot since it is early enough in the route that we never had trouble finding a seat. The trolley is only a few stops away from the con so early in the day it will often be full already.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
   Hotel was quieter than most. Many of the guests are there long term for work and are "Day Sleepers" so it was quite quiet.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?
   Yes.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
   Yes, basic level, no perks.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
   There is a big benefit here, they have a free shuttle that will take you to the airport, to a grocery store, pretty much anywhere nearby. They just have 30 minutes slots that you have to reserve in advance. The Waterfront Park is across the street, great if you have children. The Maritime musuem is also close by. On Saturdays there is a great farmers market right up the street. Also, in addition to the Little Italy restaurants and shops there is a Blick art supply shop in walking distance.
   
   Celebrity wise, saw Mindy Sterling there in 2015. She was cool.
   


What did you like about staying at this hotel?


- Full kitchen, and they will grocery shop for you.
- Hotel shuttle, SDCC shuttle AND trolley options. Killer combination.
- Lots of things in walking distance, but far enough away from the Gaslamp to be relatively uncrowded.
- Close enough to SDCC to make going back and forth during the day feasible.
- Big, quiet rooms. Lots of desk space and drawers.
- Extremely helpful staff.
- Did I mention full kitchen? Basically, much of their business is from people that stay at the hotel for months at a time and the rooms are designed accordingly.


Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?


- Small bathrooms. Small closets.


Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: seabisquick on April 06, 2016, 11:26:13 AM

Name of Hotel:
San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter

Type of Room: (Did your room have 1 king-sized bed, 2 full-sized beds, or another type of bed?  Did you have a suite?)
2 full-sized beds

Number of Nights You Stayed:
4

Year(s) You Stayed There:
2015

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
My roommate's sister was a Rewards member so she was able to get us free WiFi and access to the Concierge Lounge.  They had complimentary breakfast, snacks, and water which was nice.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
They all seemed polite and courteous

* Did you order room service?
 No

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
I used their small fitness center which consisted of a a few treadmills, orbiters, weight machines, and free weights.  No that impressive but ok for a maintenance type workout.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
The rooms are well sized, clean, and quite comfortable compared to other hotels in the area (Omni, Hiltons, etc)

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
I believe it was over $30 but I got to San Diego early enough to park in the Ace lot across from the Omni for the duration of the con.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
It's just 3 blocks from the Convention center so maybe 5-10 minutes by foot.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
I didn't notice any noise from surrounding rooms

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
Free if you are a Marriott rewards member

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
No, but roommate's sister who was also staying at the hotel was.  So we got free WiFi and access to concierge lounge.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?


What did you like about staying at this hotel?

- close location to the convention center
- had great customer service
- close to a lot of restaurants
- concierge lounge


Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?

- minor issue but limited number of elevators to the rooms and occasionally a party will block off one of the bays
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Volsspongebob on April 06, 2016, 12:51:59 PM
Name of Hotel: Westin Gaslamp

Type of Room: Double Bed

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2015

Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   Next To Westfield Horton Plaza which had Taco Bell, Chinese (like Panda Express), Pizza, etc. Mall Food court stuff. Directly across the street was a Panera and a Chipotle. Both did really well with line management.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Staff was very accommodating to any needs. Super polite and very appreciative of Con crowd.

* Did you order room service?
 No. However we ate in the lobby restaurant and they had Con Specials which were affordable and pretty good.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
Did not use amenities. Who has time for that!!

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
Rooms are very large. Had refrigerator which was great for getting the water bottles cold for next day and saving leftovers.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
Did not Drive

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
20-25 minute walk to Convention Center. You get to walk through Gaslamp though and experience all that has to offer.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
Never heard any noise. Walls were good at keeping out sounds.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
Their free wifi is only available for SPG members who book through their website and since this was Travel Planners, it was not free. $12.95 per 24 hours.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Yes. Starwood/SPG member. Did not get perks other than the points to count.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
This was the hotel for Nerd HQ so saw Zach Levi several times. He would also often have drinks in the lobby with his celeb friends like Joss Whedon and Yvonne Strahovski. All were very approachable. I believe Nerd HQ does this hotel often for its staff.

Hotel is also closest to the Spreckles theatre where Conan taped so you could get a sense of lines for the show. Additionally it is easy access to the back door of Spreckles where fans would wait for autographs from Conan and his guests.


What did you like about staying at this hotel?

-quiet hotel since its a couple blocks from the louder Gaslamp action
- 2 blocks from Ralphs (grocery store)
- close to a lot of restaurants
- Spacious rooms
- celebrity sightings
- Close to Conan

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
- Long walk to hotel after long day at the con
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Craige on April 06, 2016, 05:09:45 PM
Quote
Did they still have a lot stuff to buy in the rooms? when I last stayed there the last time there was not a lot of room for my stuff , for example the frig was filled with their their stuff so you could buy it. Same with the top of the dresser.

I didn't use the fridge so don't remember but I seem to remember a lot of things for sale on the shelves that were near the fridge.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Craige on April 06, 2016, 05:21:01 PM
Name of Hotel: Hotel Solamar

Type of Room: 1 King

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5

Year(s) You Stayed There: 1998-2013

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
The inhouse restaurant, J Six, is great but pricey. I would often go there for breakfast and turned a lot of people on to how great it is.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
The staff is always amazing.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
Decent but small gym, and great upstairs roof deck with a bar, pool and tons of seating. The downside is, the deck is often closed for private events.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
It's very close to the convention center so maybe a 5-10 minute walk.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
I stayed there when I worked for Syfy and we had dozens of employees and cast members in the hotel, so I suspect I got extra special treatment from the front desk when asking for things like moving to a room on a quieter side of the building or whatnot

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
- close to the convention center but still off the beaten path so during the day it's quiet and relaxing (not at night...see below)
- great customer service
- close to the main drag of the Gaslamp
- great views of the pool and roof deck if you get a room on the pool-side of the hotel
- it's a Syfy mainstay so lots of Syfy celebs there

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
-the biggest downside is that every night someone hosts a big, loud party on that awesome roof deck so it's a loud hotel. Like, room-shaking loud. That usually lasts until 12-1am in the morning. Other than that, I love the hotel and have stayed there often (although for work, not privately)
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: QTkeylala on April 06, 2016, 09:14:01 PM
HOTEL REVIEW AND FEEDBACK LAYOUT

Name of Hotel: San Diego Marriott and Marquis

Type of Room: 1 King bedroom, connected to a corner room that had a dining area that had a mini kitchen and murphy bed, and connected to another 2 queen bedroom.  (we were really lucky that year 2012)

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 1

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   We really didn't eat anywhere in the hotel, we usually ate somewhere on the marina.  But we know Roy's restaurant and its a nice asian fusion spot.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?   
Hotel staff was amazing, but I think it was because I got myself in contact with the hotel sale manager and asked about accommodations.  They provided us with a basket full of goodies when we checked in.

* Did you order room service?
  No we didnt.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?  We use the pool and it was fun.  But we did get kicked out at one point because I think someone had an "accident" and they had to disinfect it.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?  Well yeah we totally were. But remember we basically got a 2 bedroom suite area.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?  That year, parking was about $25/day with in/out privileges. 

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?  We were next to the CON, so minutes.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?  Noise level was minimal. 

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)  They did not have free wifi that year.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?  I was gold I think, didn't get any perks, just only checked in on rewards side.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
none

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
I honestly love this hotel because it was easy to get in and out.  But I would only stay there again if I can have the same accommodations.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Wish they had free wifi. 

Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: QTkeylala on April 06, 2016, 09:29:05 PM

HOTEL REVIEW AND FEEDBACK LAYOUT

Name of Hotel:  Embassy Suites San Diego

Type of Room: 1 king bed corner suite

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2

Hotel Review:


* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   There are plenty of dining options.  Across the street is boardwalk area and seaport village.  The hotel itself offers breakfast daily and afternoon drinks/snacks.  The hotel also has a restaurant you can order from and a baskin robbins. 

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? Hotel staff was very nice and helpful, but that was because I was in contact with the staff prior to my visit.

* Did you order room service?
   Yes, order room service and it was always good for the kids and easy.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?  Loved the indoor pool and gym. 

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?  Since all the rooms are REAL suites, that means, there is an actual sitting area separating the bedroom by a door, there was plenty of room. 

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?  EEEE. first year it was $23/day, then last year it was $45/day...ridiculous jump.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?  about 15 minutes by foot.  Not worth taking shuttle since we had a stroller and to cumbersome to lug in and out.  We just walked.  And when we did, it was awesome to just see different parts of downtown before hitting the convention floor.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? We didn't hear any noise besides us, but we could hear walking above us.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)  Yes there was free wifi for rewards members, but that's easy to get, and so the wifi was soooooo slow.  I ended up paying for the faster wifi since I had to actually work (telecommute) during the Con.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? Not sure what level but got free wifi for it.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?  Didn't see any celebrities at the hotel but we went to eat at a restaurant by the marina and we sat by the whole case of ABCs Once Upon a Time.  Ginnifer Goodwin is soooo beautiful in person.  Her eyes were so amazing.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Lots of things to do around the hotel.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
My sister and brother in law assisted on a medical issue with another hotel customer, and no staff assisted them on calling for help immediately.  Not even a manager came to check on them, and this was in the middle of the breakfast area.  The guy was laying on the floor and no staff and it took over 30 minutes for EMS to show up.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: jontargaryen on April 07, 2016, 07:40:42 AM
I've stayed at a few hotels in San Diego so I'm just going to list some pros and cons I've had with each of them

Name of Hotel: Omni

Type of Room: Two double beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 2

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2015

Pros:
-Location. Gaslamp is right outside your door, convention center right across the street.
-Beautiful rooms. Spacious enough for two people, comfortable beds.
-The pool area is gorgeous, especially at night.
-Clean lobby.
-Fantastic staff. They definitely go out of their way to help everyone.

Cons:
-Expensive restaurant and bar. I know all hotel bars are expensive but $15 for a glass of wine is just outrageous.
-The bathroom doors don't close. They slide back and forth so there's never a time where it's completely shut.
-Expensive valet

Name of Hotel: Marriott Marquis and Marina

Type of Room: Double Bed

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2013, 2014

Pros:
-Location, obviously.
-Views from the room can be stunning if you get lucky. Beautiful sweeping views of San Diego harbor.
-Well appointed rooms with plenty of room for 2 or 3 people to fit comfortably.
-Comfortable beds.
-Great bars.
-The pool area is awesome and you can hang out there all night (as long as you're quiet).

Cons:
-Location in terms of the Gaslamp Quarter. You have to cross the street. Beware of the Freight Train of Doom. If that thing comes by you're waiting on either side for at least 30/35 minutes.
-It's a little too big for my taste, but I prefer smaller boutique hotels so it might just be me. It's really spread out.
-Expensive. Don't even think about going to the Starbucks in there.

Name of Hotel: Hilton Bayfront

Type of Room: Double Bed

Number of Nights You Stayed: 7 total

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2013, 2014, 2015

Pros:
-Location for Hall H line and convention center in general.
-Beautiful grounds that surround the hotel.
-Pool and lobby bar are wonderful. The lobby bar serves fantastic drinks and has great bartenders.
-The gym is fantastic.

Cons:
-Rooms on the smaller side.
-Location in terms of Gaslamp Quarter. Freight Train of Doom.
-Second floor lobby and elevators to guest rooms.
-It always feels really crowded.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: hjlodge on April 07, 2016, 08:14:26 AM
Name of Hotel: Omni

Type of Room: 2 full-sized beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2014

Hotel Review:

This was such a coveted hotel, we were really psyched to get it. From a location standpoint, it's pretty good, though I preferred the Bayfront for not having to cross the busy intersection to get to the con. This hotel was a solid experience but I'm not certain it completely stands up to the hype around it? So far I've stayed at the Bayfront, Marriott Gaslamp, and the Omni. I think Bayfront was the best and Marriott Gaslamp/Omni were comparable.

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
I think there was a restaurant but we never took advantage

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Yes - totally polite

* Did you order room service?
No

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
Didn't use any of them!

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
I felt like the room was really cramped for 4 people, and this was my main complaint. The beds were on the smaller side (Double vs. Queen) and we had very little floor space for all of our bags.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
N/A

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
5-10 minutes from door to door

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
No noise issues at all

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
No (not that I can remember)

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
No

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
I was expecting to see a ton of celebrities but it wasn't really the case here. Maybe I'm just not good at noticing these things :)

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
The location is fantastic, and the rates were pretty reasonable. We also had a good view of Hall H and the line situation most of the time.


Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
I thought the rooms were a bit cramped for a 4 people/double situation.

Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: hjlodge on April 07, 2016, 08:19:58 AM
Name of Hotel: Hilton Bayfront

Type of Room: 2 beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2015

Hotel Review:

This was my favorite hotel so far. The location is unbeatable - being on the same side of the railroad tracks as the convention makes a big difference, and the skybridge was really easy to take for getting to events/the Gaslamp.

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
Yes. There was a Starbucks but it was unfortunately always way too crowded to bother with. However, the frozen yogurt shop right next door had low/no lines and was always a refreshing treat. Also had a breakfast buffet (not complimentary) that was delicious in the morning.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Yes - totally polite

* Did you order room service?
No

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
The pool looked great, but I didn't get a chance to take advantage.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
The room was large and the beds were large - comfortable for 4 people 

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
A roommate of ours did park, and it was $$. Would not recommend doing that.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
5 minutes

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
No noise issues at all

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
Yes - we had free wifi

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Yes. Only wifi.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
There was a lot of great programming in the hotel itself, and the con was very easy to get to. Only con is there are not a lot of easy/cheap food options without crossing the street.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Great location, great rooms.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
The crowds were the only downside. I'm a person who needs coffee daily but I couldn't tolerate the long lines at Starbucks.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: soncrazy808 on April 07, 2016, 09:30:38 AM
Name of Hotel: Hilton Bayfront

Type of Room: Had a king room. We did an upgrade so we were overlooking the convention side.

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2015

Hotel Review:

Food
I didn't spend much time exploring food options at the hotel. However, I do know they have a starbucks and yogurt place conveniently downstairs.

Staff
Hotel staff were friendly. We had a few bumps in the check in process in regards to who's card could be on the reservation, but we later called that night and the problem was quickly resolved.

Amenities
I'm not sure about all the amenities. But the pool!!! It was great. I believe it was a salt water pool and about 4 ft deep all around. My shorter friends particularly loved the height of the pool because she could walk all around it. I definitely think this would be one of the biggest draws for me to stay in this hotel again. If you get the hotel you should check it out!

Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
The king room was decently roomy. I believe it's on the bigger side compared to other rooms I've stayed at like for example Town and Country. It definitely wasn't as big as a Hard Rock suite. There were about 7 of us and it wasn't super tight, a little crowded, but definitely roomy enough.

Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
Surprisingly no noise to my knowledge. I don't know if it was the lack of people on my floor, or if the room walls weren't thin, but we didn't have any issues with noise. We were also pretty high up so all the noise from the ground didn't reach us.

Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
When I was there AT&T users got free wifi. My friend had AT&T so he lucked out on that.

Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
Definitely lots of celebrity sightings. I stayed in the Hard Rock the previous year and I had a lot more sightings at the Bayfront. I think a lot of parties were also done at the Bayfront so we were always running into people in the elevators, like some ppl from the vampire diaries.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
I was a little skeptical about the hotel at first since it's so isolated from the other downtown gaslamp hotels, but I actually really loved my stay. It's pretty close to the convention center and you don't have to cross those ridiculous crowded streets. The view was also great. We could see all across the convention/downtown, and the sea area. Lots of celebrity sightings if you're into that kinda stuff. And the pool!! Just loved my stay in general. Hoping we could go back in the future

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
None, honestly.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: jasperthecactus on April 07, 2016, 11:12:03 AM

HOTEL REVIEW

Name of Hotel: Manchester Grand Hyatt

Type of Room: 2 full beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: Wed - Mon

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2015

Area: There is a great shopping area behind the hotel with with lots of food options and places to explore. I particularly enjoyed the Ben & Jerry's window strategically placed beside an old-fashioned carousel. There is also a small cafe just outside the back door with great breakfast options that usually had very short lines compared to everything else in the area.

Staff: This was one of the most friendly and accommodating hotel staffs I have encountered

Amenities: Didn't use them, but the hotel was super nice. Comfortable beds, soft towels, quiet rooms. No complaints at all. The room was reasonably sized - didn't seem particularly large or small, but average.

Distance: Somehow the walk from the MGH manages to be just a bit further than it should be. Getting past the two hotels next to it and then to a door of the convention center that they will actually let you enter is further than the "3 blocks" listed, but still much better than many other places. Also, by being on the same side of the street as the convention center, it was nice not having to deal with the crazyness of trying to cross the street from the Gaslamp.

Pros:
really fancy/nice hotel
quiet rooms
friendly staff
nearby shopping/dining
location

Cons:
a little further than I wanted it to be
didn't see many celebrities

Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Turtle26 on April 07, 2016, 12:54:42 PM
Name of the Hotel: Hilton Bayfront

Type of Room: 2 Beds

Number of Nights you stayed: 4

Year you stayed there: 2013

Hotel Review:

This is the only hotel in the downtown area I've stayed at, but it was wonderful.

Food: I tried the yogurt place and it wasn't very packed when I would walk by it. The prices were ok (from what I remember). The hotel had a area where it had food available to purchase right away. It was very convenient since I was always on the go.

Staff: The staff was very friendly from the little bit of interactions I had with them.

Wifi: It was not free (at least when I stayed there)

Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels? : I was mostly out of the room, but when I was in I was able to sleep. The room itself was comfy (I've been in much smaller rooms before)

Pros:
Location
Celeb sightings
Great Staff
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: asternberg on April 07, 2016, 01:41:26 PM

HOTEL REVIEW AND FEEDBACK LAYOUT

Name of Hotel: Horton Grand

Type of Room: (Did your room have 1 king-sized bed, 2 full-sized beds, or another type of bed?  Did you have a suite?): 2 beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2015

Hotel Review:


* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel? Yes, a restaurant/bar inside the hotel and plenty around it.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? They were all generally very nice. I had an issue when they loaded up my car at the end, they forgot to put my backpack in there (that included basically all of my expensive possessions). The valet guy personally drove it to my house in LA and dropped it off which was definitely above and beyond.

* Did you order room service? No.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? No big amenities. A nice courtyard though with seats and tables.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels? We had 3 in a room so it was a little tight. I have definitely stayed in bigger rooms. But it was generally quiet and nice.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? 20 for overnight, I believe.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? We generally traveled by foot, and it was maybe a 10 minute walk.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? Not too thin, things were fine.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No) Yes

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? No.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above? Just a general good hotel, small and boutique like with interesting furniture. I'd prefer a closer one, but was altogether pretty good.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: cciveg on April 07, 2016, 02:15:02 PM
Name of Hotel:

Embassy Suites

Type of Room: All Suite hotel, we had a King and a pullout in other room.

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2013-2015

Hotel Review:


* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
  yes, full breakfast buffet including eggs, omelets to order, a bar, baskin robbins, cheesecake factory across the street

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?

Yes

* Did you order room service?
No, but they have a full breakfast and mini fridges which can help with the budget.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
Used the pool before and hottub, ok, if small

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?

Huge rooms, very nice

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?

expensive like most downtown, $38

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?  Usually walked to the con which is 5 long blocks. About 15 mins. Took the shuttle back which wasn't too bad as it's the first stop.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
ok

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
no, free wifi for Hhonors gold status

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?

see above, also you can pick a room sometimes

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?

near the cheesecake factory and sometimes there are parties at the park across the street

What did you like about staying at this hotel?

room sizes, real breakfast
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: fayeray99 on April 07, 2016, 02:18:36 PM
Name of Hotel: Hilton Bayfront

Type of Room: 2 queen-sized beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2013, 2014, & 2015

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
Yes - there is a little area under the hotel with a froyo place, starbucks, and a sports bar.  There is also a swanky bar and restaurant inside the hotel.  Their breakfast buffet after ComicCon is pretty great!

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
My first year not so much but the last two years they have been awesome!

* Did you order room service?
   No, they have limited services during SDCC. 

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
I know there is a pool on the side of the hotel near the water, and a gym but honestly I didn't really use any of them since I was there for the con.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
The rooms are a good size. 

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
the parking is expensive. I think like $20 bucks a night maybe more. 

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
It is right across the street from SDCC.  It is great if you are an Hall-H person because it overlooks the line. 

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
It was quite.  I don't know that we ever heard anyone but we also were not in the room that much. 

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
Yes in lobby only though.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
yes, I am the lowest level.  I like that they let me earn the points which helped me earn a free hotel stay later but there really are many more perks during SDCC

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
alot of the press is done here so if you wait out on the street of the side entrance you will see tons of celebrities.  A lot of them stay there too.  I was in the elevator with one of the guys from Vampire Diaries and Hank from Breaking Bad.   The cast of Heroes was hanging out in the hotel bar sunday night after. 


What did you like about staying at this hotel?
I like that we could see the hall h line. We really had no need to leave our area and made for a really great experience at SDCC.  The celeb sightings are really fun too! They also use this hotel for some of the programming. 

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
The cost.  It's about $340 a night with taxes plus another $20 for parking. 
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Turtle26 on April 07, 2016, 02:39:26 PM
Figured I would review the only other hotel I've stayed at even if it was in Mission Valley


HOTEL REVIEW AND FEEDBACK LAYOUT

Name of Hotel: San Diego Marriott Mission Valley

Type of Room: 2 Full Size Beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4


Year(s) You Stayed There: 2012

Hotel Review:


* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   I honestly don't remember if they did. My group and I either ate downtown or ate the food we bought from the Kmart that was a few blocks down.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
   The Hotel Staff was wonderful. There was a issue with checking in and they took care of it right away.

* Did you order room service?
   No

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
   I know that they had a pool (good size). My group went swimming one night and it wasn't crowed at all and had towels at the ready.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
   Yes we were able to sleep soundly. Since it was so far away it was quiet. The room fit all three of us comfortably.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
   We flew in so I don't know what the rates were.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
  So the shuttle took a good half hour at least to get to and from the convention center. The biggest problem with the shuttle was that sometime it was already full from previous stops. For one of the shuttle my group had to wait for for the better part of an hour. A few of the others waiting for the shuttle even left to take the trolley.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
   The walls were fine. I couldn't hear anything on the other side.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
  No one from my group used the wifi there.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
  was not a member

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
  The hotel itself was nice. They had flavored water in the lobby that was different everyday. The staff was very friendly, I actually had a conversation with a staff member about SDCC for a good half hour.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?

Nice Hotel, Great Staff, Pool, quiet (if that's what you are looking for)


Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
The hotel was far from the convention, the shuttle was a long wait if it was full.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: susieqz on April 07, 2016, 03:04:49 PM
Name of Hotel: Horton Grand

Type of Room: two queens

Number of Nights You Stayed:5

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2014

Hotel Review:

(Here are some questions to get you started as you think about your hotel stay during Comic-Con.  Again, you can answer all or some of these questions to help you write your hotel feedback comments.  Include as much information as you would like.)

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
  yes, everything. the hotel is right in the center of the gaslamp. perfect location

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? super nice. we even got some free stuff from the gift shop in exchange for giving them good reviews lol

* Did you order room service?
 we did not.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? nothing fancy. there might have been a gym but we were too busy

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels? Yes very comfy, lots of space.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? we took the train! Parking is always insane wherever you go. Highly recommend the train if you can.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? 5 minutes

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? Not that I could tell. we were all comfy and happy. we did have a balcony facing the main street, but honestly it was fun and we were happy to be in the middle of it all

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  no

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? No

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?


What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Since you might have already wrote about it from the questions above, just make a quick list about the things you liked the most about your stay at this particular hotel.

 Super close to convention center
right in the middle of everything
super cute victorian hotel

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Tell us about anything that negatively impacted your stay at this particular hotel that you may not have already mentioned above.

the most annoying thing was that there seemed to be some sudden hidden charges when we checked out. before we even got there we made sure to get every single fee possible so we knew what to expect and then suddenly there were extra charges so that was super annoying.  If you stay here, make sure to find out about that ahead of time!
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Totorozzz on April 07, 2016, 03:52:25 PM
Name of Hotel: The Westgate

Type of Room: Standard 1 king size bed

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2015

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel? Yes
   If "Yes," tell us about the restaurants and type of food they had (if you remember). They had Sushi Deli 2 across the street as well as a Tender Greens next door. It's within walking distance of the Gaslamp so there was plenty of places to choose from. In addition, I've heard great things about their Sunday Brunch buffet but did not get the opportunity to try it.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? For the most part yes. I did not have any issues with the concierge or other staff folks.

* Did you order room service? Yes in a sense....
   If yes, tell us about if you had a good experience with room service. It was fine. The only reason we have to call room service is because they do not have ice machines. If you want ice, you have to call in.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? No

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Yes, it was actually quite roomy. It was just my boyfriend and I, but we had several relatives come visit as well.Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels? I would say larger but that might be because we had 1 bed.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? I think it was roughly around $38 a night at the hotel valet.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? By foot it was around 20 minutes to walk to the convention. The shuttle took much longer because of all the traffic.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? It was pretty quiet. You may hear the doors closing in the next room or the front door. If you can imagine, there's your room, the room next door, and when you walk out there's a little lobby area that connects the two adjacent rooms and a main door.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No) Not quite. It's part of the resort fee.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?No  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?

*Pros
-Lovely boutique hotel with a really pretty lobby area. The whole place has a very 1920s feel about it.
-Quiet. Did not hear much noise even though there was a party.
-Is still part of downtown
-Located next to a shuttle stop
-Close to Spreckles theater

*Cons
-The whole ice situation. You have to call in to request ice instead of there being an ice dispenser.
-Can be quite the walk if you plan on walking back and forth between the convention.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Hermionel6 on April 07, 2016, 03:57:53 PM
Name of Hotel: Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Downtown

Type of Room: 2 Queens (first year), 1 King (second year)

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2013, 2014

Hotel Review:

Room
We stayed here our very first time at SDCC, and liked it enough to make it our top choice again the following year. Rooms were very comfortable both times, friendly staff and easy checkin/checkout process. The first year there were three of us in a double queen room, and there was plenty of space (even as our swag started to pile up by the last day).  No noise problems or any other issues at all.

Free WiFi?
Yes (in room and lobby)

Location
It's about a 10-15 minute walk to the convention center, if you're walking at a brisk "We're at comic con and I just drank 20 ounces of coffee and we have to get in the BR20 line NOW" pace. More like 20 minutes walking back at the end of a long day.  It's also right next to the House of Blues, where the BBC has been known to hold fan meetups, and just a few blocks from the Balboa and Spreckels theatres, where a lot of offsite ticketed events (stand ups, Nerdist Live Podcast, Conan tapings, etc.) take place. Tons of good restaurants nearby as well.

Food & Drink
The Starbucks in the lobby was open early for con-goers the second year, which was extremely helpful. We did order room service for breakfast one morning, after arriving too late to line up for Hall H the night before. It was delicious, as I recall, and really put us in the right mood to salvage the rest of the day. We also hit up happy hour at the lobby bar one night, and enjoyed the comic con themed drinks :)

Other Services
We were able to leave our bags downstairs in a secure room Sunday morning after we checked out, go to the last day of the con, then grab drinks at the brewpub across the street while we waited for our taxi to the airport. They also provide a service for guests to leave boxes with the front desk to be taken to the nearby FedEx, if you end up with more swag than your suitcase can handle.

Overall a very nice place to stay!

Pros

- stylish, comfortable rooms
- very helpful staff
- walkable distance to the convention center
- close to theatres for offsite events
- many nearby restaurants
- Starbucks onsite

Cons

- walk seems longer at the end of the day
- no pool or hot tub for your aching feet
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: geerome99 on April 07, 2016, 04:36:31 PM
Name of Hotel: Manchester Grand Hyatt

Type of Room: Double Room

Number of Nights You Stayed: 3

We stayed here in 2015

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?  Very nice hotel and convenient (5-10min) walk to the convention center. Especially nice to be able to walk out the back along the pier to get to the back entrance of the con.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably? Had 4 ppl in the room, so we were a bit squished. Room size is not huge, but workable. However, we did have a beautiful view from the harbor.  No issues with the room itself. Everything was in working order and very clean.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? Staff was fantastic. Lucked out one night and the provided us a suite (and gave us meal credit for "inconvenience").

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel? Ate at the hotel restaurants a few times and food was pretty good. Wide selection of restaurants out back and in the lobby area.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?The parking was pretty expensive (in the $30 range), but that's to be expected for any hotel downtown.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests? Yes.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program? Yes, happened to be platinum member at the time.

Overall, a great experience. Likely to also see a celebrity or two walking around the lobby. Really wish I landed it again this year since I have a newborn, but got a Mission Valley hotel.

Pros:
- Great view
- Wide range of restaurants
- Very convenient to walk to convention center
- Friendly hotel staff
- Clean and modern rooms

Con:
- A bit noisy
- Expensive parking
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: eek on April 07, 2016, 04:52:07 PM
Name of Hotel: Embassy Suites San Diego Bay

Type of Room: Cityview King Suite w/ Pullout Sleeper

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2015

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
Free breakfast buffet - Hot items like eggs, bacon, sausage, can’t recall if there were pancakes/waffles. Cold items like fruit, yogurt, bagels, etc. They give you a wristband to access this breakfast when you check in. Every morning there was an employee checking for these wristbands.
There’s also a happy hour in the afternoon with free appetizers and drinks. We were never back at the hotel around that time, so no opinion.
Did not try the restaurant in the hotel.
Dunkin Donuts & Baskin Robbins on the 1st floor were convenient for snacks.


* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Yes, had no problems with staff.

* Did you order room service?
No

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
Did not have time to check out these amenities.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
Suite layout was spacious for 2. Plenty of room to drop your bags and swag.
I think it would have been fine with a 3rd person sleeping on the pullout bed in the "living room" area.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
Did not drive, but parking in 2015 was $42/night and valet only.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
The hotel list says it’s only “4 blocks” from the convention center, but they are long blocks. Distance is a little over half a mile each way. About 10-15min walk in the mornings. A little longer at the end of the day because of tired feet.
Sometimes we took the MTS trolley, which was only 1 or 2 stops from the convention center. We took advantage of that option when the crowds weren’t too bad.
If you are taking the Amtrak to SD, this hotel is close enough walking distance from the Santa Fe Depot as well.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
It was mostly quiet. Sometimes we heard muffled voices from the guys next door, but it wasn’t anything that would wake you up in the middle of the night.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
Not free, at least not in rooms. 

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Lowest level. No perks that I can remember, other than getting points for the stay.
Only get perks like free wifi if you book directly thru Hilton, so the TP booking did not count.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
 

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
* Room was well-appointed and clean. If you opt out of daily housekeeping, you get a voucher/ small credit for the restaurants downstairs.
* Room had a microwave and mini fridge. I think this is standard for all rooms in the hotel.
* Walking distance to the con
* Close enough to trolley stop if you don’t want to walk
* In a quieter corner of downtown
* Hotel overall is quiet and calm compared to what I’ve read about the more chaotic hotels closer to the convention center 

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
* Walking distance to/from convention center may still be a bit far for some people’s comfort
* Somewhat far from the hustle and bustle of the Gaslamp (this could also be considered a “pro”)

Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: sweetiepiepen on April 07, 2016, 05:25:55 PM
Name of Hotel: The Westgate Hotel

Type of Room: 2 queen beds

Number of Nights You Stayed:  6 nights

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2015

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   Yes, restaurants in the hotel and room service available

* How was the hotel staff?  Staff was very polite and helpful

* Did you order room service?
  Loved the room service! Food was delicious, service was quick. Rates were on par with a full service Marriott hotel.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  The room and bathroom were relatively large.  Felt like a suite.  Two beds, desk and chair, armoire, table, vanity outside the bathroom, etc.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?  Shuttle took less than 10 minutes, walking was about 15 minutes


What did you like about staying at this hotel?

-close to the action but almost totally removed from it.  I saw it reviewed in 2014 as like stepping into Downton Abby after leaving the hustle and bustle of SDCC.  I think that’s a valid assessment.  It’s a fancy, quiet oasis in the middle of the madness.  With lemongrass scented air in the lobby and fresh baked cookies at the front desk.  Also, the hotel did not block any additional money  on the credit card, besides the room rate and tax.  No extra held for incidentals. And the shuttle stop was right on the corner outside the hotel.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
I loved staying there.  It was my first choice this year.  It was everything I wanted it to be.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: courtsfairhurst on April 07, 2016, 05:39:23 PM
Name of Hotel: The Omni

Type of Room: we originally had a king bed, but they were really kind and helpful, and let us change to 2 double beds.

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5 nights.

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2015

Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?: Yes, a wonderful restaurant in the Lobby and a small convenience store that came in handy when on the run and needed a snack or a quick breakfast,

How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?: Incredibly helpful, friendly, always able to help us when we needed. Room cleaning service was quick.

Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?: Spacious, comfy, INCREDIBLE view overlooking the whole convention centre and water.

How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?: Obviously walked to the convention centre. Perfect location. Right in the middle of everything, but rooms were quiet.

Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?: Couldn't hear a thing from neighbouring rooms or outside.

Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No): Yes free wifi. Wasn't very fast but it did the job.

Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?: Some celebrity sightings. Cast of Falling Skies had breakfast at the table next to my group one morning. Didn't spend much time at hotel besides to sleep, however. So I'm sure there were more celebrities around but I missed them.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: theoddpassenger on April 07, 2016, 05:51:29 PM

Name of Hotel: Hard Rock Hotel

Type of Room: 2 Queen Beds Studio

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4 nights

Year(s) You Stayed: 2015

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
 Yes - the only one we used was Maryjane's, which was also room service. The food was tasty but extremely expensive.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
The hotel staff was great. Very nice and great service.

* Did you order room service?
  Yes, one of the nights we got back too late to go to a restaurant. The food was decently timely and tasted good.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
We used the pool our first day there. It was small but nice. Most of the rest of our stay it was blocked off for private events.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
The room size was great for 2 people. I don't think it would've been bad for 3 people, but 4 would be pushing it.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
It was a 5 minute walk from the convention center providing you didn't get caught in an unmoving mass of people.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
I don't remember having any noise issues.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?
Yes (unless I'm remembering incorrectly)

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
The San Diego location of the Hard Rock does not participate in the Hard Rock's loyalty program.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
I ran into Daisy Ridley while cosplaying as Rey - that was pretty awesome! Otherwise we had a view of the pool and private parties from our room - they looked very boring

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
- The location was great. I'd only ever stayed at the MMM before and was slightly concerned about being across the street but it actually ended up being almost more convenient.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Tell us about anything that negatively impacted your stay at this particular hotel that you may not have already mentioned above. 
- The bathroom door was broken.
- The room feels kind of cheap for how expensive it is.
- My roommate and I got multiple snide comments and looks from people with professional badges about us/our costumes.
- We decided against trying to stay there again.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Suepafly on April 07, 2016, 05:55:25 PM
Name of Hotel: Manchester Grand Hyatt

Type of Room: 2 full-sized beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2013 and 2015

Hotel Review:

The hotel staff has always been attentive and very helpful. They're pretty great, and if you need extra pillows or blankets they bring them right up.

I saw quite a few celebrities at the bar, but didn't have a chance to hang out there, so I can't say how it is.

It's a short walk to/from the convention center, but it does seem pretty far if you're exhausted, and no the taxi from the Marriott Marquis and Marina will not take you to the Hyatt.

Pros:
- Close location to the convention center
-Casts of Once Upon A Time, Supernatural, Dark Matter and the 100 all stayed or were frequently in the hotel in 2015
-The rooms are super spacious, as are the bathrooms
-Blood Donations are usually in the hotel, making it convenient
- Great Views

Cons:
- Further than it appears
- Opposite direction from pretty much everything else you'll want to do during the con.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Raccacoonie on April 07, 2016, 06:36:18 PM
Name of Hotel: Manchester Grand Hyatt

Type of Room:, 2 beds

Number of Nights Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2015

Hotel Review:

Big and clean hotel. Helpful staff. No noise through the walls. The bathroom was big and we had a decent view of the water and the road to the convention center. Short walk to the shuttle. A little bit of a walk to the convention center but not too far.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Raccacoonie on April 07, 2016, 07:33:50 PM
Name of Hotel: Hard Rock Hotel

Type of Room:, 2 beds

Number of Nights Stayed: 4

Year Stayed There: 2014

Hotel Review:

Perfect Location.  Right across the street from the convention center.  The room felt a little cramped and the carpet and furnishings were a little worn. The bathroom door was on rollers and refused to stay shut until a repairman fixed it. Our window overlooked the rooftop parties. We recognized a lot of actors and writers in the lobby and on the elevator. Overall we had a great time. 
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: newwavejunkie on April 07, 2016, 08:08:33 PM
Name of Hotel: Hilton San Diego Bayfront

Type of Room: 1 King-sized bed (with a random view of the back part of the hotel which was industrial port-type area)

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2015

Hotel Review:

Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
The Fox Sports Grill but we never ate there. We stepped into the bar briefly but only because we spotted Paul F. Tompkins and asked him for a pic with us (super nice guy, by the way). They grilled some burgers and hot dogs on the lawn one afternoon. It was nothing special but it was a nice break from the Con.

How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Hotel staff was great. We got there early and our room was ready for us early. I kept having an issue with the magnet in my wallet (it's a money clip type wallet) magnetizing my room keys and ruining them, but the staff was always kind enough to give me a new one (and let me keep the messed up ones so I made out with quite a few SDCC keys.

Did you order room service?
   If yes, tell us about if you had a good experience with room service.
We did not order room service.

Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
Pretty comfortable room but nothing special or atypical of other hotels we've stayed at. Nothing negative, just a normal hotel room.

How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
The Hilton Bayfront is pretty much adjacent to the Con so I'd say the walk past the Hall H lines to get into the actual Convention Center was at most 10 minutes.

Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
Never had any issues with noise from other rooms or from outside. Pretty quite despite our proximity to the Con.

 Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
Yes if you are enrolled in Hilton's Honors programs.

Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Yes. I have a free membership and got free wifi.

Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
This was the second hotel we have stayed in close to the Con and we had by far the most celebrity sightings here. Paul F. Tompkins in the elevator and at the bar, a number of cast members from Arrow and The Flash (including getting a selfie with Danielle Panabaker in the elevator), Greg Grunberg from Heroes in the elevator). We also met Guillermo del Toro out on the lawn, though that doesn't necessarily count as in the hotel.


What did you like about staying at this hotel?
- just across the lawn from the Com
- great customer service
- low noise level
- close proximity to the Gaslamp District and most of the outside SDCC events
- TONS of celebrity sightings

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Tell us about anything that negatively impacted your stay at this particular hotel that you may not have already mentioned above. 

- not a great view though not everyone will have that problem
- one of the pricier hotels (though in my opinion well worth it...so not necessarily a con)
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: bmag on April 07, 2016, 08:22:48 PM
Name of Hotel:Marriott Gaslamp

Type of Room: King

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2014-2015

Hotel Review:

My wife and I really enjoyed this hotel. The staff was really friendly and the hotel was elegant! The room we had overlooked petco park and it was spotless. We definitely enjoyed the ambiance and modern style of the rooms, almost made us feel like we were A-list celebrities. The beds were far more comfortable than the ones used at Hyatt Manchester so sleep wasn't an issue at all. The hotel was also only 4-5 blocks away from the Sails Pavillion and in the middle of eats like Gaslamp Pizza, making it quite easy to grab food and have a place to relax. My wife and I are pretty hardcore cardio people and often workout so we made full use of their gym. I have to say the gym was perfect and didn't get too full (nothing but the best and newest equipment). Also, the gym provides complimentary fruit that you can also store as comic con snacks. The staff never failed to greet you with smiles or offer assistance. Lastly, parking had to be managed by valet so there was definitely no stress there. This is by far one the best hotels we've been to at San Diego and would love to continue to stay here on our future SDCC trips.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: newwavejunkie on April 07, 2016, 08:34:23 PM
Name of Hotel: Omni San Diego Hotel

Type of Room: 2 queen-sized beds (this wasn't ideal since my wife and I went together but we didn't get an option for a king-sized bed)

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2014

Hotel Review:

Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
McCormick and Schmick's though we never ate there. We preferred the many affordable dining options available in the Gaslamp.

How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Don't remember having much interaction with the staff at all. We got there early but our room wasn't available for a couple of hours. They did hold our luggage and we were able to explore the Gaslamp during that time.

Did you order room service?
   If yes, tell us about if you had a good experience with room service.
We did not order room service.

Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
Very nice room though we would've preferred a king-sized bed. The bathroom door was a little odd. It was a sliding door that wasn't quite large enough to completely give you privacy. There was a small gap on either side of the door so someone could peak inside if so inclined. It was just my wife and I in the room it it's still a little awkward.

How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
5 minutes tops. The Omni is perfectly situated across the street from the Con. Step outside and you are right in the middle of all the outside events typically set up around Tin Fish. Cross the trolley tracks and the street and you find yourself right at the Con. Truly an ideal location.

Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
Never had any issues with noise from other rooms but we could definitely hear the sounds of the outside events (Constantine in particular that year). It didn't really bother us.

Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
I have heard that many celebrities stay here including many from HBO series. We were looking forward to spotting some Game of Thrones stars but we had zero celebrity sightings here. Just bad luck. We also didn't spend a whole lot of time in the lobby.


What did you like about staying at this hotel?
- just across the street from the Con
- right in the middle of all the action
- lots of outdoor events right outside the door
- Game of Thrones: Survive the Realm is just across the street in the Omni gallery. That was about a 6-hour wait so it was nice to be able to walk back to the hotel for a short rest while my wife stayed in line (and vice versa).
- good customer service
- low noise level
- great view of the Con
- the Omni Playback Room showed videos of each day's panels in case you were unable to attend

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Tell us about anything that negatively impacted your stay at this particular hotel that you may not have already mentioned above. 

- one of the pricier hotels (though in my opinion well worth it...so not necessarily a con)
- awkward bathroom door
- high noise level from the events below
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: mangamak on April 07, 2016, 09:18:15 PM
Name of Hotel: Westin Gaslamp

Type of Room: Double Bed

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2015

Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
There were several options.  I believe there was a small shopping center next to the hotel that had several fast food options.  Ate at the Panera Bread across the street for a quick breakfast several times.   

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Staff was great and super helpful! The concierge was knowledgable and very courteous.  Bellhop that assisted in taking our bags to our room was very kind and had several suggestions for dining options within walking distance.

* Did you order room service?
 No, didn't order room service.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
Friends used the pool and they enjoyed it.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
The room was very comfortable for the 4 of us.  It had a mini-fridge where we stored our bottled water and kept our food cool.  I loved their bathroom.  It was very spacious!  That's one thing I'm very picky about when booking hotels.  I get very annoyed when bathrooms are so small and you barely have any room and where there's only a small space between the shower, the sink, the commode, and the door.  I was so happy when I saw the size of the bathroom!!

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
We didn't drive, so I'm not sure how much the parking rate was.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
Shortest route was about 5 blocks and not a lot of foot traffic, so it usually took us about 15 min to get from the hotel to the convention center.  You could walk through a small shopping area to get to the main Gaslamp Quarter area and walk by all the restaurants and bars and then go down to the convention center.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
Didn't hear much noise from outside sources.  Just the typical door closing/opening every once in a while but nothing horribly loud.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
Their free wifi is only available for SPG members who book through their website and since this was Travel Planners, it was not free. $12.95 per 24 hours.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
No, I'm not a member of their rewards program.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
I didn't have any celebrity sightings at the hotel but I did hear some people talking while waiting for the elevator that they did see a few celebs.  I believe the people who were there working for Nickelodeon were staying there because we saw so many boxes and bags with the Nickelodeon logo.

The hotel was right across from the Spreckles theatre where Conan was taping.  The front entrance to the hotel faces the Stage door/entrance, so we saw small crowds of people waiting to see celebs being driven in or out.  Most of the side street to that theatre entrance was lined with heavily tinted SUVs.

There is a Shuttle Bus stop at this hotel (there was in 2015).  So, if you don't want to walk at all, you can take the Shuttle. 

What did you like about staying at this hotel?

-  Was far enough away from the Gaslamp Quarter where you couldn't hear the noise, but near enough that you could walk a very short distance and be in the thick of it all.
-  I thought the walking distance from the hotel to convention center was ideal.  Wasn't a bad walk at all.  There's actually a little bike rental rack outside the hotel and there's another about a block away from the convention center, so if you didn't want to walk I guess you could quickly ride a bike in that short distance and return the rental.
- There's a grocery store on the way to the convention center and they set up a lot of items outside their store with a cash register with items that you might need while at the convention.  Like snacks, water, juices, etc.  You don't need to go wandering around an unfamiliar grocery store completely lost looking for certain things.  I think the grocery store was called Ralph's (I'm from Texas and we don't have that grocery chain here, that I'm aware of).
- There was a CVS right next door, so my friends and I would stock up on snacks there too.
- Several near by places to eat within walking distance
- On the same block (but at different ends) as the Balboa Theater! I know the Nerdist Podcast has done their shows there the past few years! There were also several other shows happening there during SDCC.
- Spacious rooms
- Right next door to the Spreckles Theatre, so you don't have to go far to stand in line for Conan.
- There was a photo booth set up in the lobby by some company and you can take pics with your friends and they had fun props you could wear.  The pics were free and you could also download them from that company's website.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
- It didn't bother my friends and me, but there was construction being done at the hotel on the side we were staying at.  BUT since we were out of the hotel pretty early each day and got back late, we never actually heard any construction noise since work started after we left for the day and ended before we got back.  The only time we heard any noise was the first day we arrived and even then, we were out of the hotel exploring the area pretty soon after we settled in.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: rjyoung on April 07, 2016, 09:38:43 PM
Name of Hotel: Hilton Bayfront

Type of Room:Double (2 Queens I think)[/b] (Did your room have 1 king-sized bed, 2 full-sized beds, or another type of bed?  Did you have a suite?)

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2015 (Type in the actual year: 2012, 2013, 2014, etc.)

Hotel Review: Very nice and convenient. Great to see the lines for Hall H and preoccupy yourself wondering why you're upstairs and not down there where the endless amount of people are. From the Gaslamp it can be a little bit of a walk though, especially since you're navigating against traffic usually. Comfortable standard rooms


* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel? Plenty, we had the breakfast buffet eat morning, its a bit pricey, but also yummy. We had diner at Fox Sports Grill a couple of times.

* How was the hotel staff?  pleasant. Were they polite and courteous? yup

* Did you order room service? nope
   If yes, tell us about if you had a good experience with room service.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? we didn't use the gym or pool

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  slightly smaller rooms, but comfortable sleeping. Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? over $25/night if I remember right

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? its like 200 feet away...how fast can you walk?

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? No issues with noise

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests? With Gold membership  (Yes or No)

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? Blue - None

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel? Nice place to stay, comfortable and close....get it if you can!
 

Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: rjyoung on April 07, 2016, 09:43:27 PM


Name of Hotel: Manchester Grand

Type of Room: Single King Bed

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2014 (Type in the actual year: 2012, 2013, 2014, etc.)

Hotel Review: Gorgeous huge hotel. Rooms were very spacious and had a great view of the bay. Only downside is how many people were staying there and the disaster that the elevators turned into at night.

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel? There were a couple of places inside, we really only went to the inside lobby bar

* How was the hotel staff?  Very pleasant. Were they polite and courteous? Very

* Did you order room service? Nope
   If yes, tell us about if you had a good experience with room service.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? Didn't use them

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  These rooms are huge. Very very spacious for what you get. Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? $30/night I think...it was pretty high

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? 15 min walk

* Are the walls of the room thin?  Not that I can recall. What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests? Don't recall (Yes or No)


Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: newwavejunkie on April 07, 2016, 09:48:58 PM
Name of Hotel: Doubletree Downtowm San Diego Hotel

Type of Room: 1 King-sized bed

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2013

Hotel Review:

Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
An overpriced breakfast with average quality food. But free cookies whenever you ask for them!

How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Very friendly staff including a free shuttle service to and from the airport. We had S issue with the A/C not working in our room. They couldn't move us to another room but it was repaired within a couple of hours.

Did you order room service?
   If yes, tell us about if you had a good experience with room service.
We did not order room service.

Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
Pretty average hotel room. Nothing particularly positive or negative to point out. I would definitely be happy to stay here again if closer hotels are not an option.

How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
10-15 minute shuttle ride to and from the Con. Or you can take a 10-minute stroll to the trolley station and take that directly to the Convention Center. Both convenient options.

Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
Never had any issues with noise from other rooms or outside.

Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
Saw the actor who played Tyrese on The Walking Dead in the lobby but only my wife recognized him. I just thought it was a player for the Chargers (he's a big guy, after all).


What did you like about staying at this hotel?
- friendly staff
- decent rooms
- on the shuttle route and near a trolley station
- free cookies!
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Tea_Angel on April 07, 2016, 10:23:00 PM
HOTEL REVIEW AND FEEDBACK LAYOUT

Name of Hotel: Manchester Grand Hyatt

Type of Room: 1 King Sized Bed

Number of Nights You Stayed: 2

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2015

Hotel Review:

Hotel Staff was pretty nice, nothing bad to say about them. The room was very nice, well decorated and I got lucky and had a nice view. It was very quiet, which being a light sleeper is something I value. I really like this hotel for Comic Con as it's farther away from the Con and the parties, but still an easy walk to and from.

It is more expensive but I believe all of the hotels on the water are around this price range (sub-300 I believe). I took the train down as the parking rates here are stupid. Like I have to wonder if there is a cheaper offsite option for people who drive.

I really do recommend this hotel if you're willing to walk a little (and I do mean little) bit further and are looking for a quiet place to crash.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Foxygrandpa83 on April 07, 2016, 10:23:39 PM
Name of Hotel: Doubletree by Hilton Downtown San Diego

Type of Room: 1 king room

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There:2015

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
Yes, Woodranch BBQ & Starbucks. There was also a Food 4 Less nearby, which is helpful

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? 
They were wonderful and very kind!


* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
No, we didn't have time

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
The room is very large. We had them add a roll away bed for our 3rd person. We also took our baby boy and his pack and play also fit. We also had to add a fridge for milk for the baby. It was very spacious with all that, plus our stuff!

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
I forgot :(

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
The trolley was literally across the street from the hotel. It was super convienent

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
we couldn't hear much and no one complained about us, especially when the baby cried.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
No, you have to pay. If you are a HHonors member, you get Wifi for free

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Yes, HHonors blue level. We got free WiFi and cookies :)

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
We liked it so much, we stayed recently again when we went to the San Diego Zoo
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Legend_of_Melda on April 07, 2016, 10:45:41 PM
HOTEL REVIEW AND FEEDBACK LAYOUT

Harborview Inn and Suites

Type of Room: 2 full beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2014

Hotel Review: Location was convenient short walk to convention even shorter walk to hotel on the shuttle route. Hotel was dated,  air conditioner was weak,  and the mini fridge smelled really bad.

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?  7 eleven i block away. 

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? Hotel staff was nice but then again we were out much of the day until very late. 

* Did you order room service not an option.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? don't think they had any.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels? broadly a bit smaller. Small halls, elevator, bathrooms.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? n/a

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? walking 20 to 25 min.  Shuttle 5 -10 min.  Depending on shuttle wait time.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? not very noisy.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  i dont remember.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? n/a

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Since you might have already wrote about it from the questions above, just make a quick list about the things you liked the most about your stay.

- close location to the convention center. Pretty much all.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Tell us about anything that negatively impacted your stay at this particular hotel that you may not have already mentioned.

- warm room/ bad air conditioner.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: sirbob5 on April 07, 2016, 11:56:49 PM
Name of Hotel: Marriott Mission Valley

Type of Room: Two Double Beds

Number of Nights You Stayed:5 nights

Hotel Review:

I've stayed here for 5-6 years.  About 1.5 years ago they underwent a renovation.  Nice mix of convention attendees and non attendees.  Hotel staff always accommodating to attendees and never looks down at them or treats us differently as I have experienced at other hotels.  Rooms are clean and housekeeping has gotten a lot better here.  They used to sometimes miss your room in years past if you slept in, but the last two years they fixed that. 

Great pool with waterfall and hot tub.  Nice views of the surrounding scenery.  It's on both the shuttle and trolley routes.  Convenient to fast food like In and Out Burger.  Any instances of problems have always been addressed immediately and with a smile.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Tashg on April 08, 2016, 12:56:46 AM
Name of Hotel: Wyndham San Diego Bayside

Type of Room: 2 full-sized beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2014

Hotel Review:

Nice place. Near quay. Good view at the bay and Star of India
Room were spacy, but little dated
Wardrobe was in the bathroom. This is strange and not very convenient

Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
Strabucks inside.
Nice diner  for breakfast  Door in door  with hotel
Popular  steak house restaurant 1 min  walk
Seafood diner on the peer across the street


* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?

Hotel staff was nice.
Upgrade Seaview room for us because regular twins was run out
But I weren’t communicate with the staff more than Check in and Check out

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
I don’t know about the gym
Noticed the pool on check out

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?
Room was spacy enough to movie around without any hassle

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
Parking cost 25 per day

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
Shuttle travel time apx 30-40 min depends time of day
Taxi 5-15 min time of day
Walk 30 min

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
Haven’t noticed
Noise never bother me much

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
Yes

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
- Bearable travel time to convention Centre
- great view from your room
- Not very expansive
-   Nice diner door in door

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
- Need to travel to Downton
-   Expensive parking   
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: mostlyalurker on April 08, 2016, 01:25:35 AM
HOTEL REVIEW AND FEEDBACK LAYOUT

Name of Hotel: Manchester Grand Hyatt

Type of Room: 2 queen-sized beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2014

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel? yes, but weren't terribly impressed with the selection

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? absolutely!!

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels? yes, we had 5-6 folk moving in and out of the room depending on overnight line sitting, early rising line sitting, and the like. it amazingly worked out where we never had more than 4 sleeping in the room at one time, so no one slept on the floor. we ended up with a gorgeous corner room with amazing views. very spacious ADA room. for room sharing, my favorite room/hotel by far

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? my friend literally pushed me in a manual wheelchair down the sidewalk. maybe 5-10 minutes depending on the crowd outside the convention center mostly.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? never heard anything from outside the room, next door or hallway. very, very quiet.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  don't remember. i use my phone as a hot spot most of the time, anyway

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above? apparently some of the teen wolf stars were on our floor as one of my roomies rode down in the elevator with him. she's a total fangirl of him and the show, but she played it very cool and he helped her with her luggage.


What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Since you might have already wrote about it from the questions above, just make a quick list about the things you liked the most about your stay at this particular hotel.

- close location to the convention center
- had great customer service
- great view from your room
- quiet
- spacious ADA room

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Tell us about anything that negatively impacted your stay at this particular hotel that you may not have already mentioned above. 

- lack of decent/good, quiet place to eat, drink, meet with friends.
[/quote]
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Tashg on April 08, 2016, 02:15:12 AM
Name of Hotel: Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

Type of Room: 2 full-sized beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 6

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2015

Hotel Review:

Location. One of the best places to stay in SD for SDCC
You won’t think about logistic at all.
Huge crowds in the lobby all the time
I have an impression that many people just live in the lobby because they don’t have hotels of its own.
Highly overpriced. And not only accommodation. Both restaurants also expansive

Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
A lot of dining options near hotel. About 5 min walk to Gaslamp
Starbucks inside hotel - the cheapest nearby option. Alwayas huge line
Ralf’s is nearby for in room dining ))

How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
We were interact only on check in and check out
They were polite

Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
Gym and pool with bar.
Use pool on arrival day. Not large but nice

Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
Room is very spacy. No hassle for moving at all
We stay in the left tower at the 4th floor facing the sea. Room has very nice baloney.
If I remember correctly, right tower doesn’t have balconies
 
If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
Parking rate — 30 for the day

How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
Hotel is adjoin to the center and has underground passage to the center

Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
We do not have any problem with noise. But our friends has room facing the city and they had noise problem from the train horn and these people with loudhailer who are screaming something near CS. They were located on  11 floor in the right tower

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  No. Wifi was 12$ per day

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Yes.
Free wifi.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
I believe half of “Ballroom 20” attendance lived in this hotel. We were meeting  someone all the time
And Stan Lee

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Location, location, location
Good view
Spacious room
Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
- expensive hotel rates per night
- Expensive everything


Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Requia on April 08, 2016, 02:55:42 AM
Name of Hotel: Marriott Marquis and Marina

Type of Room: Double

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: Every year from 2008 to 2015

Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?  Directly across the street from the Gaslamp Quarter with many dining options.  Roy's restaurant located in the hotel, as well as hotel restaurant with breakfast buffet.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? Super polite and accommodating.  We had a king bed, but they provided us with a rollaway and pull out sofa bed to make up for not having a double.

* Did you order room service?
 No. We ventured down to the breakfast buffet and bought snacks from the store downstairs, though.  Very conveniently located by the room elevators.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?  There was a pool and exercise facility, but there was no time for that.  The Nintendo Lounge is in this hotel!

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
We slept very well!  The rooms were spacious, enough that I could work on a costume without taking up the entire room.  Some rooms have a balcony which is really nice as well.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? There was an included $40 parking fee for the weekend, and they give you a little ticket with stubs for in/out privileges.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?  Less than five minutes to walk from my room to the A hall.


* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?  The walls seemed adequate.  Not in the room, but there is free Wi-fi in the lobby!  There are plenty of seating areas at the first floor to take advantage of that.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Yes. Starwood/SPG member. Did not get perks other than the points to count.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?  Shared an elevator with Stan Lee, which made me so nervous.  GRR Martin shared a conversation with a friend.  You'll see a lot of the guests at this hotel, as well as at the Hilton and Hard Rock. Fulfillment room is sometimes here, although lately it's been at the Hyatt.  You also get the Nintendo Lounge and tabletop gaming, as well as a hospitality room!  Some programming goes on here, too.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?

Close to the convention center, lots of nearby restaurants, hospitality room, spacious, great staff

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
- Can get crowded at times.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: geargirl on April 08, 2016, 06:21:54 AM
Name of Hotel: Sophia

Type of Room: Suite

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5

The room was great because it was the suite. We had 4 people in the room. There were two beds and a sitting room. The sitting room really made it comfortable. The bathroom was a bit weird. Sliding door and right off the sitting room. Great distance from the Convention Center and Ralphs which is a big plus for me.


Pros:
- Close to Con Center
- Nice rooms/but if you do not get the suite they looked cramped
-Nice workout room
-Refrigerator in room

Cons:
-Rooms small but clean and staff nice
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: fborrego79 on April 08, 2016, 06:47:42 AM
Name of Hotel: Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

Type of Room: 1 King

Number of Nights You Stayed: 2

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2015

Hotel Review:[/b]

This was our first year staying at this hotel and it was a great place to relace after a long con day. 

Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
The is a nice resteraunt in the hotel. We did eat there. The food was a bit on the pricy side but was very good.

How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
The staff was very nice and accommodating.

Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
Our room came with a mini fridge ( i called ahead to make sure)
and it had pleny of plugs for all my devices (9 total that all need charging)

Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
Plenty of space but there were only 2 of us.
 
How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
This is the reason to choose this hotel, its adjacent to Convention center on foot its about 1-2 min. Also there is a great path to the back to get to the walk way behind the convention center and avoid the pandemonium in front.

Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
Not the we noticed.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
How close it is to SDCC

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Nothing, we are staying there again this year.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Automatic7 on April 08, 2016, 08:27:05 AM
HOTEL REVIEW

Name of Hotel: The Sofia

Type of Room: Tiny one room with one king

Number of Nights You Stayed: Friday though Sunday (IIRC)

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2015

Hotel Review:
* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   Yes, there was a fancy, kinda pricey restaurant at the hotel. We avoided it except one morning for breakfast. There was also a Tender Greens and a coffee place (forget the name) next door. The Tender Greens was closed on the weekends tho.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Hotel staff was pretty nice during the few times I interacted with them.

* Did you order room service?
 Did not order room service

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
They offered yoga classes and had nice bikes you could borrow. My husband and friends borrowed the bikes on Saturday while I was at the con and had a great time.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
The room was TINY. I have seen closets bigger than our room. Everything was pretty cramped and the bed was hard as a rock. I have a bad back and barely slept the entire time I was there.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
Took the train down.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
It was a 15-20 min walk, but you could walk through Gaslamp and there were a lot of cool things to see.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
You could hear other rooms/hallway. Thin walls ftl.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
I do not believe so.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
I am not.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
They gave free water bottles which was really nice. They also had water in the lobby so you could refill your bottles - I really liked that.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
- Close to Conan
- Clean hotel
- Free water


Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Tell us about anything that negatively impacted your stay at this particular hotel that you may not have already mentioned above.
- Again the bed was just awful. Super, omg awful.
- Don't expect a view - you are off a street far from the water
- not a lot of reasonably priced food options nearby
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: VickiLVCM on April 08, 2016, 08:52:05 AM
Name of Hotel: Handerly

Type of Room: 2 Double Beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2015

Hotel Review:


* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
Yes, but the hours were very limited. They closed early so you had to make sure you were back from the convention early so you could get food. 
 

* How was the hotel staff?
The staff were friendly but not very knowledgeable. 

* Did you order room service?
No
   

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
They had a pool but we did not use it. There was a laundry room.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?
The rooms were average rooms. It's an older hotel that has been updated.
Name of Hotel:

Type of Room:
2 double beds

Number of Nights You Stayed:

Year(s) You Stayed There: (Type in the actual year: 2012, 2013, 2014, etc.)

Hotel Review:

(Here are some questions to get you started as you think about your hotel stay during Comic-Con.  Again, you can answer all or some of these questions to help you write your hotel feedback comments.)

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   If "Yes," tell us about the restaurants and type of food they had (if you remember).

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?

* Did you order room service?
   If yes, tell us about if you had a good experience with room service.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
There was a pool but we never used it. They do have a laundry room.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably? 
The rooms were average. They remodeled them recently but the hotel still felt dated.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
Plenty of parking was available

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
By car it took maybe 20 min.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
The noise level wasn't too bad.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
I think it did, if not we probably convinced them to gives us free wifi. ;)

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Several: Hilton, Marriott and a few others. You can free wifi with some of them.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
It wasn't bad it just felt old. No gift shop. The bar closed early. I think around 9pm.


What did you like about staying at this hotel?
It was clean
The parking was good.


Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
The bar and restaurant closed too early.
It felt old
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: good_job_artoo on April 08, 2016, 09:55:08 AM
The Sofia Hotel

Type of Room: 1 room, 2 double beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2014

Hotel Review:

The staff here were super friendly, and seemed to be genuinely interested in doing a good job. They were really helpful in directing me toward food and transportation, and even gave my wife and I cold water bottles on hot afternoons.

The walk to the convention center was about a mile, which isn't too bad. We could usually get back and forth in around 20 minutes if the Gaslap crowds were agreeable.

The room itself was fairly small, but very clean with cute, modern decor. Beds were comfortable and and there was very little noise. It was cozy!

A really nice score was the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf literally next door. While my wife got ready each morning I'd run down and get some coffee and pastries. The staff were savvy enough to open extra early each day, which was nice. It was also about a block away from Chipotle, which was nice in a pinch.

You can also walk there from the train station. It's only a couple blocks away.

Their parking lot is out back with valet parking. We took the train down, but we did overhear a few people mention that the valet staff was really nice and quick.

Wifi was a little spotty, but on the whole okay. I've had worse. If all you're doing is checking email and Twitter you'll be fine.

For the price, it's a really great downtown hotel to snag. It felt like a hidden gem in the mess of all the hotel wars.

To recap:
-Clean, cozy rooms
-Kind, helpful staff
-Close to coffee in the mornings
-20 minute walk to/from Convention Center and Train Stataion
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Cmatthes1 on April 08, 2016, 10:53:27 AM
Name of Hotel: Hilton Bayfront

Type of Room: 2 Queens

Number of Nights You Stayed:  4 x 3 years (12 total)

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2009,2010,2015

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
There is a snack place on the first floor near the pool.  There is also a restaurant on the lobby floor.  But one of the nicer things is that they setup a breakfast burrito line in the morning that you can grab breakfast and a drink.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
      One of the years I stopped my reservation on Sunday and rebooked (its cheaper to book yourself on Sunday night than to let the hotel selection do it).  They were helpful in letting me stay in the same room
* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
There is a pool, gym, and a UPS store in the hotel

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
I only had two people so the room was great as far as size.  I would say its an average Hilton room size
   
* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
   4-5 minutes
* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
   I haven't had any noise issues before at this hotel.
* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
      Free Wifi if you are a Hilton honors member I believe (free to sign up)
* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
    Yes, free bottled water and wifi
* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
        I once rode in the elevator with Joss Whedon in the Dollhouse days.  I have also seen a few celebrities around I just can't remember them.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
This hotel to me has the best location because it is the closest to all the places that I want to be.  The floor, ballroom 20, and hall h are closest.  Now the end of the Hall H line and the Ballroom 20 line COULD be more towards the Marriot Marquis and Marina.  So it kind of depends when you get in line and where the end is.


Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Tell us about anything that negatively impacted your stay at this particular hotel that you may not have already mentioned above. 
They are expensive rooms
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: newwavejunkie on April 08, 2016, 11:02:01 AM
Name of Hotel: Crowne Plaza San Diego

Type of Room: 1 King-sized bed

Number of Nights You Stayed: 3

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2012

Hotel Review:

Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
There's a restaurant in the hotel. The year we stayed there, they gave us vouchers for a free breakfast buffet for every day we stayed there. Pretty decent food. We ate dinner there once but the food was nothing memorable. I honestly can't even remember what I ordered. The drink I ordered was hella strong, though.

How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
The hotel staff was really nice. I didn't get an SDCC room key which got me a littler perturbed. All the staff was wearing random super hero t-shirts. Seemed like a weird ploy to satisfy all the con-goers. But I'm being nitpicky. No real complaints here.

Did you order room service?
If yes, tell us about if you had a good experience with room service.
We did not order room service.

Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
Pretty comfortable room but nothing special or atypical of other hotels we've stayed at. Nothing negative, just a normal hotel room.

How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
The shuttle schedule listed a 32-minute shuttle drive to the convention center but during high traffic periods of the day, this was more like 45 minutes. And after a long day at the Con, waiting 45 minutes to get back to your hotel can be really exhausting. The shuttle stop is not outside the hotel itself but a little ways up the sidewalk. And I do use the term "sidewalk" loosely as this quickly turns into you walking along shoulder of Hotel Circle. Kinda scary if you're heading to the Con early in the morning when it's still dark out.

Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
Never had any issues with noise from other rooms or from outside.

Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
Can't remember. I think so.

Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
No.

Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
Nothing special to mention here. There are zero celebrities in Mission Valley and I'm sure you all know this. Overall a nice hotel. Good tropical feel to it with all the trees and plants inside. Good sized pool. Very friendly staff. Free breakfast. But a LONG shuttle ride to the Con. I wouldn't mind staying here again if I absolutely had no other choice but like most, I definitely prefer any downtown hotel. You could do a lot worse, though.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: MrFurious on April 08, 2016, 11:14:38 AM

Name of Hotel: Westin Gaslamp

Type of Room: 1 King-sized bed

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2015

Hotel Review:

Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
There's a restaurant in the hotel. The hotel is right next to Panera and the mall which has food court and Starbucks.

How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
The hotel staff was great, got SDCC room keys. Very courteous and responsive.

Did you order room service?
If yes, tell us about if you had a good experience with room service.
We did not order room service.

Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
Comfortable, but not a whole lot of extra space. Difficult to store ALL of my swag

How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
The hotel was 4 blocks but shuttle took 20+ bc of traffic and other hotel stops on route. Faster to walk.

Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
Never had any issues with noise from other rooms or from outside.

Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
In the lobby, yes. If Starwood level is sufficient, maybe, yes.

Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Yes, not much as I'm a basic member.

Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
Yes, saw some MTV Teen wolf stars, and also next door to Spreckels so we overlooked the Conan SDCC show. That was pretty great to watch all the celebrities leave and Conan signed autographs(didn't get one)
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: suepafly81 on April 08, 2016, 11:56:22 AM
Name of Hotel: Omni

Type of Room: 2 full-sized beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2012

Hotel Review:


Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel? You can get room service, have breakfast delivered in the morning, or enjoy one of the many restaurants that are super close.

Did you order room service? We had dinner delivered on preview night. The Ahi was amazing, and it was really fast service.

Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  There is a pool, but the closest I got to it was during a trip to the wired cafe.

Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels? The room wasn't the most spacious that we've been in, and the bathroom door left much to be desired. Privacy there can be a bit of an issue.

How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? Its a short walk from the convention center, and great since you get tons of swag on your way to and from.

Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  Yes, but I think it may have been because of the rewards program.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? I'm not sure what level of rewards I have, but there was daily breakfast delivery included, as well as sodas.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above? Lots of celebrity sightings. With the wired cafe in the building, the celebrities are constantly there. HBO in the past has set up a themed bar in the wired cafe.

The Omni is one of my favorite places to stay while at SDCC. Its so close to everyone, the swag pick up is a plus, and the plethora of celebrity sightings in the lobby, and especially in the elevators is a huge bonus.
Title: Westin San Diego
Post by: ocwankenobi on April 08, 2016, 01:22:18 PM
Name of Hotel:
Westin San Diego

Type of Room: (Did your room have 1 king-sized bed, 2 full-sized beds, or another type of bed?  Did you have a suite?)
1 bed

Number of Nights You Stayed:
wed to sat

Year(s) You Stayed There: (Type in the actual year: 2012, 2013, 2014, etc.)
2015

Hotel Review:

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
staff was very friendly.  gave me extra key cards so I could have one flash/arrow/supergirl ones....

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
room was plenty big enough

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
shuttle 5-15 minutes depending on the traffic going there.  I think its one of the last pickups going there and one of the last drop-offs leaving the convention center.  so I recommended taking shuttle there and walking back.  but I like walking.  not sure how long it takes to get to hotel but it wasn't bad at all.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
I heard nothing.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
The wifi was free.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
not too far.  but far enough to feel like it was a break from the craziness.  and if you are taking the train in from OC or LA its very close to the train station. 

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Would love to be at this hotel again.  Didn't love the price but I have no idea what is a good deal etc....

Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: mangamak on April 08, 2016, 05:08:09 PM
Name of Hotel: Doubletree by Hilton San Diego Mission Valley

Type of Room: Double Bed

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2012 and 2013

Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
The years we stayed they had a Continental Breakfast that was good.  They had also included 2 vouchers per room for the Continental Breakfast, so if more than 2 were staying in the room, they'd have to pay for their breakfast.

There was a small shopping center next door that had a few places to eat.  Shopping center also had a movie theater from what I recall.  Barnes and Noble next door had a Starbucks also, I believe.   

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Staff was great and super helpful! Concierge was helpful in letting us know how/where to buy the cards for the trolley and what route/line to take to get where we needed to go.

* Did you order room service?
 No, didn't order room service.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
There is a pool and gym, but we didn't use them.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
The room was nice and spacious for 3 of us.  I've mentioned it in a previous hotel review post about the Westin Gaslamp Quarter but I'm very picky about bathroom sizes when booking hotels and this Doubletree had a very spacious bathroom!  Again, I get very annoyed when bathrooms are so small and you barely have any room and where there's only a small space between the shower, the sink, the commode, and the door.  This one had ample room to move around in and I loved it!  I was so happy and surprised when I we got there and I saw the size of the bathroom!!

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
We didn't drive, so I'm not sure how much the parking rate was.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
We go to the convention center 2 ways.  By trolley and by shuttle.
There is a trolley stop directly in front of the hotel.  Since this hotel is essentially the only one on that street, there was little to no people at the stop.  You can buy the trolley card there.  The route/line from the hotel to the convention center is direct, meaning you don't have to get off at the Depot and switch trolleys.  From the stop at the hotel, you can ride all the way to the Towne and Country to pick up your badges and things and then hop on again and ride all the way to the convention center.  This was great for us!   Same deal coming back from the convention center to the hotel.

There's a shuttle stop directly in front of the hotel as well.  The times we've stayed at this hotel, it's been the last pick up/stop.  So, after the trolley stops for the day, just hop on the shuttle and relax for about 30 minutes when heading back to the hotel.

The only issue we discovered was that because it's the last shuttle stop before going back to the convention center, the shuttle fills up before reaching the hotel. 

There's an estimated time posted at the stop saying about how often the shuttle will come by the stop.  We waited in front of the hotel with a growing crowd of people (some people were staying at the hotel, others parked at the shopping center and took the shuttle too) for about a little over an hour.  We had to call the number on the posted shuttle sign to ask why no shuttles had stopped by.  We were told that shuttles were running behind the first time.  Second time we called, they said that the shuttles filled up with Con goers before reaching the last few hotels and they had to drop those people off at the convention center.  Only thing was that after dropping people off at the convention center, the shuttles would start their routes again from the beginning and the same thing would happen.  After letting the shuttle people know there were about 20-25 ppl waiting, they sent a near empty shuttle to pick us up and take us to the convention center. 


* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
Didn't hear much noise from outside sources.  Just the typical door closing/opening every once in a while but nothing horribly loud.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
I don't really remember.  For sure, the lobby did.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
No, I'm not a member of their rewards program.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
No celeb sightings.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?

- Really was glad there was a trolley stop directly in front of the hotel that was in an area with not a lot of traffic (both motor and pedestrian)
- Hotel is located near the end of a dead end street, so worries about crossing the road and some random fast driver hitting you!
- They had a nice breakfast spread.
- Several eateries were located within walking distance
- The trolley route/line could take you to the Towne and Country hotel in Fashion Valley and then to the convention center and back without having to switch trolley lines at the Depot.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
- It was a bit too far.
- Shuttles tend to fill up with Con goers before reaching this hotel but if it becomes an issue just bring it up to the shuttle people at the convention center and they'll be helpful.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: epicskyline on April 09, 2016, 06:46:09 AM
Name of Hotel: San Diego Marriott Gaslamp

Type of Room: 1 king-sized bed

Number of Nights You Stayed: 6

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2015

Hotel Review:

This was our first year staying at this hotel. We were excited to get it, because we like Marriotts and it's a great location. Right in that area are several hotels. We've never been able to book at The Omni, and we don't try for the Hard Rock, but we stayed at the Hilton Gaslamp in 2014 and loved it. I have to say that even though it's only a difference of a block or two, we preferred the location of the Hilton Gaslamp over this one. At the Hilton, you can see the traffic going into the convention center, plus we had a good view of the Assassin's Creed set up. The Marriott does let you see what's happening at Petco, so if you want to time visits to the MTV party or any of the other offsites there, it's a good location for that, if you get the correct side.

Overall, we enjoyed our stay. The staff was polite, though we didn't need anything from them the whole week -- which I guess means that they did their jobs behind the scenes well. The location was good for restaurants. It was right near The Broken Yolk, which enticed my friend and I to try it for the first time on Wednesday morning. It was very good, and we even saw Felicia Day eating there with her family, which was cool. We also ended up really enjoying this Mediterranean restaurant down the block from the hotel. Don't recall the name though.

The worst part about the hotel was the elevator situation. At a certain point in the night, they only had one elevator going up to the rooms, because the other one was shuttling people to their restaurant. We never ate inside the hotel. However, we did get room service. Part of the reason we like Marriotts is because they all have the same menu. You get a decent amount of food for a good (by room service standards) price. The service was quick and the food was still hot.

The room was a normal size. There's only two of us, so we can always stay in any room comfortably. We had asked for a twin room and got a double, but that happens at every hotel during SDCC. I think they save the rooms with multiple beds for larger parties. I wasn't impressed with the in-suite coffeemaker. I usually brew myself a little cup before I start for the day, but there was not enough supplied, and the cleaning staff never replenished it.

My friend is a member of the rewards program, but she didn't know we could get free wifi because of that. We will definitely not be making that mistake again. Otherwise, the wifi is, I believe, $13.95/per person each day. That adds up quickly!

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
 
-close to convention center
-close to restaurants
-good view of Petco

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
 
-slow elevators when all you want to do is sleep
-location not as convenient as others in immediate area
-felt a bit separated from the main Gaslamp action
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: straightline3 on April 09, 2016, 07:46:31 PM
 Name of Hotel: Hampton Inn San Diego Downtown

Type of Room: 2 Queens

Number of Nights You Stayed: 2

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2013

Hotel Review:
This hotel was very welcoming, clean, comfortable. Like every Hampton Inn, they offer breakfast, and since the dining room is packed, they make it easy to grab a brown bag to go, on your way out the door, and they prepared enough for everybody.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? 
All of the employees I encountered were warm and helpful and were genuinely welcoming.  Many of the staff would wear some kind of superhero shirt, definitely created a fun atmosphere.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
Perhaps a little small, but totally fine for me and my teenage kid.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
There’s an underground parking garage, and the daily fee was less than typical in downtown. (There may have been a parking discount for being member of AAA.)

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
The shuttle stop could not have been more convenient, right in front of the hotel.
The shuttle ride to the CC was about 15 minutes.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
The rooms must be relatively well insulated because even though the public areas were often crawling with loud attendees, the room was pretty quiet.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests? 
Yes.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Basic level, nothing special.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Pros:
- great value for the dollar
- short shuttle ride to the convention center
- outstanding staff


Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Cons:
- a little far from dining options

Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: straightline3 on April 09, 2016, 08:22:42 PM
Name of Hotel: Hilton San Diego Mission Valley

Type of Room: 2 Queens

Number of Nights You Stayed: 2

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2014

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
  Yes. The hotel had at least one restaurant, and there were many options at the mall a couple blocks away.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Staff was friendly and helpful, apart from the unpleasant surprise the front desk clerk gave us the first morning with bad directions to the shuttle stop, located directly in front of the hotel. 

* Did you order room service?
No.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
Room was a comfortable size.  The room interior was too dark (poorly illuminated).

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
Yes there was a parking fee but I don’t recall the amount.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
Shuttle was 15-20 minutes

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
Noise levels were not bad

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
No.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
This hotel was undergoing renovations in 2014. That created some hassles at the time, but the hotel was still largely enjoyable.  And now it should have a nice new atmosphere.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Pros:
- good value
- close to a lot of restaurants


Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Cons:
- renovations & construction were annoying

Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: straightline3 on April 09, 2016, 08:45:37 PM
Name of Hotel: Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina

Type of Room: 2 Double Beds, Lanai

Number of Nights You Stayed: 2

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2015

Hotel Review:
* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
    Yes, there were at least two restaurants.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
The property has multiple pools and spas (perhaps 3 of each), and they are arranged beautifully in a great layout with lots of plants and winding walkways.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
Room was comfortable.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
Yes there was a parking fee and it seemed to be on the high end for SD.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
Shuttle was 20 minutes, but it may have felt longer because of several high volume stops.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
At least on the Lanai deck, the room was much quieter than a typical room.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
An absolutely gorgeous property that felt like a resort. We should have spent time in the spas or pools.

Pros:
- good looking property
- great view from the room


Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Cons:
- The Lanai deck was very relaxing once you’re there, but it’s a good 5 minute walk past the elevators to the main rooms in the towers, and after a full day at the Con, those 5 minutes feel long.

Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: LB42 on April 10, 2016, 07:47:25 AM
Hotel Indigo:

Stayed there 2013 and 2015

Overall:  This is an overlooked hidden gem.

Nearby Dining: Several cute bars and Starbucks within a block, but the best thing about this hotel is their rooftop bar.  Overlooking Petco, it has nice fire pits, a great view, and they will serve dinner up there which was very nice after a long day.  We visit it even when we aren’t staying at this hotel.

* How was the hotel staff? Were they polite and courteous? Just awesome! My daughter lost/had her wallet stolen coming into the Con one year.  Worried that she couldn’t pick up her badge, the staff helped called all over the airport, cab companies, helped her fill out the police form, and followed up with her to make sure she got her badge.  They even offered to talk to SDCC for her.  One year they hosted a Pet event with Petco at the Con and gave out Star Wars tennis balls for the dogs — they made sure all of their guests got them.

Room Size:   The rooms vary.  You could get lucky or not.  I found them comfy — but not suites if you get my drift.  No fridges in the room — but this was never a problem for us.

Travel time to the convention: 10 minute walk.  We never used the shuttle.

WIFI? Join the reward program and it’s free.

Celebrity sightings: Vikings Maidens were here last year (2015).  It made it easy to get a drinking horn. There have been several restricted celebrity events at the rooftop bar.

Pro’s of Staying Here:  The hidden benefit of this hotel is that it’s close enough to be part of the convention and far enough away to get some rest if you need it. The bar is awesome and if you like dogs — they have a nice rooftop area for them.   In my opinion it’s the 3rd best hotel for the Hall H line.  Hear me out on this… It’s a direct shot to the line on a non-busy street.  It’s close enough that you can drop your sleeping gear back at your room, pick up Starbucks for your crew at the non-busy Starbucks and be back in line within 20 minutes.  For events at Petco (think the year NerdHQ had big events there) it was SUPER Convenient.

Cons: No pool.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: LB42 on April 10, 2016, 08:35:31 AM
Renaissance — Formerly the W

Stayed there 2014 -

Caveat: I’ve stayed at quite a few W’s and generally like them even though they trend to small rooms.

Overall:  Not a great choice when it was the W Hotel. Renaissance (new management) can probably fix some of the problems, but not the location.  I’m only going to comment on the things that can’t readily change.

Nearby Dining: Not really anything great.

Room Size:   Tiny

Travel time to the convention: 1 mile.  Walking a mile is not a problem — but this is a tough walk.  You have to cross the Jail and the crowd around there can be very rough.  It was not cool for 2 women, particularly in the evening and even worse if you are in costume. Taking the shuttle (you have to walk to a shuttle hotel) takes longer than walking to the convention center but it’s safer.

Pro’s of Staying Here:  They have a pool.

Cons:   Location.  I think MV is probably better than this hotel.  The pool is not great pool.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Deathbyjackal on April 14, 2016, 10:55:54 AM
Has anyone stayed at the Andaz? No reviews yet here, but it looks super nice!  :)
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: mark on April 16, 2016, 12:36:13 PM



Name of Hotel: Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa.

Type of Room: 2 Double beds + sofa bed.

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2013,2014.

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   
   Restaurants, pool-side bar where you could order some food. For breakfast there was both a buffet (not free) and a Starbucks bar with some food, breakfast burritos, pastries, etc. A good number of restaurants in walking distance. Unfortunately the grocery store close by, which had a deli, has closed and there is now a Smart & Final Extra at the location. I am not familiar with it but the stated hours are 6am-10pm. Our room also had a small refrigerator.
   
   There is a coffee bar close to the ferry landing but it can be pretty crowded.
   


* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
   
   Staff was great.  There is a business center for printouts and what not.
   


* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
   
   There is a central pool and hot tub, nice enough. There are also sizable fitness facilities located outside of the main area, including a lap pool, gym and basketball courts, much more than you usually see at a hotel. I believe you can still use these free if you are a guest but probably a good idea to check.
   Addictive scrubbing salts in the bathrooms that you use on your hands, (I can't believe I'm writing that but it's true.)
   


* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
   
   Room size seemed about average. Not much room with 4 people but manageable.
   


* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
   $35.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
   
   These are rough: ferry- 45+ minutes (will require some extra walking compared to trolley/shuttle), car - 20, bus - 30.
   


* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
   
   Walls were fine, but rooms open out into a concrete floored open area and sound comes in loud from the door.
   


* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?
   Yes, but rewards program required.
   


* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
   Yes, basic level, no perks other than wifi.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
   
   No celebrities. I did share a water taxi with the producers of the "Thunderbirds Are Go" tv show, so you never know. I have seen concerns about the Coronado traffic, traffic can be considerable on weekdays but that is people who commute into the Coronado Naval base and you will be reverse commute.
   


What did you like about staying at this hotel?


- Good if you want to spend a stretch of time at the con and then unwind.
- Great if you want to spend some time at the beaches, or if some people in your group won't be doing the whole con. You can take a free shuttle to the big beautiful beach by the Del.
- Great for fitness buffs, there are the hotel facilities, but also jogging/bicycle paths that go right by the hotel.
- Not crowded, no trouble getting seats at restaurants.
- You get to leave through the back. You get to leave through the back. You get to leave through the back!!! I.e., a relaxed, gentle descent down an uncrowded stairway with a cool breeze as opposed to the massive sweaty scrum-shamble of humanity that you find out front.
- Bathroom was nice, with a large tub and separate shower.
- Coronado is a lovely little town, very friendly and safe.


Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?

- If you want to do something that requires very early or very late hours, the location is inconvenient.
- No bulk discounts or passes for the ferry, at $4.75 per person each way it can add up fast.
- No laundry. Though you can drive or take a shuttle to a laundromat in town.
- Many of the restaurants in the area are higher end.


Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: mark on April 16, 2016, 02:20:15 PM



Name of Hotel: The Dana on Mission Bay.

Type of Room: Marina Cove Lanai room, 2 queen beds.

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2011.

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   
   Several restaurants at the hotel, The Blue Pearl for breakfast, and the fancier Firefly. Looking at the website for the Dana, these have changed quite a bit since we stayed there. You can also order food to the room or to the pool.
   The Dana Landing Market is a short walk away, opens at 6AM and makes great sandwiches to pack in. Some other restaurants across the street.
   


* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
   
   Generally ok. Some confusion over the free coffee that they have out early but then suddenly charge for at some time in the morning. (dangerous business, messing with my caffeine sources in the morning.) Also, when we asked for a trundle bed, were told that they weren't allowed in our room but *hush* if we asked the night staff it shouldn't be a problem.
   


* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
   
   Two pools, two hot tubs. Fairly small but fine. Tiny gym, but some extras like ping pong tables by one of the pools. Wifi in the room was weak, had to go closer to the office for a good connection.
   


* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
   
   Room was small. It looks like they have been remodeled since we stayed there but sizes will still be the same. I believe the rooms in the Water's Edge section are newer and larger.
   


* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
   $27 per day resort fee includes parking.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
   
   We had to take a bus (there is a stop across the street) to Old Town and then a trolley. Probably at least 45 minutes total, maybe more depending on timing. One day there were enough other people taking a van that we joined them, I forget how long that took.
   


* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
   
   Yes, thin walls and fairly high noise levels. Air conditioner drowned out much of the noise though.
   


* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?
   Part of the $27 per day resort fee.
   


* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
   No.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
   
   If you want to visit Sea World there is a free shuttle. Not too hard of a walk either.
   


What did you like about staying at this hotel?


- Room had a small fridge and a microwave.
- Close to the water. Can rent bikes, paddleboats, ...
- Fireworks from Sea World every night.
- Our room opened out onto one of the pool areas. Was nice for our mermaid of a daughter,
- "Dive in Movies." At one of the pools, they will show childrens' movies in the evening.
- Has a laundry room.
- Easy drive or bus ride to Mission Beach or the Sports Arena area (Phil's BBQ!)
- Many other people at the hotel will be in the same boat, so actually easier to meet people in the evenings than it might be downtown.


Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?

- Far from the con, not on the shuttle route.
- Small, cramped rooms. Fairly loud.
- Weak wifi in some areas rooms.
- Resort fees. Ugh.


Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: mark on April 16, 2016, 02:30:25 PM
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Has anyone stayed at the Andaz? No reviews yet here, but it looks super nice!  :)

Not personally, but I have some friends that have stayed there. Any review should mention the showers, which might be a bit awkward for any group that isn't a couple. Google San Diego Andaz shower to see what I mean. :-[
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Deathbyjackal on April 16, 2016, 06:30:33 PM
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Not personally, but I have some friends that have stayed there. Any review should mention the showers, which might be a bit awkward for any group that isn't a couple. Google San Diego Andaz shower to see what I mean. :-[

I know! My group will be staying there this year. I'm bringing painter's tape and a sheet if we get one of those rooms! I'll also be sure to write a review after the stay...doesn't seem to be any written here.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: QTkeylala on April 16, 2016, 09:40:28 PM
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I know! My group will be staying there this year. I'm bringing painter's tape and a sheet if we get one of those rooms! I'll also be sure to write a review after the stay...doesn't seem to be any written here.

Well, lots of hotels in Vegas are like that.  When I went with my girlfriends, I went to the 99cent store and bought suction cup hooks and shower curtain and hung it inside the shower, easy to unhook.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: sciencebird on April 27, 2016, 09:56:06 AM
What do you mean you have to cross the Jail?
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Angology on April 27, 2016, 10:49:35 AM
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Renaissance — Formerly the W

Stayed there 2014 -

Caveat: I’ve stayed at quite a few W’s and generally like them even though they trend to small rooms.

Overall:  Not a great choice when it was the W Hotel. Renaissance (new management) can probably fix some of the problems, but not the location.  I’m only going to comment on the things that can’t readily change.

Nearby Dining: Not really anything great.

Room Size:   Tiny

Travel time to the convention: 1 mile.  Walking a mile is not a problem — but this is a tough walk.  You have to cross the Jail and the crowd around there can be very rough.  It was not cool for 2 women, particularly in the evening and even worse if you are in costume. Taking the shuttle (you have to walk to a shuttle hotel) takes longer than walking to the convention center but it’s safer.

Pro’s of Staying Here:  They have a pool.

Cons:   Location.  I think MV is probably better than this hotel.  The pool is not great pool.

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What do you mean you have to cross the Jail?
[member=5531]LB42[/member]-I believe this question is directed at you, based on your review. Can you clarify?

[member=5726]sciencebird[/member], I believe they are talking about the proximity to San Diego Central Jail at 1173 Front St.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: LB42 on April 27, 2016, 07:51:41 PM
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What do you mean you have to cross the Jail?

So yes -   The Jail is about 2 blocks from the Renaissance ("W")  and there is also a regional detention center nearby. Couple that with the nearby courthouse and a few bail bond places it can be an uncomfortable route to walk in the evenings. It doesn't feel at all like you are part of SDCC.  That being said - when we stayed there construction was everywhere so our ingress and egress were pretty restricted. This year you might be able to walk a better path.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: geargirl on May 31, 2016, 12:07:57 PM
Question -

Which hotel would you choose?

Town and Country or Crowne Plaza

thanks!
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Transmute Jun on May 31, 2016, 12:43:37 PM
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Question -

Which hotel would you choose?

Town and Country or Crowne Plaza

thanks!

You can find member reviews here:

http://friendsofcc.com/forum/index.php?topic=5512.0 (http://friendsofcc.com/forum/index.php?topic=5512.0)
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Angology on May 31, 2016, 02:30:59 PM
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Question -

Which hotel would you choose?

Town and Country or Crowne Plaza

thanks!
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
You can find member reviews here:

http://friendsofcc.com/forum/index.php?topic=5512.0 (http://friendsofcc.com/forum/index.php?topic=5512.0)
Use this thread for easier navigation. It has links to the specific review posts:

List of Hotel Reviews for SDCC:
http://friendsofcc.com/forum/index.php?topic=5513.0
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: fruitflan on July 26, 2016, 10:49:40 AM

HOTEL REVIEW AND FEEDBACK LAYOUT

Name of Hotel: Embassy Suites San Diego Gaslamp

Type of Room: 2 rooms: 1 King and 1 Sofa pullout sleeper, 2 double beds + 1 sofa pullout sleeper

Number of Nights You Stayed:  5

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2015, 2016

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   Dunkin donuts around the corner, some other ones we did not use.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
  Very polite

* Did you order room service?
   no

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
   no

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
   When sleeping in sofa sleeper, you can hear the bfast noise if you are a late sleeper.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
    free wifi for hhonors members (free signup)


What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Pros:
+ Free breakfast
+ Free happy hour with alcoholic drinks and snacks
+ Spacious rooms
+ There are birds inside the hotel.. random wild birds. I’m not kidding


Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Cons:
- Low flow toilets. Even a #1 requires 2+ flushes
- Rooms are not very clean. Some bathroom shelves had a month's worth of dust sitting on it. 
- Low flow showers.
- Our bathroom door was sticky and required a shoulder check to open it every single time.
- Little farther than some other hotels in the gaslamp.
- However, close to a tram route (we went to little Italy a few times)
- Room safe didn't work. Front desk told us they would send somebody in the morning but they never arrived. Called again and said we had to stick around for them to fix it.
- No free wifi in lobby anymore. Wifi is free with hhonors (free) but spotty.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: rushfanyyz on July 26, 2016, 11:49:52 AM

HOTEL REVIEW AND FEEDBACK LAYOUT

Name of Hotel: Town and Country

Type of Room: garden view room, two queens

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2016

Hotel Review:


* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel? yes
   If "Yes," tell us about the restaurants and type of food they had (if you remember). snack shop and restaurants, kinda pricey so didn't choose them, nothing spectacular for the price either

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? very polite and helpful

* Did you order room service? no
   If yes, tell us about if you had a good experience with room service.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? pool, didn't use it though

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels? yes, two people were totally fine in the two room bed. its not huge but plenty of space. 4 people mayyy have issues with storage space but could be doable

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? shuttle to cc~10min, shuttle from ~20, trolley ~15/20 once you boarded

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? very rarely heard any noise

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  yes

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above? all of the plants make it smell weird when walking around outside


What did you like about staying at this hotel?


- shuttle/trolley easy access
- cheap(er)
- early bird sale included breakfast
-quiet and chill


Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
 


- older, but currenlty going through renovations
- air conditioning not the best in some rooms, we actually switched bc of the heat. that said, they were very accomodating of the switch
- not walking distance to cc
- breakfast started at 7am so only took advantage on preview night and one other day

[/quote]
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: retired on July 26, 2016, 01:09:04 PM
HOTEL REVIEW

Name of Hotel: Hard Rock

Type of Room: 2 Beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2016 (Type in the actual year: 2012, 2013, 2014, etc.)

Hotel Review:

(Here are some questions to get you started as you think about your hotel stay during Comic-Con.  Again, you can answer all or some of these questions to help you write your hotel feedback comments.)

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel? Yes
   If "Yes," tell us about the restaurants and type of food they had (if you remember).
       Nobu: VERY expensive. Good Sashimi and drinks. Nothing bad to day about it really. (the $12 sashimi I bought at the MMM bar was just as good to my tastes...)

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
     When I first arrived about 4:45AM in the morning on Wednesday, the lobby was deserted. Had to wait ~10 minutes before someone came out of nowhere to help me check in. However they were always very friendly and helpful. After Wednesday morning I never had trouble with the lobby being deserted lol.

* Did you order room service? Yes
   If yes, tell us about if you had a good experience with room service.
     One of my roomates ordered room service. Not sure what he ordered for food, didn't hear any complaints.
     We got extra towels once and they showed up within a few minutes.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? No

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
     Ive stayed at the Marriott Gaslamp, Omni, and Hilton Gaslamp and Hilton Bayfront. All have bigger rooms to my recollection. The hard rock wasn't horrible by any means though, fit 4 of us no problem. I know the suites are bigger.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? Used self parking by the hotel. rates were great. had to get there by Wednesday morning though before the rates get increased.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? on foot, well that depends on the where I was traveling from. From the convention center at E/F (5th avenue) its about 2 minutes to cross the road. its literally the closest hotel to the convention center besides the MMM, even closer than the Bayfront I believe.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? Its difficult to say. I was only in the room a few hours each day, typically between 1am and 4am, and in the afternoons to take an extra cold shower (most humid comic con ever). And with such little sleep, I was able to sleep through most anything.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No) I don't know about guests. they gave me a card with the password, and I never used it. (again. hardly ever in the room)

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? No

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above? Ton's of celebs. lobby/elevators. I don't get star struck so much. They are all people, and like all people, some are nice and some are not.  Danny triejo (spelling?? aka Machete) pretended to be bleeding out in the elevator for one of my roomates (the elevators had walking deal overlays on the floor and walls with a bunch of blood). Sounded pretty funny cause my roommate didn't realize he was acting and though he was having a heart-attack or something. Everyone in the elevator laughed.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Since you might have already wrote about it from the questions above, just make a quick list about the things you liked the most about your stay at this particular hotel.
#1 was the location. so close. #2 was the celebrity appearances and #3 starbucks accessible from the lobby.

Example list:
- close location to the convention center
- had great customer service
- close to a lot of restaurants
- great view from your room
- a lot of celebrity sightings, etc.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Tell us about anything that negatively impacted your stay at this particular hotel that you may not have already mentioned above. 
#1 was having to get my room key out every time I needed to go in. very inconvenient until they started to remember me and motion me through.
#2 For how little I was in the room, I feel I paid too much. Didn't have a great view. I miss the Omni and their free daily delivered coffee and other perks. Omni and Hilton Gaslamp just seemed more easy going.
#3 I am not really THAT into seeing actors in real life. Autographs are great for memories, but really I like the characters they play. That being said, id rather see celebrities at a bar or something when they are more likely to want to talk and drink, than at a hotel when they usually have somewhere to be. All of this is not really a knock against the hotel itself though, its just the hype surrounding the hard rock and celebrity sighting that I think is overblown.  EDIT: Jason Clarke (Everest/Terminator Genesis) Said Hi to me when we passed in the hallway. Nice guy. I didn't place him at first, but I had just watched Everest a few weeks ago, So I knew he was an actor.

Example list:
- expensive hotel rates per night
- small size of the rooms
- far distance from the convention center
- long traveling time to and from the convention center, etc.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Transmute Jun on July 26, 2016, 01:29:17 PM
Name of Hotel:  Marriott Marquis & Marina

Type of Room: Double room (2 double beds) and king room (king bed and double sofabed)

Number of Nights You Stayed: 6

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2016, 2014, 2012, 2008

Hotel Review: One of our two preferred hotels at SDCC. Next door to the convention center and has some programming/administrative aspects of the con inside the hotel, as well as the Nintendo Gaming Lounge offsite. Rooms are big and have fridges, although double rooms only have double beds (not queens).

Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?  Yes - Starbucks, a counter-service cafe and a couple of higher-priced restaurants. I got coffee for someone else at Starbucks, which was fast (but it was early morning on Wednesday) and many of us grabbed food at the counter-service cafe, which was overpriced, but served a decent selection of quality food.

Seaport Village isn't too far, so if you want to go to a different restaurant (but not into the Gaslamp) then that's also a good option.

How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? The few with whom I interacted were all polite and courteous, and happy to see con attendees.

Did you order room service? No.

Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? There is a beautiful pool and hot tubs. We have used this area in previous years, but didn't have a chance this year. Don't know about a gym (not a gym person) but I would presume that there is one. We tried the spa inside this hotel (the Hideaway) for the first time this year and were not impressed. For the price, the spas at the Manchester Grand Hyatt and the Hilton Bayfront are much nicer, with more amenities.

Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels? The only other hotel I've stayed in for SDCC is the Hilton Bayfront, and the rooms at the MMM are much bigger than the Bayfront. I would say that they're on par with a 'regular' hotel. Bathroom sinks are separated from the toilet/shower room, which makes getting ready in the morning a bit easier. Beds were comfy, but small. The person on the sofabed also had no complaints.

If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? Parking was moved this year to all underground (previously  there was outdoor parking where the new expansion now site) but was $32 per night. Ugh. Also got yelled at by the parking attendant for not understanding their complicated parking system. Apparently the parking garage is run by an outside company and they have a deal with the Marriott to let their guests park there.

How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? From the edge of the hotel, 1 minute to the A doors of the convention center. Unlike previous years, we were let into the convention center via the A doors every time we tried, except during Preview Night.

Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? We did not hear noises.

Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests? Yes, but only if you are a rewards member (free to join) and book through the Marriott website. Otherwise the charge is $13 per day.

Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? Yes, lowest level, got free wifi for booking through the hotel website.

Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above? I've seen a lot of celebrities around this hotel in prior years, but for whatever reason, I diod not see anyone famous this year.

What did you like about staying at this hotel? It's close to the convention center doors (which was a blessing in the humidity) and has big rooms with fridges. It's easy to get connecting rooms (king to a double, or double to a double). The location was also convenient to some of the offsite locations, such as Nerd HQ and Amazon, and not too far from the Hyatt (for picking up fulfillment items) or Seaport Village (for food). Nintendo Lounge being right there was also super convenient for us. Once we discovered that they also had an entrance/exit at the back of the convention center, we used it a lot as well, because it was much easier than walking along the sidewalk/convention center halls through the crowds.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel? The beds are small (but this is true at most of the downtown hotels), the parking is expensive, and it's a long trek to the Hall H/Next Day lines, especially in the heat.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: jazzyj on July 26, 2016, 02:07:01 PM
Name of Hotel: Hard Rock Hotel

Type of Room: 1 King Bed Studio

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2016

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   A lot. The hotel is right in the heart of the Gaslamp District so finding restaurants isn't an issue. The only real issue is that the restaurants nearby are pretty expensive and can be super crowded in the evenings. There's a Starbucks that connects to the lobby of the hotel which is great for a quick caffeine pick-me-up in the mornings.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Hotel staff was super nice and helpful. Didn't have any issues talking to them.

* Did you order room service?
   No

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?

Didn't use either. I think the only time the pool was open was on Wednesday. After that the pool area was closed for private parties. Was able to go there on Thursday for the Fandom Party and the pool is pretty nice. They had zombies on floaties and fake limbs in the pool to promote The Walking Dead which I thought was cool.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
I thought the room was small but it didn't have a negative impact on us. There were 4 of us and we were able to fit 3 comfortably on the bed while the other person slept on the floor. None of us spend that much time in the room during the day so we didn't have any issue with space for the most part.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
I believe the rate per day was $47.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
Hotel was super close so we just walked everyday. Only took us 5 minutes to walk from the convention center to the hotel depending on how the crossing light went.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
My room was on the fourth floor and faced the convention center so there was always outside noise but it didn't bother us too much. It was also on the same floor as the hotel parties so we can hear the bass and music coming from the speakers but like I said, didn't bother us since we slept rather quickly from how tired we were.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?
No


* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?

There are a lot of celebrities roaming around it's like Celebrity-mon Go in there. Saw Amanda Abbington, Mark Gatiss, Steven Moffat, Jared Leto, Scott Eastwood, Anna Kendrick, Jamie Alexander, Zac Levi, and Ruth Nega. The only downside to the amount of celebrities is the heightened security and the amount of paparazzi/people trying to catch a glimpse.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Since the hotel is so close to the convention center and hosts a bunch of parties, I felt like I never stepped away from any of the con action. The proximity also made it easier for me to drop off swag and stuff I bought at the convention and made it easy for me to take quick naps throughout the day.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?

My hotel was on the same floor as the huge parties so it was a bit hard for me to go to my room at night. Security would always let party guests go in first and have the hotel guests wait until the elevator hallway cleared out. On Saturday night I was stuck in between security and the party guests who were trying to push their way into the elevators. Definitely a claustrophobic experience.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Iris on July 26, 2016, 09:33:42 PM
Name of Hotel: Hilton Bayfront

Type of Room: Two (2) Queen Beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: Three (3) nights

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2014, 2015, and 2016

Hotel Review:
We always love the Bayfront and look to stay there every year as our top choice.

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
There are multiple options.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Always incredibly helpful, polite, and happy to help us! Of note, if you need change (which happened a few times this year), the front desk is happy to provide change for $20s, etc.

* Did you order room service?
  I don't think we've ever actually ordered room service.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
We had four (4) people in our room this year and even with all our stuff (bags, cosplay, camping gear) we were able to easily store everything so that they were all out of the way. There were no issues with moving around and tripping over things.
I have never stayed at any of the other downtown hotels (at least not in recent years that I recall?) so I can't compare them. However, the queen beds were large enough for two people each and we slept quite comfortable.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
It was $25/night with in-and-out privileges.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
A few minutes from Hall H, 5-10 minutes from the main Convention Center, 5-10 minutes to the front of the Gaslamp, 10-20 minutes if you need to go deeper into the Gaslamp. The only time we take a shuttle is if we're going somewhere further out, or on the last swag room run from MGH when we're too tired and that busline drops us off right by Hall H.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
You could hear some noises from the hall, but not much. The most noticeable was out last day when we heard a child crying in the hall, but we may have also had our door cracked open as we were in and our.
We were given the option of facing the bay/convention center, but we felt so need. So we were facing Coronado Bridge and the Dole Plant, as a result we had no noise from outside te hotel.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
If you are an HHonors member (free to join) and it's your name on the reservation. I believe you can connect multiple devices (I know we did), but you need to know your HHonors login info to do so (like your password/pin to give to your roommates etc.)

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Hhonors and my friend has Silver status (she travels for work frequentlyish).
Perks:


* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
We actually saw a lot of celebrities as always. There were many times where I was too tired/hot to care and just kept going. I think I was walking next to J.R.R. Martin while walking up to the back entrance because someone rushed up behind me to ask for a picture/autograph. I only looked at him when that happen, shrugged, and kept going haha.
Something useful that a lot of people already know: the back exit right onto the Marina. Faster than trying to cross the street to the convention center or going through the lobby/crowds in front of the events on the gross.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Deathbyjackal on July 27, 2016, 12:07:14 PM





Name of Hotel: Andaz San Diego

Type of Room:  2 full-sized beds,

Number of Nights You Stayed: Five (5) nights.

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2016

Hotel Review:

This was our first time at the Andaz and it was great experience.

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
    Yes, its not too far from a coffee shop, some Crazy Goose bar, and a few other restaurants.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? The staff was excellent! The same night staff member Michael remembered us and repeatedly checked up on us. We saw him on the floor on Sunday too!

* Did you order room service?
   No, but it was available.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? The roof was super awesome, with a swanky pool, although...they had industry parties there at night, so we didn't get up there much. There was a nice gym, and a printer etc in an office.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels? The room was super small, but perfectly adequate and very quiet. We were facing an inside courtyard.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? We did not drive a car there, but there was valet parking I believe.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? By foot maybe 10-15 minutes, 5 minutes there on the shuttle....25 back.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? I didn't hear really any noise from the walls or hallway.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests? Yes.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? Yes, but the total lowest level of Hyatt....no perks.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
   The other was great! Did it's job well! Obviously, there are closer hotels, but this was fairly close!

What did you like about staying at this hotel?

convenient. Nice staff. Accommodating. Fairly close.



Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?

The room was a little small, but that's really not a huge negative for us. It's also not that cheap...I think it was 299 a night. 
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Angology on July 27, 2016, 12:07:58 PM
Name of Hotel: Hotel Z

Type of Room: 1 king-sized bed

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2016

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel? Yes-near the hotel
   If "Yes," tell us about the restaurants and type of food they had (if you remember).
So many options. The Broken Yolk was super convenient, as was Café 222 (a little further, but worth the walk). CVS is right next door, and they had lots of snack options. We were also able to buy PB&J and bread to make our own sandwiches every day (no fridge in room, however). Was also super close to Burger Lounge, an annual ritual for us. Horton Plaza was also fairly close, and was a great choice for Saturday night, when most sit down restaurants are crowded. We ate at Panda Express.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? Always a friendly greeting when you entered or exited. Any requests or comments were met with what seemed like genuine interest/concern. We generally leave our Do not disturb sign on  the whole time we are there, and were not questioned at all (we sometimes are!)

* Did you order room service? No
   If yes, tell us about if you had a good experience with room service.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? No-I don’t believe they have either. They do offer free bikes, but we did not use them.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels? The room is small, but did have a tiny sitting area, so DH and were able to move around comfortably. The bed does take up much of the room. Also-for cosplayers-there was no closet in our room. The desk area had a rod with hangers, but it seems hanging any long costumes could be an issue. I would suggest bringing one of those command adhesive hooks (for lighter stuff, anyway).

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? N/A

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? By foot-about 10-15 mins. We worked out a route that did not take us down the more congested streets. We were also mostly able to find shade for our walk.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?We never heard any noises from other hotel guests. Some morning outside noises came through. Our room faced the pool in the adjacent condo building, but we never heard any noise from there (there were people at the pool). I had read reviews complaining about the noise. I think because we had an interior room, on the 4th floor, it wasn't as much of an issue.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No) Yes!! It worked very well. No password-you just had to accept the terms & conditions.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? They don’t offer one.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?This was our first time not staying at MMM. We only missed being next to the CC when a freight train got stuck at the crossing Friday night after the Preacher panel. I missed not getting a WB key card, but DH didn't care.

What did you like about staying at this hotel? In a spot with lots of restaurant choices around. WW activation was across the street, so it isn’t too far removed. Keurig in the room was a big plus since we have one at home, and just brought our own coffee (there is free coffee in the room). Every afternoon, they have free pineapple cupcakes in the lobby. They are tiny, but delicious, and were often a welcome pick-me-up. The room was modern and minimalist. The separate duvets for each side of the bed was an interesting concept. I am sure DH appreciated it! ;)
 
 Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
The main cons would be

- sliding doors for the bathroom. Not as much of an issue for couples, but could be awkward for roommates. At least it was a solid door, not frosted glass!

- The shower! I know that rain type shower head is modern, etc., but it was really ineffective. Given how humid it was this year, we really missed our shower at home. We would get back to the room, take a shower, and feel a little better, but not very much. It’s not a deal breaker, by any means, but if it is as hot & humid next year, it will definitely be incentive for us to try harder during Hotelpocalypse. I applaud their attempts at sustainability/water savings, but there are better solutions. They just aren’t as pretty.

-Lack of closet might be an issue for some (cosplayers in particular).

As you can tell-the cons were pretty petty! Overall, we had a good experience at this hotel. We booked it as our backup for next year, and won’t be too upset if we have to stay there again.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: escape on July 27, 2016, 12:34:18 PM
Name of Hotel: Residence Inn San Diego Downtown / Gaslamp Quarter

Type of Room: 1 king-sized bed / 1 full pullout bed

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2016

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel? Yes-there was a light dining bar inside the hotel

   If "Yes," tell us about the restaurants and type of food they had (if you remember).
It was really convenient to a lot. The Broken Yolk was across the street, as was J Six and Water Grill.  We made a quick trip to Ralphs, which was a few blocks, as the room has a kitchenette with a full fridge, microwave and stovetop.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? The staff was SUPER friendly.  The front desk always greeted / said something when we arrived and left.  We needed extra pillows, blankets and towels... they were brought up immediately.  Housekeeping was polite and quick.  And the maintenance staff that came to fix the disposal was also incredibly great. 

* Did you order room service? No
   If yes, tell us about if you had a good experience with room service.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? They had a pool, but I didn't use it.  They also had a gym, but I didn't use that either.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?  The room was really well sized, but when we pulled out the sofabed, it was hard to get around.  We solved that on day 2 by moving the sofabed the other direction and giving the room MUCH more space in between.  None of the staff ever mentioned it either.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? N/A

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? By foot-about 5-10 mins. The hotel is literally about 2 blocks away from the convention, located at J and Sixth, so it was a congested street, but we made it fine.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?  Noise from the hallway or other rooms wasn't an issue at all.  We did hear a lot of street noise (sirens, etc.) which was weird because we were on the 14th floor.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No) Yes!! No password-you just had to accept the terms & conditions.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? Yes.  Marriott Rewards - the person who reserved was silver, I am platinum, and another guest was gold.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?  There was a note that we could extend our checkout time for some ridiculous amount of money ($100 for an hour?) and when I complained at the front desk, they just extended the checkout time without charging us.

What did you like about staying at this hotel? I actually really liked it.  The room was spacious and near lots of places and super near the con.  We managed to book with points, so even better.
 
 Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?  The bathroom was a sliding barn door style and it was not great for privacy.  We've all traveled together for years though, so we all were fine.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Michaelnaut on July 27, 2016, 12:35:55 PM
Name of Hotel: Hilton Bayfront

Type of Room: 2 queen beds, 1 occupant

Number of Nights You Stayed: 6

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
The Aqua lounge right down from the lobby.  I didn't eat there tho this year, kept the hotel restaurant food stuff down this year.  Did drink at the bar tho :)  Also the Fox Sports Lounge, the Starbucks, but again I limited myself at these places this year.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
The staff, those I interacted with, were great.  From the front desk, to folks wandering around, the bartenders and the room cleanup folk.  Special shout out to the concierge as when I asked this year if they had free bottled water he left me fill it from their water machine in the back.  This place always has great service.

* Did you order room service?
Nope

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
Every year I bring a bathing suit cause this pool looks great, and every year I either collapse after my day or I'm already out so late that there's no poolin' happenin.  *Next* year, pool, definitely!  Now, WiFi...this year the hotel WiFi kinda sucked...kept booting me more than a few times when I was on it.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
Room was great.  Only had a roomie for Saturday night, as he flew in and needed a place to crash, he just had a Sunday badge, so I told him he had a bed.  Barely saw him, but the room overall was great.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
No car, so no drive/park

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
Not long at all...there's always traffic down by the Starbucks, or the cross-street getting over to the convention center side, but that's a given.  Walking time to the first hall entry door...10 min.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
Not particularly, pretty much the norm for a hotel.  I couldn't hear my neighbor chewing potato chips, but it was easy to hear the doors of rooms shut...they closed relatively loudly.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
Yes, see above amenities section

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
I am, free WiFi, room view upgrades.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
This hotel is ripe for celebrity sightings.  Many camp out at the lounge area facing the elevator block to possibly get a chance at seeing someone.  It was also a pokemon treasure chest for folk :)

This is my favorite hotel to stay at, and I've also stayed at the Marriott Marquis and also on Coronado Island.  Great place, great views, great bars, and easy access to the promenade walk-over to the other side of the road, making it easier to get in/out of Gaslamp.  Always my first hotel choice.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: chirigami on July 27, 2016, 10:12:13 PM
Name of Hotel: Residence Inn Downtown/Bayfront

Type of Room: 1 bedroom suite with a king and pull-out queen (originally had a studio, randomly got upgraded) [had two rooms, but same thing]

Number of Nights You Stayed: 3

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2016 - this is a brand new hotel, only been open 5 months.

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
A few.  There is a little market-type place inside the hotel itself and its situation really close to Little Italy which has a lot of nice food options.  There is a deli like right across the street but since its a Residence Inn it has a little kitchenette already inside.  The Ralphs is like a 5-10 walk away.  Also has complimentary breakfast every morning and out of all the Residence Inns in the area, I think this one had the best spread.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Oh man are they!  Every hotel employee was super friendly, greeted us at every turn and were very engaging in conversation.

* Did you order room service?
 Nope ~

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
There is a gym and a reasonably sized pool all on the fifth floor.  I didn't use the pool but my sister said it was nice and my niece absolutely loved it.  It has a beautiful view of the bay and has a nice patio area also.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
Yes!  The suite was really spacious and I was able to lay out all our costumes without a worry.  We probably also could have easily fit more people into it but eh, more spreading out for us.  Was surprised they didn't cram more furniture in there; the the closet was a liiiittle small but when you have a lot of costumes that are a little big.. everything seems small, haha.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
Valet, I think, was like $45?  Self Parking I'm not sure..

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
On foot it would take like 15 minutes, unless you took long detours like I accidentally did one day.  The shuttle didn't seem too far but we mostly took the trolley since the Santa Fe station stop was right across the street.  The convention center was only 2 or 3 stops (depending on where you wanted to get off) from there.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
Didn't seem like it.  Sometimes you could hear the planes since it wasn't too far from the airport or the horns of the ships from the bay.  But it wasn't like distracting or anything.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
Yup!  A standard setup for free and like a super fast set up for a fee.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Not a member

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
I mentioned it before that the hotel is only like 5 months old, so it is still very new.  It apparently has two parts to it, the Residence Inn side of it and the SpringHill Suites, I really have no idea what the difference is between the two but I believe the RI all have kitchenettes in them which is always a plus for those handy snacks and stuff.  We didn't really utilize it this year as much as we have in the past with other RI (we didn't cook) but it was nice to have an actual refrigerator to hold stuff.


What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Since you might have already wrote about it from the questions above, just make a quick list about the things you liked the most about your stay at this particular hotel.
Beautiful view of the bay with a gigantic aircraft carrier just sitting in the water (it has patriotic lights at night).  The staff was super friendly as I mentioned and the rooms were pretty awesome.  The bed was really comfy also which I tend to be nitpicky about and the pillows were nice.  I rather liked the location even though its a little removed from the hub-bub of the con goings but its not terrible if you trolley or walk it.


Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
The one major thing I didn't like about the hotel was the shower.  Maybe it was an accessible shower since it didn't have a door to close?  I dunno, but it was a little slippery and also I don't think it drained properly at least for a long shower.  Maybe it was mine, my sister said her's was okay drain wise but she also wasn't fond of the design.. especially with a small child.  The construction was a little annoying at times too since the sidewalk was closed often and we had take a longer route to get to the trolley but that should all be finished up in 2018? xD  Also didn't like one street we walked down, the sidewalk was all busted up and I was worried if I was wearing like high heels I would have hurt myself but the street is easily avoidable.

I've stayed at each of the Residence Inns now and while Gaslamp pulls a little ahead because of its location I think this one is great hotel and I totally recommend it even with the wanky shower.  It'll be on my list for next year's hotelpocalypse ~
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: hoserzgirl on July 28, 2016, 04:22:17 PM
Name of Hotel: Wyndham Bayside
Type of Room: (Did your room have 1 king-sized bed, 2 full-sized beds, or another type of bed?  Did you have a suite?) 2 Full sized beds
Number of Nights You Stayed: 5
Year(s) You Stayed There: 2016
Hotel Review:
This is closer to the con, but with the foot traffic you will need to plan accordingly for longer travel time.
We ate 4 of the 5 days at the HAZELWOOD'S BAYSIDE DELI. Prices were reasonable to downtown so instead of hassling with traffic, we ordered for pick up and ate before going out. They closed late at 11pm so we even ordered one night at 1030pm and picked up a hot meal before going to our room. Plus the staff was very courteous and friendly. The restraint was clean. The food was OK. Deli type food although my husband said their salsa was great on the breakfast burritos.   
http://hazelwoodsonthebay.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/hazelwoods-take-out-menu-2014.pdf
The staff was very courteous and friendly housekeepers would greet us leaving in the morning. They left extra TP and towels after they gauged our use the first night. 
They have a pool, which we never used.
The room was a good size. We could move around and left all our stuff on the floor (bags, luggage, swag, etc.) Every room has a balcony and unfortunately ours overlooked the parking structure, but no biggie. There is NO REFIRGERATOR, NO MICROWAVE in the room. So we brought an ice chest. There was a coffee maker but it was in a weird location below the TV. I had to stoop to use it. 
Beds were comfortable. 4 pillows each.
Parking was $26.00 We actually got to park outside our building most days so we were able to jump in and go in the morning.
We got parking at the Hilton Bayfront and the drive was anywhere from 15-25 minutes going to convention and about 10-15coming back from convention.
The only time we really noticed any outside noise was the last day when it seemed like someone was bowling upstairs.
The hotel has free WiFi for guests.
I am a member of the hotel's rewards program and they never asked, LOL. So, no perks.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Billybear on July 29, 2016, 07:31:08 AM
Name of Hotel: Hotel Indigo

Type of Room: twin room - 2 full size beds on 12th floor

Number of Nights You Stayed: 6

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2016
Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   im sure there are good choices in the hotel for meals, but we never used them - breakfast at the Broken Yolk (5 mins) walk - evening meal at Hooters or Smashburger (both very close) or other locations

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? - very polite and courteous

* Did you order room service? - no


* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? no pool available - did not use any facilities outside the room

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  - extremely comfortable rooms and beds - no noise issues

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? - n/a

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? on foot 10 minutes

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? - thick walls, no room noise at all

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No) yes - good, fast wifi

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? - yes, Holiday Inn gold - upgraded room, special rate, additional points

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above? - no, very nice hotel, but we only used the room - paid a lot for it


What did you like about staying at this hotel?

- close location to the convention center
- close to a lot of restaurants & 7/11
- great view from your room


Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?

- expensive hotel rates per night
- no pool
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Satam on July 29, 2016, 12:42:28 PM
Name of Hotel: Springhill Suites Downtown/Bayfront

Type of Room: 1 King Bed, 2 people

Number of Nights You Stayed: 7

Year(s) You Stayed There:  2016

Hotel Review:

Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
Free Breakfast and Market place type thing to side of lobby

How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
The staff were very polite and courteous

Did you order room service?
No

Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
Pool and Gym on fifth floor.  Did not use either.  Microwave, coffee maker, and small refrigerator in room.

Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
Very comfortable and good sized room.

If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
No car.  Did not park.

How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
Shuttle seemed to be about 15 minutes to a half hour depending on traffic.  It's a little over a mile from the convention center and about a 25 minute walk.

Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
Walls are NOT thin. It was pretty quiet in general, and we didn't really hear other guests.  The sounds of the harbor was what we heard most.

Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
Yes.

Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Marriott Rewards Member.  Points.

Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
It is a very new hotel and is in the same building (different wings) as the Residence Inn San Diego Downtown/Bayfront

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Great view of the bay.  Very friendly staff.  Internet tv.  Comfortable bed and nice pillows.  Not the best location, but not a bad one, either: pretty nice walk to the convention center along Harbor Drive and the waterfront.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
The shower head wasn't so good and the handle didn't seem like it was properly calibrated, which took some getting used to (this was probably just our room, though).  Not enough or too full elevators at certain times.

Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: dartz13 on July 29, 2016, 06:50:33 PM
Name of Hotel: Sheraton Mission Valley

Type of Room: 2 Queen Beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There:  2016

Hotel Review:

Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
Free breakfast buffet.  The Cru Bistro also offered lunch and dinner, closes at 10 PM.  They also have a 24 hr market.

How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Very polite and courteous.

Did you order room service?
No

Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
There was a pool and a fitness center.  Plus, there was a coffee maker and mini fridge in the room.

Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
My room was very comfortable.  It might be about average compared to other hotels.

If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
N/A

How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
The shuttle stop was right at the hotel and it took about 20-30 minutes to get to the convention center.

Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
The walls are not thin, but did hear from the hallway.  It was not bad though, quiet for the most part.

Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
Yes.

Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
SPG, Starwood Preferred Guest.

Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
N/A

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
The Sheraton offered guests to go "Green" by opting in to not have maids go into your room for cleaning or changing out your towels or linen (although, toiletries were an exception) and if you opted into the program, you can choose to either earn 500 points for the SPG program or $5 credit in food/drinks in their hotel per night stay except the night of your departure.  I personally chose the $5 credit and used it towards my dinner in their diner. 

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
My room looked old, the toilet tank looked like it was not properly seated, but it functioned just fine.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: angi on July 29, 2016, 07:40:32 PM
Name of Hotel: Springhill Suites Downtown/Bayfront

Type of Room: 2 queens plus pull-out sofa (could easily sleep 6)

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2016

1) Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?

The inside has a market place. Other than that, you need to walk to snack places in the park or back closer to Gaslamp or north.  They do have an amazingly HUGE breakfast for free though.  Like eggs, sausage or bacon, potatoes, another hot item (like pancakes), a waffle station, a bread station, a yogurt station, oatmeal, muffins that were more like cupcakes.  If you can hang at the hotel until 0630 when it opens, it shaves off considerable costs having a big breakfast and taking a bagel and fruit to go for lunch.

2) How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?

They were AWESOME.  I highly, highly recommend!

3) Did you order room service?

No, I don't believe it is available either.

4) Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?

There is an outdoor lap pool on the 5th floor, hardly anyone was in it.  The gym was reasonably sized with treadmills, ellipticals, stairclimbers.  They also had a combo weight machine thing which I didn't bother with.  They have dumbbells up to about 60 lbs, bosu bubble, weighted balls for russian twists, etc. and yoga mats as well.  I did weights the first night because I didn't do any other exercise that day. This is one of the better gyms for a smaller hotel I have seen.

5) Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?

The room is set up where you walk in and directly in front of you there is a built in with a mini-fridge, microwave, and coffee pot.  To the right there is a living room area with what I believe was a queen sleeper although it may have been a double.  There is a desk area for your electronics that is open, as in you can see out the windows sitting on the sofa.  The desk is the divider between the living area and beds. There is a closet to the front of the room next to the window and second bed.  The bathroom area is dead center with a bard door that slides.  The shower was on the right and the toilet was on the left with the sink in the middle.  The bathroom had floor space to stash makeup bags, etc. but not a huge amount of counter space for that.  It was stocked with tons of towels and extra TP.

There was plenty of room and  4 people could fit very comfortably and use the sofa for additional storage or hanging out.  If you had 6 people in there, it might get tight with the sofa out the entire time. If you have tons of luggage or toys it might get tight with 6 people too, but I suspect that would be a problem in any hotel with 6 in a room.  It was definitely larger than the Courtyard downtown. 

6) If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?

Self-parking. I don't recall the cost.  The going rate seems to be $40/nt though.

7) How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?

I did not bother with the shuttle for the most part. I either took uber when I was running late or I walked across the street and took the trolley.  The trolley was fast, running every 5-10 minutes tops, and costs $5 for an limited day pass (plus $2 for the card, one-time).  The hotel is about a mile walk through the bayfront (backside of the convention) and I think about 1.5 miles going on the streets.  I took the shuttle back to the hotel the first night and it took maybe 10-15 minutes. I wasn't timing. It was pretty quick considering the time was spent on pokey-slows exiting the bus.

8.) Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?

I did not hear any noise.  It was very quiet.

9) Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)

Yes, it was free and easy to connect to.

10)  Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?


Yes, I am a gold member but due to the hotel being fully booked, I don't believe I received an upgrade other than my room was on a high floor (14th, excellent bay view)

11) Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?

The hotel is split between Residence Inn and Springhill Suites. Next year, I will put in for the Residence Inn since it has a full kitchen and hopefully a normal door on the bathroom.  The Springhill suites are well decorated and updated.  However, I think they went too far in the decor because they have a barn door bathroom door.  This doesn't allow for much pooping privacy because there are gaps on the sides so If you walk by at just the right angle, you can see in and basically you can hear everything too.  We turned on the tv for privacy but we're a couple.  It might be awkward for a roommate situation, especially co-ed.

There are no celeb sightings, which is ok with me.  I prefer quiet and relaxing when I am coming back to crash.

12) What did you like about staying at this hotel?

Incredible views, very eager and friendly staff. The rooms are clean and well appointed.  The beds are very comfortable, neither brick hard or squishy soft.  I slept very well.  The hotel was very quiet either because lack of partiers or just well insulated, I don't know, but it was quiet. It felt like a retreat.  The have a 5pm happy hour drink cart too, so you can come in, shower, go down and have a drink before going out to dinner or hitting the gaslamp.

It is also conveniently located away from the noise of the gaslamp but still close enough that everything is walkable if you are in good health or a short trolley ride away. I think this is a hidden gem and it will be my top pick next year.


13) Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?

The barn door on the bathroom.  That is my only complaint and it is very minor.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: angoradebs on July 29, 2016, 09:26:10 PM
I did a mini-review of this hotel back before this format existed, which was based on a one night stay after the Con. Since we stayed here for the full Con this year, I decided to do a more in-depth review

Name of Hotel: Hampton Inn San Diego Downtown

Type of Room: 2 Queen Beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2016

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   The hotel offered free breakfast from 6-10am, including a waffle station, bagels/muffins/scones, cereal, oatmeal, yogurt, and hot items such as eggs, sausage, bacon,  home fries (and the home fries were amazing). They are also walking distance to a ton of restaurants, my favorites being Bencotto Italian Kitchen and Queenstown Public House.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
   Everyone we interacted with was very nice and helpful. When we checked out, the man at the front desk was asking us all kinds of questions about our Comic Con experience and seemed genuinely interested. We had to request room items a couple times (one day we only got 2 washcloths, another day they didn't give us ice bucket liners), and they were very quick to get the missing items to us.

* Did you order room service?
  No, and I don't believe it was an option.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
  There is a pool, which I did not use. I don't believe there is a gym, but I also didn't look for one.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
   It was an average size hotel room. There is a closet, and the entire bathroom area is separate from the bedroom area, so you could get ready without disturbing sleeping roommates. We had enough room for all our stuff, but we were only 3 people. A 4th might have made it a little cramped. The beds are queens so there is a little extra room in the bed itself as well.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
   We didn't drive, but there is a parking garage for 20 dollars per night.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
   The shuttle ride to the convention center wasn't bad, maybe 15 minutes? Coming back was longer due to all the traffic in front of the convention center. Sunday after the floor closed, it took over half an hour. What's nice about this hotel is that you can walk a few blocks over to the Best Western and use their shuttle route as well. We did this to get to Spreckels theatre for Conan, because the Blue Route has a stop near there (I want to say get off at the Westin?). We did not use the trolley to get to/from the Con, but there is a stop directly behind the hotel. I didn't attempt walking, but Sunday night we did walk to Seaport Village, which took a little over 20 minutes.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
  The only time I could hear other hotel occupants was when using the bathroom. However, I will say that our room was next to a storage area, so we did not have shared walls. There is train noise, so request a room at the front of the hotel. We were on the side and could still faintly hear it, but it wasn't loud enough to be disruptive.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?
  Yes, for all guests. There are also two computers in the lobby for guest use, along with a printer.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
   I am, at the lowest level, but I didn't even add my number to the reservation until the last day. No real perks that I could see, just a different log in process for the free wifi (perhaps it was faster internet, but I had no issues with the standard complimentary wifi)

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
   No celebrity sightings, obviously, it was the Hampton Inn. But the lobby area is really nice, and all day long they have ice cold water available, and coffee. And in the evenings they have cookies at the front desk. Also, all the rooms have fridges, but no microwaves. There is a microwave in the breakfast area that you can use (even if it's not breakfast time). There is no in-room safe. There is a free airport shuttle. The shuttle also makes daily stops at Balboa Park, and may take you elsewhere by request, depending on demand. There is a Rite Aid about 2 blocks away for any necessities.


What did you like about staying at this hotel?
-Price. This is one of the cheaper non-Mission Valley hotels (and cheaper than even some MV hotels), and you get a lot for your money
-Free airport shuttle
-Free breakfast with lots of options, and convenient times (4 hours in the morning)
-Free wifi
-Little Italy location puts it close to lots of restaurants
-Right by the trolley

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
The elevators are a little sketchy, they do this bounce thing when they first start to move. And sometimes you have to wait a while for one.

Overall, this place is a great Comic Con hotel. If you're like me, and just leave for the Con in the morning and come back at night, and have no need to go to your hotel room during the day, this is a perfect option. And you can't really beat the price. This year it was 225 for a triple.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: geekyfamilyfriendly on August 07, 2016, 10:40:25 PM
Name of Hotel:Wyndham Bayside (City View)

Type of room: Dobule Bed

Number of Nights You Stayed:  2

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2016

Hotel Review:



* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel? Yes, there was a deli which offered Pizza, hamburgers, salads amongst other things. They also had a Steak house (did not eat there), also they were in the process of constructing a claim jumpers.

* How was the hotel staff? The staff was helpfulWere they polite and courteous? Yes they were

* Did you order room service? No
   

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? Pool, it was not heated, gym, but did not use.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortable to move around? Room was decent sized, we were avle to fit a pack and play for our son. Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels? Rooms were about the same as other hotels.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?25 dollars I believe

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? N/A

* Are the walls of the room thin? Not that i remember
 What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?pretty decent we were not woken up at all.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  No

Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above? The City View was great, liked the lights at night. The Deli was open 6am to 11pm, served alcohol but jad to be dunken there.


What did you like about staying at this hotel?
It is close by, had nice view of the ocean.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
The pool wasn't heated.
Although it was close, I wouldn't walk to or from conventiom center.
Some of their Ice machines weren't working.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: dolphina on August 09, 2016, 03:41:59 PM
Name of Hotel: Hilton Bayfront

Type of Room: I upgraded our room for $60/night for an extra large corner bay/city view 2 queen beds.

Number of Nights You Stayed: 6 nights

Year(s) You Stayed There: Stayed in 2015 and 2016. (2015 was in a standard room)

Hotel Review: We had 5 of us staying in our room so I had booked the large room direct with the hotel and hoped that they would let me keep it during SDCC, they did but with an upgrade fee of $60/night which having 5 people in the room was worth it. The room was large enough we could have put 3 twin size air mattresses, we had 4 ice chests plus all the exclusives and bags we had got from the convention. From our room we also had a great view of the lines and of the screen where they showed Star Trek.



* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
  Only food places were either inside or right outside the hotel. Ordered from sushi bar and was pricey, so only did that once.
* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?

* Did you order room service?
   The kids ordered from room service, 3 hamburgers with fries, no drinks and with fees and tip it came close to $90.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? I like the pool at the Bayfront but except for Tuesday didn't get to use it.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  This room (x-lg corner/bay) is significantly larger than the std room and if you have a large group or are going to have a lot of exclusives the upgrade is totally worth it.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? $32/ night with in and out privileges.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? We were right across from the Hall H and everything else line, super convenient.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? We never heard a peep either from our one neighbor or any outside noises.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No) Yes if you sign up for their free rewards program, but it was slow.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? Yes I am currently a gold member and got vouchers for either a continental breakfast or a coffee and food item at Starbucks.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above? I was disappointed that they didn't do the elevator wraps like they did last year and the vibe seemed different this year, but will probably try again next year for it.


What did you like about staying at this hotel? The location, being so close to the lines. LOL



Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel? That the majority of food places are far away, at least it seems that way after a long day at the con.
Tell us about anything that negatively impacted your stay at this particular hotel that you may not have already mentioned above. N/A
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: NoNoNuni on August 17, 2016, 04:15:57 PM
Name of Hotel: Westin Gaslamp Quarter

Type of Room: 2 queen beds, $285/night.

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4 nights

Year(s) You Stayed There:  2016.

Hotel Review:
* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
  There was a bar/restaurant in the lobby. They had a good happy hour during the week. There was also a Panera and a Chipotle nearby that made for good, uncrowded lunch options.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
  Super polite and helpful.
* Did you order room service?
   Negatory

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
They had a nice pool. I didn't use their gym, but they have a program where you can rent cool workout gear and sneakers for $5 a day. So, something to consider if you want to save a little suitcase space!

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Plenty of space for the three of us, and all of our stuff. We were able to spread out without getting in each other's hair.


* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
I Amtraked, but parking was like, $50 a night.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
Maybe a 5-10 minute walk? I'm a native NYer, so I tend to walk rather briskly  ;D

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
I don't think I heard much of anything outside

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No) Nope.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
I'm an entry-level member. So I got a free bottle of water!

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
We were right across the street from the Conan tapings, so it seemed like a lot of the production staff was staying there. I saw a few faces from the Nerdist website, but otherwise, pretty low-key.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
The location. It was close enough to walk, but far enough away from the crowding.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
I wished the wifi was cheaper, but I have unlimited data on my phone plan, so I didn't exactly suffer.

Tell us about anything that negatively impacted your stay at this particular hotel that you may not have already mentioned above. N/A
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: sisustylegirl on January 11, 2017, 03:14:23 PM
Name of Hotel: Renaissance (formerly the W)

Type of Room: 2 full sized beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2016

Hotel Review:

(Here are some questions to get you started as you think about your hotel stay during Comic-Con.  Again, you can answer all or some of these questions to help you write your hotel feedback comments.)

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel? Yes.  Plus, we were really close to Little Italy so it was nice to have options other than the Gaslamp.
 

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? Super nice. 


* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels? There were 2 of us in the room.  Since we both cosplay every day, we travel with a lot of stuff.  There was plenty of room, plus an amazingly comfortable window seat we were both tempted to sleep in.  Would have liked bettor mirrors and lighting for makeup though.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? We took the shuttle, it was about a block from our hotel.  It is a little odd to be so far out walking down the street in full on cosplay (with construction workers yelling at you). 

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? No noise at all. 

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? Yes but not high enough to get any perks

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?  There were a few random minor celebs and industry people in our hotel.  We saw Adam Sessler (G4) in the lobby bar having a quick one almost every night.  Really nice guy.


What did you like about staying at this hotel?

- had great customer service
- loved the chalkboard in our room.  We left notes for housekeeping every day.
- fun meeting industry people (more so than meeting A-listers)
- nice getting out of Gaslamp for a bit

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?

- far distance from the convention center, plus a block from the shuttle route
- long traveling time to and from the convention center
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: sisustylegirl on January 11, 2017, 03:29:18 PM
3 hotel reviews in 1 post!

Name of Hotel: San Diego Marriott Marquis and Marina

Type of Room: 2 queens

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2011, 2013, 2015

Hotel Review:

Good hotel, nice amenities (although we never used any of them).  The staff is always friendly and courteous.  Plenty of room as long as you are not trying to cram 5 girls into a room for 4 (never again). Good lighting and mirrors for cosplay preparations.  Lots of celebrity sightings every year.  Good room service.


What did you like about staying at this hotel?

- close location to the convention center
- had great customer service
- close to a lot of restaurants
- great view from your room - we liked being able to see where lines were from our hotel room
- a lot of celebrity sightings

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?

Example list:

- long traveling time to and from the convention center - yes it is right next door but if you are going to Hall H or any other major rooms, you have a long way to walk. 
- it sometimes felt like a pain just to walk to the Gaslamp.



Name of Hotel: Hilton San Diego Airport/Harbor Island

Type of Room: 2 queens

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2012

Hotel Review:

It was a nice hotel, one of the last stops/first drops on the shuttle route.  The hotel seemed a little noisy.  We didn't stay there much, spent most of our time at the Con and Gaslamp because there wasn't much for food or other fun things out there.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?

-good shuttle route placement
-decent room size

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?

-no food or fun nearby, have to take the shuttle or a cab
-rooms were a little dark



Name of Hotel: Hilton Bayfront

Type of Room: 2 queen

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2014

Hotel Review:

We really liked the Bayfront!  It was a great location, basically closer to the Con than the Marriott! We spent a lot of time hanging in the hotel bar and met some really cool industry people, a few we saw in panels later in the week.  The rooms were nice and bright.  Good mirrors and lighting for cosplay stuff, plus lots of room for all our stuff.  Easy walking distance to Gaslamp for dinner (we never really ate at the hotel).


What did you like about staying at this hotel?

- close location to the convention center
- had great customer service
- close to a lot of restaurants
- great view from your room - we had a room that overlooked where celebs would get into their cars, it was fun to watch
- a lot of celebrity sightings - mostly industry but sometimes that is more fun!

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?

Nothing really.  I would totally be happy here again.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: geargirl on April 09, 2017, 03:48:01 PM
Name of Hotel: Springhill Suites Bayfront - By the Wyndham

Type of Room: 2 double beds and pull out couch
Number of Nights You Stayed: 6

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2016

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
In between this hotel and the Wyndham is a cute little deli. You can get breakfast - dinner. Coffee is very good. Breakfast is provided at the hotel and it is pretty good. You can take yogurts and fruit and put them in your fridge for later.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
The hotel staff was good. This is a new hotel which made it nice.
* Did you order room service?
We never do room service. On a budget.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.
They have an outside deck on the same level as the breakfast dining hall. It was nice to sit out there at night and in the morning.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably? 
This was a good sized room with a desk and pull out couch. The bathroom had a barn style door which was a bit weird and I think would have been super uncomfortable for people staying together who did not really know each other. Bathroom is also in the middle of the room.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?

Flew in no car.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?

The shuttle was very close and a very short ride. The only thing with the shuttles is sometimes they fill up before they finish visiting every hotel.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
Noise level was fine


* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
I believe the WiFi was free. We have mobile hotspots so that is not a huge issue for us.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Yes. I only got the points for staying there. No additional perks.
* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
Although this hotel seems super far away, it is really fine. I like to stay closer because it is easier to leave the con and rest then go back. However, I have stayed at both the Wyndham and now this hotel. This hotel is definitely nicer and the breakfast does save you quite a bit in food.



Example list:
- you can walk to the convention center but you really need to have good shoes
- no celebrity sightings
-good size room
-liked having the desk

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Tell us about anything that negatively impacted your stay at this particular hotel that you may not have already mentioned above. 

Example list:
- bathroom was weird
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: ohmyj07 on April 24, 2017, 01:06:16 PM
Name of Hotel: Hard Rock

Type of Room: Studio before moving to a Suite

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5 Nights

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2016

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   There were restaurants inside and around the hotel, but a lot of them are on the pricey side. Fortunately, Ralphs is a few blocks away and if you're desperate and don't want to spend a lot of money, Subway is a block away as well.

* How was the hotel staff?
   They were nice and very accommodating.

* Did you order room service?
   Nope.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
   Weren't able to try 'cause they were closed to public and such.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
   For a party of five with a lot of luggage, the studio room (1 King bed) is small but surprisingly, it fit us all. Plus not all of us are always in the room 'cause some would line up at night and be in the Convention center all day.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
    A five to ten minutes walk from the Convention Center, depending which side you are coming from and the crowd.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
   I didn't really have problem with the noise since I'm dead asleep from exhaustion. In the morning, however, I would definitely hear staffs and celebrities passing by the hallway.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?
   Yes? I actually don't remember.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
   A lot of celebrity sightings. We were at Floor 11, where some interviews were happening. I remember seeing Viola Davis, Will Smith, and other casts of Suicide Squad. There were a couple of celebrities I was in the elevator with that I didn't know until my friend told me, but I was definitely with Dave Franco in an elevator once. Also a lot of celebrity sightings in the lobby.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?


- Close location to the convention center
- You can clearly see the convention center from our hotel window
- A lot of celebrity sightings, etc.
- You need to show proof that you are staying the hotel, which means not very crowded 'cause people can't just go inside the lobby
- People also can't just go up the hotel without the proper hotel key
- The suite room is so spacey and it was amazing! It had two queen beds(?), a sofa room, and two televisions. It was an experience.


Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Tell us about anything that negatively impacted your stay at this particular hotel that you may not have already mentioned above. 

Example list:
- Very expensive hotel rates per night
- The fridge is filled with things that are so expensive that we just didn't touch the fridge at all
- As much as I love celebrity sightings, they're quite the bother as well since you'll have to wait longer for the elevator and if they closed the front elevators to public, where your room is closer, you'll have to go use the other East elevator(?).
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Fazermint on April 25, 2017, 11:35:33 PM
I stayed at the Hard Rock last year. They have industry parties at all hours there, and we were right above them, so some nights were extremely loud.

I was forever running into celebs, and I had no idea who they were. But one time when I was leaving, I got caught with them, and paps/fans were taking my photo. I was like, "I'M NO ONE." lol

I was told to take another elevator on the other side of the building so that celebs could get an elevator without waiting.  ::)
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: foxbatkllr on July 24, 2017, 10:24:25 AM
Name of Hotel: Hotel Solamar

Type of Room: King

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4 Nights

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2017

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
Lots of dining options.  Located in the middle of a lot of restaurants and also very close to Subway.  Dining options was one of the bright spots of the location.

* How was the hotel staff?
   Probably the friendliest staff of any hotel I've stayed at for SDCC

* Did you order room service?
   No

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
   Did not use any of them, but they have a rooftop pool that looks pretty nice.  They do offer coffee and iced tea in the lobby every morning and afternoon, which was pretty good.  It beat hotel room coffee by a long shot.  They do not have coffee makers in the room, so you do have to get dressed and go down to the lobby to get your morning fix.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
The room was adequate in size.  Not that memorable.  TV was larger than most hotels, but the remote was not fully compatible with their TV menu.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
    About ten minute walk to the convention center.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
  Yes, terribly thin.  We could hear our neighbors and their TV very well.  I really felt like we had no privacy.  Fortunately other than the first day the neighbors were not loud so we were able to sleep.  For the Nat Geo pool party on Saturday night it really wasn't that bad.  I've stayed at hotels with worse noise outside (like Hard Rock).  It's the room to room walls and hallway walls that were not acceptable.  I did complain to the hotel (I've never complained to a hotel before, I'm not really one to fuss) and they offered an apology, but not really any solution.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?
   Yes.  That was appreciated.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
   No celebrity sightings.  Parking cost is outrageously expensive at $49/day, valet only.  We had two cars (not normal, but a necessity this year due to our kid) so it cost us a fortune.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?

Staff was super nice.
Rooms were clean
Free wifi
Good free coffee, even though I didn't like getting dressed to get it
Not crowded
Good location for food
Close enough to walk to convention in costume without too much pain

Edit:  Angology's post reminded me.  The Solamar room does have a sliding bathroom door.  It wasn't an issue for me and its not super close to the bed, but it may be an issue for some.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: dkd on July 24, 2017, 11:36:18 AM
Name of Hotel: Marriott Marquis

Type of Room: King, Bayview with Balcony
Number of Nights You Stayed: 5 Nights

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2001, 2015, 2017

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
Several restaurants in the hotel, including a pop-up "beer and sushi" place in the North Tower.  But, the sushi was awful.  I ate and drank at the Marina Kitchen and Tequila Bar.  Both nice.

* How was the hotel staff?
  Fine.  Everyone was pleasant

* Did you order room service?
   No, I never do.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
   I used the pool once on Wednesday.  Never used the gym.  There's a spa that I didn't use.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
I was by myself and the room was very spacious.  I had a couch to throw my stuff on.  But, I should noted that I reserved the room separately for Tuesday night and it is a higher priced room.  They let me keep it for the rest of the con.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
I think the MMM is deceptive.  Obviously, it is next to the convention center and, even, part of it.  But, if you want to get to the far side of the convention center or go to Indigo Ballroom, you have to deal with a lot of people in your way.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
  No problem with noice

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?
 Only if you are a member of their frequent stayer club.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
 
I really don't love this hotel.  As a venue for the convention, it feels like you never left the convention.  As you head to the elevator, you have to navigate displays, and people sitting on the floor and chairs who probably aren't guests.  Also, if you want to attend offsites, eat in the Gaslamp, or parties--which I do extensively--they are always across the tracks.  Getting back from a late night party means a longer walk than if you are staying IN the gaslamp.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?

Good staff
Rooms were clean
Marina Kitchen bar to have a night cap before going to bed.
Place to get late night food to take to room

What did you NOT like about staying at this hotel?

Wrong side of the tracks for evening and offsite activities
People, people everywhere
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: jamiesugah on July 25, 2017, 10:35:25 AM
Name of Hotel: Marriott Marquis & Marina

Type of Room: Double (two beds)

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2017

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
MMM has several but the only one I used was the Exchange Pantry, which was pretty good. Also not that far of a walk to the Seaport Village.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Staff was very nice, though I only dealt with them checking in and checking out.

* Did you order room service?
No, it's an $8 charge and it's billed to the room, so I just went down and picked it up.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
Did not use the pool, mostly because I didn't think to bring my swimsuit, but I was a little disappointed in the vending options. First, there was no ice bucket in the room (I assume you had to call down for one), and there was only a drink machine (no snacks) with only six options.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
There were five of us so it was gonna be a little crammed no matter what, but last year I was in the Hilton Gaslamp and the MMM was a bigger room.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
Short walk to the convention center, longer walk to the Bayfront where all my press stuff was. Walking back to the hotel from Petco felt really long.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
I don't think it was more noticeable than usual, at least from other rooms or the hallway. We did have Syfy Live right outside our hotel, but at least that was during the afternoon.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  For Marriott Rewards members only.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
Elevators are slow. There are five, but there are so many people that you may have to wait through two or three before you can find one that isn't full. But since they were filming Syfy Live, I did spy a couple of celebrities in the elevator.


What did you like about staying at this hotel?
-Nice view (could keep an eye on all the lines)
-Celeb sightings
-VERY close to some con functions (did not do any of them this year, though)
-Short walk to convention center

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
-Too many people! Everything was always busy
-Too far from press functions
-Too far from Gaslamp/offsites
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Pyramid on July 25, 2017, 11:24:57 AM
Name of Hotel:  Hilton Bayfront

Type of Room: Double queen

Number of Nights You Stayed: 6

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2017

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?

Yes, there are several place to eat at the Hilton Bayfront:  Fox Sports Grill, a restaurant, and a pop up food stand which sells breakfast burritos, cookies, soda, water, hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, etc.  Their Meal Deal is $14 for either a hot dog or hamburger, fries, and a drink.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Staff was polite and courteous for the most part.

* Did you order room service?
No, too expensive.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
The Hilton Bayfront has several amenities such as the Club Pool, gym, spa, grill, restaurant, gift shop, but I never used them.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
The AC can cool down a room to 68* which was very comfortable.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
NA.  Flew into SD.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
Perhaps the biggest perk the Bayfront offers is that it is the closest hotel to Hall H.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
I am very sensitive to sound and I didn't hear anyone walking in the room above us or noise from either side.  People talking in the hall was loud but it didn't occur too much.  I am not sure if it was the FX or Adult Swim side event which was right outside the Bayfront or the Club Pool but music could be heard late into the night.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
Yes, if you are a Hilton Honors member (which is free).

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
I joined the Hilton Honors program before checking in but could not get any double points on my stay.  ??? 

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
When we first took the elevator to our room, Rob Liefeld hopped on.  We talked and said goodbye.  Josh Barnett was apparently also staying there.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?

- Very close location to the convention center
- Customer service was pleasant.
- Restaurants located inside of the hotel.
- Excellent view from your room!
- We saw a few celebrities and artists.
- Immediate hot water in the shower.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
-  My family and I found their beds to be very uncomfortable.  My wife and I usually only experience this on air mattresses.  They also didn't use fitted sheets so the bottom sheet always became a mess during the night.
-  We also had to make multiple requests for towels and in room coffee.
-  Mildew in the shower and water marks on the bathroom ceiling gave the room a slummy feel.
-  Carpet wasn't always vacuumed.
-  Refrigerators are available on a first come first serve basis. 
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Angology on July 25, 2017, 12:11:45 PM
Name of Hotel: Omni Downtown/Gaslamp

Type of Room: (Did your room have 1 king-sized bed, 2 full-sized beds, or another type of bed?  Did you have a suite?) 1 king sized bed

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2017

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel? Yes-Inside and out
Had the breakfast sandwiches from the in house coffee shop Zumbido on the days we needed to get out and about. They ran a comic-con special of $6. They were filling and very good. They did also have sandwiches for lunch, which were also at a reduced price.

McCormick & Schmick's was the on site restaurant. It is a pricey one, but I did see that they had cheaper grab and go options, which is nice.

There were also a lot of options close by, including some cheaper ones like Subway and Crunchtime (has hot dogs-got a Chicago Style one with my e-coin card)

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? They were very nice. We checked in online. The earliest time we could pick was 3:00pm, but our key was waiting for us when we got in around 1:00pm (we had noted during check in that we would be in earlier than 3:00pm). They have a board where they put your key card under your name. They were the exclusive SDCC cards, and they did let me switch one out for a Supernatural card. They greeted me as I picked up my key card, and were very cordial. Everyone always had a smile and a hello when you saw them in the hallways. Oh, and they didn't bug us every day about not having housekeeping clean up our room (some hotels get very obnoxious about it).

* Did you order room service? No

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? No. We could see the pool from our room, but much of the space was taken up by the Wired magazine setup. However-there were four towels in our room! That was a first (I may have put something in my Select Guest profile, but it usually gets ignored at other hotels where I mention it).

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels? Yes-it was a nice size. Bigger than some of the MMM rooms we have stayed in, and the Hotel Z from last year.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? Did not drive

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? A short walk to the convention center, but you had to travel through the crowded intersection between the Hard Rock and the Hilton Gaslamp. Not a big deal-I like being in the thick of it!

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?Somewhat thin. Heard some discussions from the next room, and was awake early one morning, and could make out their alarm going off (it did not wake me-I was already awake). The Wired Cafe was below us, and the music was loud all day, but was not going on at night. We did watch enviously as people enjoyed the brunch/free ice cream! :)

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No) Yes, for Omni Select members (free sign up online)

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? Yes. You get free WiFi and online check-in

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above? No celebrity sightings.


What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Since you might have already wrote about it from the questions above, just make a quick list about the things you liked the most about your stay at this particular hotel.

* close location to the convention center-definitely!
* had great customer service-staff was always friendly
* close to a lot of restaurants

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Tell us about anything that negatively impacted your stay at this particular hotel that you may not have already mentioned above. 
The infamous sliding bathroom door is an odd choice. There wasn't a way to completely close it off. I stayed with my husband, but I still don't want to be a part of every part of his life (and vice versa!) I can imagine it would be uncomfortable for roommates that don't know each other well. I don't think it's a deal breaker, for my situation anyway.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: rabbitwarren on July 26, 2017, 11:29:35 AM
Name of Hotel: San Diego Marriott Gaslamp

Type of Room: King for 2 people

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5

Year(s) You Stayed There: (Type in the actual year: 2012, 2013, 2014, etc.) 2017

Hotel Review:

Clean, cosy hotel close to the convention but off to the side so you can get a respite from the chaos  A little less fancy than I was expecting but it did what it was supposed to do.  The WB facades in the elevator were a nice touch.  Definitely not Starwood quality but if you want a clean, quiet hotel that is extremely convenient to the convention, this is the place. 

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
Soleil restaurant is typical hotel dining but it was close to other options like the Broken Yolk Cafe or Old Spaghetti House.  Avoid the subway across the street.  Broken Yolk has Taco specials that are comparable and taste much better. 

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?

Not the most efficient but nice

?

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?

Not the biggest but we slept ok.  Not pleased about getting a king bed but at least we weren't on top of each other


* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?

5 minutes assuming the people traffic moved at a normal pace.  Definitely no more than 10.  I'm a New Yorker and am used to walking around and navigating crowds so my perspective may be different. 


* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?

Wifi is free for members. 

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?

Buzzfeed hosted the WB party here.  There's a Business center to print stuff. 


What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Close to the convention but far enough if you wanted a respite from the chaos.  There was a postal Annex across the street which was convenient as we had a ton of stuff to ship back home. 

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
They gave us a king bed but because they thought it was only 1 person instead of two people, gave us a small room, so no rollaway bed.  Also, the air conditioner was a little inconsistent. 

Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Jim Watari on July 26, 2017, 11:55:37 AM
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Name of Hotel:  Hilton Bayfront

Type of Room: Double queen

Number of Nights You Stayed: 6

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2017

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?

Yes, there are several place to eat at the Hilton Bayfront:  Fox Sports Grill, a restaurant, and a pop up food stand which sells breakfast burritos, cookies, soda, water, hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, etc.  Their Meal Deal is $14 for either a hot dog or hamburger, fries, and a drink.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Staff was polite and courteous for the most part.

* Did you order room service?
No, too expensive.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
The Hilton Bayfront has several amenities such as the Club Pool, gym, spa, grill, restaurant, gift shop, but I never used them.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
The AC can cool down a room to 68* which was very comfortable.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
NA.  Flew into SD.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
Perhaps the biggest perk the Bayfront offers is that it is the closest hotel to Hall H.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
I am very sensitive to sound and I didn't hear anyone walking in the room above us or noise from either side.  People talking in the hall was loud but it didn't occur too much.  I am not sure if it was the FX or Adult Swim side event which was right outside the Bayfront or the Club Pool but music could be heard late into the night.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
Yes, if you are a Hilton Honors member (which is free).

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
I joined the Hilton Honors program before checking in but could not get any double points on my stay.  ??? 

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
When we first took the elevator to our room, Rob Liefeld hopped on.  We talked and said goodbye.  Josh Barnett was apparently also staying there.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?

- Very close location to the convention center
- Customer service was pleasant.
- Restaurants located inside of the hotel.
- Excellent view from your room!
- We saw a few celebrities and artists.
- Immediate hot water in the shower.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
-  My family and I found their beds to be very uncomfortable.  My wife and I usually only experience this on air mattresses.  They also didn't use fitted sheets so the bottom sheet always became a mess during the night.
-  We also had to make multiple requests for towels and in room coffee.
-  Mildew in the shower and water marks on the bathroom ceiling gave the room a slummy feel.
-  Carpet wasn't always vacuumed.
-  Refrigerators are available on a first come first serve basis.


I stayed there too this year :

The rooms have not been "refreshed"  in the a few years.

I've gotten used to the Sliding bathroom doors at other hotels and I missed that here. Having the bathroom door so close to the room door makes opening and closing the doors more difficult.

I noticed the the power plugs on the lamps were very loose had to use the other power outlets.

Newer hotels have USB ports built into the power outlets.

The clock radio was not working , so I just unplugged it.

Also newer hotels now have Netflix apps built into the LCD TVs , so you don't need WiFi to stream shows.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: hikanteki on July 26, 2017, 03:39:04 PM
Name of Hotel: The Bristol

Type of Room: I was in a "Superior King" which is considered their basic room with a king bed.

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2017

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
The hotel had a small restaurant/bar which I didn't go to. There is a Corner Bakery & Cafe across the street which has quick, relatively inexpensive basic Americana-type foods...breakfast, sandwiches, salads, etc. Go a block perpendicular and there's Sushi 2 (formerly Sushi Deli 2.) It was also only about two blocks away from Horton Plaza on the Jimbo's entrance, and another block down from Ralph's which was across the street from Crocevia Coffee and another block down from my favorite Lion/Lani Coffee.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Yes, absolutely. They always greeted me and asked how everything was. I got in at 11 am and they had the room ready for me (I had indicated early check-in), which was much appreciated as it allowed me to get ready before my volunteer shift at 2. I also asked about late check-out and they said it was fine to check out at 1.

* Did you order room service?
No, I never do.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
They apparently had a small gym which I did not use. But, an amenity I found incredibly useful was the tablet in my room. It said "Welcome, (My_Name)" on the main screen and had free internet access, suggested news articles, alarm clock, Pandora/TuneIn/radio stations, and front desk/room service requests. They also sent a couple of messages each day with fun comic-related trivia (i.e. what does "DC" stand for?) I listened to the new age stations while going to bed, lol.

The TV was kind of small and in an odd place. I don't watch TV during SDCC so it didn't matter to me, but it is something to consider. Also, there was a space in the dresser that was clearly made for a refrigerator...but no refrigerator. :O If I really wanted one I guess I could have asked though.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
I was by myself and definitely comfortable enough. The design was really good--it was a semi-hexagonal shape by the windows, and then there was a rectangular section with a desk off to the side, away from the bed. It probably would have been average sized for two people.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
I didn't, but they said parking would have been $32/night.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
I walked down First Ave every day and from hotel entrance to convention center entrance (Hall A/Room 6 side) it was only about 15 minutes with no stops. Jimbo's grocery and Lani Coffee were directly on the walk, which was extremely convenient for me. It obviously took longer to get to the Hall H/Indigo side...I walked to Indigo first thing Friday morning and it took close to an hour although I made a couple of stops.

It's also worth mentioning that (in my opinion) this hotel is probably as close as it gets to both the Convention Center and Gaslamp District while at the same time being far enough removed from the crowds. It was perfect jumping off point to go to everything; head to SDCC in the morning, then go back and recharge a bit before heading to Gaslamp events in the evening. The walk to the Broadway-side of the Gaslamp was 5 minutes if even that. Also, since the street it was on was just far enough removed so as not to be packed with pedestrians, it was always easy to call an Uber/Lyft and I was never hit with a prime-time surcharge.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
I sleep like a rock so I never notice anything. But, for those who don't, they have disposable earplugs by the bed...which is a nice touch.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  Yes

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Yes, I signed up when I checked in, so I'm not really sure what it does.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
Yes. After getting back from the con on Thursday, this magically appeared in my closet. 'Nuff said. :D

(https://www.friendsofcc.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FWn58rQx.jpg&hash=c13c0403be8cbe23363a170f6bb8466ee8a70e4d) (https://www.friendsofcc.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F0pPnwi5.jpg&hash=be376282e3536de352e52da4a6c5245b263d8973)


What did you like about staying at this hotel?

- Close to the Convention Center
- Even closer to Horton Plaza/Lani Coffee/Gaslamp District
- Incredibly useful tablet in room
- Clean and well-kept room
- Cheapest downtown hotel
- They got into the Comic-Con spirit in subtle, but noticeable, ways
- Very accommodating with early check-in and late check-out
- Pretty much everything

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
- View was pretty awful...it was the forgotten side of a big building
- Door had a little trouble closing even when it looked like it closed--always had to double check when leaving
- Although well-kept, it seems a bit dated (especially the lobby and hallways)...but it looks like they are updating
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Iris on July 26, 2017, 08:25:57 PM
I've been working on this slowly between calculating finalized costs/speech therapy/etc. so it took me a couple days to get it up... plus video games...

Name of Hotel: Hilton Bayfront

Type of Room: 2 queen beds, regular room (view of the pool this time.)

Number of Nights You Stayed: 3 nights (Thursday-Sunday)

Year(s) You Stayed There: I think it’s been 4 years as of this year I believe. So 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014.

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
Yes, on the bottom of the hotel is Starbucks (we always bring chilled pre-made glass drinks and coffee grounds etc. to make coffee) so it’s pretty rare we use it but friends do sometimes. There’s also a froyo place that makes parfaits, smoothies, self-serve froyo, etc. Fox Sports Grill (we’ve eaten there a few times, they usually have a limited SDCC specific menu that you’re limited to. Generally it’s only that menu + the regular drinks. Only problem with that is they don't usually post the limited menu online, so you have to call to get them to read the menu to you or go down, so be aware of that if you want to order take-out.)

There are one or two other restaurants inside the hotel, notably the Vela which has a great breakfast and does to-go orders, there is also another bar inside but it’s insane. Additionally, you can order at the pool from the bar (I think it’s a full bar,) and you can order from a menu there (appetizers, entrees like hamburgers, etc.)

(***)We ordered room service this year. The normal room service menu is available during the convention, but I believe it only runs until 11PM. This year, I’m not sure if it was the first year they did this, they had a special until 1AM room service. It was a very limited menu of (I believe) chicken tenders + fries, cheese/chicken/shrimp quesadilla, a couple of burgers, and a sandwich. There may have been appetizers and a couple of desserts but I didn’t look. We ordered from this one specifically because we were ordering at like 11:30PM and missed the full menu as such because we waited all evening for getting Hall H wristbands for Saturday. It was very expensive, but room service is always overpriced. Frankly, it was worth it because we only had to ever move about 15 feet from where we were in bed. They also gave us free cookies. (Mind you, the 15ft thing was because we'd just come back from getting wristbands for Hall H Saturday and spending most of the day in panels or walking the floor. We wanted to collapse in a pile and never move again.)

They also have a pop-up that serves breakfast, lunch, and maybe dinner? I’ve only done the breakfast burritos at times. They tend to be a tad expensive, for what's in them, but I lived in SB/Goleta for like 6 years I will take those prices over the prices of any sort of Mexican food up there.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
The staff is always amazing, all of the front house people, like at the front desk, also wear nerdy shirts etc. This year I had occasion to pick up another room key, because I screwed up and forgot to get one from my friend who checked in. The man I spoke to was extremely nice and polite, he only needed my name on the reservation, which it was already in there. He warned me about the issue of not putting my card on/near my phone because it would demagnetize the room key for me. Which I completely forgot about so it was lucky he told me.

Each time we needed a bellhop they were amazing:
The first day I was the one who took the luggage up as our room wasn’t ready on check-in and I went back first. He happily chatted away with me about the convention, apparently it was literally his first week working there and he knew very little about the convention so I explained a lot about it to him. He was super friendly and asked me if I just wanted the luggage in one spot or if he could help move it around the room. I’m very particular so I went ahead and moved things around myself. I’m a control freak, what can I say?

Our second bellhop, who helped us get all our things back up to our car, was equally nice and amazing. Always tip your bellhops well determining on the amount of bags etc. you have. We tipped them very nicely each time, of course. As always, they’re amazing at fitting an amazing amount of things onto that cart, because we always camp out so we have an insane amount of luggage.
The woman who brought up our room service order was super nice.

I didn’t have occasion to meet any of our housekeeping people, as we were always out when they came by. But one morning she did knock while we were still in bed and I briefly woke up, she immediately realized it and said she’d put a note in for someone to come by later. Later on when we got back to the room, they’d replaced things that needed to be. Also of note about tipping housekeeping, you generally have different ones everyday so leave a tip everyday AND put a note that it is for Housekeeping, otherwise they generally can’t take it because it’s assumed it might be money that was left out accidentally. Some hotels have envelopes specific for the purpose of leaving tips out for them. The Bayfront, at least this year I haven’t stayed there outside of SDCC, didn’t have any and I completely forgot to bring any for that purpose (I usually do.) So I just used a strip of paper, wrote for housekeeping on it, and secured it around the tips.

* Did you order room service?
Yes, please see above re: restaurants. I went ahead and put it up there because it’s kind of like a restaurant? I'll mark it with (***)

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
I can never remember if they have a gym, but I think so because I believe it’s listed under amenities, I think. They also have a pool, we had a view of it this year, and we’ve only ever used the bar at it. The pool has a lot of shade right to the side, with the bar there too. There is also a spa but we’ve never used it, and of course a giftshop that you can pick-up snacks and drinks from.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
Yes, the regular rooms aren’t super big (except the bathrooms which is nice and has a lot of counter space and drawers) but we had a LOT of luggage and bags but it was still easy to get around the room comfortably even if the whole group was in there. It just takes being organized, like any hotel room. We put the actual suitcases out of the way but in spots that would be easy enough to access. Bags on the desk or for ex. The bags with non-perishable food tucked right next to the refrigerator and out of the way (or one on top.)

The bathrooms, for us as opposed to other hotels in many, are fairly big. Specifically in reference to the counter space, drawers, and the lower rack where they place full-sized towels. We usually have four women in their 20s and one who heavily cosplays. As such, there are tons of products, makeup, tools, etc. every time. So it’s nice to be able to tuck things away into drawers or on the lower rack so they’re not sitting out on the counter when someone else needs to do a ton of stuff. Someone above mentioned they had mildew in their shower/sink. I was super surprised @.@ holy cow. We’ve stayed 4 years now and never had that happen. Also never had uncomfortable mattresses or sheets that weren’t fitted sheets for the lower ones. I’d be able to tell because I’m a violent sleeper and pull them out ALL the time (along with regular top sheets.)

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
We parked one car in their parking lot. We arrived by 10AM, and it was pretty packed from guests and people who bought passes through Ace. We ended up parking on the roof, which we were fine with
Rate was $25/night.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
Only a few minutes to get into the convention center or the Hall H line. There isn’t a specific stop from the buses (I think) but it took a few minutes to get to the buses in front of the convention center if you needed to go into downtown/mission valley/Gaslamp etc. It takes about 5-10 minutes, depending on how crowded it is in the walkways, to get to the closest trolley stop.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
Uh, not super thin but a bit thin. We were unlucky enough to have a room very close to the elevators. You could hear the dings every time, unless you were asleep. We heard someone practicing a saxophone (legitimately, they were like doing scales and would pause for long times between and things like that) from somewhere down the hall, when we were in the room with the door closed.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
Yes and kinda no? You have to be an HHonors member, regardless of level, but it’s free to be part of so just make an account and add it to the reservation when the res. transfers or on check-in so you’re given the code.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Yes, HHonors, I think it’s the lowest level. We got one extra person on the hotel room for free (ie. One extra occupancy fee off) and free wifi. I can’t remember if there’s any other perks for that level. Oh, you could request certain special things on your res. online, but I don't know if that's an HHonors thing only or what. We requests extra towels from the outset before we arrived, though the online account.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
It’s usually very good for celebrity sightings. I think John Barrowman stays there each year, a few years ago we had the room directly across from him. This year I ran into Emily Bett Rickards (Felicity Smoak actress in Arrow) in the elevator there. We briefly saw a couple other people but we never stopped to speak with them.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
-Close proximity to the convention center and Hall H lines.
-Close to a lot of restaurants, just a block away from the Gaslamp as well.
-Proximity to the shuttle lines, trolley stops, and the bridge right over to the Petco Park side or back.
-The bridge from the 3rd floor of their parking structure that goes directly to the lobby. It makes it super easy to retrieve things you may’ve left in the car, or for bellhops to wheel your luggage right back to your car at the end of your stay.
-Great views possible to the Hall H lines and convention center (costs more too) and we had a nice view of the ocean and pool this year.
-A lot of celebrity sightings each year.
-Friendly and kind staff.
-Multiple food options inside the hotel or on the ground/convention level.
-Largeish bathrooms, especially for 4 woman who can keep their toiletries and make-up in drawers and on the rack for towels underneath. The extra counter space is big.
-Other than the bar’s noise at night, it’s almost never super crowded or loud. It’s nice to be able to retreat during the day to get away from the crowds.
-Small “off-sites”. This year it was a small Westworld installation. The piano was playing, in a roped off section just off the lobby, and it played songs on request sent from twitter (I believe.) It was fun to hear it playing various nerdy songs as I went through to the elevators to return to my room. There’s usually some sort of cosplay area next to it. I’m not sure what it is, but I’ve seen it there the past 2-3 years.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
-Long distance from MGH (for the fulfillment room.)
-Expensive for some people.
-The bar at night is insanely loud, between the people, the music, and the movies/shows showing on the displays. Though there are buffer floors between that and any room floors.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Jason on July 28, 2017, 02:07:04 PM
Name of Hotel: Hampton Inn Downtown

Type of Room: 2 Queen size beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2017 (we have also stayed there before at least four times, although I don't remember the years. 2015 was the last time before this year.)

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?

Little Italy is a short walk and has a ton of great restaurants. There used to be a great Mexican place next door but it was torn down last year (I asked them when, since we loved it).

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Staff was very nice, and they always have been. They always remember us and ask a ton of questions about Comic Con.


* Did you order room service?

No, and I don't think there is any.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
The pool is on the second floor. We ate by it a couple of times, but didn't swim. We have in the past though, and it was nice enough.


* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
It's a normal sized hotel room - last year we stayed at The Sofia which was tiny and I wouldn't want to do that again. The Hampton is a nice sized place with a desk and a large tv stand where we sat our daily hauls.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?

Did not drive.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
About 15-20 minutes to walk to the con. Shuttle was about 20 or so minutes, sometimes longer if traffic was worse.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
There was a baby in the room next door and we heard it crying ALL NIGHT LONG.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
Yes, although I forgot to ever log in to it :/

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
I am not, but my friend that I stayed with is. He got early check in (which we couldn't use because the people in our room before us requested a late check out) and free candy when we checked in.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
No celebrity sightings at all. I like being a little bit further from the action. I sleep about 2.5 hours a night during the show, so I like being close but not across the street where the con noise goes all night long.


What did you like about staying at this hotel?
It's inexpensive, which helps since I am one of the people who is in the room 3 hours a day during the show.
Free breakfast which I always do the last day before flying home.
Free hotel shuttle to and from the airport (and zoo if you want to go to the zoo).
We had a great view, but in the past we have been in the back where you get earplugs because the trains are loud and can keep you up.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
They charged me my deposit THREE different times and I had to call to get it taken care of, which was a real pain the butt.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: jazzyj on July 28, 2017, 11:09:51 PM
Name of Hotel: Manchester Grand Hyatt

Type of Room: 2 Double Beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There:2017

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
A lot! The hotel is just a short walk away from the Gaslamp but we were right next to Seaport Village, which has a decent amount of food options. Across the street is also a Dunkin Donuts, a BBQ place, and pizzeria too! They also have a 24-hour market in the lobby which is great for picking up coffee in the morning before lining up.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
The staff that I've encountered at any hotel have always been nice, and MGH is no exception!

* Did you order room service?
Nope

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
N/A


* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
The room is decently-sized. There were four of us so we had plenty of room to leave our stuff and still be able to navigate around each other.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
N/A

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
It's roughly a 10 minute walk to the convention center, which isn't that bad. You'll probably feel it later as the con goes on though when your feet start to hurt.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
I kept on hearing the Mr. Mercedes ice cream song from our room (and we were on the 19th floor). It wasn't that annoying although it can be creepy if you're by yourself .

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
Yea although we didn't use it.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
N/A

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
I saw Yvette Nicole Brown checking into her hotel room on Wednesday but other than that, didn't really see any celebrities. I did see some people get out of those prestigious black cars and guests taking pics with them but I couldn't really recognize who they were. The hotel is also home to Funko Fundays and the swag room. Having the swag room at our hotel was great since I can just pick up my freebies downstairs and drop it off easily.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
It's still relatively close compared to other hotels and the foot traffic isn't all that bad. There's also plenty of food options nearby

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
The walk to and from the con definitely takes its toll on you later on. That and also if you're planning on camping out in any line, the MGH is at the opposite end so it's recommended to walk along the marina and find the end of the line
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Roybq on July 30, 2017, 12:11:53 PM
Name of Hotel: U.S. Grant

Type of Room: King

Number of Nights You Stayed:
5 Nights

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2017

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
There was a restaurant inside the hotel, but being right across from Horton Plaza, there were many choices for food not too far away.

* How was the hotel staff?
   Super friendly! Very helpful.

* Did you order room service?

   No. Not really our thing.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
   Didn't use any, and didn't really see if there were any.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
The room was pretty average. Not huge, but not tiny. We were able to get around fine. Plenty of space to store items. If you're sharing the bathroom with strangers do know that there is only a shower and that the shower is enclosed in glass (no curtains for privacy-you're just in a glass "shower display" box.)

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
    About a fifteen minute walk to the convention center. Shuttle was available, but we liked the walk.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
  Either we were super tired or we just didn't notice much noise.  There was a rooftop party next door (we could see the roof and the party) but we couldn't hear it

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?
   Yes, but only if you are a member of their hotel rewards program. Bonus fact: sign up is free.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
   Apparently the US Grant is Conan central.  We saw Conan and company several times hanging out in the lobby area. Makes sense since it's only a block to the theatre. It also seemed to be where the SYFY group was located based on the SYFY check in area we noticed on our first night there.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?


The beds were super comfy. WiFi worked well. There's a turn down service at night where they come in and drop off waters and chocolate (yass!) The location was great for us since we ended each night doing something at the Horton Plaza or the Balboa Theatre (both just across the street.)  We didn't mind the walk each morning or night and it's nice having a choice of Starbucks that weren't as busy as the ones by Hard Rock and the Hilton Bayfront. Seeing Conan...We did get Supernatural and Big Bang Theory keys.

The hotel itself, even as an OnPeak hotel is pretty pricey at $300 a night.  If I were to pay that much for a hotel again, I"d probably try for something closer to the convention center. This time however, since we had mulitple night events practically across the street, it was nice to leave, walk a block, and then go to bed. 
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Saitama85 on July 31, 2017, 12:16:06 PM
Name of Hotel: Hard Rock

Type of Room: King

Number of Nights You Stayed: 7 Nights

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2017

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
Quite a few choices by the Hotel and nearby.

* How was the hotel staff?
   Very friendly and polite whether on the phone or on person. Staff actually seemed happy and excited rather than stressed out and were always happy for a chat about what was going on.

* Did you order room service?
   Couple of times when too tired to eat out. Both occasions despite being at pretty busy times arrived fairly quickly.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
   Didn’t use any, where a few but can’t remember exact details. 

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
Was staying by myself so found room to be very spacious, had my luggage and anything I brought stored away and didn’t get in the way. 

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?

    Very quick walk across the tracks, when busy there are a couple of “choke” points where everyone is crossing but didn’t really find it an issue.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
  Had been something I was initially worried about having read a lot of reviews on the internet. Noise levels were noticeable at times from parties but nothing that ever bothered me or stopped me sleeping. Few times when I was tired and watching tv before bed and it was hard to ignore but it never stopped me falling asleep. Was facing the convention centre on the 5th floor. Didn’t notice any sounds from the rooms either side of me.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?
   Free wi-fi, worked perfectly and fast enough for the few pics I wanted to upload at times and for whatsapp (voice and video) calls back home. 

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
   Few celebrities staying from what some of the staff mentioned but I didn’t run into anyone. Room had a fridge stocked up full but I emptied it out of the coke and water and filled it with my own drinks. Read somewhere after that sometimes they carry sensors and can charge you for even this! Was slightly nervous but I wasn’t charged.

Had an issue where the batteries on the key sensor to my room died! I would’ve sworn there’d be some master key backup behind the metal plate but it’s all electronic and even security where looked out of my room. In the end the guy had this long metal instrument he had to stuck under the door and catch the lock from the other side to open the door! First time I’ve ever had something like that happen, but they sorted it out very quickly.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?

Very comfortable bed and room, didn’t use it much but having the tv with a lot of channels was a plus when I wanted to watch Game of Thrones. Also had an hdmi input for my laptop which would by handy if staying longer and wanted to watch my own stuff. 

Great location, was such a plus being able to come back to my room in the middle of the day for a quick rest or dropping stuff off and be able to come back super quick.

They had a barrier in front during the con so the ground floor area didn’t get overcrowded.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?

Nothing really comes to mind, enjoyed my stay and would recommend to anyone.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: tsnyder on July 31, 2017, 12:32:17 PM
Name of Hotel: Hilton Bayfront

Type of Room: 2 Queen Beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5

Year(s) You Stayed There:2017, 2016

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
We did their quick counter service a couple of times for the breakfast burritos or hamburger specials they had at lunch.  We ate at the Fox Sports Grill twice and found it reasonable and most importantly very fast.  We told them at the table we were in a rush so when they brought out our order they also brought out to-go box, bag, paper cup with lid for our drink, and even the check.  Really appreciated that.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Only interacted at check in but they were extremely polite.

* Did you order room service?
No

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
Only used the ice machine at the end of the hall to refill our water bottles each morning.


* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
Kinda feel like their rooms are on the smaller side.  We had 4 people and because of proximity also let some friends store stuff in the room so it got pretty cramped.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
N/A, flew in.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
5 minute walk to Hall H.  Only delay is if you are going across when Hall H had just let out so had to fight that crowd.  Location is my favorite part about the Bayfront.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
I don't believe so, never heard any noise from neighbors or from outside.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
Yes for Hilton rewards members although we didn't use it.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
I am but never bothered to use it for the wifi

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
We did see Chris Hartwick but that was only celebrity.  Should have used the opportunity to hold a spot in the Westworld line that was in the lobby as from what I read that was an amazing off site.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
We did Hall H with a group on both Fri and Sat.  Having this room as our HQ for storing stuff, bathroom breaks, etc was awesome.  Greatly appreciated by everyone in the group.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Only real complaint is no mini fridge in room.  Would have liked to go to Ralphs to get some sandwiches or whatever to store and eat but without a fridge really isn't an option.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: dolphina on July 31, 2017, 02:10:43 PM
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Name of Hotel: Hilton Bayfront

Type of Room: 2 Queen Beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5

Year(s) You Stayed There:2017, 2016

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
We did their quick counter service a couple of times for the breakfast burritos or hamburger specials they had at lunch.  We ate at the Fox Sports Grill twice and found it reasonable and most importantly very fast.  We told them at the table we were in a rush so when they brought out our order they also brought out to-go box, bag, paper cup with lid for our drink, and even the check.  Really appreciated that.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Only interacted at check in but they were extremely polite.

* Did you order room service?
No

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
Only used the ice machine at the end of the hall to refill our water bottles each morning.


* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
Kinda feel like their rooms are on the smaller side.  We had 4 people and because of proximity also let some friends store stuff in the room so it got pretty cramped.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
N/A, flew in.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
5 minute walk to Hall H.  Only delay is if you are going across when Hall H had just let out so had to fight that crowd.  Location is my favorite part about the Bayfront.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
I don't believe so, never heard any noise from neighbors or from outside.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
Yes for Hilton rewards members although we didn't use it.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
I am but never bothered to use it for the wifi

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
We did see Chris Hartwick but that was only celebrity.  Should have used the opportunity to hold a spot in the Westworld line that was in the lobby as from what I read that was an amazing off site.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
We did Hall H with a group on both Fri and Sat.  Having this room as our HQ for storing stuff, bathroom breaks, etc was awesome.  Greatly appreciated by everyone in the group.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Only real complaint is no mini fridge in room.  Would have liked to go to Ralphs to get some sandwiches or whatever to store and eat but without a fridge really isn't an option.
Did you ask for the fridge? Or were they out?
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: tsnyder on July 31, 2017, 04:26:30 PM
I didn't know you could ask for a fridge there.  Has anybody done that successfully? 
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: rando on August 01, 2017, 07:49:45 AM
It's generally first come first serve for the mini fridges at the Bayfront Hilton  I've managed to get one every year but I usually check in early in the week.  I also call ahead and have them note the request on my reservation. 
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: dolphina on August 01, 2017, 08:05:04 AM
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I didn't know you could ask for a fridge there.  Has anybody done that successfully?
The years I've stayed there I was able to request one during check in. I normally check in on Tuesdays.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: sylent_asassin on August 01, 2017, 10:15:26 AM
Name of Hotel: U.S. Grant

Type of Room: 2 Queens

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4 Nights

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2017

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
There's a restaurant inside the hotel, but there are quite a few restaurants less than a block away. My wife and I had Japanese one night and Fish and Chips the next.

* How was the hotel staff?
   Very friendly!

* Did you order room service?
   Yes. I ordered their Smoked Salmon BLT twice. First time was great, so I recommended it to my wife. The second time, the salmon was WAY undercooked.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
   Did not use any. Thought about the massage option, but they didn't work late.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
The room was a decent size and we could maneuver fine, especially since I had 3 costumes. Closet was spacious and they had a scale. Bathroom is large, but shower space is a bit cramped for a big guy like me. They do give lots of towels, which is great.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
    On foot, about 15-20 minutes to the convention center. Shuttle was about the same. Since I was in costume much of the time, I took the shuttle as I didn't want to sweat and couldn't stand the humidity.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
  We were pretty high up, so didn't notice any internal noise, but there was a rooftop party across the street on Thursday and Friday night that was pretty loud and went until around midnight. Surprisingly, there was nothing on Saturday night.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?
   I never inquired.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
   Since Spreckles is across the street, I've heard about Conan sightings, but never saw him myself.

* What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Location was good. It was close enough to the convention center to walk yet far enough away to be able to go to a restaurant and not have to wait an hour for seating. Beds were nice and pillows were great. Lots of outlets to charge and plug in electronics! Staff was great and friendly! Upon checkout, I asked the clerk for souvenir keys and he gave me all of them!

* Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Cost. $300+ a night is WAY too much for a half mile away. The rooms come with coolers for drinks, but they didn't exactly fit into the designated space, so if you weren't careful, you would pinch your fingers trying to open and close the cabinet.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: FBS on August 10, 2017, 04:15:10 AM
Name of Hotel: Andaz

Type of Room: 1 King size room.

Number of Nights You Stayed: 7

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2017

Hotel Review:

(Here are some questions to get you started as you think about your hotel stay during Comic-Con.  Again, you can answer all or some of these questions to help you write your hotel feedback comments.)

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
  Rooftop bar with snacks. Also a dining room downstairs but never visited. Quite pricey from the menus I saw.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Absolutely brilliant. Couldn't do enough for you. We were missing batteries in one of the TV remote's. I told front desk and they had sorted it within the hour.

* Did you order room service?
   No

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
Went up to the rooftop pool a couple of times. Incredible views of SD. Large area with cabanas and sunbeds. The pool is on the small size but it's very inviting.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
Requested a room facing inside as heard the exterior rooms can hear all the street noise. Someone mentioned that you will hear all the music etc from the rooftop with an interior room. Never heard a thing.
The room was a very good size. The bathroom was split in two with a wash basin behind a glass frame and then behind the door was the toilet and a walk-in shower. Also had large floor to ceiling wardrobes. Nice sofa which was actually a pullout bed as well.  The actual bed was huge and very very comfortable. Had trouble getting up in the morning - hahahaha

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
N/A

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
It's about a 15/20 minute walk through the gaslamp.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
We were next to the elevator and could hear the doors closing on occassions. Other than that the room was peaceful.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
Yes. Super fast as well.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Yes. Free Wi-Fi only.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
The rooftop area holds celeb parties during Comic-Con. So you might be lucky in catching a glimpse of some stars in the lobby.


What did you like about staying at this hotel?

Location
High-end hotel (which managed to get for a lower price)
Plenty of food places close by
Fridge as standard in the room.


Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?

It is a party hotel. So on some days and evenings there are people going up to the rooftop who are not guests. And some of them seem to think they can shout their mouth off in the street or in the elevator. I was walking into the hotel one day and a group of party goers were stood outside, one of them shouting loudly how drunk she was and another talking about how she is going to "kill that b***h." All of them exaggerating to the max because they were with friends. They seemed to take over the whole are I needed to walk through so in the end I said "Shut up! and move out of the way!" They parted very quickly. Hahahahaha.
If you don't like people who have just come to party (spring breakers) then best avoid this place.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: ombregrey on September 06, 2017, 12:28:30 PM
Name of Hotel: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel San Diego Downtown

Type of Room: 1 King Bed

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4 Nights

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2017

Hotel Review:

Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?

There was a dining options within the hotel. We ate at the restaurant in the lobby for dinner and the food was okay, not great.
But the hotel is located near Little Italy so there are plenty of restaurants located within walking distance of the hotel. We recommend trying:

Pappalecco (Slate St & Cedar St) 1 block away from the hotel. They had croissant lunch options ($5-10), Italian coffee and gelato.
Queenstown Public House (Colombia St & Cedar St), 2 blocks away from the hotel. This is a New Zealand inspired restaurant that has a full breakfast, lunch and dinner menu. There is indoor and outdoor seating, very cozy. Our group actually ate here about 3 times during our stay. We highly recommend this restaurant.

How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Nice and polite.

Did you order room service?
No

Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
There is a gym and a pool. We did not use them.

Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
Our room was on one of the Hilton honors floors and was a decent size. The bed was comfortable, it did sink a little in the middle but it did not bother us.

If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
N/A

How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
Shuttle to convention (Pink Line): 15 mins
Shuttle to hotel (Pink Line): 25 mins
On foot: 25 mins

Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
Some noise from the hallway but very minimal.

Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
Yes for HH members.

Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Hilton Honors. Tier Blue. We got to check-in (choose room/floor/make requests) using the HH app.

Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
N/A

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
- Affordable (as we are from Canada, the exchange rate was terrible)
- Tons of restaurants nearby for dinner (usually no wait times)
- You can ask for a free cookie from the front desk (recommended)
- Free airport shuttle
- There were computers with printers in the lobby

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
- A bit far from the convention
- An older hotel (the elevators shake sometimes)
- Only 3 elevators 20+ floors (slow)
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Devorah on September 06, 2017, 12:58:18 PM
Name of Hotel: Hilton Bayfront

Type of Room: 2 Queen Beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 7 Nights

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2017

Hotel Review:

Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
Yes there are a couple of restaurants/bars and room service. Odysea bar open until 1:30AM.

How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Polite and helpful.

Did you order room service?
Yes, a couple of times for breakfast. It was good and quick.

Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
There is a pool, a spa and a gym. We did not use them.

Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
There were two of us in the room and there was plenty of room to move around comfortably. It was a corner room so it may have been a little bigger than other double queen rooms.

If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
N/A

How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
On foot: 5-15 mins depending on (foot) traffic

Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
I didn't hear anything from neighboring rooms except their shower when I was in the bathroom.

Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
Yes for HH members.

Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Hilton Honors. Lowest tier. We got to check-in (choose room/floor/make requests) using the HH app and got free WiFi.

Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
A few minor celebrity sightings. The line for the Westworld experience was in the lobby right next to the elevators which definitely took away from the relaxed vibe of this hotel. They moved the couches to make room for the line and there were people lined up there all day.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Location location location
Birds eye view of the Hall H & EE lines

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Pain to walk to the Gaslamp
Long Westworld line in the lobby

Overall I would stay here again in a heartbeat, but if given a choice would prefer to stay in the Gaslamp for easier access to offsites and night life.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: madfly on September 07, 2017, 09:40:37 AM
Name of Hotel: Hilton San Diego Gaslamp

Type of Room: 2 full size beds in the Lofts(which requires a special key)

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2017(1st year here! Previous 7 years stayed at Hilton Bayfront)

Hotel Review: Ate free continental breakfast every morning in the restaurant since we are Hilton Honors members.


* How was the hotel staff?  Staff was polite, however, since the Netflix offsite was here, everytime we tried to board the elevator to head to the "lofts" we were questioned!

* Did you order room service? no
   
* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? Kids used the pool. Was small & not much seating but nice view of the Convention Center

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Room was ok size. The AC was broken so a portable unit was brought up which took up some space. The bathroom was a good size.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? I believe $50/night

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? Very easy to get to Convention Center, just crossed over train tracks & Harbor Dr. and you were there!

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? Very quiet in the hotel. But our room overlooked 5th Ave. (Gaslamp quarter) and Hard Rock pool so we could here noise from that. Was cool watching people walking the Gaslamp though.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  Yes for Hilton Honors members.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? Yes, Diamond level. Free continental breakfast, water. free wifi.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above? The Netflix offsite was here. we could walk outside our room and hang out in the balcony and watch what was going on. Got to check out Stranger Things, Defenders & Bright before the crowds came & got lots of free swag. Cast of Stranger Things, Defenders & Bright made apperances but we were always out when they came!


What did you like about staying at this hotel?  Great location. Easy to get to Convention Center & all the Gaslamp restaurants.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?


Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: darlenealderson on January 27, 2018, 11:54:15 AM
Name of Hotel: Embassy Suites

Type of Room: 2 Full Size Beds and a pull-out bed

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2015

Hotel Review:
Such a roomy hotel! You can easily, comfortably fit six people into one room with two queen beds. The breakfast and happy hour are a lovely addition to your stay. The layout of the hotel is nice, and it doesn't seem crowded even though it's very busy. They also have a nice hot tub.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
*Huge rooms
*Friendly employees
*Clean
*Free breakfast and happy hour
*Close to a variety of restaurants and Ralphs

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
*My credit card got hacked when I stayed there. I read an article that all of the cards were compromised that summer.
*They didn't say happy birthday when they looked at my ID and it was my birthday.
*Kind of far


Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: darlenealderson on January 27, 2018, 12:05:02 PM
Name of Hotel: Hard Rock Hotel

Type of Room: Two Queens
Number of Nights You Stayed: 5

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2016
Hotel Review: A great hotel for people wanting to feel involved in the Comic-Con action 24/7. You can't beat its proximity  to the Gaslamp and Convention center. The rooms are aesthetically pleasing and the music is always enjoyable. The staff are very friendly and helpful. It is fun watching all the parties even if you can't go. The parties make it noisy, however. The restaurants have great drinks but the food is very subpar. The pool is nice and regular guests can use it on Sunday, but aren't able to any night during SDCC. There's a Starbucks attached, and they have free coffee in the lobby.



What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Location/Convenience
Celebrity Sightings- Met Chadwick Boseman, Jaimie Alexander, James Gunn, etc.
Amazing waterfall showers and lemongrass scented toiletries
Starbucks
Good customer service
Cool aesthetic

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel

Rooms are kind of small
Noisy
Can't use pool during SDCC
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: darlenealderson on January 27, 2018, 12:12:43 PM
Name of Hotel: Manchester Grand Hyatt
Type of Room: Two Doubles
Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2017
Hotel Review: A gorgeous lobby with friendly, helpful employees. Magnificent views of San Diego if you're on a higher floor. Smallish (but comfortable) beds, but a lot of space to move around within the room. A decent location, close to the Convention Center and outside dining. I've heard the pools/fitness centers are nice, but I didn't use them because it was close enough to walk to my gym (24 Hour fitness).

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Pretty lobby
Nice views
Celebrity Sightings- Met Tyler Posey
Two convenience stores inside the hotel
Comfy beds
It's nice to walk around the Marina at night
Panel Swag Redemption room
Quiet

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel
Beds are kind of small
Room was dusty
Doesn't seem far but can be a trek after a long day at the con
They overcharged my friend for parking (but swiftly reserved the charge without any issue when I emailed).
My backpack got stolen from the curb right as SDCC was ending on Sunday and I was waiting for an Uber (not the hotel's fault but it was SO CHAOTIC at this time).
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: comicconfamily on April 25, 2018, 04:15:31 PM
Name of Hotel: Springhill Suites Mission Valley

Type of Room: 2 queens + sofa bed

Number of Nights You Stayed: 8 nights

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2016, 2017

Hotel Review:

This is probably our top favorite Mission Valley hotel.

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel? Free breakfast; Starbucks in parking lot (with drive thru) -- great for grabbing coffee before head into the convention center, using mobile ordering on their app is a great timesaver; nearest restaurants are about 1/2 mile away (In-N-Out Burger, Broken Yolk Cafe, etc).

* How was the hotel staff? Staff was very friendly and helpful!

* Did you order room service? No room service available.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool. There is a gym, but didn't use it. There is a pool, which we've used once. It's just a basic outdoor pool, no hot tub.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably? Room is decent size -- not too small but not huge. There is a walk-in closet with shelving which is very helpful for storing luggage or whatever. We particularly like that the bathroom is split into 2 separate rooms. One has a toilet and small sink & mirror -- the other has the shower and another sink (with more counter space) -- this makes it so much easier to get ready for bed at night or get ready in the morning when sharing your room with multiple people or for families.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? Parking was about $19 a night.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? It takes about 30 minutes to get from hotel to convention center via shuttle. Shuttle picks up/drops off right at the hotel lobby entrance which is nice.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? We didn't have any issues or complaints with noise level. The hotel is close to the freeway, but that didn't bother us. If you might be sensitive to this, ask for a room that doesn't face the I-8 freeway.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests? Yes

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? We are, but didn't recieve any perks - just points for our stay. If booking through OnPeak, be sure to double check that they have your rewards number when you check in.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
In addition to the above, we like:
--Rooms are clean
--Each room has a small refrigerator and microwave.
--Beds are comfortable.
--Easy on/off freeway if you are driving into the convention center.
--Easy access to shopping, if you are driving (Target, mall, movie theater, etc are all close).
--There is a outside patio area with a gas fire "pit" for relaxing. There is also tables and chairs so you can eat breakfast outside, if you wish.


Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Overall, we really like this hotel and have almost no complaints. The only things we could say are:
--The views aren't great.
--Breakfast seating can be a challenge at their busiest times, but we've always made it work
--It isn't super close to the convention center, so if you drive in, you have to deal with the morning traffic Thursday-Friday (Saturday & Sunday isn't as bad).
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: MangostarZ on April 25, 2018, 06:03:19 PM
Name of Hotel: Westin Gaslamp Quarter

Type of Room: (Did your room have 1 king-sized bed, 2 full-sized beds, or another type of bed?  Did you have a suite?) We booked 1 King through OnPeak. At check-in the gave us a double queen without us even asking :)

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: (Type in the actual year: 2012, 2013, 2014, etc.) SDCC 2017

Hotel Review:

(Here are some questions to get you started as you think about your hotel stay during Comic-Con.  Again, you can answer all or some of these questions to help you write your hotel feedback comments.)

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel? Yes
   If "Yes," tell us about the restaurants and type of food they had (if you remember).
   
   There was a Starbucks in the lobby and I think some sort of dining area (didn't go much towards it). Also, a bar next to the dining area.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? Yes and yes.

* Did you order room service? Yes
   If yes, tell us about if you had a good experience with room service.
   
   We ordered room service super late at night as our flight arrived around midnight. Pretty quick and the food was very good (or maybe I was super hungry from traveling for 24 hours)

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?

   There's a hot tub and pool on one of the floors (can't remember). You need to use your card to get in. I did not personally go in either, but my roommates did.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?

   The room had plenty of space for three people. I think it's pretty average sized.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? N/A

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? Walking to the convention center took about 20-25 minutes with foot traffic.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? I did not hear any noise from other rooms.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No) No. I ended up paying for WiFi for a couple of days.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? I am part of SPG. I had just signed up so no perks at the time.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?

  I saw David Ramsey and Tara Strong at the CVS near the hotel at the same time. They seemed to know each other pretty well. I'm pretty sure my roommate met the Duffer brothers in the elevator. She had not watched Stranger Things yet, so she could not confirm, but they way she described them should have been them. Funny enough, they were staying on floor 11 of the hotel :)


What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Since you might have already wrote about it from the questions above, just make a quick list about the things you liked the most about your stay at this particular hotel.


Pretty good location for walking. Close to everything in the Gaslamp Quarter if you feel like going out at night. Right across from the Spreckel's Theater where Conan is taped.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Tell us about anything that negatively impacted your stay at this particular hotel that you may not have already mentioned above.


Nothing that sticks out in my mind.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: puppy on April 25, 2018, 10:00:32 PM
Name of Hotel:  Crowne Plaza

This was the hotel we got from OnPeak last year.  I can't review the rooms because the morning we arrived with reservations in hand, they told us they overbooked and moved us to another hotel.  We were not the only ones booted.  The hotel they moved us to was a lower quality, but we had no choice.  Not like it's easy to find a hotel during SDCC.  I'm not booking Crowne Plaza ever again.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: comicconfamily on April 26, 2018, 10:33:59 AM
Name of Hotel: SpringHill Suites Downtown/Bayfront

Type of Room: 2 queens + sofa bed

Number of Nights You Stayed: 2 nights

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2017

Hotel Review:

Really enjoyed our stay at this hotel and would definitely stay again! We booked this hotel as part of our pre-SDCC trip.

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
--Free breakfast at the hotel which was great & full of options. There is also two places to enoy breakfast: #1 - inside usual breakfast room or #2 - outside on the balcony overlooking the bay (weather permitting). They have actual food stations set up on the balcony, so if you prefer this, you don't have to go to the inside breakfast room at all.
--"Beach Hut Deli" is connected, but just outside the hotel. They offer sandwiches, salads, etc. (we didn't eat there)
--"Carnitas' Snack Shack" is located within walking distance (5 min), along the bay. They serve tacos, sandwiches, craft beer, etc. (we didn't eat there)
--Claim Jumpers at the nearby Wyndham Bayside (about 1/2 mile). We walked here and ate there our first night.
--There is also a Ruth Chris Steakhouse at the Wyndham.
--Hazelwoods On the Bay at nearby Wyndam Bayside, another sandwich place, accessible from Harbor Drive (we didn't eat here)
--More restaurants about 1/2 mile a way near Seaport Village, plus you can hop on ferry easily and eat at restaurants on Coronodo

* How was the hotel staff? Staff was great - very friendly.

* Did you order room service? No room service available.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool. There is a gym & pool, but we didn't use either. Pool is outdoors on the rooftop and is heated.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably? Room is usual Springhill Suites size -- average size (not too small but not big). We had 5 in our room and were comfortable.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? Self parking was about $35 a night when we stayed (I think it's $38 now). They say it's "limited self parking", so we were concerned we might not get a spot, but we didn't have any issues.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? According to CCI, it takes about 33 minutes to get from this hotel to convention center via shuttle (we didn't use the shuttle during this stay).

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? We didn't have any issues or complaints with noise level from guests in other rooms, however, there was a wedding reception with a DJ on the rooftop balcony which our room looked down on. We could hear the music and laughter in our room, but we didn't mind. It wrapped up by about 10pm, I think. There was also fireworks on the USS Midway on the Saturday night we were there and you could hear those in your room (we loved being able to watch them from our room).

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests? Yes

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? Received points for our stay (tip: if booking through OnPeak, be sure to double check that they have your rewards number when you check in.)

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
In addition to the above, we like:
--Rooms are clean
--Each room has a small refrigerator and microwave
--Beds are comfortable
--Loved the view of the bay & of the USS Midway
--We were able to watch fireworks from the USS Midway on a Saturday night (not sure if this happens all the time?)
--The rooftop balcony was geat for relaxing
--This hotel is very close (walking distance) to the USS Midway and the ferry landing if you want to go over to Coronado (we did both)
--Ceiling-to-floor windows

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Nothing -- we were very happy with our stay.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: cbaggs on April 26, 2018, 12:21:33 PM
TWO REVIEWS!

Name of Hotel: Manchester Grand Hyatt

Type of Room: 2 queen-sized beds (we were assigned 2 double-beds, but when we checked in we asked if they had any better rooms available and they told us for a nominal fee per night we could upgrade to 2 queens, although to be honest they still felt smaller than queens but a tad bigger than doubles)

Number of Nights You Stayed: Four

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2017

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel? Yes there are a few.  We went to a sports bar/restaurant on the first floor a few times but while I was researching what it was called I learned that it's now closed (maybe replaced with something new?).  They also have a market on the first floor which was extremely convenient (albeit kind of overpriced).  You can buy coffee/snacks/drinks/etc. there and they also had hot food like pizza and grilled cheese.  It was a great on-the-go option.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? Yes - no problems there.

* Did you order room service? No we did not.
   
* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? We did not use the gym or pool.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels? We were actually shocked by how small the room seemed, especially since we had "upgraded" to a better room with queen beds instead of double beds.  We had three people staying in the room and we definitely made it work but we just expected it to be a bit more spacious.  One thing that was nice was there was kind of a nook right by the hotel room door where we could stash stuff to get it out of the way, so that definitely helped.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? We did self parking which was extremely easy and convenient (large garage attached to the hotel) and was $35/night.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? We always walked.  Regardless of whether we walked down Harbor or by the marina to get to the convention center, it was usually about a 15 minute walk unless it was a high traffic walking time.  Taking the marina route always seemed a bit better and less crowded (the sidewalk on Harbor leading up to the convention center gets SUPER PACKED), and you would also get an occasional breeze from the water which helped.  I know it's billed as one of the closest hotels, but it's actually deceivingly farther than many in the Gaslamp.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? We never heard anyone around us, so no issues there.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No) Yes I believe so.  It worked well for us.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?  I signed up for the World of Hyatt membership once I found out we'd be staying there, but I don't think it actually did anything for us.  Maybe just earned me points but I rarely stay at Hyatts when I travel so not sure how beneficial that is for me.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?

-- I mentioned that the room felt small, but it also felt very worn down.  There were tears and holes in the chairs and the side paneling on the beds.  There were stains on the carpet.  The bathroom could have used some updated tiles and fixtures.  For the price you pay to stay there, it was just not what we expected and we were pretty disappointed with the quality.
-- On Saturday night there was some kind of huge party happening in the lobby bar.  Either that or just a lot of people ended up flocking there as a coincidence, but it was packed and loud and crazy (which was fun, but if you just wanted a quick drink it was pretty hard to get).
-- The Her Universe fashion show is in the MGH on Thursday night and we had a friend who had a design in the show, so it was really convenient to be able to drop off our stuff from the con in our room and then just walk down to the show.  If you haven't checked out the fashion show before, it is absolutely worth it - such a blast and some really impressive designs.   

What did you like about staying at this hotel?

--Convenience of food/market options
--Not too far, but also removed a bit so it's pretty quiet for the most part
--Beds were comfortable
--Bathroom felt private - I've seen lots of reviews of hotels that have awkward bathroom doors and when you're staying with a lot of people that can be weird.  No issue with that at MGH.
--Self parking was easy and at $35 is a lot cheaper than parking at a lot of the other hotels.
--Fulfillment room is in the hotel so if you have free swag to pick up, it's nice to be able to just dump it in your room instead of having to carry it somewhere else.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?

--What I said above about the quality/size of the rooms.
--In looking back on our 2017 con experience, we all realized we just never spent as much time in the Gaslamp as we normally do since we were staying at the MGH.  There was no reason to walk through the Gaslamp to get to the convention center, so we felt a bit removed from that.  We always enjoy spending time walking around the Gaslamp during the con, and we definitely missed that aspect last year. 

------------------------------------

Name of Hotel: Andaz

Type of Room: 2 double beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: Four

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2016

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel? Yes there was a lot around us, but the only two places we went nearby were Hard Rock Cafe down the street (which is now closed - not to be confused with Hard Rock Hotel), and Hub Market & Deli (which is a market with a deli in the back with AMAZING sandwiches you can pick up).

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? Yes - extremely accommodating and nice.

* Did you order room service? No we did not.
   
* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? We did not use anything.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels? Our room was HUGE and amazing.  It was a corner room and it looked out towards the Gaslamp.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? They only had valet and I can't remember exactly how much it was but I think maybe $40/night?

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? We always walked and it usually took about 15-20-ish minutes.  It wasn't too bad of a walk and it was fun to walk through the Gaslamp on the way to the convention center.  The day we cosplayed, though, we tried to take the shuttle because it was super windy (and come on - we worked too hard on our costumes/hair to have it ruined by the wind before even making it to the con), but the shuttle didn't stop where we thought it was supposed to.  We stood there and it just passed us by and it definitely wasn't full.  We never did figure out if we were standing in the right spot, but we tried a different corner the next day and we had the same problem.   

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? It is a party hotel, so it got kind of loud one night but we had been out and about so weren't trying to sleep yet.  Otherwise it was no big deal.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  I believe yes, though I can't remember.  I do know it worked well.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?  I'm not sure if there was an awards program, but we were not members if there was.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?

-- The bathroom was MASSIVE but kind of weird.  It had a sliding door which wasn't a huge deal, but could be bad for people who need more privacy.  There was also very limited counter space for a bathroom as big as it was.  Lots of wasted space in there.  Also, the lighting was HORRIFIC.  We had to come out into the room and sit down by the windows to do our makeup because we couldn't see well at all in the bathroom.  All that being said, the shower was quite possibly one of the best hotel showers I've ever been in. 
-- There were regular events happening on the rooftop bar, but we were able to go up there one night for a drink/appetizers.  We were in the elevator with Kenny Ortega which was fun (and he was super nice), and then we also saw Reeve Carney on the rooftop.  As I said, there were big events up there so I'm sure plenty of celebrity sighting potential if you were around the hotel when it's happening.
-- I realize I'm doing this review two years after the fact, but I also feel like they gave us free champagne when we checked in.  I could totally be making that up, but I seem to remember that being the case.  It's a really cool, modern, boutique vibe place, though, so it would make sense.   

What did you like about staying at this hotel?

--Room was huge with tons of space for bags/swag/etc.
--Room was also very clean and well-kept with modern decor.  It felt really new (maybe the hotel was relatively new?)
--Beds were really comfortable
--Convenience of food/market options
--Relatively close to the center of the Gaslamp

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?

--In addition to what I said above about the bathroom (minus the glorious shower), I would say just that the shuttle situation was unfortunate.  Obviously that has nothing to do with the hotel itself, but we were really confused as to why the shuttle never stopped even close to the area where it was supposed to.   

Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: chachime45 on April 26, 2018, 07:08:31 PM
Name of Hotel: Doubletree SD Mission Valley

Type of Room: 2 full-sized beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4 one year, 5 the next

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2016, 2017

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
Solid, free breakfast buffet with eggs, sausage, fruit and juice. Several places to eat nearby ... Wood Ranch Grill and Which were short walks from the side door.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Very polite and helpful

* Did you order room service?
Nope

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
Pool was smallish but I never used it

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
Pretty average size for a hotel, four people there and we all had space

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
Not sure what the parking garage cost but there was free parking on the street just outside the hotel

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
I only took the shuttle once coming back from con and it took forever (maybe 45 minutes but there was a lot of traffic). Every other time I took the trolley which had a stop less than 100 yards from the front door. Trains came about every 15 minutes and the trip would take 25-30 but there were always empty seats heading in.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
I could hear my neighbors talking through the walls one night but it was pretty quiet otherwise.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests? 
Nope

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Not a member

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
No celebrities of any kind.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
I got this in the early bird sale each time because I wanted to guarantee a nice hotel for my family ... I was not let down. Great staff, decent rooms, a great buffet and super easy to get on the trolley. Took a $15 Uber to Mission Beach one day to go for a swim in the cool Pacific.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Pretty long haul to the con. And you don't feel as connected to the festivities as you do when you are downtown.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: puppy on April 26, 2018, 09:33:44 PM
Name of Hotel: Bay Club Hotel and Marina

Type of Room: 2 queen beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 2 nights

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2015

Hotel Review:  Not the newest hotel, but the view was lovely and it was clean.  Our room was supposed to come with breakfast, per (at the time) Travel Planners.  I had to dig it out of my phone to prove it to them.  Manager said it was a mistake, so he wasn't honoring it.  Honestly, the "mistake" wasn't my problem.  I booked it based on the listing and the listing was right there on my phone.  I didn't give up and they finally honored it.  Otherwise, loved the hotel.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: mellye on May 10, 2018, 07:30:26 AM
Name of Hotel: Courtyard by Marriott Mission Valley

Type of Room: 1 king-sized bed

Number of Nights You Stayed: 10 in 2016 and 5 in 2017

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2016, 2017

Hotel Review:

Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
There is a hotel restaurant with decent selections as well as a Starbucks. Meals ranged from $7-$15 ish. Restaurant unfortunately closes at 10pm.

How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
In 2016, we had an awesome experience with the staff. We got to know a lot of them and they pointed us in the direction of some great restaurants, touristy things, etc. In 2017, we checked in on Wed and the staff were less inviting, but they were also swamped with people that day.

Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels? In 2016, we were given a very large corner room in the newer wing. This was very very comfortable. In 2017, we were given a much smaller room in the old wing and it was still comfortable, but definitely had less space. Both rooms were quite spacious in general.

If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
Parking was included for one car and we had one day pass for a guest as well.

How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
Thursday Shuttles are always a disaster. In 2016, we waited over an hour. In 2017, we took the trolley, which is a far more efficient especially on Thursday. To get to the trolley, you'll need to cut through Town & Country, passed the pool and over the bridge. You'll see the Fashion Valley Transit stop straight ahead. For reference, shuttle is located just to the left of the hotel. Shuttle was minimum 30 minutes, longer at rush hours to about 50 mins. This hotel is one of the last stops on the route. Shuttles thankfully run 24-hours now. Uber to convention centre is about $12.

Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?
Yes

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
- Restaurant is very accommodating to dietary needs.
- Starbucks service is quick, unlike anywhere downtown.
- Hotel beds were comfortable, rooms were spacious.
- Fridge is included in every room, which is always a pleasant feature. I believe there's a small coffee maker as well.
- Close to Fashion Valley Mall, with tons of options to eat: Cheesecake Factory, California Pizza Kitchen, etc.
- Lots of plugs!
- Will accept packages in advance of your stay (for the International folk who want to get their shopping done!)
- Breakfast included with Early Bird and they are VERY generous.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
- It's a long trek. You need to be out of the hotel early to make early entrance times to the convention centre. You need to be early to the line to the shuttle to ensure one doesn't fill up and pass you by.
- No free coffee or tea in the evenings, even after the restaurant closes
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: jontargaryen on July 22, 2018, 10:57:46 PM
Name of Hotel: The US Grant

Type of Room: 1 king bed with small sitting area

Number of Nights You Stayed: 3

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2018

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
 
The hotel itself had a pretty fancy restaurant and bar. I had a dessert there which was incredible but very expensive. Drinks were also interesting and tasty. Around the hotel there’s anything you could want. Directly across from Dunkin Donuts and a block away from Chipotle, Panera, breakfast cafes, etc.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?

This is a luxury hotel so the staff pampers you.

* Did you order room service?

No

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?

No gym or pool.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?

Perfect size for two people, although I was solo. More than that I wouldn’t recommend.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?

I did not drive.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?

I walked. It’s about a 15 minute walk when all is said and done. Not bad at all.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?

Couldn’t hear a thing.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)

Yes

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?

Yes, Gold.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?

The bathrooms are great and the rooms are styled beautifully. Also liked the light that you pressed for do not disturb instead of dealing with those annoying door hangers.


What did you like about staying at this hotel?

- beautiful old world hotel
- great staff, especially the bartenders
- absurdly comfy bed
- great drinks at the bar
- very quick walk to bars and restaurants in the gaslamp and relatively quick walk to the convention center
- quieter location than right in the gaslamp
- lots of quick food options nearby
- no annoying resort fee

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?

- expensive. All of it.
- it’s right across from the Horton plaza park which is home to many, many homeless people. There was always a police presence and the staff was good about shooing away the ones begging out front of the hotel but the whole situation was a little...off putting. Especially walking back alone at 1am.
- definitely not as close as most of us would like

Overall this is an excellent hotel but not one I’d willingly pick for comic con. It’s more of a romantic getaway splurge weekend hotel.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: accelerate on July 22, 2018, 11:48:07 PM
Name of Hotel: Westin Gaslamp

Type of Room: 2 full-sized beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5 nights

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2018 (and 2009 too, but this review is for 2018)

Hotel Review:


* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?

   One hotel restauran called Pinzimini, which had a really small menu, and that was including added Comic Con specials. We ended up having individual pizzas and chicken wings, which were okay. Service was slow, even though we were one of two tables there. Honestly, I wouldn't go back again. Right outside the hotel is a Burger joint (that closes early) and a sushi place (Nara), which was pretty good. And of course, there are a ton of other Gaslamp restaurants to go to.
 
* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?

   Yup! We had two reservations. A Tuesday reservation for 2 beds booked directly through them, and a 1 bed place through Travel Planners. I explained that I had two reservations and would rather have two beds the entire stay, and they were very accommodating to my request. And when I checked out, I had questions on my bill, and they were very patient and clear in resolving the issues.

* Did you order room service?

   Nope.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?

   I used the pool area, which was rather small, but it had plenty of pool chairs to lounge around in. The gym was equally small, but it suited my needs just fine. As an aside, in the 40 minutes I was at the gym, I saw three people come in with all their luggage, just to shower.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?

   The room was quite roomy, about as roomy as any room I've had in downtown San Diego. My definition of roomy is that there was more than enough room to have my luggage on the ground, open, and all my Comic Con swag laid out all over the place and still have more than enough room to move around.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?

   N/A

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?

   Westin Gaslamp was right at the edge of comfortable walking distance. It's a five block shot down 2nd street to the west edge of the convention center. So maybe a 10-15 min walk. If you are trying to get to  / or are coming from the Hall H side, then it's actually quite  bit longer walk. The walk from the outdoor events by PetCo Park actually was a very long walk. We never bothered taking the shuttles. But, I would advise NOT taking the shuttle TO the con, since the Westin Gaslamp is the shuttle's first stop, and it has to go around to all the other hotels before heading to the con. On the flip side, taking the shuttle back to the hotel could be a very good idea, especially at the end of the day with tired feet.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?

   Noise levels was okay when you're talking about room-to-room. However, outside noise can be a bit distracting. Mainly, in the mornings, we would hear the crowds for the Conan tapings. Their line was pretty much right outside our window. There would be constant chanting. However, at night, it was quiet enough to go to sleep.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?

   We had one night free, and the rest of the nights cost $10/night.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?

   No. They're part of SPG. Actually, I belatedly realized that supposedly you get free WiFi if you're a member.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?

   They have this program that on any day you don't use room service / cleaning (you have to put an extra sign outside your door besides the "Do Not Disturb" sign), then you get a $5 voucher for any food product in the hotel, including room service, the restaurant, or the cafe. We made use of that for morning coffee / pastries.

   I was not fond of the shower setup. Instead of a traditional adjustable nozzle, it was this thing overhead that sprays water downward like rain, with very little to no room for adjustment. So the water pretty much always comes down on your head, unless you bend your neck awkwardly. The shower does include a detachable shower head, but I've never found those convenient to use.   

What did you like about staying at this hotel?

   - Customer service
   - Getting to / from airport much easier than hotels closer to the convention center.
   - Close to Ralph's supermarket (and another organic market)
   - Next to Gaslamp with a lot of food choices nearby

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?

   - Inconvenient shower setup
   - Paid WiFi for non-members
   - Distance to convention center at the edge of comfortable walking distance, especially on hot summer days.

Overall, I prefer to stay at a closer hotel, but with all things Travel Planners, you really don't have much choice in the manner. That being said, for 2018, I actually had a choice between Westin and Embassy Suites. Both were equidistant to the convention center (but different directions), and I ended up choosing Westin Gaslamp because it was closer to more food options and the nightlife. But I wouldn't mind if I end up with this hotel again.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Berts on July 23, 2018, 02:57:00 PM

Name of Hotel:
Marriott Marquis

Type of Room:
1-bed king. City view. 23rd floor

Number of Nights You Stayed:
Wed - Sun. 4 nights.

Year(s) You Stayed There:
2018. First year staying here. First year staying in a hotel!

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   Ate at the bar in the lobby. Decent food. Mariott Marquis is right next to the convention center so it's a short walk to basically anything in Gaslamp

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
   Hotel staff was great. In the app, I requested extra towels and they were brought to my room within an hour of me checking in. I was also originally on the 16th floor with a bay view but requested a higher floor with a city view and they accommodated me. They were fantastic and very nice.

* Did you order room service?
   Nope.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
   Went to the spa one night. Very uncrowded which was surprising but also very nice.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
   It was just my wife and I, so yes. The room was more than spacious enough.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
   N/A. Took the train down from LA.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
   Not long at all. From the exhibit hall to the hotel is basically a 5-10 minute walk. Very accessible and centrally located.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
   They were a little thin but not too bad. I could hear people in the hallway but it wasn't enough to make it a bad experience.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?
   Yes if you're a Marriott Rewards member (which I am)

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
   Yes. Silver. Free WiFi and priority check-in line.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
   This hotel was great because I'm a huge comic book fan and all of the DC people were staying here. I saw a lot of the people I admire and follow. My wife rode the elevator with Kevin Smith also.


What did you like about staying at this hotel?
The hotel was great. It's super busy which feels like you're right in the action at all times. It's so close to the convention center that everything within it is extremely accessible.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
I disliked having to cross the street to get to the Gaslamp District since there were 8 billion people trying to do the same. I was also on the 3rd highest floor so any elevator ride had at least 10 stops. Those are both "woe-is-me" nitpicks though. This place was so great.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: EscoBlades on July 23, 2018, 05:30:29 PM
Name of Hotel: Four Points by Sheraton Downtown

Type of Room: I King sized bed

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4 nights

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2018

Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
The hotel had breakfast on for around $15. There are at least 4 breakfast restaurants a 5 minute walk away from the hotel in the immediate vicinity.

How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Super friendly and helpful. They got into the spirit of the con itself.

Did you order room service?
No

Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
Gym and pool were tiny. Clean and functional though, but don't expect to get laps in.

Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
Standard sized king room, very comfy bed. Pillows were on the softer side, but you could request different pillows.

If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
Did not drive

How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
20 minute walk at a regular pace on foot. 7-10 minute drive (depending on traffic). Didn't use the shuttle.

Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
I didn't hear much noise, but that may have been cos my neighbours were also quiet.

Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests? 
Yes, and it was a decent speed too.

Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
I am an SPG member, but at the basic level so no perks yet.

Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
No celebs. On the downtown edge, so a little disconnected from everything.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Very comfy bed, clean hotel, quiet and if required, on the shuttle route. It was also affordable ($220 a night)

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
A little on the far side, if you need to go back to your hotel from the con to change out of cosplay or relax.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: dkd on July 23, 2018, 09:17:50 PM
Name of Hotel: Hotel Indigo

Type of Room:
2 Queen Sized Beds (even though I was by myself)

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5 nights

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2018

Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
The hotel has a restaurant in the lobby and also serves food at their 9th floor Rooftop bar.  There were plenty of restaurant options in the immediate area, including a 7-Eleven.  There was also a place in the lobby to buy snacks for your room.

How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Fantastic.

Did you order room service?
No

Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
No pool.  Honestly, don't know if they had a gym, but I would say "probably".  It's a pet-friendly hotel.  There aren't mini bars in the rooms, but they have Keurig coffee makers.

Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
They gave me a larger room than I needed.  I was alone.

If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
Did not drive

How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
If I was going to Hall H or Indigo, I took the bridge and it took about 12 minutes to get to the Hall H line, 15 to get to Indigo entrance.  It was about the same if I went the other way.

Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
I didn't notice any noise.

Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?
Yes.

Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
I think I am, but I tend not to remember my hotel rewards programs.  I probably should look into it.

Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
I like the location of this hotel quite a bit.  It's close enough without being too far, but far enough to feel a little distant from the craziness closer to the convention center.  I dine and party a lot in the Gaslamp and it was easy to get to most places I needed to get to.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
It's a modern hotel with a hip feel to it.  I really liked the rooftop bar.  It was a good place to chill after a long evening.  It wasn't crowded any time I went.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
If I was nitpicky, it would have been nice to have a refrigerator to store my water.  The shower head was one of those removable ones and I prefer a static shower head.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: rabbitwarren on July 24, 2018, 03:06:33 AM
Name of Hotel: Manchester Grand Hyatt

Type of Room: (Did your room have 1 king-sized bed, 2 full-sized beds, or another type of bed?  Did you have a suite?)

King bed partial city and water view.  Not a bad view and a good view of the naval ship. 

Number of Nights You Stayed: Tues-Sun

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2018

Hotel Review:


* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   If "Yes," tell us about the restaurants and type of food they had (if you remember).

Seaport village is right outside the door.  Puesto is good and Seasons isn't bad . The Hyatt has a nice breakfast buffet with a very friendly waiter.  The market street places were a bit of a hike (15 minutes) .

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?

Very accommodating and outside of the mad checkins on Tues/Wed could easily get a hold of them.  My room was ready when I arrived on Tues morning. 

* Did you order room service?
   If yes, tell us about if you had a good experience with room service.

I didn't order room service but called Market Place for pickup.  The burger wasn't bad but the grilled cheese was undercooked.  The service was quick though.  enough time to

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?

Gym was nice and overlooked the water

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?

We had both our luggages (carry ons) out plus a big box for all of our merchandise and still walked around fairly easily.  The beds were comfortable.  Not as big as other kings i've seen but big enough.   


* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?

10 minutes from hotel to the A entrance.  Mind you, I am someone who lives in NYC and walks everyday and knows how to navigate crowds. 

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?

I could sometimes hear people opening doors if I was paying attention but otherwise I was able to sleep like a log. 

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)

Yes.  Fast.  Could stream trailers and listen to spotify


* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?

Was very happy to pick up my hall h swag right at the hotel after a long day
I saw Nathan Fillion at the lobby. 
If you are on the seaport side and exit the elevators towards the market place, there is a really funky smell coming from the restaurant. 

What did you like about staying at this hotel?

Very nice, upscale hotel
Walkable to the convention
Rooms ready when I arrived in the morning



Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Tell us about anything that negatively impacted your stay at this particular hotel that you may not have already mentioned above. 

A bit of a hike to Indigo or Hall H. 
A little farther from Gaslamp than you think
Shower heads were a little on the low side.  Fine if you are short like me but I can see it being a problem for taller people. 


All in all, I'd be thrilled to stay there again next year although I wouldn't be opposed if I got Omni or Hard Rock or HBF next year. 
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: dolphina on July 24, 2018, 01:54:34 PM
Name of Hotel: Hilton Bayfront

Type of Room: I actually had 3 different rooms, lol. Regular 2 queen room; 2 Queen Corner Room, and King Corner Room.
Reg 2 Queen Room is a fair sized room but if you are 4 people (or more) and have cosplay or a lot of exclusives and swag the room will seem small.
2 Queen Corner Room: This is my favorite room because you have added space and more windows. But it is an upgrade room and 2 years ago I paid $60 more per night for it.


Number of Nights You Stayed: I was there for 7 nights.

Year(s) You Stayed There: Past 5 years except for last year when I was at Hard Rock with Queen Suites.

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?

Yes there is a restaurant on first floor, food offered through the bar and the pool bar. During Con there is also BBQ outside the front of Hilton. Outside of those you have to walk a bit.
* How was the hotel staff? Were they polite and courteous?

I had a few issues with the front desk, they didn't seem as accommodating as in past years. They were very reluctant to do any upgrades without charges even if you were a Gold or Diamond member. Even on Tuesday they were out of refrigerators and on Wednesday if you requested SDCC key cards (I requested 4 they only gave me 2 of the Riverdale ones and the other 2 were plain Hilton ones, and if I forgot my key and needed a replacement it was a regular card. I heard that they sent the leftover cards back to the vendor.

* Did you order room service?
 No room service this trip.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? During the con the pool is pretty empty but I didn't check out the gym.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably? Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?

With 4 of us in one regular 2 queen room with quite a bit of exclusives and snacks it was kind of snug, but the corner rooms are larger but more expensive. The regular 2 queen room at the Bayfront is larger than the regular 2 queen room at the Hard Rock.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?

$35/day with in and out privileges.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?

To get to the entrance to the convention center maybe 5-7 minutes and to get to the Hyatt about 15 - 20 min.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?

Never heard our neighbors.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No) If you are a Hilton Honors member which it is free to join you get free wifi.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?

I was able to be upgraded to a room facing the convention center side but had to kind of haggle for it which I never had to do before. Also as a Gold/Diamond member you receive 2 vouchers for each day of your stay that you can use for either a free continental breakfast or upgrade for $10 to a hot meal that includes cooked to order omelettes or you can go to Starbucks (if you don't mind the line) and get any Starbucks drink, breakfast or pastry item and piece of fruit. Its actually a really nice perk.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?

The Hilton Bayfront is going to be renovated by the time SDCC happens next year and all rooms will have fridges in them.


What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Since you might have already wrote about it from the questions above, just make a quick list about the things you liked the most about your stay at this particular hotel.

I rode the elevator up with Nichelle Nichols, my son rode the elevator up with the MHA creator and saw Norman Reedus and Jeffrey Dean Morgan walking around the bar area. Around the corner from us was someone, who I don't know, but they had 8 security guards protecting the hallway, lol.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?

The computers wouldnt print out my confirmed exclusive list. And my car was broken into on Sunday afternoon in the parking structure.
Tell us about anything that negatively impacted your stay at this particular hotel that you may not have already mentioned above. 
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: jazzyj on July 24, 2018, 06:09:52 PM
Name of Hotel: Omni

Type of Room: 1 King-Sized Bed

Number of Nights You Stayed:5

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2018

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   Yup, Omni is right in the heart of the Gaslamp so there's a bunch of options all around.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
   Staff was super nice and helpful!

* Did you order room service?
   Nope

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
   Our group used the pool to soak our feet in every night. The pool area is nice since it overlooks the convention center so it's like we never left the con while we relaxed.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
   Our room was a corner room so I thought it had a good amount of space (at least compared to my experiences in the Hard Rock).  There was 4 of us and we had 2 people sleep on the floor so at time it was hard to navigate but all in all we didn't feel too cramped. Our bathroom was super spacious though.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
   N/A

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
   3-5 minutes, depending on the crowd in the train crossing area.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
   The Wired Cafe had their party in the pool area and we can hear the music from our room but it didn't really affect us since they were only open during the day

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
   Yes if you were a member.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
   Yes, I got free wi-fi

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
   The Future Tech exhibit was in our hotel so it was nice to go down to the exhibit on Preview Night (we didn't have PN badges) and try out the demos before the real crowds started coming in. As for celebrity sightings, I saw Patty Jenkins checking into our hotel which was pretty cool.


What did you like about staying at this hotel?
- Close location to the convention center
- A lot of food options nearby
- Near CVS for snack shopping

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
- I was hoping to catch more celebs but honestly I can't really complain about the Omni since its proximity to the convention center made a HUUUUUGGGEEEEE difference to my SDCC experience this year.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: oneroomdisco on July 25, 2018, 12:35:26 AM
Name of Hotel: Marriott Gaslamp

Type of Room: 2 Queen Bed Room. We were at the end of a hall and, while not quite a suite, the room was much bigger than a regular room, with the desk, comfy chair, and requested mini-fridge in a large living space somewhat separate from the beds.

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2018

Hotel Review:
Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
Yes. There was a restaurant on the ground floor and room service, in addition to the numerous Gaslamp eateries nearby. (The Broken Yolk is just around the corner). We didn't try either the restaurant or room service, but a friend ate at the restaurant and seemed to enjoy it.

How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
I checked in around noon and the hotel already had my room ready with the mini-fridge I'd requested. I didn't have a ton of engagement with the staff during the convention, but any requests we made (fresh towels, more toilet papers, etc.) were promptly received.

Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
The hotel had a gym (we didn't try it but it looked nice), but no pool, which was something of a disappointment. They also had a rooftop bar which was very nice, although it was closed for private parties two of the nights we were there.

Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
There were six of us in the room and we had no issue fitting. While our room was much larger than normal, from what I saw of the regular rooms, I'm fairly certain we would have been fine in those as well. The hotel was also generally quiet, in part due to the guest room floors requiring a key card to access.

If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
I didn't park but one of my roommates did. It was $48 per day, valet only. Not sure if that came with in and out privileges.

How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
The walk from the hotel to the convention center generally took around seven minutes, although it could be longer if heading to an extreme side (Hall H or Hall A) or if traveling during a super busy time.

Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
We didn't notice any noise from our neighbors nor from any parties or outside activities.

Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
The hotel has free WiFi for loyalty program members. However, the login process is somewhat clunky and difficult to share among multiple devices owned by multiple people.

Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
I joined Marriott Rewards prior to staying at the hotel. The only perk I got was the aforementioned wifi.

Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
While the staff was very friendly, I felt like they didn't get Comic Con quite as much as the staff at the Omni (where I stayed the last few years) did. In particular, the bellhops seemed somewhat overwhelmed on Sunday, both when showing up to take our bags down (our bellhop was clearly NOT expecting us to have 11 bags) and when returning our bags to us later in the day (they almost gave me someone else's bag and had placed the bag tag on a friend's bag in such a way that it tore the poster that was sticking out of it).

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
The location and price were fantastic. It was also a somewhat calmer environment than the Omni, particularly in the lobby.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
The beds, while technically queens, were some of the smallest "queen" beds we'd ever encountered. (And noticeably smaller than the beds we'd had at both the Omni and the Westin Gaslamp). Additionally, the positioning of the TV in the room was weirdly low, such that, if we were laying in bed, the viewing angle was somewhat awkward.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Jim Watari on July 25, 2018, 12:34:16 PM
Name of Hotel: Westin Gaslamp

Type of Room:  2 full-sized beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 7  (1 + 6) Combined 1 day reservation with hotel lottery 6 day reservation

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2018

Hotel Review:

Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   Yes , the hotel restaurant Pinzimini , I ate breakfast there

How was the hotel staff?  They were friendly and helpful

Did you order room service?
   No, but they were fast when asking for toilet paper, valet car service, and bellman service.

Tell us about the hotel amenities I did not use any

Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  The room was  larger than the average.

If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? it was listed at $50 per day , but I was only charged $39 and they only charged me for two days out of the 6 days I was there.

How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? Shuttle getting there from the convention center was quick , they were the first stop on the Blue line (10 minutes), but of course last going back to the convention center (15 to 20 minutes)

Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? The room wall thick enough , but noises from outside were louder than average.

Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  No, but fairly cheap 7.95  per day

The mini frig was not very cold


What did you like about staying at this hotel?

Lots of close by restaurants and shopping

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?

Lots of homeless people in the area, but that's the whole Gaslamp district now
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: hikanteki on July 25, 2018, 03:18:58 PM
Name of Hotel: Hampton Inn San Diego-Downtown (Little Italy)

Type of Room: King Bed w/ Pullout Sofa (Note: Not all King Bedrooms have a Pullout Sofa, so if you need one be sure to ask)

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4 (Wednesday through Saturday nights)

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2018

Hotel Review:

Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel? The hotel didn't have a restaurant but it did have free breakfast. There's nothing immediately by the hotel, but Little Italy is only a few blocks away and there is plenty of dining there.

How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? Yes, they were very nice and welcoming.

Did you order room service? No

Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? They had a gym and pool, but I didn't use them.

Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels? The room was average size, though I thought the ceiling was kind of low. We had two people. With the sofa bed pulled out, there was still just enough room for both of us to put our stuff out and move around comfortably. For three it probably would have been tight. BUT -- there was no dresser/shelves. Maybe the other King arrangement would have had shelving instead of the sofa bed?

If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? I didn't drive, but I think parking would have been $35/night.

How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? Trolley: 10 minutes or less. Foot: 25 minutes. Shuttle: 45 minutes... ::) (I took the shuttle the first day. It took 45 minutes, 15 to get to the Gaslamp and then 30 to go the final 5 blocks. Never again.)

Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? We heard some stuff but nothing really bothered me. I need to mention the trolley bell and train horn since everyone talks about them. We had a room in the middle of the hotel and we definitely heard them while awake, but they weren't so loud enough to be annoying. I just think of them as city noise. Also, as I'm a heavy sleeper they did not interfere with my sleep but YMMV.

Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  Yes

Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? Yes, basic, I don't know.

Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above? They have a shuttle to and from the airport. But I called for the shuttle on the way in, and it took nearly an hour for them to arrive. (I had to call to remind them about 45 minutes in.) Although, when I got in, it was 12:30 and before checkin time, but they had a room ready so in my mind that made up for it. Free coffee 24/7 which is a nice perk. Free popcorn in the evening.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel? No major complaints, but also there were really no major advantages except for price. (Customer service and free WiFi were nice, but there are many other places that also offer those those.) For instance:
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: PurpleCalico on July 26, 2018, 02:26:09 AM
Name of Hotel:
Days Inn San Diego Hotel Circle Near Seaworld. It's located in Mission Valley.

Type of Room:
2 queen beds, it was the only option left when we made the booking on onPeak.

Number of Nights You Stayed:
6 nights

Year(s) You Stayed There:
2018

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
Yes, a restaurant called "Bunz" that sold mostly burgers and hot dogs. They have an adequate beverage selection too, their milkshake was pretty good. The hotel staff gave us a 20% discount card to use throughout our stay so we ate there for dinner on most nights. They do not have complimentary breakfast but their breakfast menu is decent.

If you're willing to walk, there's the Fashion Valley mall which is 15 min from the hotel with a lot of food options but they do not have a grocery store there. For groceries, you'll have to walk to Trader Joe's at Westfield Mission Valley which is about a 20-30 min walk from the hotel. My fiance and I did enjoy the long walk along the San Diego river trail. Westfield Mission Valley has a Target too and other dining options as well.

* How was the hotel staff?
We only interacted with the front desk staff and they were polite and courteous.

* Did you order room service?
They do not provide room service.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.
They had a pool, jacuzzi and a gym, I believe. We did not use them. I know they had ice machines on the ground floor and a laundry room which we also did not use.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
The room my fiance and I were given was pretty big and it was comfortable for us to move around with our luggages open. The bathroom isn't tiny unlike what other reviewers online stated. As for sleep, we requested a quiet room and were given a room in the highest floor (level 3). Other than hearing people walking directly outside our room, it was indeed quiet most of the time. The hotel itself is quite near a highway so if you are a light sleeper, you can hear some traffic in the early hours of the morning but other than that, we slept like babies.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
We didn't drive but I read online that they did charge a parking fee per night.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
This hotel is all the way in Mission Valley and thank goodness the shuttle stopped right in front of the hotel. It took about 40 minutes to get to the con by shuttle in the morning. The map states you can take the trolley from Fashion Valley all the way to the convention centre but we didn't buy trolley passes so I can't comment how long it takes via trolley.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
If people raise their voices or slam their doors/drawers really hard, we could sometimes hear them. If someone walks directly outside your room, you can hear them too. Most of the time though, it was quiet. I read reviews that if you stayed on levels 1 or 2, you could hear the people upstairs. So if you want a lot of peace and quiet, request for the top floor, level 3.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests? 
Yes. You had to sign in every day which I found a little annoying.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Nope.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
Given that the hotel is all the way in Mission Valley, the chances of celebrity sightings are close to zero. The room does have a keypad safe, a small fridge, microwave, hairdryer, and an ironing board.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
- It was cheap, less than USD$200 per night.
- It wasn't a fancy hotel but it was very comfortable for us to rest and recharge every night.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
- It was very far from the convention centre and it was the second last stop on the shuttle route so you may not be able to get on the bus in the mornings. My fiance and I circumvented that by undertaking a quick 10 min walk to the first stop (The Handlery Hotel) on the shuttle route when we saw that the line was long at our hotel. It was worth it, IMO.
- No complimentary breakfast. Since we did our grocery run at Trader Joe's, our breakfast and lunch were mostly granola bars, bread, sandwiches, and wraps bought from there.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: TheNeck on July 26, 2018, 08:48:17 AM
Name of Hotel:
Hilton San Diego Bayfront

Type of Room:
2 Queens   

Number of Nights You Stayed:
6

Year(s) You Stayed There:
2017, 2018

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
Yes – I didn’t try any of there food options at the Bayfront, only because my family is really picky.

* How was the hotel staff?
The staff have always be kind and courteous. One particular staff member named George at check-out both this year and last year, hooked me up with all the keycards for the week.

* Did you order room service?
No

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.
My family used the pool twice this trip. My wife and son loved it!

Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably? Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
Room size seemed about average to me, the 4 of us had plenty of room.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
Was told it was $35 a night for parking, when I checked out on Monday, the same guy George told me he would take $10 off each night since I was a silver rewards member. So it ended up being $25/night.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
5 minutes at most to get to the beginning of Hall H.

* Are the walls of the room thin? What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
For us the room was really quiet.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?
Yes

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program? What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
I’m silver member, free wifi, and $10 each night off for overnight parking.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
For me I’m lucky and saw quiet a few celebrities, my family saw no celebrities. I saw Joss Whedon at 2am in the lobby. I also saw Seth Green, Sonequa Martin-Green, Katie McGrath, and Malcolm Barrett. And this was just this year.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
-Extremely close to the convention center
-Extremely close to Hall H & everything else lines.
-Tons of celebrity sightings, at least for me.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
For us this year there wasn’t any reason not to like our stay at this hotel this year.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Jason on July 26, 2018, 11:05:27 AM
Name of Hotel: Hilton Gaslamp

Type of Room: 1 King Sized Bed

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2018

Hotel Review:

I *loved* this hotel. We usually stayed a little further away at the Hampton Inn every year to save money, but we should have been trying to stay here all along.

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   There is a restaurant inside, as well as room service. And it's in the Gaslamp so there are dozens of places to go.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
   Hotel staff was very nice, although they are bad at math :) (At check out, they messed the totals up and charged me $40 that my buddy should have paid)

* Did you order room service?
   We were too exhausted to leave again one night so we did order room service. The food was awful.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
   Nope, no time for love, Dr Jones.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
   The room was huge, I loved it.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
   We didn't park, but parking was valet only and $85 a day.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
   5 minutes on foot.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
   I could hear construction on Sunday night from the take down but otherwise nothing.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
   Only for Hilton Honors members.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
   Yes - free internet was all I noticed

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
   Nichelle Nichols stayed at our hotel - we saw her checking out on Monday morning. AMC hosted celebrity interviews there, but we didn't see anyone from the Walking Dead casts.


What did you like about staying at this hotel?
So close to the Con, and so close to the little grocery store where we buy sodas and snacks every day. I genuinely loved this hotel.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Tell us about anything that negatively impacted your stay at this particular hotel that you may not have already mentioned above. 

It was definitely about $50 more a night than we wanted to pay, and they wanted to charge me another $40 for a room with two beds (I said no). The only other drawback was fighting the crowds lined up for the DC Universe offsite since the line wrapped around past the hotel door.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: jamiesugah on July 27, 2018, 08:00:05 AM
Name of Hotel: Hilton San Diego Bayfront

Type of Room: 2 beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2018

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
  Yep! Bayfront has two restaurants, plus the bar, and they always have a food thing set up across from the Indigo Ballroom and directly outside on the sidewalk.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
  Didn't really deal with the staff much but everyone I talked to was nice.

* Did you order room service?
   No, I think room service has all kinds of extra fees, and I just don't have that kind of money.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
  I told myself I was going to use the pool, but that's a laugh. Like I have time! It looked really nice, though.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
  There were 5 of us in the room and I think there was a good amount of space. It seemed bigger than the room we had last year at the MMM but that could be me misremembering because I didn't really like the MMM. As the last person to the room, I had to unpack my suitcase and stick it in the closet, but that was fine.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
  n/a

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
  Super quick trip! Going to the 6 ballrooms was a bit of a hike, but getting in line for the convention in the morning was a breeze.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
  We were high up and I didn't notice any noise.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?
  If you are a Hilton Honors member (free to join), yes. Two of the people in my room are HHonors members, we had a code we could use.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
  Two of my roommates were. I know we got the free wi-fi, I don't know if there was anything else.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
  It's the Bayfront. It's, like, the perfect place to spot celebs. Although you may see Logan Paul, like I did, and have the sudden urge to throw up.


What did you like about staying at this hotel?
As press, it was SUPER easy to do my interviews, and I was able to run upstairs after and get stuff re-charged and online.
Our room had a great view, so we were able to keep an eye on the lines and judge when we should head down.
Not as busy as I was expecting, waits for the elevator were nowhere near as bad as MMM.


Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Price, mostly. With 5 people in the room it wasn't terrible, but the 5th night was just 2 of us and that was too much.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: a_peachtree on July 27, 2018, 12:50:34 PM
Name of Hotel: The Sofia Hotel

Type of Room: 1 King Sized Bed

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4 (Wed - Sat, checkout on Sun)

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2018

Hotel Review:
* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   There was one restaurant inside the hotel, but a bit on the pricier side, in my opinion. They did have a decent happy hour though. There is a Coffee Bean and Tender Greens on the same block (no having to cross streets to get to them!), and a Chipotle across the street.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
The hotel staff were nice and friendly. The concierge was also great - very knowledgeable about the history of the hotel.

* Did you order room service?
No, and I'm not even sure if they offered them.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
There was no pool. But free yoga classes in the morning and you could rent bicycles. Originally, the biggest perk for me was that they were pet-friendly (we originally planning on bringing our pup, but left him with family instead).

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
The room was a bit on the small side - even with only a single bed. But it wasn't to terrible, mostly just cozy. We didn't spend a lot of time there so it wasn't that big of a deal. If we had more luggage, it might have been a bit difficult to move around.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
Valet was $37 a night. There was self-park, but it was in a lot that had apparently jacked up the prices to $65 a day.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
It was about 10 - 15 minute walk (I walk a bit fast though) to the convention center. Half that by Lyft (we got real lazy one day). I didn't take the shuttle or the trolley, though I believe there was a shuttle stop nearby.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
Didn't have any problems with noise, but we were in a corner room.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
Yes

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
No

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?


What did you like about staying at this hotel?
+ It was nice to be out of the hustle and bustle of Gaslamp, but still close enough that it was a quick walk there
+ Clean rooms
+ Free bottle water
+ Fridge and microwave in the room
+ Friendly staff
+ Conan taping was right across the street (I didn't go, but this would probably be a plus for a few people)
+ It was easy to get to on Wednesday night. We got off the freeway and were at the hotel in only a minute or two

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
- The bathroom was set up a bit weird...There was no shower door, just glass that covered half the shower. Also, the bathroom door didn't close all the way. Ours might have been broken though.
- It's away from the Gaslamp, so the streets around are less crowded. Can be both good and bad, depending on the time of night and how comfortable you are with walking non-busy streets late at night.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Karilg on July 27, 2018, 08:43:53 PM
Name of Hotel: Embassy suites

Type of Room: (Did your room have 1 king-sized bed, 2 full-sized beds, or another type of bed?  Did you have a suite?) 2 room premium suite with two double beds and a pull out

Number of Nights You Stayed: 3

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2018

Hotel Review:


* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   If "Yes," tell us about the restaurants and type of food they had (if you remember). Yes, hotel offered free breakfast and happy hour, which we took advantage of. Breakfast was your typical pick and choose with the option of having your own omelette made. Also, to the side is a Dunkin’ Donuts for morning coffee

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? Yes, for the most part. Just make sure you tie your Hilton honors to reservation. They will treat you better

* Did you order room service?
   If yes, tell us about if you had a good experience with room service.
Nope

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
Didn’t use any

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
It’s a bit smaller than I imagined but still very roomy for 4 women(it can make a difference bc we have so much stuff). We used both the beds and the pull out

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
We didn’t use overnight parking because it’s $50 a day which is kinda ridiculous in my opinion

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
To the hotel using the shuttle was about five minutes. Walking to the con was about 10-15 minutes. The round about for the shuttle to the con would have been a 35 minute ride

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? It’s pretty decent. Too tired to really care

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No) yes for hhoners

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? Yes, used my sisters so don’t know what level

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
Not really. They do have a keurig in the room

What did you like about staying at this hotel?

-close to convention center
-dunkin donts
-the amount of room we had

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Tell us about anything that negatively impacted your stay at this particular hotel that you may not have already mentioned above. 
Sorry this might be longer than needed...
The day we checked in we couldn’t flush the toilet and didn’t have running water. I called to ask why and the lady said that the city was having water issues and that it affected the whole hotel and block and it would be back to running around 5 pm (checked in at noon). Asked a little while later, and the said it is only one side of the hotel that wasn’t working. Checked back after that and then was told that only 12 rooms were affected by a leak in the hotel and ours was one of them. Was never told about the problem when I checked in and they had to give us one of the 12 rooms that had problems. So I was a bit annoyed
Also, the ice machine on our floor was out of order, so I had to go a floor down to get ice
Title: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: vegasndn on August 02, 2018, 08:05:12 PM
HOTEL REVIEW AND FEEDBACK LAYOUT

Name of Hotel: Omni

Type of Room: 1 King size bed

Number of Nights You Stayed: 3

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2018

Hotel Review: Hotel was awesome, staff was super friendly and helpful. Obviously the hotel being right in Gaslamp made it easy to drop off our stuff and get a quick break. Rooms are quiet, little bit of a wait for elevators during busy times which was during the evening.

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel? Yes, we didn’t eat there though.
   

* How was the hotel staff? Super friendly and helpful. I asked for mini fridge and microwave when we got in the room and they were delivered quickly along with extra towels and toiletries.

* Did you order room service? No


* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels? There were three of us and it was comfortable but i can see the room getting small quick if we had bought more things.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? Only valet here. Parking garage across the street available, I parked at airport offsite parking and caught the trolley into downtown.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests? Not sure

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? Signed up for Omni rewards before I checked in so that gave us free WiFi.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above? Not a lot of celebrity sightings, family and I did ride in elevator with Robert Kirkman and that was awesome.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?  Nothing, it was another fun trip for us and looking forward to next years comic con.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: clechang on August 03, 2018, 02:13:40 PM
Name of Hotel: Westin Gaslamp

Type of Room: 1 king bed. We ended up in an accessible room.

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2018

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
 Yes, there was a restaurant inside the hotel that offered Comic-con daily specials, but we didn't use it.  It is also next to a mall and, of course, in the Gaslamp, so there were lots of restaurants within walking distance.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
We checked in Wed evening and the guy who checked in seemed like he was in a rush and not too friendly.  We asked for a crib for our room for my daughter, he said he'll send one up. We went out for dinner, came back and there was no crib.  Had to call the front desk to have them send us one.  Other than that one front desk guy, everyone else seemed very nice.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
They do have a gym, outdoor pool, and indoor hot tub. 

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
Yes, the room felt very spacious.  I would say normal to larger than normal size.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
We always walked.  10-15 min walk.  Very manageable.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
We never heard any neighbors.  Only the occasional water pipes or when people spoke in the hallway.  Nothing too annoying.  However, our window faced the front lobby entrance and the backlot of the Spreckles theater.  There was a protest/strike going on at the hotel so we heard the protesters 2 of the mornings we were there. We use a noise machine for our baby, so it drowned most of the noise out, but you could still hear it.  Could also hear the screaming of fans when the celebrities arrived/left the Conan show which was cool.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?
Only free for SPG members.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
We stayed in room 725 and the shower would make a very loud sound when you switched it from tub to shower.  I think the valve is slightly broken because it couldn't fully send all the water to the showerhead causing the banging pipes sound.  It still worked, just don't take late night or early morning showers to prevent annoying your neighbors.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
- location, location, location
- walking distance to Convention Center
- close to bus stop that takes you to/from airport
- next to Spreckles (for Conan fans)
- lots of restaurants nearby
- quiet rooms
- pool
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: FBS on August 07, 2018, 09:42:43 AM

Name of Hotel:
Wyndham San Diego Bayside

Type of Room:
1 Queen

Number of Nights You Stayed:
6 nights

Year(s) You Stayed There:
2018

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
Yes, a restaurant inside the hotel and a couple of small eateries next door.

* How was the hotel staff?
Very nice. Had to ask for a few ietsm during the stay and they sorted them out very quickly.

* Did you order room service?
No.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.
Two Gyms and a pool. Went in the pool a few times. Was nice to have a swim after walking around the con during the day.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
The room was a decent size. Toilet and shower were very big, even had a wardrobe in it. Our room had a city view and when you stepped onto the balcony you could see for miles. Was very picturesque.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
N/A

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
About 20 minutes on foot from the convention centre. If you are coming into San Diego by train then it is around the back of Santa Fe depot.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
Walls were not that thin but did hear someone playing a trumpet one morning. Beyond that didn't hear any noise.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?
Yep and it was very fast.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Yes. No perks that I know of. Just banked up the points.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
Wonderful hotel that is just far enough away from the melee to make you feel as if you are on holiday rather than at SDCC. Stunning views across the water as well.
Had a couple of celebrity sightings - Ralph Garman and Freddie Prinze Jr.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Location was excellent and it was a very good price through OnPeak.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
- The bar inside the hotel was a bit expensive. That's the only negative.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Sonic77 on August 07, 2018, 03:03:09 PM
Name of Hotel: Hotel Republic

Type of Room: 2 full sized

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2018

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
 Yes, a restaurant inside and restaurants all around, never had a bad meal.  The restaurant within the hotel was a little expensive though but definitely good.

* How was the hotel staff?
Very polite and helpful no issues.

* Did you order room service?
   No

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
Weekdays has included breakfast if you're a Marriott Gold or Platinum member.  Very good but just have to get in early.  Also has a very nice clean gym.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
Room was a good size, very comfortable, water bottles restocked each day.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
Walked most of the time about 20 mins max, Bike rental took less than 10 mins

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
Thick walls didn't hear anyone

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests? 
Yes, free wifi if you're a Marriott member

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Yes, Marriott, Gold level which included free breakfast during the weekdays and free WiFi

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Extremely nice, away from the craziness, easy to grab food, great staff

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Distance from convention center at times but overall would easily stay there again
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: comicconfamily on August 09, 2018, 01:48:55 PM
Name of Hotel: Embassy Suites Downtown San Diego

Type of Room: Their usual room with 2 double beds + sofabed. All rooms at this hotel are considered a "two-room suite".

Number of Nights You Stayed: 9 nights

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2018

Hotel Review:

Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel? There is free breakfast which is good. There is a nightly Evening Reception with complimentary drinks (cocktail/beer & non-alcoholic) and hors d'oeuvres. The hotel has a restaurant but we did not dine there. They also have a Baskin-Robbins & Dunkin Donuts. We attempted Baskin-Robbins one night -- an hour before their posted hours said they closed -- and the doors were locked and employees inside were cleaning. Seaport Village is right across the street which offers several dining options. We walked over and bought cheesecake at Cheesecake Factory and brought it back to our room (the night that Baskin-Robbins decided to close early). Our kids got items from Dunkin Donuts once.
   
How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? Overall, most staff was friendly. We asked for a bathmat and got it super fast. However, there was one day we arrived back in our room to find only 3 towels (they knew we had 5 in our room). We called and asked for more towels and they said they would be right up. We waited an hour and no towels. Called again and was told they couldn't bring them and could we come down. Other than that situation, housekeeping and the general hotel staff was great. The guys who do the cooking at the breakfast (omelets, etc) are super efficient & quite amazing at their job! Unfortunately, valet was hit and miss on friendliness.

Did you order room service? We did not order room service, but they do have it.

Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? They have an indoor pool, an outdoor spa, and a gym. We did not use any of them.

Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably? Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?  We had 5 in our room and it was very comfortable. Embassy Suite rooms are almost always a good size. One room is like a "living room" with a sofa/sofabed, table/chairs, and a TV. Another room is like a traditional bedroom with the beds.

If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? Parking is valet only at $50 a night.

How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? We drove into the convention center each day. Due to the new road closures, this made driving in and out longer than it used to be -- it probably took us 20 minutes with traffic? Our kids used the shuttle a couple times -- coming from the convention center to the hotel is super fast. You are the first stop so you are on the shuttle for maybe 5 minutes? From the hotel to the convention center it's longer, more like 20-30 minutes, depending on time of day?

Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? In the main bedroom, you didn't hear anyone. In the main "living room" area, you could hear people walking by your room if they were noisy. Luckily this wasn't much of an issue for us.

Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests? Yes with Hilton Honors membership.

Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? We are Hilton Honor members, but just their lowest introductory level so we had free WIFI and earned points on our stay.

Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above? No celebrity sightings.


What did you like about staying at this hotel?

-Close to the convention center, but also not right in the middle of everything (which we liked). Close to lots of restaurant options.
-Views: we didn't pay for a bay view (although I would consider doing that in the future), but we were on the top floor with a partial bay view and partial city view.
-Room Size: we were able to spread out and had plenty of room
-Three sinks/mirrors: This was a huge plus for us. There was a sink/mirror in the bathroom (like usual), but also one off the walkway to the room with the beds and another by the microwave & mini fridge. With having 5 people in our room, this helped multiple people to get ready at the same time.
-Two TV's: Again, having 5 people in our room, it was nice that we could relax and watch different things, if we wanted to.
-Keurig: I'm not sure if all rooms have a Keurig, but our room did and we liked having one rather than the usual hotel coffeemaker. They provided multiple K-Cup options, which were refilled when used.
-Free Breakfast: We didn't eat it every day of our stay, but it's nice to know that it's there if we do want it. I won't say this is the best free hotel breakfast (we've had better), but it's decent and you can also order omelets and eggs cooked however you like them.
-Evening Reception: My husband and I only took advantage of this once (and I think our kids did it twice), but it was nice to have.


Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?

-Valet: This is the only reason we may not end up staying there again since we always drive to SDCC. While it wasn't horrible, it wasn't great either. Sometimes there was quite a wait to get your car -- even if you called ahead (which I highly recommend you do). The price + tip, plus the wait, and the unprofessional nature of a few of the valet employees made the valet our least favorite part of staying here. Valet constantly changed settings in our car too -- seat position, radio, A/C.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: waltbionik on August 11, 2018, 04:12:02 PM
Name of Hotel:
SpringHill Suites Mission Valley
Type of Room: (Did your room have 1 king-sized bed, 2 full-sized beds, or another type of bed?  Did you have a suite?)
2 King-sized beds and 1 pull out sofa. Slept four men comfortable. It was a suite.
Number of Nights You Stayed:
5 Nights
Year(s) You Stayed There: (Type in the actual year: 2012, 2013, 2014, etc.)
2018
Hotel Review:

(Here are some questions to get you started as you think about your hotel stay during Comic-Con.  Again, you can answer all or some of these questions to help you write your hotel feedback comments.)

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   The hotel had a free breakfast buffet. Hot items were usually scrambled eggs, oatmeal, sausage patties or links. There was fresh fruit (bananas, plums, etc.) and hard-boiled eggs, that I put in containers and brought to the convention center for snacks throughout the day.
* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
   The hotel staff was extremely polite and courteous. I felt welcome.
* Did you order room service?
   No, I never order room service.
* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
   The hotel had a gym and outdoor pool.  I did not use the pool, but I did use the gym in the morning. It was quiet, clean, had enough equipment for a good strength training workout. There was also a water cooler which I used to fill up my water bottle to take to the convention center. (Water and healthy snacks are huge for me at the con.)
* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
   There were four of us and we were able to sleep and walk around fine. The only thing I didn't like was the bathroom and shower set up. There were two rooms: one with a toilet and sink, one with a shower and sink. This was great for being able to use the bathroom while someone else showered, but the doors were odd. They slid closed and didn't close and lock like typical doors, so there was a little bit of space where someone could peak in on the sides. Not that anyone did, but I like total privacy in the bathroom. Also, the doors were frosted and you could see the outline of a person in the bathroom. I would rather have a solid door.
* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
   N/A
* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
   I was concerned about this, but the shuttle only took 25 mins. tops. I was upset about having to stay in Mission Valley, but it actually worked out pretty well. The only time it took us a long time to get to the con was on preview night. We left the room at 5pm and didn't get to the convention center until about 6:15. However, on the other days going either way the ride was no more than 25 mins. and we always had room on the shuttle.
* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
   Hotel was very quiet.
* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
   Yes, WiFi was free and it actually worked. Usually hotel WiFi doesn't work on all my apps, so I end up using data, but this hotel had great FREE WiFi.
* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
   No.
* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
   Honestly, I would always prefer to stay downtown, but after staying at this hotel in Mission Valley I am now open to that option. Next year, I am honestly going to consider the early bird and skip the headache of the lottery. This hotel was great and the price was super cheap as there were four of us sharing the suite.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Since you might have already wrote about it from the questions above, just make a quick list about the things you liked the most about your stay at this particular hotel.
-Free breakfast with fresh fruit and hard-boiled eggs to take to the con as snacks
-Free and GOOD WiFi
-Gym with water cooler for filling up my water bottle
-Large room
-Friendly and courteous staff
-Lobby computer with printer
-Clean hotel
-Affordable price
-Also, the mall was pretty close. I got an uber express pool over and it was less than 5 dollars. The mall nearby was important because I wanted to get new Comic books on Wed. (which you cannot get at the con) and there was a great comic book shop in the mall. The one downtown is closed.
Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
-Nothing.

***Again, for those who worry about getting stuck with Mission Valley, it's not as bad as you think and I'm actually considering the early bird next year to avoid the hassle of the hotel lottery. When it was fill the form out as fast as you can, I always was able to get the hotel I wanted or something downtown. Since it's been randomized, I haven't been as lucky. THANK YOU TO BRANDIE FOR GIVING ME THIS ROOM AND BEING AVAILABLE TO TALK ON THE PHONE WHEN THE HOTEL STILL HAD HER NAME LISTED EVEN AFTER WE CALLED TRAVEL PLANNERS ON CONFERENCE TO SWITCH EVERYTHING OVER***
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: tsnyder on August 13, 2018, 02:21:17 PM
Name of Hotel: Hard Rock

Type of Room: 2 Queen Beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 6 nights Tue - Mon

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2018

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
We did not use any of the dining options inside the hotel.  Right outside are several restaurant options.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? Staff was awesome the entire trip.  Even the security guards trying to stop us from going into certain areas were friendly if you actually talked to them.

* Did you order room service?
No

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
Did not use any of them.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
Stayed at the Bayfront for a couple of years and actually thought this room was slightly larger.  We had 6 in the room and while it was pretty tight we made it work without too much issue.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
Did uber from the airport so didn't have a car.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
Directly across the street and with new policy of road being closed to traffic was a very quick trip back to the room to drop stuff off or take a quick break.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
Never noticed any noise from parties or anything.  Granted I had earplugs in due to the number of people we had in the room.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests? Yes we used the WiFi when in the room.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?  Don't know, didn't register if they do.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
I've been going to SDCC for 5 years now and have only randomly bumped into 1 or 2 celebrates prior to this year.  I can't even count the number of people we saw this year either in the lobby, the elevator, or even on our floor.  Actually bumped into were the entire cast of Arrow, Black Lightning, Overwatch Voice Actors, actors from new RZA movie, and several more that I didn't recognize but others said were somebody.  In the lobby for a brief second we got glimpses of the bigger named folks like Ryan Reynolds and Jason Mamoa making their way to parties.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Loved the Hard Rock and will definitely try and go back next year.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Sometimes was a pain trying to dig through all of your stuff to find your room key just to get into the hotel.  There were a couple of times we got seperated and had to wait for someone to come downstairs to get us into the hotel.  Got stuck a couple of times trying to cross the street waiting for a train to pass which seemed to take forever with a million people all crammed into that corner waiting.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Iris on August 24, 2018, 12:05:17 AM
So I've made a few reviews for the Bayfront for prior stays. I'll just comment briefly on things I've covered before. Just things were seemingly more hectic this year that affected some things.

Name of Hotel: Hilton Bayfront

Type of Room: (2 full sized beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 3 nights

Year(s) You Stayed There: I think it's been 2013-2018

Hotel Review:

The hotel is, as always, outstanding. The proximity is our main reason for staying every year, the ability to just pop up to your room to take a nap in minutes or drop things off is a huge relief. We camp at least once every year, so being able to be close for camping is insanely beneficial.

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   If "Yes," tell us about the restaurants and type of food they had (if you remember).
Fox Sports Grill (I think that's the name), typical Grill/American fair, but always a reliable food option. There's a bar and hotel restaurant. I've never had drinks at the Vela, but instead only at the pool but I imagine it's similar. The drinks are good and the staff are always great. I occasionally have breakfast at the restaurant, but have never stayed for lunch or dinner. Typical breakfast from what you'd expect and it's always good, but it's on the expensive side.
There's a Starbucks in the hotel as well as a froyo/parfait/smoothie/etc. location (Sweet Things I believe).

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
They were all very polite and courteous. We always enjoy the geeky shirts and costumes the staff wear. We've never had a negative experience with the attitude of any staff member.

* Did you order room service?
Yes, we tend to do it after Hall H Saturday. It arrived very quickly after phoning it in on Saturday night and was exactly as anticipated (hot, delicious, and hit the spot.) Expensive, but that's what you pay to be able to sit in bed with a quesadilla on a tray lol.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
There's a pool and I think a gym? There is definitely a spa but I've never used any of the above. Except the years we sit by the pool for a last drink before leaving.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
No problem at all, we had room for a friend to crash with us last minute and her added luggage was no issue. There's a closet we never use that could be used for camping storage if ever needed. As always, the bathroom is nice with a lot of counter and storage space.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
$25/night. Arrive early in the day if you want to find parking, else you'll circle around until someone leaves.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
A few minutes, the main perk we want.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
The noise level varies depending on your neighbors. We heard the pipes when our neighbors(probably?) showered, but that was about it. No noise from the other rooms or from the elevators. We were close to the elevators this year, so I was expecting to hear the ding from the elevators, but nothing. One year we heard someone playing a sax from the hall, but that was a bit odd/amusing if anything.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
You need to be a HHonors member AND know your HHonors number. That's what grates on me mainly, because I have zero idea what my number is. Luckily, my friend who books the hotel in her name uses it for travel so often she knows it by heart. So she just taps in her info on everyone's devices as needed.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Yes, but it's not on my account. I believe my friend has a higher tier level, because she travels so much/books so many reservations for shoots. Either way, you only need the base level to get the perks like wifi and a free extra person.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
A lot of celebrities stay, no doubt due to proximity. So you often can run into them on your floor if you're lucky.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Since you might have already wrote about it from the questions above, just make a quick list about the things you liked the most about your stay at this particular hotel.
- Proximity
- Immediate food options
- Staff
- Close to the Gaslamp (just a skybridge over to the Gaslamp) but away from the craziness that is the Gaslamp
- Bathroom space (seriously, with four women it's great)
- They gave up free water bottles each day at the desk, if we wanted.
- There are always decent movies playing on TV, without having to pay for it. There's usually a ton of nerdy/comic book/etc. movies playing too, which is nice to curl up and watch after a crazy day.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Normally there's nothing, but this was the first year we weren't able to get a mini-refrigerator during the stay. I really wish they'd put in mini-fridges in each room instead of only keeping a set amount. I think it should be pretty standard in hotels now and they need to update that.

This year we had a brief issue with calling for more towels. I called initially, because we only had 3 towels for 4 people initially, but the connection hung up on me without warning after about 2 minutes of sitting on the line. I called back and then got a message that the staff were all answering other calls and they'd answer as soon as possible, after about 30 seconds. Not sure what happened with that first call. When I got through they said the towels would be up in just a bit. They never arrived, which we found odd, but we could live without more towels, though I can't imagine with people who don't know each other as well.

Though, I will say that we called another day and they sent the extra toilet paper up immediately, which was nice as that was actually needed.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: kneque on August 26, 2018, 05:40:45 PM
Name of Hotel: Westin San Diego

Type of Room: Triple Occupancy Deluxe Bay View Room with 2 Double-Sized beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5 - Tue thru Sun

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2018

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel? We didn't try any spots terribly close to the hotel. There is a bar inside, but we didn't try it.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? Very polite and helpful. When they mistakenly charged me for parking they were very quick to remove the additional charges. No surprise charges at check-in or check-out either.

* Did you order room service? No.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? We checked out the gym and pool out of curiosity. The pool is very small! There is a short view of the bay and a good amount of lounge chairs. The gym is small as well and I can't speak to anything I remember seeing in there besides treadmills.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels? We had plenty of room to move around and store our luggage and swag, even with having 6-7 people in the room. We did have a deluxe room though, which is one of the larger double-bed rooms.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? We did not have a car, but did inquire about parking. Only parking available was valet at $49/night with in/out privileges.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? We didn't use a trolley or shuttle though there is a shuttle route that picks up on Broadway. We had a 15-20 minute walk each way, which wasn't too bad at the start of the day, but as our days grew longer and the con went on the walk was exhausting and we tried our best to minimize the times we had to walk back.

* Are the walls of the room thin? What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? No noise at all.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No) Our room had free WiFi. Not sure about WiFi in the lobby.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? Not a member.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above? Not sure if it would be true of all the rooms, but our shower head was horrible. The water pressure was too low and so the water didn't come out evenly.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
- very quiet since it's away from downtown action
- short walk to Spreckels for Conan tapings
- the airport shuttle was free and saved us some Lyft trips
- clean and spacious
- we had a mini-fridge!

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
- walk is too far
- a little pricey for how far it is from the convention center
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Johnc86 on October 05, 2018, 09:40:15 PM
HOTEL REVIEW AND FEEDBACK LAYOUT

Name of Hotel:
The Bristol

Type of Room: (Did your room have 1 king-sized bed, 2 full-sized beds, or another type of bed?  Did you have a suite?)
1 King-sized bed

Number of Nights You Stayed:
7-nights, Monday, July 16 to Monday, July 23

Year(s) You Stayed There: (Type in the actual year: 2012, 2013, 2014, etc.)
2018

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   If "Yes," tell us about the restaurants and type of food they had (if you remember).
There are quite a few restaurants located right around the hotel (e.g. Chipotle, Lucys Taco Shop, Corner Bakery, BBQ Boss, a sushi restaurant). If you walk a few more blocks going toward the convention there's an even greater selection. If you arrive before the convention starts, I recommend going to Werewolf for happy hour. It was half off appetizers and they gave generous portions... at least we thought so. However, when we tried going again for happy hour after the con started they said they weren't doing happy hour.

It's not a restaurant but we bought a family dinner at Ralph's one-night which I thought was a pretty good deal. I think it was a whole chicken and two/three large sides for ~$10... we didn't finish all the food (sorry if this is too much info just hoping to help someone with a cheaper dinner option)

There was a restaurant inside the hotel but we did not eat there.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Yes, all hotel staff was polite and professional. We got to the hotel after midnight and the staff at the front desk checked us in very quickly and gave us a quick breakdown of what was available

* Did you order room service?
   If yes, tell us about if you had a good experience with room service.
No, we did not order room service

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
There is a gym with machines and free-weights, no pool. We walked through the gym but did not work-out. The equipment seemed new.

There is a water machine in the lobby to refill your water bottle and coffee machine that's available until 11 am.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
It was just me and one other person in the room. We thought the room had a lot of space and we were able to move around comfortably. There was a table and two sofa chairs for sitting and plenty of floor space for our luggage and stuff we got from the convention.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
We did not have a car. There is valet parking at the hotel and the parking lot is right next door. I don't remember the rates.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
We either walked or took the shuttle. On foot, it was roughly 15 minutes. I can't remember how long the shuttle ride was but the ride from the convention to the hotel was pretty fast when we didn't get stuck waiting for the crowds. It was only two stops away and the shuttle stopped right in front of The Bristol. The ride from the hotel to convention center took a lot longer, maybe 15-20 minutes because of all the stops.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
I don't know if the walls are thin but we didn't hear anything in the hallway. Our room was facing the front of the hotel on the main road and next to the trolley tracks. We were on a higher floor so we didn't really notice the noise but the hotel does provide ear plugs which were available in the room.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
Yes but it was really spotty

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Not member of rewards program

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
The room has a digital safe and a small refrigerator which was great for drinks and sandwiches. There's a tablet (Google Nexus) that replaces the clock. The tablet is pre-loaded with the hotel's software of things-to-do around the city, shows, etc. and you can use it to contact the front-desk or maintenance.

Spreckles is located a block away which is great for anyone that wants to wait in line for Conan.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
- Large modern rooms with plenty of space
- Shuttle stop right at the front of the hotel
- Plenty of food options around
- Close enough to the convention to walk but far enough from the hustle and bustle (if that's what you like). Ralph's is on the route so it was convenient to pick stuff up.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
A microwave would have been nice. Besides that I can't really think of anything negative which is why The Bristol will be our first choice during Hotelpocalypse.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: clarrkkent on December 01, 2018, 06:19:01 PM
Name of Hotel: The Sofia

Type of Room: Single Queen Bed

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2018

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   Yes, there was a restaurant and bar inside the hotel. There was also some kind of salad/green place next door. We didn't eat at either, so can't comment on them. Gaslamp Plaza was just a block or two away with lots of eating options.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
 Staff were pleasant and in a Comic Con type mood. The lobby was decorated with action figures, etc.

* Did you order room service?
   No.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
  The hotel had a fitness center which had dumbbells up to 50 or 55lbs. A multi station. Some benches, medicine balls, weighted bars (like used with yoga, not barbells), a few treadmills and a few ellipticals. Towels and water were available.  The fitness center was NOT air conditioned, so it was rather hot.  No pool, sauna, hot tub, etc.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?

 The room was adequate for my wife and I. On the smaller side. The bed was not comfortable. The AC didn't cool the room as much as I would have liked. The bathroom, with shower and toilet, was really tiny. There was no door on the shower by design and it was oriented in a way that the water easily got out and everywhere if you weren't careful the entire time.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?

We didn't drive.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?

We walked to the convention each day. It was about a mile and took roughly 15-18 minutes. The nice thing was that we passed through all the restaurants to/from the con, so could stop and eat.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?

Didn't hear any neighboring rooms at all.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)

Sadly, I can't remember.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?

Not a member.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?

I think the above covers it all.


What did you like about staying at this hotel?

Walkable distance, somewhat budget friendly compared to other downtown options, fitness center was adequate, staff were friendly.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?

Uncomfortable bed and inadequate cooling (in room and fitness center).
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: karli2067 on March 01, 2019, 10:23:57 AM

Name of Hotel:  Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter

Type of Room:
we had two rooms both with two double beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5 Wednesday through Monday

Year(s) You Stayed There: (Type in the actual year: 2012, 2013, 2014, etc.) 2018

Hotel Review:


* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
    yes there is a restaurant in the hotel with what I believe was a comic con menu, it was good but I'm a big fan of simple food like chicken tenders so I'm easy to please

* How was the hotel staff?
 everyone we came across was very nice and helpful, we really didn't need anything though.  we are low maintenance

* Did you order room service?
   no

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
there is a pool but we never got a chance to use it.  we did watch someone having a photo shoot at the pool dressed as spiderman from our window though so that was entertaining

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
 there was two of us in one room and three in the other and we had so much room.  our flight ended up getting cancelled Monday so we stayed the night at the Hilton bayfront and the room we got there was half the size with no exaggeration

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? we did not drive

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? five minutes walking

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
not that I noticed, seemed pretty quiet

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No) yes I had free wifi with my Hilton honors account

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
 yes I am a Hilton honors member, got free wifi.  other than that the only reward I get is the points on my account for our stay that helped add up to get me a free room to the next convention I went to

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
 the DC universe offsite was at our hotel in the courtyard.  Never got to go through it but one of our windows overlooked the courtyard so times we were in the room we did some people watching.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
I love this hotel.  I would do horrible things to get a chance to stay in this hotel again.  It was our first time being downtown and it was amazing.  It did get pretty crowded trying to get in and out due to the line for the offsite but that was hardly anything to complain about since we were in the middle of things--which was exactly where we wanted to be.  The rooms were huge and clean and the people friendly.  This hotel is now the top of our list for next time!

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
 there is not a single thing I did not like!



Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Kmd2103 on March 01, 2019, 06:44:21 PM
Name of Hotel: Omni

Type of Room: 2 full-sized beds, plus a rollaway

Number of Nights You Stayed: 3

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2018

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?

 Yes, there is a small counter-service in the hotel lobby that we ate breakfast at almost every day; they have ready-made grab-and-go hot sandwiches and coffee. Unfortunately they closed a little early (10pm I think), leaving me hungry before bed one night! There is also a pricey restaurant in the lobby.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? No issues with the staff!

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  We used the pool to relax before the Con began, and again at days-end to soak our tired feet! The Omni pool is on a high floor and offers a great view of the convention center. The drinks available at the pool "bar" are delicious but expensive.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  While the rollaway is a little awkward to walk around, it suited our party very well so everyone had a bed.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? I believe parking was $40 or $50 PER NIGHT.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? Very quick by foot.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above? While at the Omni, we saw several cast members from Netflix's Stranger Things!
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: ombregrey on March 14, 2019, 09:22:48 PM
Name of Hotel: Bristol

Type of Room: 2 full-sized beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 1

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2018

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
Offered free breakfast buffet (didn't see that on their website though)

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Very polite.

* Did you order room service?
No room service available iirc. They had tablets in the rooms with ubereats app.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
Didn't use any.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
Room is a little tight but has tons of storage space.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
15 minute on foot

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
Yes

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Was newly renovated and beds were comfy. There is also a water refill station on the main floor. The airport bus stop is about 2 blocks away.

Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: chachime45 on April 11, 2019, 01:22:48 PM
Name of Hotel: Marriott Marquis Marina

Type of Room: 2 full-size beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2018

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
  Seemed like the restaurants were always packed but there was a grab-and-go counter to pick up some easy calories fast

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Wonderfully polite across the board

* Did you order room service?
   No, but I never do

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
I used the gym and the pool. The gym is well-equipped for a hotel with a couple of racks of free weights and a couple of dozen machines. It was never crowded when I was there. The pool was GREAT! So nice to chill out with a dip after hustling through the con all day.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
Average for a hotel, nothing special.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
You could make it from the hotel lobby to the convention entrance in about a minute

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
Typical hotel noise, not too bad.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
Free in some areas

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
I joined just to get wifi in the room.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
I actually saw no celebrities (that I know of).
 
What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Location is everything. Staying here feels like you are at the con 24-7. And if I am ever in San Diego for something other than Comic Con, then this is probably the hotel I would pick.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Can get awfully crowded. Getting an Uber can be tough at some times (took me almost an hour to get picked up once as two drivers cancelled because they were having trouble getting there ... I had to walk a few blocks away to finally get a ride). Pricey, too. Five days with my family last year cost about $1900; the year before I spent about $1200 for a Doubletree in Mission Valley.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: puppy on April 18, 2019, 06:33:58 AM
Name of Hotel: Coronado Island Marriott Resort

Type of Room: 2 beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 3

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2018

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
Depends on the time and day.  Took the ferry most times.  The good thing is on weekdays, the ferry is free way early in the morning (before listed departure times), but it dumps us off a 20 minute walk away from the convention center.  They give you a free return ticket that you can use to return any time from any location, so we used that at the landing in the back of the con for the return home.  On weekends, the ferry doesn't work early in the morning, so we had to Uber or wait for it to start up at the published times.

If you take the ferry at the published times during the day, you can get dropped off right in the back of the con but you have to pay.  In the evening, there is a line going back, but those ferries hold a lot more people than it looks, so I got on even when I didn't expect that I would.

The walk to the ferry landing from the hotel is about 10 minutes.  There's a supermarket along the way if you don't walk next to the water.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
It's peaceful.


The only issue is no shuttle and the lack of ferry service early on Saturday morning.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: cbaggs on April 18, 2019, 12:29:14 PM
Name of Hotel: The Westgate Hotel

Type of Room: Two double beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4 nights

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2018

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel? Yes there were tons within a few blocks of the hotel.  I can't remember the names of the places we popped into but there were a few nights where we just walked right into a restaurant on the walk back to the hotel from the con, and the restaurants were only a block or two away from the hotel.  Also, I know there's a Corner Bakery just across the street next door to the Spreckels theater, a Tender Greens, a Starbucks, a Chipotle.  Lots of food (and bar) options nearby.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? Very polite and courteous.

* Did you order room service? Yes we ordered breakfast one morning and it was good.  We kept it pretty basic with bagels, cereal, juice, coffee....and champagne.  So the usuals.  :)

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? I know the hotel has both, as well as sauna/jacuzzi/steam room type services, but we did not use them.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels? We were blown away by how spacious the room was.  We were a bit worried since we knew it was farther from the convention center than we'd like to be, but as soon as we walked into our room we decided the walk was 1000000% worth it.  There was SO much space!  Such a great room if you're sharing with multiple people.  We never felt cramped - there were two beds, a large arm chair, a large desk with a desk chair, a cabinet with the tv on top, a step out balcony and a nook with a full length mirror.  Even with all that stuff in there there was still a massive amount of open space in the middle of the room.  And then the bathroom - or should I say the completely separate massive room attached to our room.  Because there is a separate door between the room and the bathroom area to completely close it off, and within the bathroom area is a large walk in closet (seriously someone could have slept in there comfortably), a massive vanity area with sink and TONS of counter space, an ottoman thing to sit on, and then a completely separate door leading to the shower and toilet that can be further closed off.  There were four of us staying in the room, and everyone had plenty of counter space to be in there at once doing makeup, etc.  Unbelievable.   

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? Valet was $40/night (and I think valet was the only option).

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? We did not use the shuttle although I believe there's a stop pretty much right at the hotel.  Walking only took about 15 minutes and it was actually a very nice walk.  We learned which routes were our favorites pretty quickly based on how much shade there was.  :)

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? Did not even remotely hear anyone else.  One cool thing about this hotel is that the direct doors to the rooms are not accessible from the hallways.  It's essentially like you go through one door from the hallway that leads into a little suite type area where there are then two doors, each leading to a different guest room.  This very much minimizes noise from elevators or people in hallways because you're totally secluded from all of that.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  Yes I believe they did.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? I'm not, and I don't know if they have a rewards program.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above? It's just an incredible hotel, and very classically beautiful.  The decor and design is elegant, European and luxe.  The lobby is large with various seating areas, and it just felt like a sanctuary from all the hustle and bustle of the Gaslamp.  Our friend's company also throws a party every year at the Westgate on the deck with the pool, so it was VERY nice being able to run up to our room and freshen up before or during the party without ever having to leave the hotel. 

What did you like about staying at this hotel?

-Spacious
-Comfortable
-Close to food/bar options
-Not too far but also removed a bit so it's quiet and we could really relax there
-Ultra privacy of the bathroom/vanity area

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel? Honestly nothing.  We were beyond pleasantly surprised and have decided to add it to our top 6 going forward.  It may be a bit of a walk, but it's beyond worth it.  We'd be ecstatic to stay there again.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: AlaskaRainbow on April 18, 2019, 04:18:42 PM
We stayed at the Westgate our first year (2012) and I agree with everything this review said.  But they forgot to mention the warm cookies at the check-in desk. Yummm. 
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: handelacruz on April 18, 2019, 04:21:45 PM
Name of Hotel: Residence Inn Gaslamp Quarter

Type of Room: 1 Queen Bed, No Sofa Sleeper

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5 nights

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2018

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
Yes, there was a free breakfast each morning inside the hotel so that was really convenient before starting our day. There is also a small bar/restaurant inside the hotel next to the check-in desk. We ate there for dinner some nights or grabbed a quick snack/drink if we did not know what to eat. The restaurant had outside seating so we could see cosplayers, con-goers, party busses, etc pass by while we ate.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
They were nice, polite, and courteous. I didn't have any problems with the staff. However, we did ask for early check-in. I believe we got there around Wednesday afternoon and we weren't able to get our room until around 3 or 4pm maybe. We had to wait a couple hours because apparently a lot of other people asked for early check-in as well, and they were backed up. We were able to leave our luggage there while we walked around the Gaslamp. It sucks that we had to wait that long to unwind and unpack, but the staff was very nice about it.

* Did you order room service?
No.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
The hotel had a pool and I think a gym, I'm not 100% sure. I did not use either of them.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
The bed was really comfortable, and we were able to move around the room easily. The room came with a kitchen with a sink and mini fridge. I think the room was larger than the same type of room because it also had a table and chairs where we could eat or place our stuff. The downside was that the bathroom sink was placed outside the bathroom, so that was a little weird. The bathroom door was a sliding door so we also didn't like that too much for privacy.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
We did not drive or have a car.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
The hotel is maybe a street down from the Gaslamp. So it took maybe 5-10 minutes to get to the Gaslamp or convention center. It was very close to everything, including some offsites.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
I don't think the walls of the room are thin. Did not really hear our neighbors.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?
Yes, it did have free WiFi for guests.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
No, I am not a member of the hotel's rewards program.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
We did not see any celebrity sightings inside or near our hotel. I really really enjoyed this hotel. There were some very small downsides such as the long wait for our room, weird bathroom sink, and bathroom sliding door. The hotel was close enough to the action and a very short walk so we felt relieved we didn't have to use Uber like previous years. The hotel was also far enough from the action that we didn't have trouble getting there or getting to our room/elevator.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?

-Walking distance to the Gaslamp, convention center, a few offsites, and restaurants
-Free Breakfast in the morning for guests
-Restaurant/bar downstairs for quick snacks or dinner
-Spacious and comfortable room
-Came with a kitchen sink and fridge to store left-overs, drinks, etc

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
As mentioned above, the wait time for our room, weird placement of bathroom sink, and sliding bathroom door. However, the pros outweighed the cons and we enjoyed this hotel greatly!
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Jangos1 on May 05, 2019, 04:33:44 AM
Name of Hotel:  Hotel Republic San Diego

Type of Room: 1 King
 
Number of Nights You Stayed: 6 nights

Year(s) You Stayed There: (Type in the actual year: 2012, 2013, 2014, etc.) 2018

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
Yes, I believe that there was a rooftop restaurant and bar in the hotel but I didn't visit it.  There was an attached coffee shop that I did visit and am happy to report that the espresso drinks were quite good.  They also served sandwiches and the like.   

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Hotel staff was nice, polite and courteous. 

* Did you order room service?
 No.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?  I did not. 

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?  The room was very clean, large and spacious, and had a window seat, large enough for someone to sleep there.  I enjoyed sitting there, despite the view of nearby pawn shop.  The bed was very comfortable. 

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
I did not drive.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
I took the bus from the airport, got off on Broadway, which was two blocks away.  I either walked to the Con or relied on the shuttle from another hotel to get to the Con.  Even though it is only two blocks away from Broadway, I didn't like walking by myself on that last block to the hotel, which had no streetlamp.  It was deserted for the most part, but I did see a homeless person there, one night. 

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
I don't recall hearing any noise from other guests. 

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No) Not certain.  There was a computer and printer available on the second floor but I think that it had limited internet access. 

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?  Yes, it is a Marriott property.  Don't recall any perks, per se.  They did have lemon water in the lobby, which was very refreshing. 

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
Celebrity sightings:  I rode the elevator up with the cast of Vikings. 


What did you like about staying at this hotel?

- relatively close to conveniences, like coffee shops, Horton plaza, the shuttle
- had great customer service
- Very comfortable and well-appointed room and bathroom
- spacious room
- very large, comfortable bed
- bonus window seat that can be used as a bed
- celebrity sightings
- lemon/orange water in lobby

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Tell us about anything that negatively impacted your stay at this particular hotel that you may not have already mentioned above. 

Example list:
- a little pricier than some of the other OnPeak hotels
- the area/sketchy neighborhood will prevent me from staying here again as a single traveler
- dark, deserted streets at night
- limited internet availability

Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: puppy on July 23, 2019, 11:32:32 PM
Name of Hotel: MGH

Type of Room: 2 double beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 3

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2019

What did you like about staying at this hotel?  It was close to the convention center and I like the little village next to it.  Lots of food there and it was relaxing.  I liked being able to pick up stuff from the redemption room there and being able to donate blood there.  The room was large and we had a good view of the convention center.  They do not charge a resort fee for those who reserved through OnPeak, and they also give a $10 discount per day for OnPeak reservations.  The hotel fridge was empty, which was good because we want room for our drinks.  Lastly, we could walk to the convention from the back to avoid crowded sidewalks and stoplights. 

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?  Not a problem for us, but there's no microwave.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: SynXack on July 24, 2019, 10:42:36 AM
Name of Hotel: Westin San Diego (not to be confused with westin gaslamp)
Type of Room: 2 full-sized beds (Deluxe harbor view, floor 14)
Number of Nights You Stayed: 3
Year(s) You Stayed There: 2019

Hotel Review:
Completely a business hotel.  If it weren't for the con goers going to an fro from the hotel you wouldn't even know comic con was going on. No decorations or signs.  It wasn't really crowded at all.  The bar area was empty pretty much the whole weekend.  At night there would be a group or 2 of people down at the bar, some playing games.  The hotel itself was what you'd expect from a 4 star business hotel.  It was clean, efficient, no thrills, kinda deal.  Hotel staff was very nice.  Room was clean.  Rooms are on the smaller side as it's an older hotel.  Our room had a mini fridge.  We did not request one so we either got lucky or they just have them std in every room.  The pool was... old, dingy, and again very ... non resort like.  The gym was smallish but had good equipment.  There was a quick bites, coffee counter that sells starbucks coffee in the lobby and a full service restaurant that looks very nice and food looked good as i walked by but was basically empty the whole time we were there.  Maybe 2 or 3 tables with customers during meal times.  The hotel had a "taco hour" where they were selling street talks on the sidewalk outside the lobby for a couple hours on Thursday for comic con.  2$ a taco.  Tacos were very small.  There was a line about 10 people deep when we walked by so we passed on that. The tram to the convention center was conveniently located right out the front door. The Westin was the last stop on the Blue line this year so getting to con took about 15 to 20 depending on harbor blvd traffic.  Going back it took closer to 30 to 40 minutes as it stops 4 times on Broadway.


Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel? 
The Hotel rents out space on the first floor to a 3rd party, independent coffee shop/coffee roasters shop called https://www.coavacoffee.com/ (https://www.coavacoffee.com/) Coava Coffee.  This was BY FAR THE BEST PART of staying at the Westin.  The coffee was absolutely amazing.  They didnt open til 7am on sat and sun which absolutely sucked, but this place ... wow.  Wish I had a coffee shop like this by me year round.  I ended up going there 2 to 3 times a day for coffee.  I drink coffee every day, 1 cup in the morning, but i couldn't get enough of this stuff. Try it!! I might even make a walk up to Westin next year and get a cup if i get put at a different hotel.

How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Exactly what you'd expect from a 4 star business hotel.

Did you order room service?
no

Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
Stated above in the review

Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
hotel rooms are on the smaller side.  We had 2 queens, and a twin air mattress for 3 people staying.  We needed to move furniture around a little to fit the twin air mattress. 

If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
They wanted 50$/ni for parking according to their website so we parked at airport for 15$/ni and took a lyft to the hotel

How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
Trolly times listed above.  Walking was doable obviously. But it was long enough of a walk you'd rather not.  We walked it many times obviously.  Especially if we were in the gaslamp area as the walk back to convention center to the trolly stop wasn't much shorter than the walk from mid gaslamp to the hotel.  It's further away than i wanted to be obviously, but not Mission valley, Coronado/Shelter island kinda far.  It's far enough that you feel like your NOT at comic con when your at your hotel though. 

Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
Roomates didn't complain and I'm hearing impaired so I wouldn't hear anything anyways.

Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
Yes, roomate said it was pretty fast too.  No problem streaming Netflix

Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?

I signed up for bonvoy after i made reservation.  No perks that i know of yet as i just signed up.

Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?What did you like about staying at this hotel?
*clean
*the coffee roaster place https://www.coavacoffee.com/ (https://www.coavacoffee.com/)
*comic con tram right outside

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?

*to far from con
*didn't feel like comic con there
*pool was pretty bad
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Berts on July 24, 2019, 12:05:46 PM
Name of Hotel: Solamar (Kimpton Solamar)

Type of Room: 1 king-sized bed

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2019 (First time)

Hotel Review: This place was so fantastic! Free coffee in the mornings, free drinks during thier happy hour (5-6) and so many cool people. Molly the lobby dog was roaming around (didn't see Rio their other lobby dog) and the actual hotel was incredible.

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   Plenty. There's JSix in the lobby and Water Grille across the street. Both are on the more expensive side but there's a ton more stuff around. It's right in Gaslamp and walkable to anything within Gaslamp.

* How was the hotel staff?
   Hotel Staff were amazing. Asked for a late checkout on Sunday morning (which is an absurd request that late and they were more than accommodating)

* Did you order room service?
   No.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?

   Didn't use any of them. Pool seemed cool though. Our window overlooked the pool and there was never that many people down there except for Nerd Nite (which we attended. It was packed.)

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?
   It was just my wife and I so were were fine with the room which was spacious.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
   This was the only negative of the hotel. Parking is $50/night which is outrageous. We parked at the airport for $15/night and took a lyft to the hotel.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
   Minimal time for everything. The hotel is incredibly close to everything but just far enough away to feel close enough to the outskirts. Last year, we stayed at the Marriott Marquis and getting to the convention center was great but getting anywhere else was horrible. The Solamar is almost like a halfway point so getting to the convention center was an 8ish minute walk abut getting to restaurants or Super7 didn't feel like an epic journey. We walked everywhere.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?

   The walls were a little thin and we could hear people in the hallway but it was so minimal, we barely noticed.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?
   Yes if you're a rewards member (which is free to join)

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
   I am now and we got free WiFi. The front desk also accommodated my late checkout request which I'm not sure they would have done if I wasn't a rewards member.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
   This hotel was great. Really enjoyed our stay. We saw a bunch of behind-the-scenes industry folks (you can just tell) but no big celebrity. A guy who worked for Conan O'Brien surprised me with a box of all four Conan POPS! as a gift.

What did you like about staying at this hotel:
-Close enough to feel "in the action" but far enough to escape the mania of the Marriott Marquis.
-Free coffee and alcohol at certain times.
-Amazing location
-Got into Nerd Nite with no line because we were staying here.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
The only thing I can think of is the parking rate.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: a_peachtree on July 24, 2019, 02:30:48 PM
Name of Hotel: Wyndham Bayside

Type of Room: 1 King Sized Bed, Bayfront View

Number of Nights You Stayed:  3

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2019

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   Yes, there was a Claim Jumper technically inside the hotel and also a Ruth Chris in front of the hotel. There was a deli in front of one of the hotel towers that, while expensive, was pretty good for breakfast.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
There was both a gym and a pool, though I didn't use them. While the room did have a mini-fridge, there was no microwave. But maybe that isn't common in hotel rooms anymore?

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
So, straight walking to the Con would probably be about 20 - 30 minutes. One of the days we tried to take a Bird scooter. However, a lot of the routes (especially along the water) were in "red zones", so you technically weren't allowed to ride the scooter there. Or, they were the red zones were the scooter would decrease in speed to 3 MPH. I don't know if the other scooter brands have this problem?

A Lyft was $6 - $8, so if we had to get somewhere in a pinch, we would do that.

We took the train into San Diego, so it was nice that this hotel was really close to the Sante Fe Depot.


* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
Our Bayfront view was spectacular, as we were on the 9th floor and for two people, the room was a good size (better than the Sophia). The only real issue I had was the distance - while a mile (or so) doesn't seem like a lot, after the first day, it definitely is. The hotel is on the Pink Line, but I think it's one of the first stops, so it takes about 15 - 20 minutes to get to the Con after you board the bus.

The deli nearby was great for picking up breakfast sandwiches before heading to the Con, but it was a bit pricey. I think I spent $22 for two breakfast croissants and two coffees? But it seemed better than Starbucks at least.

While we were sitting outside of the deli, we did get approached by a Wyndham (?) employee who wanted us to go to this off-site (at another one of their locations) brunches...and if we did, they would give us a free holiday voucher. I think it was for like either a 2 or 4 night stay to places like Hawaii and whatnot. She said they would both take us to the brunch and bring us back, that it was a free brunch and that all we had to do was watch a video...We declined because it seemed like one of those "to good to not have a catch" situations, and after a quick Google search, I'm pretty certain it was one of those time share presentations where they subtly (or not so subtly) try to get you to purchase one of their time shared hotel rooms? Or something. Either way, I didn't go to the brunch.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: hikanteki on July 24, 2019, 03:38:36 PM
Name of Hotel: Manchester Grand Hyatt (Seaport Tower)

Type of Room: 2 Bed. Be aware that a 2 Bed room here is two full, not two queen...so it probably won't work for 2 people per bed. They have two queens but you have to request them and they are extra.

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2019

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel? Yes, there were a few restaurants (Brew30 and Sally's.) Sally's had a great bay view. Seaport Village is across the street and so is the Headquarters, a mini outdoor-style mall. Both have many restaurants and some souvenir shops.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? They were very polite and courteous. I had read reviews in the past saying that they hate SDCC, but that was not evident at all during my visit. They were very efficient yet took their time to make sure all my questions were properly answered. Also, no problems checking bags for the day on Sunday. My roommate called them to pick up the bags from the room to check and they gladly obliged. 

* Did you order room service? No

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? I didn't. I think they have a gym and a few pools, though one of the pools was closed.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels? Honestly, the room was a bit smaller than I would have thought given that Hyatt Grand is a 4-5 star brand. I guess the beds being smaller helped with extra space. For 2 people, we were fine. A regular room probably would have been too crowded for more than that.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? I didn't, but they said that parking per night was $35/self or $49/valet.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? None since MGH is technically at the very end of the convention. But to the actual convention center, it was about 10 minutes to the Hall A side.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? Didn't notice anything.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests? Yes

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? Yes, I'm a Discoverist (the next step above free membership) and we get to take the water in the room at no charge (otherwise it's $5 per 16 oz bottle) and late checkout upon request. (2 PM vs. 11 AM, though since I was going to be at the convention before 11 and get back after 2 I didn't request it.)

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above? Rooms have a refrigerator. It's not exactly in the Gaslamp, though that could be a pro or con depending on what level of excitement you want. It's more connected to Seaport Village, which is more sleepy and touristy.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?

- some parts of the convention (fulfillment room, blood drive, volunteer t-shirt pickup) were in the hotel
- I was on floor 30; elevators were quick and view was incredible
- good restaurants across the street
- housekeeping was consistent
- relaxing location; ideal hotel for being as close to the convention center without being hectic

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?

- not really that close to grocery or convenience stores
- room and beds are smaller than you'd expect from a hotel of this grade
- pricey, although I guess that's most downtown hotels
- no radio in room, and music on demand on the tv costs extra
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Forge on July 24, 2019, 04:35:25 PM
Name of Hotel:  Manchester Grand Hyatt

Type of Room: King

Number of Nights You Stayed: 3

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2017, 2019

Hotel Review:
TLDR: MGH is great but Harbor > Seaport

This is the 2nd year I stayed here, and there are a ton of MGH reviews, but I felt like posting this because I was in Seaport tower this time, vs. Harbor tower last time, and I thought the experience was WAY different, so I'm pitting the two towers against each other in an MGH tower rumble!  Or tale of the tape, or whatever.  I'm still in SDCC recovery mode...  This will probably be less rumble and more boring comparison between the two towers and what stood out to me...  anyway I thought some people might want to know the difference between the towers.

Disclaimer: I've stayed in 1 room in each tower, so I can't speak to every king room is the same as what I describe below in each tower.

Both rooms were similar size overall, the layouts were similar in the main part of the rooms, both rooms I stayed in were clean, the staff was friendly, amenities were similar, etc.  So the core of the rooms was basically the same I guess, so what was different?

The first big thing to me was the Harbor tower room had a walk-in shower with glass sides/door, which I personally prefer, vs. the Seaport tub/shower combo with a shower curtain.  The Harbor bathroom was also slightly smaller, which isn't a knock, because the Seaport bathroom had so much empty space, having the smaller bathroom made the living area of the Harbor room feel bigger.  The layout of the Harbor bathroom seemed more efficient too, like it was more "thought out" vs. "we've got so much space let's just throw stuff in here".

Next is the furniture in the rooms, both had mini fridges, they both have typical nightstands/dressers/desk, etc., but Seaport had a couch/bench by the window, whereas the Harbor room had a small round table with some chairs away from the window, almost like a mini dining table.  Not only did it make the view seem more wide open because it didn't block the window, it made it easier to eat, use laptop,etc.  The couch/bench was comfy, but not practical.  I personally preferred the table/chairs in harbor, but if you just wanted to sit and look out the window then the Seaport bench wins.

The views in both rooms was great, I was on the 10th floor in Seaport this year, last time I think i was also on the 10th floor in Harbor.  I had a really nice view of Coronado & the bay this time around, I had a view of the convention center from my Harbor room.

The thing that stood out to me most though, and this is obviously subjective, is that the Seaport tower room felt further away than the Harbor room.  Yes, physically the Seaport tower IS further from the convention center, but that's not what I mean here.  When I say it feels further I mean that I didn't feel like I was downtown.  When I stayed in Harbor (maybe because I had a view of the convention center) I felt like I was downtown, still within the "boundaries" of "SDCC after dark", in Seaport I could have been in Mission Valley, it felt so much further away.  I think one of the reasons for that is the activity on the way to the elevator is higher when you're walking past the bar, or when you see people walking through for the blood drive, or whatever.  Seaport tower doesn't have as much activity so it feels further away.  Also when the bar in Harbor wasn't under renovation, it was a gathering spot that felt like you were in the middle of the Gaslamp at times, the Brew 30 place didn't seem as wide open to me.  I also saw several "famous" people in Harbor either in the elevator, at the bar, or on the way to the elevators, I didn't see a single one this year in Seaport.

Obviously feeling further away while still being fairly close can be the best of both worlds - you're downtown and pretty close to the con, but not in the middle of the hubbub when you want to wind down.  If you like the feeling that you're surrounded by SDCC the whole time you're there (like me) then you'll miss out on that in Seaport tower.  Granted Harbor tower doesn't exactly have that the way Marriott Gaslamp (my go-to if i can get it) does, but when I had the view of the convention center from Harbor it was fine.  Harbor compared to Seaport tower I might as well have been at the Marriott, it felt that much closer.  I'd stay in either room again, but next time I'm at MGH I'll ask for Harbor tower.






Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: TossedSalad on July 24, 2019, 05:10:34 PM
HOTEL REVIEW AND FEEDBACK LAYOUT

Name of Hotel: HILTON GASLAMP

Type of Room: 1 king bed, had enough room for a queen size air mattress

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2019

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel? New Leaf restaurant inside. Slow service and only a limited con related menu. Lots of stuff around since you’re right there in gaslamp

* How was the hotel staff? Staff was amazing and very friendly.

* Did you order room service? No. menu was also the same as downstairs restaurant

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?  Didn’t use either, seemed like the pool was rarely used by anyone during the con that we saw.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  When the air mattress was down no, but that’s kind of expected. It wasn’t huge by any means but enough to do what we needed, store our stuff and sleep.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? $50 a night valet only. Unlimited access and you could text your valet ticket and have the car waiting for you

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? 5 mins depending on crosswalk traffic. You cross the street right by Hall D

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? Gaslamp when busy was really loud. Never heard neighboring rooms and they didn’t seem to hear us or care. Fandom party at Hard Rock was easy to hear since our room looked right at it. No problems sleeping at night even with parties.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  Yes, or at least we did

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? Yes but pretty much a noob level. Actually forgot I was until this reservation was made.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?  No celebrity sightings at the hotel we saw. The location is incredibly convenient to the CC and we could walk everywhere really easily. There was a private publishers event might have been Graphix on the terrace one night. Had open bar and taco bar. Nobody said anything to us as we ate and drank and enjoyed the night lol

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Since you might have already wrote about it from the questions above, just make a quick list about the things you liked the most about your stay at this particular hotel?  Location location location. Incredibly friendly staff and convenient for all con needs. Room came with a fridge and a large tv that was pretty much never used. Easy access to gaslamp and cc with different exits.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel? Only thing negative was the restaurant on site being really slow even when not busy and not a huge deal but overall room size but that was due to three people in a room for 2. No other complaints. We loved the stay. We didn’t need a luxurious spa bathroom or anything. We’re simple like that
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Transmute Jun on July 24, 2019, 06:33:58 PM
Name of Hotel: Marriott Marquis & Marina

Type of Room: King Bed (with sofabed)

Number of Nights You Stayed: 7

Year(s) You Stayed There: Too many to count! >5 times since 2008

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
  Roys (fancy), Marina Kitchen (casual, slow service on Tuesday and Wednesday, but sped up during the con), The Exchange (counter service, good food), Starbucks

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? Yes, although I got special treatment from the front desk for having frequent guest status

* Did you order room service? No. However hotel guests can order from The Exchange and have it ready for pickup when they get down from their rooms.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? Spa is small and not as nice as the ones at the Hilton Bayfront or MGH. Pool is huge and gorgeous.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels? Room is nice and big, good for up to 4 people. Bathroom is split, with the sink outside of the toilet/shower room. This makers getting ready in the morning (for multiple people) easier.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? Parking was supposed to be $35 per night self-park, but my bookending stays were AAA rate with free parking, so they comped my parking for the entire stay. Valet parking is also available.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? 1 minute from the edge of the hotel to the front door of the convention  center, but closer to 10 minutes to get to the Hall H lawn.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? No noise.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No) Yes

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? Yes. As gold elite, I got an upgraded room (North Tower instead of South Tower), dedicated check-in line and faster/enhanced wifi, plus extra points in the program.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above? Many con programs/offsites take place at this hotel, so it is convenient for those.

What did you like about staying at this hotel? I love the location, the larger rooms, and having fridges in the rooms.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: rabbitwarren on July 25, 2019, 08:28:25 AM


HOTEL REVIEW AND FEEDBACK LAYOUT

Name of Hotel:

Hard Rock

Type of Room: (Did your room have 1 king-sized bed, 2 full-sized beds, or another type of bed?  Did you have a suite?)
1 King Sized Bed

Number of Nights You Stayed:

5
Year(s) You Stayed There: (Type in the actual year: 2012, 2013, 2014, etc.)

2019
Hotel Review:

(Here are some questions to get you started as you think about your hotel stay during Comic-Con.  Again, you can answer all or some of these questions to help you write your hotel feedback comments.)

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   If "Yes," tell us about the restaurants and type of food they had (if you remember).

Nobu which was reserved out way in advanced and Maryjanes.  There's a lot of other options nearby
* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?

Polite but very disorganized.  I had to call three times to get my confirmation and even though I told them the name of the other person, they still had to call me in the middle of the night to confirm, when he arrived. 



* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?

Business center with free printing.  VERY convenient for all the barcodes you need to print.  However, they use IE which does not work well with the portal. 

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?

We asked for a room facing the convention center and slept fairly comfortably.  The room was a bit tiny and the bed frame sticks out so you trip on it. 

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?

Quite short.  It's just across the street. 

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?

Again, we purposely picked the con facing room to avoid the noise from the parties. 

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)

Yes.  10mbps for 4 devices in room

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?

Yes but not many perks if any. 

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?

We could watch the entrance and exits from our room so on Saturday night, we saw people coming in for the EW party and on Sunday, we could see the VIPs getting into their SUVs

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Since you might have already wrote about it from the questions above, just make a quick list about the things you liked the most about your stay at this particular hotel.

Celeb sightings were plentiful and it was a great location. 

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Tell us about anything that negatively impacted your stay at this particular hotel that you may not have already mentioned above. 

The room was small and a bit rundown for the price.  The toilet had problems and took forever to flush sometimes and they skimped on the toiletries.  The staff were polite but disorganized.  They didn't give my brother the right key so he had problems getting in.  And they had to call me to confirm that he was a guest in my room. 

It wasn't a totally uncomfortable experience but for the money, I'd expect something a little nicer. 
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Mario Wario on July 25, 2019, 09:32:33 AM
Name of Hotel: Marriott Marquis & Marina

Type of Room: 2 rooms w/ 2 doubles (balcony w/ Bay view)

Number of Nights You Stayed: 6

Year(s) You Stayed There: 3

Hotel Review:

Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
Yes: Roy's (always good), Marina Kitchen Restaurant & Bar (GREAT buffet; awesome omelettes and good service throughout the day), Exchange (decent food), and of course, Starbucks (efficient)

How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? Yes. No complaints at all.

Did you order room service? No. But the option is available.

Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? No on the Spa; yes on the gym (very good gym). I heard the spa is fine yet the outside pool area is beautiful. Very good place to sit and relax.   

Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels? Yes: both rooms were decent in size and quiet; bathroom is fine. My rooms had fridges.

If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? Okay in price but not cheap either-valet is available; self parking is available, too.

How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? Walked-barely 3 minutes from the front of the hotel to the front door of the convention center. However, the walk to the EE/Hall H lines or Hall H itself is longer. I would say 8-10 minutes.

Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? Nope-no noise.

Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests? Yes.

Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? Yes-dedicated check-in line, free/better WiFi and the usual more points you get with your stay, etc.

Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above? Right next door to the Dragon Ball Super exhibit; home for the Nintendo lounge. Easy access to the volunteer check-in area and SDCC merchandise store, too. 

What did you like about staying at this hotel? The location is great, the rooms are awesome, and the hotel itself (overall) is spectacular.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Namron83 on July 25, 2019, 12:35:24 PM
My TripAdvisor review for  Best Western Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g60750-d79954-r608081703-Best_Western_Plus_Island_Palms_Hotel_Marina-San_Diego_California.html

Name of Hotel: Best Western Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina

Type of Room: 2 full-sized beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 6 nights

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2018

Hotel Review:
I've always wanted to say at one of the hotels on Shelter Island. So when I found out that I got this hotel during the SDCC Hotelpocalypse, I was ecstatic. We were here for almost a week and it wasn't just one of the best hotels I've stayed in, but definitely the best hotel I've stayed at in San Diego not just because of the location, but also the service.
My friend and I had been looking forward to SDCC practically all year so we were ready to start the trip down to San Diego as soon as possible. I think the check-in time was at 4PM. We called the previous day and asked if we could check-in early and we were told yes and that they would put in a request. It was about an 8 hour drive, but we made it to the hotel around 7AM (7/17/18). We got to the front desk and was greeted by Joe. I think that was his name. He was a middle aged Mexican guy. Anyways, our request to check-in early was approved and our room was ready to go. So thankfully we didn’t have to wait 9 hours to check in. I did my research ahead of time, so if you plan on staying at this hotel or any hotel on Shelter Island, be sure to tell them that you don’t need the parking pass because they won’t inform you that they’ve added it to the bill. Free parking is right across the street.
The location of our room was nice. Not the best one they offered, but it definitely had a view of the marina. It was actually nice to not have to deal with hotel hallways for once. You step out the door and you’re already outside. No long hallways or elevators to deal with. The Queen Room was actually pretty spacious compared to some of the more expensive hotels I’ve stayed at in San Diego. Our room attendant, Maria, catered to us whenever we needed the room cleaned or refills for shampoo, towels, etc.
The swimming pool was about a minutes walk away. You actually get to enjoy the view of the marina on the way there depending on your route. We actually hit that pool up and hot tub at least once a day. It was never crowded till the last night we were there, which was a Saturday. The open hours were a bit odd. We were told it was open for use 24/7, but they had a sign saying it was open from 10AM(?) to 11PM. Towels were always stocked, except for that Saturday night.
Theres actually a restaurant (Blue Wave Bar & Grill) connected to the pool. We didn’t actually eat there, but on the way to the pool once, we were told they would send someone out there if we needed anything. Some girl, probably early 20s, immediately came by and took our order. She dropped off our drinks a bit after, but she never came back to see if we wanted anything else. A bit disappointed because we wanted more drinks, but ended up leaving. On the next day, no one showed up take orders. I asked the maintenance guy if he could get someone out there and he said he would. More than 15-20 mins came by and still no one showed up. I didn’t want to do it, but I had no choice, so I went into the lobby soaking wet to see if we could get someone out there to take orders not just for us, but for anyone else that was out there as well. So a bit after that, Jarvis shows up to take our orders. Another 15 mins had pass and still no drinks. The place didn’t look busy when I went in there. Now, we’ve been here for almost an hour now and we were just going to leave since our drinks never showed up… and of course, they finally did. The next day at the pool, Jarvis was just spot on. He must’ve seen us out there because he came straight to us when we arrived to see if we wanted anything. He took a couple of our orders that day, made some suggestions and also had a quick chat with him. Great guy, give him a raise/promotion for taking that initiative.
The hotel is located close to a lot of places and what is great about that is that theres really no traffic to deal with. Great views all around the area. Theres actually a small little beach across the street, which should pass for the kids, but if you want the real strong waves, then any of the two beaches are just about a 20 minutes drive away. I prefer the beach at MB, but OB offers better places to eat and also has the boardwalk that everyone should walk down. Theres also Coronado beach, which is about 30 mins away depending on the traffic downtown. Right off the island are great places to eat. Places like Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern, Alredo’s Pizzeria, Tony’s Fresh Mexican Food. Nearby, there is a Ralphs grocery store that is open 24 hours, but they don’t make fresh pizza like the one downtown does.
All in all, it was great staying at this hotel. I would definitely like to stay at this hotel again during next year’s SDCC or just for vacationing. It was everything and more than I had hoped for.

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My TripAdvisor review for Kona Kai Resort Spa and Marina:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g60750-d82443-r692146582-Kona_Kai_Resort_Spa_A_Noble_House_Resort-San_Diego_California.html

Name of Hotel: Kona Kai Resort Spa and Marina

Type of Room: 2 full-sized beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5 nights

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2019

Hotel Review:
AVOID THIS HOTEL AT ALL COST!
From the moment I got there, this place has been frustrating ever since I got home. Yes, I've already checked out and currently at home and still getting irritated from them as I look at my bank account. I'll try to keep my thoughts organized.
First, I'll just start with the positives. Its a nice looking hotel with great views from rooms and pathways around the resort. Parking was free for Comic Con attendees. All the staff members were "being" friendly. The cleaning maids however, well, they assume that because someone doesn't look like they speak Spanish means that they can talk trash when you walk away. The hallway carries sound. All the rooms are attached to outside hallways. Our room view was facing the parking lot, but we still had view of the bay. We've seen multiple cars run over the crossing gates, mostly because they couldn't figure out how to open the gate or think that they are fast enough to get past after the car in front of them went through. The sticker on exit gate is actually upside down. This caused alot of issues for guests.
Our room was the typical size room with 2 beds. There was trash under the bed when we got there. The bathroom door is a sliding door that doesn't close all the way nor have any latch/lock to keep someone from sliding the door open when the bathroom is in use. One of the beds is in the way of the balcony door. The balcony was a decent size. Bottom floor balcony/verandas don't have rails so you can just walk straight into your room, so keep that in mind when choosing a level for your room. All the rooms have a snack tray and fridge filled with drinks. I would recommend requesting the receptionist to have all those removed. We made a request to have all that removed and for more bedsheets after we checked in. No one came for several hours, so we had to directly talk to the maids to get them removed.
One of my roommates left our bag of food outside the door and after a few minutes, it was already picked up by the hotel staff. I mentioned this to Joanna during one of my many visits to the reception desk and she gave me credit to use at their Vessel Restaurant. So that was nice of her to do. She also made a recommendation, which I ended up trying. When I went to the restaurant, I had to make sure that there was credit for my room. They said there was, but it wasn't applied when we checked out.... hmmmmm... we got that fixed though. The price of food was high as expected, but the portions were so ridiculously small. I'll leave that for a separate review.
Back to the maids a bit, they told us if we had any dirty towels or trash, just to leave it outside the door, which we did. It took pretty much all day for any of it to get picked up, which I found ridiculous because they picked up our food within minutes. Their cleaning station/supply was right next to our room so there really was no reason for trash to be out there that long.
Our room had no cell service. We had to either go outside the room or across the parking lot to receive anything. Something, hold your phone over the balcony rail will help. Also, while down there, my cell service assumed I was in Mexico. Make sure your data roaming is off.
Ok, so for the entire reason why this hotel is getting 1 (should be negative 5) instead of 3 or 4 was because of a charge for our stay. When we checked in and a debit/credit card was requested, I was not informed of how much was being charged/held. Every hotel/resort I've been to, puts a $100 hold on your card. Well, this place put a hold for 3 nights and fees, plus $100 insurance per night, totaling over $1400. We immediately asked if they could cancel that if we used a different card and they said yes. We replaced my card with my friend's card. For the first 3 days, the funds were still being held and during those 3 days, I went to the receptionist and manger (Moshe) multiple times. First day, they said it would take a couple hours... Nothing. Second day, my bank told me to tell them to send a fax to release the hold. Told the hotel multiple times and they said they did.... still nothing. Even got a copy of the fax which was missing information requested by my bank. Third say, same thing, nothing. Even requested to watch a video of them "supposedly" sending the fax. On the day we checked out, they said the funds would take 24 hours to release. Keep in mind, we added a card to replace mine so only now they are releasing the hold, which still hasn't happened. When we checked out.... BOTH CARDS EACH HAD THE $1400 HOLD.
Would I ever recommend this hotel/resort to anyone? No..... never..... go somewhere else. Even if this is the only option available to you, DO NOT STAY HERE. There are already negative reviews regarding this hotel that I read about like them extorting their guests for more money and other unknown charges. Do me, every past/future guest and every hotel a favor and avoid this location. I would've rather stayed at a hostel with bed bugs.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: clarrkkent on July 25, 2019, 01:42:06 PM

HOTEL REVIEW AND FEEDBACK LAYOUT

Name of Hotel: Hotel Solamar

Type of Room:  1 King Bed

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4 nights

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2019

Hotel Review:


* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel? Yes.

JSix restaurant which we didn't eat at.

The hotel was right next to Bubs which had great ballpark type food. Lots of tater tot dishes, wings, burgers, etc. It was VERY busy when we went, but service was good considering.

We also ate at Blind Burro which is also right across the street. Some of the best mexican food we've ever had. The Lengua tacos were spectacular and the wings were unique and fantastic. Definitely recommend this place.

For those not wanting a sit down meal, Panda Express and Subway were very close.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? Staff was great! Checked up via text message. Never seemed bothered when I needed help.

* Did you order room service? No.
   

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? The hotel had a pool and gym. We used neither. Our room overlooked the pool and it did appear to be a nice spot to hang out if you had the time.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels? Room size was perfect. The bed was a little firm for my liking. There was loud music/videos playing during the Nerd Nite party on the pool deck. Didn't bother us at all, but be aware that if you are a light sleeper, you'll want a room that is not overlooking the pool/bar area.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? Did not drive.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? About 6-8 minutes from hotel to convention center grounds.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? We didn't hear any noise from adjacent rooms. As noted above, Nerd Nite party is hosted on the pool deck and could be bothersome to those that are sensitive to noise and have a room overlooking the pool.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  Yes, but unsure if it was only free for rewards members.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? Yes. Received free internet and choice of late checkout or raid the bar ($10 credit).

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above? Although we didn't desire to go to Nerd Nite, sounds like if you were a guest at the hotel then you could work your way into the party without waiting in line.


What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Close to convention center and really close to great restaurants, friendly and helpful staff, doggos roaming the lobby in costume. There was a free happy hour from 5-6pm and also noticed coffee/tea out in the mornings. I don't drink either, but certainly see the appeal for others. Their luggage check system was well organized and it was clear they were prepared for the influx of luggage coming their way Sunday morning.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
I really can't think of anything I didn't like.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: sylent_asassin on July 25, 2019, 03:26:18 PM
Name of Hotel: Marriott Courtyard Downtown

Type of Room: 1 King

Number of Nights You Stayed: 2

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2019

Hotel Review:

Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
Inside, yes, but we never indulged. There were plenty of restaurants outside of the hotel.

How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? Yes. Customer service was outstanding! We asked for a high up floor and they happily granted our request for no charge.

Did you order room service? Yes. We ordered two pizzas and they got the orders all mixed up, so we never trusted them again.

Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? They have all, but we didn’t take advantage.

Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels? Room and bathroom were a bit on the small side, but was adequate for two people.

If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? N/A

How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? From the hotel to the convention center was about a 20 minute walk. We took the shuttle on Thursday morning and it ended up taking 45 minutes because of rush hour traffic. Never did that again. We were better off walking.

Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? We didn’t hear a peep, so that was good.

Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests? Yes.

Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? Yes, we have Marriott Rewards, but we didn’t take advantage since we were only there for two nights and weren’t actually in the hotel for very long.

Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above? Not much going on here. It seemed that the hotel was quite empty most of the time. 

What did you like about staying at this hotel? Customer service was outstanding and accommodating. When you leave and return, they say, “Welcome back!” Eateries were close and this hotel is ideal for events and partying as it’s on the fringe of the Gaslamp.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel? The room was kind of old, which wasn’t a big deal, but the windows had chicken wire embedded in the glass, so it obstructed the view… and the view wasn’t that great. We were on the 12th floor, which was the second highest floor of the hotel, but all we saw were other buildings. If you stood on your toes, you could see the Spreckels theater in the distance behind other buildings. Also, there were homeless people panhandling, wandering about and congregating all over the place. Around the corner, there was a large group of guys shooting dice one night. That’s not something that I’d want to walk into while on vacation.
_____________________________________________________________________________

Name of Hotel: Hilton San Diego Bayfront

Type of Room:  Double Queen

Number of Nights You Stayed: 3

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2019

Hotel Review:

Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
Inside, yes, but we never indulged. The restaurant was quite crowded most of the time and appeared to have a lengthy wait time. The Tin Fish, Seasons 52 and Cheesecake Factory are only about a 10-15 minute walk away.

How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? Yes. Customer service was outstanding! We asked for a high up floor and they gave us the 30th floor, which was the highest floor in the hotel… Of course, there was an additional charge for that.

Did you order room service? No.

Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? They have all, but again, we didn’t take advantage.

Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels? Rooms were quite spacious and the views from the 30th floor overlooking the marina, convention center and city were incredible!

If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? N/A

How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? N/A It was about a five minute walk to the con.

Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? We didn’t hear much talking, but the slamming doors were quite loud and somewhat annoying.

Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests? Yes, but it was spotty and extremely slow.

Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? N/A

Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above? I saw Cress Williams from Black Lightning in the hall coming from the elevator to a make-up session. WB’s make up people were stationed on the 30th floor in a conference room. I also saw Christine Adams (from the same show) in the elevator and she was gracious enough to take a selfie with me. We also saw Donald Faison from Scrubs chatting it up with attendees. This was all on the first day!

What did you like about staying at this hotel? Location, location, location. Since I cosplay, it was paramount to not have to wait for and ride the shuttle or walk a great distance in-costume in the heat.

Customer service was also great. After the show, I asked for souvenir key cards and they happily gave me ALL of them! In addition, it was really nice seeing celebrities walking around and chatting with people.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel? Cell phone service, for whatever reason was atrocious, and their hotel Wi-Fi was slow and didn’t help. When in the elevator, we noticed that other people were complaining about poor cell reception.

Also, the toilet didn’t flush like it should and when we arrived, the bathroom was missing the shower curtain. We had to call management to have someone bring one up and it took about an hour. Hardly a deal-breaker, but still inconvenient. Everything else besides the cost was great.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: comicconfamily on July 25, 2019, 07:04:12 PM
Name of Hotel: Humphrey's Half Moon Inn (Shelter Island)

Type of Room: Marina View Suite

Number of Nights You Stayed: 2 (pre-con)

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2019

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?

The hotel has a restaurant, but we didn't eat at it. There are many restaurants close by though, many within walking distance. We ate at a sushi restaurant nearby (Umi Sushi - about .4 mile away), which was very good. We got amazing acai bowls nearby at Northside Shack (1/2 mile away). There is also a coffee & gelato shop very close (Portside Coffee and Gelato).

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?

Fine, no issues.

* Did you order room service?
 
There is room service available but we didn't use this service.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?

There is an outdoor pool, which we enjoyed one night. There was also a ping pong table, hot tub, fitness center (didn't use), and putting green (didn't use). Lots of places to sit outside and relax, including spots that overlook the marina. Most (all?) rooms have a balcony or patio with chairs and a table.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?

We were very comfortable - our room was large (sleeps 6 - I don't believe this room is available during the hotel lotteries though). We had a kitchen with stove, full-size refrigerator, etc., but I do believe all rooms have a microwave & a refrigerator of some size. The rooms had ceiling fans (in addition to the A/C), which helped to keep the rooms nice & cool.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?

Parking was $18 per night, which we used. Parking was a bit of a pain (we have a van and many stalls were on the smaller side), but it wasn't a deal-breaker for us.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?

We didn't stay during the con, but I believe there is usually a shuttle stop at this hotel.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?

We slept comfortably and weren't disturbed by outside noise or other guests. There was a concert the Saturday night before Comic-Con, but it was over by 10pm (and we didn't mind the music anyway).

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?

I don't know how it works if you book this hotel through OnPeak, but we had to pay $12 a day for their "Half Moon Pass" which gets you internet, plus some other amenities, such as 1-hour Bike Rentals for use on Shelter Island and use of the gym.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?

No, but I do believe they have some kind of "Relax & Enjoy Rewards Club" which earns you points for stays. Not sure you get any other perks with it.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel or your room that isn't mentioned above?

We travel to San Diego early for SDCC and chose this hotel for the first 2 nights of our stay before our hotel lottery hotel reservation started on the Sunday before Comic-Con. Overall, we enjoyed our stay and would stay again. We had a marina view, which we loved.

Other notes:
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: quantumslip on July 26, 2019, 09:17:35 AM
Name of Hotel: Omni San Diego

Type of Room: 2 Beds "Premium View"

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5 (July 17-22)

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2019

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   Yes but we didn't use

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
  Yes

* Did you order room service?
   Nope

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
There were but we didn't use them.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
Yes. Plenty of space for 4+ and our stuff (we didn't have huge cosplays though)

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
Didn't drive. Valet cost appears to be $50 (I know because I got charged for this somehow even though we didn't have cars)

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
<5 min to/from the convention center. It's right there!

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
Seemed thick enough. However we had rooms facing the convention center and you could hear a little outside noise from trains and the popups below but it was never a big issue

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)

Yes. Sign up for the loyalty program to get free wifi (this may or may not be needed to get the premium wifi)

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Signed up to get wifi and such. Update: I did get credits but it took a while (initially it said 0)

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
The premium view room is not normally offered to attendee initially, but a huge block of them were dropped ~2-3 weeks before the convention from other sources, which is how I got the room

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
- close location to the convention center
- great view from your room


Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?

- on the more expensive side because of room type
- sliding doors on bathroom a little more open than usual, but you get used to it
- surprise valet charges. not sure why that happened to me.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: twiley79 on July 29, 2019, 12:19:59 PM
Name of Hotel: Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Downtown
Type of Room: Two queen beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5

Year(s) You Stayed There:  2019

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   Yes but we didn't eat in the hotel

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? Very polite and super helpful. Check in was 3:00 and they allowed us to check in at 9:00 am! The first room we were taken to by the bellhop had something being worked on so he got us a different room immediately and ran down and replaced our keys for us. Everyone was very friendly.

* Did you order room service?
   They had it but we didn't use it.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? Didn't use.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels? The queen beds put it way ahead of some other downtown hotels for us. We had 4 adults. We had plenty of room for our luggage, you could fit in floor sleepers but it would be crowded. Bathroom had sink and mirror outside of toilet and shower area, very helpful.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? Didn't use, dropped off my group and returned my rental car to the airport for the duration of the con. They let me leave my car in the valet area while checking in for free.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? We could walk it in 15 minutes in the morning, it took longer at night because the sidewalks were busy. That was not a problem though, we stopped on 5th street every night to get dinner so walking past all the restaurants was a bonus. It was on the blue shuttle route, which I thought about using Saturday night after picking up a wristband, when I saw a shuttle pull up to the Convention Center. I asked how long it would be before they ran the route and they said 15 minutes, so I just walked it.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? I didn't hear anything and I am a super light sleeper so that was a huge bonus.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No) Yes

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? Yes, just joined, no perks that I saw.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above? Yes, this hotel was farther out, but I was happy to get it (my backup plan was in Mission Valley). It was a cool older hotel which I liked.


What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Walking distance
Very quiet
Great customer service
Easy to find a place to eat in the evening
Right next to House of Blues (we had tickets for an event one night)
Empty fridge

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
It was a farther walk than some hotels
They didn't have the Comic Con key cards--my only disappointment.

I'd stay there again!
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: tsnyder on July 30, 2019, 08:15:29 AM
Name of Hotel: Hard Rock

Type of Room: 2 Queen Beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 6 Nights (Tue - Mon)  Booked Wed - Sun through onpeak, Tue & Sun nights online

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2019 & 2018

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   Yes.  Didn't take advantage of them but were themed with NBC shows.  Right around the corner is a subway and 7/11 to grab quick items.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
  Yes, extremely so.  Front desk, security, and house cleaning were all great.

* Did you order room service?
   No

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
We didn't use any of the amentities.  Room did have mini fridge but was packed with drinks/alcohol for purchase.  We emptied it all out into one of the dresser drawers so we could use the fridge. 

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
Room was tight but no more than other rooms we have stayed for SDCC.  We had a ton of bags which took up quite a bit of the space and were there for 6 nights so got pretty cramped.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
Didn't drive. Did uber from airport.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
One of my favorite things about Hard Rock.  As long as you don't get stuck waiting for train under 5 mins.  Several times was able to go back and forth from convention center to room in minutes to drop stuff off.  Even did so to change or use bathroom with Hall H bathroom passes.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
Never noticed neighbors but room was definitely loud which we actually loved.  We were on 6th floor directly overlooking the pool and party area.  On Thursday we had a huge group up to the room and watched the fandom party from our room.  After around midnight each night never noticed any noise and rooms black out curtains was able to get rid of any ambient lighting from the parties.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
Yes.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Signed up to get wifi and such.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
We really wanted to get back to the hard rock again this year after having so much fun last year and it didn't disappoint.  We didn't spend any extra time celebrity looking in the lobby or elevators but it certainly happened organically.  We rode elevators with Benedict Cumberbach, half the cast of Eternals, Michonne, and the entire cast of What we Do in the Shadows.  On Friday and Sat is seems to be almost non stop seeing celebrities either in the lobby or in the elevators.  Because of the security you always have to have a hotel key to show security to get in the lobby which is a slight pain but not that big a deal.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
- Close location to the convention center is #1
- Celebrity encounters
- Love the shower! Dual shower heads with the huge square rain one overhead.


Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?

- Bathroom door is sliding with frosted glass and no lock.  Which can get a little awkward with a bunch of people
- On Fri and Sat wait for elevator from your floor to 1st floor can get long as they fill up or are blocked off

Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Jangos1 on July 30, 2019, 07:36:20 PM
Name of Hotel: The Sofia Hotel

Type of Room: 1 Bed, top floor

Number of Nights You Stayed: 6 (July 16-22)

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2009, 2010, 2019

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   Yes - love their "Popcorn of the Day" and happy hour

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
  Yes

* Did you order room service?
   No

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
There was a gym; and yoga offered twice a week.  I did not use them. 

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
The Sofia has small rooms but I find it perfect for one person. Would be cramped for more than two people.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
Didn't drive.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
Approximately 15-minute walk. 

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
Seemed thick enough, though I think I got lucky with solo travelers on either side of me (and residing on the top floor).

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
Yes.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
I did not notice if they have a rewards program.  If they do, I was not informed about it. 

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
Initially, I didn't think I would get an upper floor when I requested it over the phone a few days prior to my travel.  However, when I checked in, they surprised me by honoring my request. 

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
- Fairly close location to the convention center
- I enjoyed the view from my room
- Great happy hour, delicious, affordable food (looove their popcorn flavors)
- I was early in checking in and it wasn't a problem.   
- Comfortable beds
- Maid service was excellent.  I still don't know what they do with the soaps that aren't all used up (which were replaced every day). 


Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?

- Ideally, I would prefer being closer to the convention center.
- Odd half-glass window for the shower but you get used to it.
- The rooms are pretty small but in my mind, it's typical of a "Boutique" hotel. 
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: sessionka on August 01, 2019, 07:09:25 PM
Name of Hotel: San Diego Marriott Marquis and Marina

Type of Room: 1 King-Sized Bed

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2019

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel

There was an indoor and outdoor restaurant.  There was also a 'pantry' for taking out small items and a Starbucks, which was relocated from the escalators to the North tower.  That was very convenient for me, as that's where my room was.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?

Hotel staff was very nice and professional.  I was impressed considering ALL they had to deal with.

* Did you order room service?
   
I didn't order room service

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?

I saw a pool and gym, but I didn't take advantage of either

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?

No problems sleeping.  The room size was comparable to other hotels

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?

Since MMM is right next to the convention center, I didn't use the shuttle or trolley.  5 min walk to the convention center.  Most of the delay was due to security.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?

Noise level was fine

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?   (Yes or No)

Yes

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?

I'm a member of the rewards program, but I don't remember the level.  If anything, it's the lowest level.  That was beneficial to confirming my reservation

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?

My room had a small balcony, which had 2 chairs and a small table.  I had a view of the bay, the MGH, and part of downtown.  I got to see fireworks on Tuesday night.  I had my morning coffee from Starbucks there every day.  I loved it.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?

I liked that there were panels in this hotel.  They also played 1st run movies, of which I saw 2.  Captain Marvel (3rd time) and Shazam (1st time)


Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?

No Complaints.  I hope I get to stay there next year
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: accelerate on August 02, 2019, 12:01:50 PM
HOTEL REVIEW AND FEEDBACK LAYOUT

Name of Hotel:
Manchester Grand Hyatt

Type of Room:
2 full-sized beds

Number of Nights You Stayed:
5 nights (Tuesday -> Sunday)

Year(s) You Stayed There:
2011, 2019

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?:
   Sally's & Brew30. I did not eat at either. There are plenty of options nearby

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
   Yep, they were quite friendly. I had to interact with them a few times because our room fridge was not functioning, and they were friendly and apologetic, and they made sure to followup and ensure that we did eventually get a replacement fridge.

* Did you order room service?
   No

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
   There are two pools, one big general pool on the 4th floor, and one smaller "adult" pool on the 3rd with a spa. It was very windy the day I checked out both, so I didn't stay long, but I do like the general pool area, as there are party games set up all around. The "adult" pool is more of a cozy atmosphere.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
   The rooms were average size. There were only two of us, and we had no issues with space, even with all the swag and junk we brought back from SDCC. If there were four of us, then yeah, space would've been tight, especially with the full-sized beds instead of queens.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
   Nope.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
   On average, 5-10 minute walk to the convention. I should note that a lot of morning lines end at the Marriott (eg. LEGO minifig drawing, Dragonball Exhibit, start of Hall H NDL), so the walk from hotel to get to where I needed to be ended up being shorter than 5-10 minutes. Also, going along the pier side seemed faster than walking down Harbor Blvd, even though technically it's the same distance. I think this is because Harbor Blvd is more crowded, and there's that security bottleneck at 1st St.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
   I had zero issues with noise. It was quiet at night, which was great for getting a good night's sleep.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?
   Yes, with the hotel rewards program (free). The only issue I had was the Chromecast TV setup, as most of my apps on my phone and laptop could not connect to it. I did eventually find one app (AirFlow for the Mac) that could stream my laptop content to the TV.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
   I signed up for Hyatt Rewards a few days before heading out to SDCC mainly for the WiFi. I haven't checked out the rewards.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
   This year, the lobby was under renovation, so checkin/checkout was actually on a makeshift desk outside on the driveway. It did not cause any inconvenience, but it did take some of the luster off of the hotel.


What did you like about staying at this hotel?
* Proximity to convention center. The first time I stayed here in 2011, I felt it was a long walk to the con. This year, it seemed a lot shorter for some reason. The bonus is that you never had to wait for trains / trolleys to cross to get to / go from the hotel.
* Swag pickup is in one of the ballrooms, making it very convenient for us
* Hotel is just at the edge of the heavy gridlock on Harbor Blvd, so it wasn't ever a problem to hail a Lyft or get dropped off at Hyatt.
* You get a great view of the harbor / city, depending on which way you're facing and how high up you are. Also, I would highly recommend staying in the Harbor Tower (the one closer to the convention center). It somehow feels a lot closer to the con, even though the difference is only a matter of fifty yards or so.
* You get the SDCC-themed keycards

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
* As noted above, our fridge wasn't working, and they didn't immediately have a replacement fridge for us. I do appreciate how they made sure to followup and get us that fridge eventually without us having to call every day.
* For an official SDCC hotel that has SDCC events and rooms within the hotel, I wish there were more decorations, such as themed wallpapers in elevators like in other nearby hotels.
* Toilets don't seem to flush as well as other hotels.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Karilg on August 03, 2019, 11:18:42 PM
Name of Hotel: Embassy Suites

Type of Room: 2 full beds with a sofa sleeper

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2018-2019

Hotel Review:



* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel? yes, there is a daily breakfast for the guests. There is also Dunkin donuts/ Baskin robins, and a bar and restaurant combo. Breakfast offers the usual eggs, bacon, sausage, cereal, coffee, and juice along with personalized omelets. In the evening, they offered a free drink during happy hour.
 
* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? They were nice. 

* Did you order room service? Just for pillows and toilet paper. Came in a timely manner
 
* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? I believe the have both. did not use them. Used the laundry, machines could be cleaned more.  Small rooms on the 11th and 12th floors, only two machines each room.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels? because its a suite, we had a good amount of space to move around and have our luggage and other con items.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?  $50 a night, too much to park there!

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? on foot about 10-15 minutes. not in the best physical condition (major back problems) really missed the shuttle!

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? not too bad but the neighbors had a large group and they liked being loud at night.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No) yes for Hilton honors

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? yes, perks are free wifi

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
no celebrity sightings, family hotel. 

What did you like about staying at this hotel?

-close to cc
-free breakfast
-very roomy
-mini fridge in room
-coffee maker in room
-drinks in the afternoon

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Tell us about anything that negatively impacted your stay at this particular hotel that you may not have already mentioned above. 

-no shuttle
-they did some sort of construction in the dining area the first night there. Was noisy until midnight.
-they also had to turn the water off for an hour. So, when I wanted to head back for a lunch break we had to wait for that hour to pass. You can see my previous review to know how much this irks me...
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: BHart on August 06, 2019, 06:33:06 PM
Name of Hotel:
Manchester Grand Hyatt - Harbor Tower

Type of Room:
One king bed

Number of Nights You Stayed:
5 nights

Year(s) You Stayed There:
2019

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
There were 2 restaurants at the hotel, but I didn't eat at either. They also had a 'grab and go' station set up near reception which was convenient. There is a shopping area across the street with a Cheesecake Factory and a couple other places to eat. Also a Starbucks, which is nice to be able to grab coffee and a breakfast sandwich on the way to the convention center early in the morning and not have to wait at the long line at the Bayfront Starbucks.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Yes, everyone we came in contact with was nice and polite.

* Did you order room service?
No.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
There was a gym, which we didn't use. There were two pools, one of which was an 'adult' pool. We could see the main pool from our room and it looked really cool but we ran out of time to use it.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
I thought the room was of a nice size, slightly larger than your average hotel room. There were only 2 of us staying in the room, with one bed, which may have made it seem roomier.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
We didn't drive.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
We always walked, and depending on where we were coming from at the convention center, it took 10-15 mins. It was always much faster to walk on the pier side vs Harbor Blvd.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
I didn't think the walls were thin at all. It seemed that the people in the next room over were always there when we got back (as evidenced by their 'room is occupied' sign on the door) but we never heard them.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?
Yes, if you're a member of their rewards program.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Technically yes. I had just downloaded the app and joined the program when I got MGH in the lottery. As this was my first stay, no perks except free wifi. 

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
The blood drive, premium rooms, and volunteer shirt pick up were all in this hotel, which was very convenient. I found out later (on social media) that the cast of Agents of Shield stayed there, but I didn't see them myself.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
- Close to the convention center but still on the far end, so not as busy. Also easier to be picked up/dropped off by Lyft/Uber.
- The view was amazing! We had a view of the harbor and a lot of the bay from the 21st floor.
- Was closer to the end of the Hall H line on Sunday morning (along the pier side) than if we had stayed at any other hotel except MMM.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
- Technically not in the Gaslamp. We stayed at Solamar last year and I really enjoyed how close we were to restaurants, nightlife, and the offsites during the day. It's a good 15 minute out-of-the-way walk into most things we wanted to do in the downtown/Gaslamp area.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Sonic77 on August 07, 2019, 06:28:07 PM
Name of Hotel:
Hampton Inn San Diego Downtown

Type of Room:
One king bed

Number of Nights You Stayed:
5 nights

Year(s) You Stayed There:
2019

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
Little Italy is literally right behind the hotel so would stop by there and grab a bite to eat in order to get away from the crowds.  Ironside was one of our favorite stops, best seafood.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Yes, everyone was extremely nice and helpful.

* Did you order room service?
No.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
Gym and pool but didn't use any of them.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
Room was a good size, it was just my gf and I staying in the room so had no issues.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
The hotel charges $30 a night for parking.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
We took the Trolley most of the time which was about a 5-10 minute ride to and from the hotel.  The days we did walk due to the Trolley being too full it took us about 25 minutes to walk back.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
Walls seemed good didn't hear anyone next door however I would hear the train on occasion.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?
Yes

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Yes, just free water bottles but was a new member to Hilton Rewards

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
No

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
- Quick ride when taking the trolley
- Free morning breakfast buffet, would also take food with me in order to get in line faster
- Fresh baked cookies in the evening

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
- A long walk to and from the convention center when the trolley was too full to take
- Can still hear trains on occasion at night
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Dune930 on August 08, 2019, 07:34:00 PM
Name of Hotel:  Hampton Inn San Diego Downtown

Type of Room: 1 king

Number of Nights You Stayed: 3

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2019

Hotel Review:


* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   A cafe inside the hotel which featured a very nice breakfast buffet.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?  Very nice hotel staff.

* Did you order room service?
   Nope

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? There was a nice looking pool, but I didn't use it. Hotel very, very nice, but I was focused on CC activities to take advantage of hotel amenities.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels? My 1 king was spacious and quite lovely! I was there by myself. I was in a room that could have been part of a suite if friends/family were in the next room. So it had a door, which was locked, to go to the next room. However, the couple in the next room, a male and female, they were very loud talkers at night. So loud that when they came back to the hotel at 12:15am, they were so loud in talking about their day they woke me up and I had to call to the front desk to have them call that room and tell them to STFU. Front desk immediately did that, and the noise quieted down. So if I stay at this hotel next time, I'll make sure to ask for a room that is not part of a suite so I don't have to hear loud/drunk talking in middle of the night.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? Upon check in, I was told it was $30 a night, for the 3 days I would be there. Unfortunately, I assumed that parking was included, so that annoyed me off, but, oh well. However, when I checked out, they only charged me for 2 days, so I was able to save $30. Maybe it was a mistake, but I didn't complain.  Parking was safe and secure at hotel.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? Hotel was along the Pink shuttle line. Since I'm a walker and I wanted to explore, it was only a 28 minute walk from hotel to CC. But 28 mins may be too long for others who aren't healthy enough to walk that distance or too lazy. I never got on the shuttle. It was estimated that shuttle trip would be 30 mins. No brainer to walk.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? As referenced above, my first night was quiet. Second night, big mouth lady stood next to locked 'suite' door. She was also loud the 3rd night, but I turned on tv to drown her out until I fell asleep. Request room that does not have a shared suite door, too thin to block noise from next room. You can hear people talking out in the hallway as they went into/left their room. Some people just speak loud.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No) yes.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? No, not a member, but they have a perks program.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above? Room looked recently renovated, I really enjoyed the pleasant, modern appearance of the hotel.  No celebrities, but I'm sure some may have stayed there to have some distance from craziness.


What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Good price for a downtown hotel. If you're a walker, this hotel is in an excellent location. Staff was exceptional, they were really happy to host CC attendees. Comfortable bed! I will have this hotel on my top 5 list next year for the lottery again. This hotel was my second choice.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Shower water pressure was lower than I prefer.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Roybq on July 25, 2022, 08:29:19 PM
Name of Hotel: Hilton Bayfront

Type of Room: (2 queen size beds - City/Bay View) Overlooked Hall H Line!

Number of Nights You Stayed: 6

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2022

Hotel Review:


* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
 There were a couple of restaurants inside, but we didn't eat at them because they seemed expensive. Who pays $80 for a taco? On the plus side there is a great Frozen yogurt place and a Starbucks (when they're not on strike.) There's also a food truck outside with much cheaper tacos.

* How was the hotel staff? 
The hotel staff was great! We had 3 separate reservations and the desk combined them into one reservation with a room upgrade.

* Did you order room service? No.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? No. There was a pool though!

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably
?  It was a pretty good sized room with a huge window overlooking the convention center. The window shades really made the room 100% dark which was great for sleeping, but bad for my toes if I got up in the middle of the night.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? Did not park.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? A minute or two after exiting the hotel. It's literally right there.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? I never heard any noise from the other rooms, but you could hear outside noise.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No) Yes, but join Hilton Honors for better WiFi. It's free!
 
* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? Hilton Honors for points and better WiFi.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above? I'm glad they settled their strike before Thursday. We were awoken Wednesday morning at 6 am by a person on the bullhorn and chanting from hotel workers. I couldn't have put up with that another day.  The workers were great and I 100% supported them, but the Hilton should've work better to negotiate to avoid an uncomfortable situation for their guests.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
100% the best thing was the location.  I've stayed at Gaslamp hotels and getting to the convention center always took longer because of crowds and trains. I liked leaving the room and being inside the convention center within minutes.  The room location was great because I could look at that H-Hall line before deciding to join it or not. We could also watch and hear the concerts at Rady Shell, complete with fireworks! It was also great for Indigo panels. I liked being able to exit the room and be in  my room upstairs within minutes.  It was also a great place to see celebrities. We saw the casts of Ghosts and a few others in the lobby.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
The worst thing was staying there during the strike. It made the day it happened uncomfortable as a guest.  The other thing that I didn't like was having to request room service instead of just getting it at least every other day. We stayed for 6 days and things got pretty dirty over that time and our garbages were pretty full.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Nyjin on July 25, 2022, 09:31:20 PM
Name of Hotel: Hilton Gaslamp

Type of Room:
2 Double Beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5 Nights (Wed-Monday)

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2022

Hotel Review: I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at the Hilton Gaslamp, with the advantages definitely outweighing any possible disadvantages. A quick Pro-Con list:

Pros:
-Incredibly close to the Convention Center, being right across the trolley tracks.
-Staff was mostly helpful, courteous, and professional with one small exception.
-Rooms were modern, clean, with consistent housekeeping.

Cons:
-Required a room key just to enter the lobby. I understand why, but it was a hassle.
-Room had several small issues (AC was finnicky, bathroom door was awkwardly placed to room entrance)
-One night had a party that lasted all night (Walking Dead), but was nowhere near as loud as Hard Rock

I would say the major benefits of staying at the Hilton Gaslamp were the helpful staff and the prime location. Being able to walk to your hotel room from the Exhibit Hall floor in around 5 minutes was very convenient. House of the Dragon had their offsite directly outside the lobby doors, so that was also fun. The bellhops were super friendly and accommodating, and most of the front desk staff I interacted with were nice as well. I only had an issue with one staff member who wouldn't let me in despite having my room number, name, and payment method on file.

There were possible celebrity sightings, since House of the Dragon's cast showed up at the offsite outside and The Walking Dead hosted their party at our hotel. However, I didn't recognize any of them personally. While I didn't use many amenities like the pool or dining, they seemed reasonably high quality for a Hilton property. Free WiFi was also available, but the parking situation was slightly awkward as the loading area was rather small. No onsite parking available outside of Valet.

Overall, I would definitely stay at the Hilton Gaslamp and would recommend it to anyone. The staff and location make it a great location to stay at for the Con.

Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: jnyama on July 25, 2022, 09:58:16 PM
HOTEL REVIEW AND FEEDBACK LAYOUT

Name of Hotel:
Holiday Inn San Diego Bayside

Type of Room: (Did your room have 1 king-sized bed, 2 full-sized beds, or another type of bed?  Did you have a suite?)
2 queen beds

Number of Nights You Stayed:
4

Year(s) You Stayed There: (Type in the actual year: 2012, 2013, 2014, etc.)
2022

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   If "Yes," tell us about the restaurants and type of food they had (if you remember).
There was a restaurant in the parking lot of the hotel--Point Loma Cafe--but I didn't eat there.  Other than that, there were beverage vending machines by the ice machines, and one of those closet-mini-store type things in the lobby.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
They were very nice.  I had to change rooms when I first got there, and they sent someone to give me new keys and help me with my luggage to the new room, instead of making me trek all over by myself.

* Did you order room service?
   If yes, tell us if you had a good or bad experience with room service.
No.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
I didn't actually seek any of them out.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
I was by myself, and the room was a reasonable size although the bathroom was a little small.  I think it would have been a little tight for more than 2 people.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
$18.  There was street parking--apparently, the big bayside lots across the street used to be free, but the staff said in the last couple of years ACE put up payment boxes for them.  I think I probably could have found parking in front of the hotel but just happened to always find a spot right in front of the door outside the elevator that was right by my room, and I was seduced by the convenience.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
I drove, and it took around 15 minutes to get to the convention center, but often took another 10-15 minutes to get through the traffic on the last block to where they let you through the closed-off street to the Convention Center parking. 

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
I don't remember hearing anything, but I sleep like the dead.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
Yes.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Yes.  I am actually a platinum member because I have their credit card, and I believe I was given a choice of a free drink at the bar or extra points.  I don't drink, so I took the points.  They did not upgrade me.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
I feel confident in saying there were no celebrities at the Holiday Inn San Diego Bayside.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Easy to get in and out
Minimal traffic directly around the hotel
One of the cheapest of the hotels within ~5miles of the convention center ($221)
Parking was relatively inexpensive compared to most of the other SDCC hotels and convenient to my room
Staff was nice
Not too far from an In n'Out that was open late
Refrigerator worked really well!  The back got cold enough that it kept my ice frozen for the next day!
AC worked well also--kept the room cool and didn't shut off with no movement, as some hotel AC does.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
The first room I was given smelled like cigarette smoke, covered (poorly) with deodorant spray--I had to request a change after being in it for a bit.
Furnishings were on the older side
No housekeeping except by request
Was not able to get a room in the newly-renovated tower connected to reception
Commute to the convention center took longer than hoped as traffic slowed down going by the airport and along various construction projects on the direct route over
Neighborhood felt a little sketchy, although I did not see anything worrisome while I was there

Despite all that, I would consider staying there again, mostly because the parking was so easy and it was cheaper than almost all of the alternatives.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: beadrbop on July 26, 2022, 08:41:08 PM
HOTEL REVIEW AND FEEDBACK LAYOUT

Name of Hotel:

Hard Rock

Type of Room: (Did your room have 1 king-sized bed, 2 full-sized beds, or another type of bed?  Did you have a suite?)
2 Queen Sized Beds

Number of Nights You Stayed:

7
Year(s) You Stayed There: (Type in the actual year: 2012, 2013, 2014, etc.)

2022
Hotel Review:

(Here are some questions to get you started as you think about your hotel stay during Comic-Con.  Again, you can answer all or some of these questions to help you write your hotel feedback comments.)

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   If "Yes," tell us about the restaurants and type of food they had (if you remember).

Nobu which was reserved out way in advanced and we had booked dinner there for Saturday night. It is always great food. Also Maryjanes.  We ate there when we arrived and also another time. Good food (yes it gets upcharged for SDCC) Also had room service one night. Menu was limited but food was good. 19% service fee plus $4 delivery fee (it came in a brown paper bag)
* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?

Polite but they did not seem ready to deal with the SDCC crowds. (Saw long lines at check ins)


* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?

Business center looked nice but did not use
Gym was great had a nice selection of machines and had towels available (yes I used the facility and was happy with it)

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?

The bed frame does stick out and yes it could be a hazard hitting your foot on it. The room felt small. In comparison there was a lot of empty space in the bathroom that could have been used where the beds were located. The fridge is packed with their waters/snacks and liquor so it’s a pain if you want to store any food in there. The curtain would not close all the way so light would bleed through

My main issue was with the room location- directly above the loading dock. So during the con trucks would unload their loads all night long (usually from 8 pm through 3 am) The back up beeping of the trucks drove me crazy. The bed was comfortable but it was impossible to stay asleep due to the noise.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?

Quick walk to the convention center.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?

Noisy room for sure. The hallway outside our door was a main walkway for the staff so I could hear the security guard radios at 5 am.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)

Yes.  10mbps for 4 devices in room. The posted speed is no where near what you actually get (did a test and it was more like 2 mbps) Might not be an issue but I had trouble getting photos to upload to agency so I had to use my cell phone hotspot. They had a paid version I was able to get before the con started that allowed 6 devices which helped. Once SDCC started only the free version was available.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?

No. The rewards program did not seem to work for this location
* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?

The hotel security would not allow us to use the elevator that was closest for our room due to celebrities needing to be escorted to their rooms on the higher floors. The other elevators did not really get us to our room easily. It was like a maze and had to have a maid help us out. (Had to go through a few doors that were really just for the crew aka workers).

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Since you might have already wrote about it from the questions above, just make a quick list about the things you liked the most about your stay at this particular hotel.

Location is great. The bed was super comfortable. (Only issue was not being able to stay asleep due to the noise)

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Tell us about anything that negatively impacted your stay at this particular hotel that you may not have already mentioned above. 

The room was small and was starting to show it’s age of wear and tear. The bathroom mirror had a crack at the bottom. There was a section of the shower where they had to regrout due to damage. The closet stuck out of wall and did not go to the floor so I could not hang up a dress without it getting all wrinkled on the bottom.

Had to pay $15 for replacing a lost key. Never had that happen at another hotel ever. What bothered me the most was how it felt they thought we were not worthy since we were not celebrities. That really bugged me. Studios with deep pockets seem to be their main focus. The staff was pretty nice. One gifted me with some cool pins when he heard about the bad room location (I looked like I had not slept in years by then lol)

Great location but if you have any issues with noise sensitivity definitely not the place to stay. Truly grateful to the friend that got us the room since I did not get anything in the hotel lotto. All in all if I had a better room location things would have been different for sure. I know I should have complained earlier but by the time the noise became an issue it was too late (the hotel of course was completely sold out so I was just trying to live through it)
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: MochiMonster on July 28, 2022, 11:28:14 AM
Name of Hotel: Hotel Indigo

Type of Room: 2 queen beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2022

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   Yes, there was a restaurant in the lobby and and a rooftop bar. There were also restaurants within a 1 block radius, so there
   were a lot of dining options.

* How was the hotel staff?
   Hotel staff were polite and courteous, no issues at all. We ran low on bath products during our stay and the front desk had
   extras right in the lobby.

* Did you order room service?
   No

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
   There was a fitness center on the ground floor. We didn't use it but it included cardio equipment and weights. No pool.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
   The room was a comfortable size, maybe even a little larger than usual. But we were also placed in an ADA-accessible room.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
   $55/night, valet only

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
   No shuttle or trolley service. It took about 8-10 min to walk to SDCC at a casual pace.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
   No issues with street noise, but we could occasionally hear some sounds from the adjacent rooms.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
   Yes

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
   Yes, no additional perks.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
I really liked how it was a quick walk to SDCC and also Petco Park. I've stayed at the Big 6 before and appreciated how Hotel Indigo was a little quieter while still being only a few blocks away from SDCC and offsites. The Dungeons and Dragons offsite was pretty close!

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
The water pressure was a little low, but it was more than adequate and the shower was nice and large.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Mistborn on July 28, 2022, 12:17:57 PM
Name of Hotel:
Westin San Diego (400 W Broadway)

Type of Room:
One king bed

Number of Nights You Stayed:
5 nights

Year(s) You Stayed There:
2022

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
There was a small coffee shop and a bar with some food options.
 

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
They were nice! We hate at the bar and I told the bar tender what I liked to drink and he whipped something up for me

* Did you order room service?
No.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
I though the gym was alright. Minimal equipment, but I wasn’t there to do my workout routine. Once the Con started, I barely even thought about it.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
I think it was a reasonable size. But there were just 2 of us in the room

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
We didn't drive.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
We did a lot of walking. The bus took us to the far end of the bus loading zone near the convention center, so if we were going to the Marriott Bayfront, Hyatt or A entrance of the Convention center itself, it was just faster to walk, especially if we just missed the bus. The bus ride did take about 15-20 min to get from our hotel to the center, and that is really how long it took us to walk it. Unless our feet were tired or we had a lot to carry, walking did make sense. If you were going to the Hyatt, it wasn’t even worth the bus. You could cut through a dog park and be there in 10, way less than the bus ride plus long walk from the bus area to the Hyatt Manchester.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
I didn’t hear anyone which was nice!

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?
Yes. Freeeeeee

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
No

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
Everything was very relaxing

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
The bus was really easy to get to, and it was never crowded. We kept hearing stories about crowded buses from other Con goers but we did not experience this.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
I didn’t like that it was as far away as it was, but that is not the fault of the hotel. It was .8 miles away and a nice walk to the convention center, but let’s be real, anything not the Omni, Hyatt Manchester, Hilton Bayfront, or Marriott Bayfront is basically too far away  ;D
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: rallyv on July 28, 2022, 04:23:21 PM
Name of Hotel:
Omni San Diego (675 L Street)

Type of Room: (Did your room have 1 king-sized bed, 2 full-sized beds, or another type of bed?  Did you have a suite?)
1 king-sized bed

Number of Nights You Stayed:
5 nights

Year(s) You Stayed There: (Type in the actual year: 2012, 2013, 2014, etc.)
2022 (though I've stayed at the hotel for many years previously)

Hotel Review:


* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   If "Yes," tell us about the restaurants and type of food they had (if you remember).
Yes, they have a to-go area with premade food (sandwiches and other to go options) that's open during the day and a full service bar with restaurant for the evenings. The restaurant's menu was extremely limited during comic con with only a handful of dishes available. I don't remember all of them but I do remember stuffed shell mac and cheese, a cheeseburger and I believe tacos. None of them were under $25/dish but depending on appetites, they're more than easy to share.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Hotel staff is top notch. From check in to check out I always had pleasant experiences with the employees.

* Did you order room service?
No

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
Hotel has both gym and pool and hot tub. I didn't use the gym but I did use both the pool and hot tub. The pool area has a great view of Hall H and the tents of the convention center and while I saw other people using both, neither was ever so full I couldn't find room to soak. Towels are available there as well.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
Room was spacious with enough room to comfortably have both my wife and I as well as all our purchases and act as a staging area for a friend of ours. I never felt cramped in the room no matter how much stuff I put in there.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
Drove and parked. Only option is valet at a cost of $55/night.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
Took minutes to get across the street by foot.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
It's relatively easy to hear the din of the gaslamp considering the hotel is in the thick of things. Friday and Saturday nights can get especially noisy. Most years we've never had an issue with the noise but this year someone in one of the rooms around us was throwing a loud party and playing music all night on Friday which kept us up.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
WiFi is available for free to members of their loyalty program with an optional upgrade of $5/night for "better" internet. I opted for the better internet but during the day it's next to unusable and well beyond saturated. This usually starts around 7 in the morning and becomes usable again around 8 at night.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Rewards program is free to join and at the base level, the level I have, you get a free drink from their cafe (juice or coffee) every day as well as base internet.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?

They used to provide a bunch of daily amenities including a sewing kit, shampoo/conditioner, and body wash. They have since cut back on that and no longer provide the repair kit and their soaps are all mounted dispensers in the shower. Also the bathroom is a "farm door" that slides and never makes and never provides "complete privacy" in that there's always a gap that can be peeked through. The farm door also keeps there from being a lock.
 
Since my last stay, they have also upgraded their TV systems to Chromecast compatible. Setting up the casting ability was simple and allowed me to stream video apps from my laptop to the tv.

Roll away beds are available at the hotel but at a $25/night extra cost (when available, they go fast).

What did you like about staying at this hotel?

- The bed is extremely comfortable and the extra room is really nice. It also has a platform base which makes it much easier to make sure nothing travels under it.
- There's room for a sitting chair with ottoman and tiny table as well, both of which are very nice.
- The night tables both had 2 electrical outlets which made it very convenient for overnight charging of devices.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?

- I cannot stress how frustrating the internet can be. It absolutely is not made for a hotel full of people "connected" people. The walls are thick enough too that during the day, cell signal for internet can be spotty too.
- The former restaurant, McCormick and Schmitt's, closed during covid and while the new restaurant was ok, the offerings were dire as well as expensive. It was good but definitely probably better to venture into the Gaslamp for food.
- As mentioned, normally the windows are probably fine for filtering sound, during con, it just doesn't cut it. The gaslamp dies down most of the time enough to get to sleep but it can be an issue.
- One of the days we were there, when using the elevator, it got a mind of its own and wouldn't move, then moved in the wrong direction, and stranded everyone in it on a floor no one pressed for. It was more than a little frustrating with hands full of stuff.
- Speaking of elevators, they recently upgraded and forced everyone to badge in to call the elevator on the first floor. The sign inside the elevators said it should only be for overnights but that was never the case. Again, this is very frustrating when your hands are full of stuff.
- Valet keeps going up in price every year. I never moved my car but still had to pay an extra $275 just to keep it there.
- It wasn't a problem this year but because of location and other factors, they tend to be used for industry parties which do and will cut off your access to the pool and hot tub.
- This was our first year staying in a room that was behind one of the hotel wraps. It can ruin any photos you wish to take and definitely ruined the view as if you get to close to the window, your eyes can have problems focusing through it.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Angology on July 28, 2022, 07:06:22 PM
Name of Hotel: Omni San Diego

Type of Room: 1 king-sized bed

Number of Nights You Stayed:5

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2022 (Have stayed there the past few cons)

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
A casual order at the counter type restaurant with grab and go options (and sit down options, too). They had breakfast and lunch offerings. You could eat in the adjoining area with tables. It was a little pricey.
The in house restaurant changed from McCormick & Schmick's to WEST COAST SOCIAL.
Close to ballpark - so lots of eateries around. Especially City Tacos and Lucky's Lunch Counter

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Very much so.

* Did you order room service?
No

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
No

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
We had a pretty big room. The bathroom was huge.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
Did not drive.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
Super convenient to the convention center, Petco Interactive and HBF (via pedestrian bridge)

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
We were on the end, so we only had people on one side, but never heard anyone (except the dog in someone's room, but he was pretty loud)

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?
Yes

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Yes - Gold (lowest).
Complimentary Wi-Fi service
Discounted premium Wi-Fi service (our desk clerk said it was free, but we used the standard because of this one)
Express check-out
Service of Loyalty Ambassador - this was nice. Was able to text when we needed amenities

If it's your second stay (or more):
Daily Beverage (AM and PM options)
Bottled water at check-in
Complimentary pressing of two items per stay (didn't use)
Complimentary shoe shine per stay (didn't use)

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
When we texted for more tp and tissues, we also got towels. This made my husband laugh because I have "extra towels in my profile as a standard request". It irks me that we stay as a couple, and get three towels - why not four? There were actually extra towels on arrival.
I think the WB stars stayed there, given all of the limos lined up Saturday morning w/WB VIP in the window, but we never saw them.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
- close location to the convention center
- had great customer service (so many towels LOL)
- close to a lot of restaurants

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Edit: will echo the complaints about the sliding door to the bathroom. Awkward if staying with others. Also - the plug situation is weird. There were enough, but some were loose and in an awkward place. I guess I'm used to the ones in the lamp base, and the availability of USB plugs. Not a deal breaker, but worth mentioning.
We do love it there though!
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: chachime45 on July 29, 2022, 03:50:38 PM
Name of Hotel: Manchester Grand Hyatt

Type of Room: Two double beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2022

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel? Yes, but I only used the grab-and-go once for a $4 Diet Pepsi.
 
* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? Polite and super-helpful.

* Did you order room service? No but I never do.
 
* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? I didn't but my kids did and they loved the pool.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels? About average, nothing special.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? I was told at the desk that $30 a night was the con rate for self-parking.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? It doesn't look that far but it's five minutes at best, more likely 10 dealing with a crowd.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? Didn't hear a peep out of my neighbors.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  Yeppers.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? Not a member but another member of my group was (I had two rooms) and I let them have the points.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above? Saw a couple of minor celebrities but I wasn't looking too hard.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
It's a really nice hotel and the location is pretty good.
We enjoyed Seaport Village out back as a quick break from the con craziness.
Everything was clean and we wanted for nothing.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
That walk at the end of the day was longer than I wanted it to be ... I stayed at MMM a few years back and I would take that hotel any time over this one for Comic Con. Honestly I'm really reaching for something to complain about, this was a great experience.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Dianekde on July 30, 2022, 10:04:00 PM
HOTEL REVIEW AND FEEDBACK LAYOUT

Name of Hotel:
Horton Grand
(Note:  not an official SDCC hotel this year.  I don’t know why, but they do have new owners)

Type of Room:   1 Queen bed

Number of Nights You Stayed:
5

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2022

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   The hotel has a bar/restaurant called Salt and Whisky. It serves breakfast in the morning and snacks later. It was once owned by the hotel, but now has separate ownership and only takes credit cards.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
They were fine.  I mostly interacted with the bartenders at Salt and Whiskey, who knew my name by the end of my stay.

* Did you order room service?
   No. They didn’t have it.  If they had, I still wouldn’t have ordered it.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
No amenities like that

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?

This is a historic hotel with very high ceilings. My room was of decent size and I was alone.  The bathroom is small, though.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?

No car for me.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
It is just a short walk to the CC, but very convenient to the Gaslamp. . 

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?

Very quiet.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
Yes.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
No. I don’t think they have one.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?

Even though many guests were attending SDCC, it doesn’t have the hustle and bustle of many con hotels. That was good.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?

I love historic hotels. The location is close to everything, but on a street with little traffic, particularly since the Fluxx nightclub across the street closed down during Covid.

I like that I could reserve outside the lottery.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?

It was expensive. I reserved before the hotel lottery and would have canceled if I had gotten a good hotel in the lottery. I didn’t and I missed the good hotels that opened up on the waiting list for “life” reasons. But, I have no regrets.  As a bit of commentary, I don’t mind hotels like this being available to people like me who hate the lottery and are willing to pay extra for certainty.

I wish they would have had a Bluetooth speaker in the room. I like to play my summer mix in the background, but couldn’t.

I didn’t have a fridge, though my frien did in her room.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: hikanteki on August 01, 2022, 03:20:22 PM
Name of Hotel: Springhill Suites by Marriott San Diego Downtown/Bayfront

Type of Room: Two Queen Beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 6

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2022

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel? Yes, the hotel had an outdoor/rooftop restaurant, but I never went there. The hotel did have a free breakfast buffet which was pretty extensive, although way too much white flour-based starch with not enough other stuff. For instance, they had bread/muffins/bagels and make your own waffles everyday. Then, in the hot section, there was one rotating starch but 5 of the 6 days I was there it was also a white flour starch (including waffles TWICE, in addition to the daily waffles they already have.) The other day, it was potatoes...it would have been nice to see potatoes more often. Then they had one meat item (rotating between bacon/ham and chicken/turkey/pork sausages), scrambled eggs and scrambled egg whites both made from pre-mix. One nice thing is that they actually had cold-brew coffee on the breakfast buffet (in addition to regular coffee and tea). I haven't seen that at any other free hotel breakfast.
 
* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? Yes, the staff was excellent.

* Did you order room service? No

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? They had a gym and an outdoor pool, but I didn't use them.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels? The room was very nice and up to date, although not technically a suite since there was not a separate room (it just had a floor-to-ceiling desk between the beds and the living room). I wouldn't say the room was huge, but it was definitely bigger and airier than the MGH. The queen beds are actually queen beds too, unlike MGH where they were more like twin beds.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? I didn't, but I saw they had both self-park and valet options and I want to say they were around $35-50-ish

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? By trolley, a ~7 minute walk to the Santa Fe Station trolley + 5 minute ride. It would be shorter if there weren't barriers. By foot, just under 30 minutes.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? No issues with noise.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests? Yes

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? I am a silver member and to my knowledge there were no extra perks. Although, we did ask for a late checkout (normally at 11) and they extended it 1 hour, until Noon although I am not sure if they would have turned down my request if I were not a rewards member.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above? They put up Star Wars decorations in the lobby. It shares a building with the Residence Inn. The bathroom is the sliding door type which doesn't really close, which is a little awkward if you're sharing a room.

What did you like about staying at this hotel? Pretty much everything. I thought it was much nicer than the MGH and the Hampton, which are the two we've stayed in before. The rooms were comfortable, the view was great (we had a view of the harbor, based on the layout most rooms probably did as well) and the cold-brew coffee for breakfast was a nice touch.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel? No real complaints. I would have said that I want it to be closer, but it really was a nice walk along the waterfront to the convention (and on preview night, it was fun to stop by Hess Brewing and have a beer overlooking the harbor), and it was also nice to be a block away from Stone w00t X.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: sessionka on August 03, 2022, 01:49:40 PM
Name of Hotel:

Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

Type of Room: (Did your room have 1 king-sized bed, 2 full-sized beds, or another type of bed?  Did you have a suite?)

1 King-sized bed

Number of Nights You Stayed:

6

Year(s) You Stayed There: (Type in the actual year: 2012, 2013, 2014, etc.)

2019,2022

Hotel Review:


* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?

Yes

   If "Yes," tell us about the restaurants and type of food they had (if you remember).

Marina Kitchen - Full Service restaurant.  Good Food
Tequila Bar and Grill - Bar with food service.  I love eating outdoors when I can.
Exchange - Sandwiches, snacks, bottled beverages, coffee
Starbucks - Coffee and breakfast sandwiches.  I got breakfast from them if I had an early panel.  I also liked to have coffee and my breakfast sandwich on my balcony


* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?

Staff was great!!!

* Did you order room service?

No
   

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?

I didn't use the gym or the pool.  I did sit outside near the pool on one of the chaise lounges.  It was relaxing.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?

No roommate.  The room is large.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
No Car

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
The hotel is right next to the convention center. Five (5) minutes.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
Noise levels are fine.  I had no trouble sleeping.  I was 6 floors up facing the bay, so there wasn't much in the way of outside noise.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
Yes, for members of its rewards program.  I had my own portable hot spot, so I didn't use their wifi.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Yes, but my visit isn't on the rewards site (yet). 

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
My original reservation was for a double, that I got thru the exchange.  I was able to change it to a single.  I also got moved to the North Tower, which I wanted because those rooms have balconies. Think I was able to accomplish that because I got in early (Tuesday morning).

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Since you might have already wrote about it from the questions above, just make a quick list about the things you liked the most about your stay at this particular hotel.

:
- close location to the convention center
- had great customer service
- great view from my room
- a lot of Con activity in the lobby.  I love the energy.
- There are panels scheduled in the hotel
-  They run movies in one of the ball rooms
-  Volunteer HQ is in the hotel


Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Tell us about anything that negatively impacted your stay at this particular hotel that you may not have already mentioned above. 

:
No Complaints
It is my favorite Hotel.  I hope to stay there next year

Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Michaelnaut on August 04, 2022, 04:53:50 PM
Name of Hotel:
Hilton San Diego Bayfront

Type of Room:
2 queen beds (single occupancy chosen on hotel reservation form)

Number of Nights You Stayed:
 8 (arrived Sunday before con, departed Monday after con)

Year(s) You Stayed There: (Type in the actual year: 2012, 2013, 2014, etc.)
2019, 2018, 2017, 2016...(I forget after that...but at least a few more times)

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
Yes, they had a few, the only I took advantage of was the poolside bar, margaritas in the hot tub

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
 All staff were professional and great when they were engaged with

* Did you order room service?
Room services was available, but did not order any

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
The pool area was great.  Large pool, many lounge chairs around it.  2 hot tubs I believe, but I only used the one closer to the pool area entrance. You'd not believe how well a hot tub works after walking all over SDCC each day.  I also had a mini fridge that I asked for in the room, that helped w/leftovers when eating out.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
Just me in the room so no issues with space

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
I believe parking was $40/night. It did give in/out privileges tho.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
I believe it took something like...15 minutes?

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
Walls were thin, but to be expected for a hotel (I think)

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
Yes

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Yes, Hilton Honors, Silver

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
Many celebs room here...I met Keanu Reeves, as well as quick "walk by hi" to Jim Lee, Rob Liefeld.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: tsnyder on August 08, 2022, 06:06:01 AM
Name of Hotel: Omni

Type of Room: Two Queen Beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 6

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2022

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel? Yes, had bar/restaurant that we never used.  Also had a Coffee shop that my group used a couple of times on the way out the door.  Was really no line to grab coffee but it was also around 530AM.
 
* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? Yes, the staff was excellent. Zero complaints

* Did you order room service? No

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? Did not use any of them.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?  Previous years we stayed at Bayfront and Hard Rock and I feel like this room was a little larger.  Had a small fridge for drinks that we didn't have to remove all the stuff like in the Hard Rock.  Beds were comfortable as well.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? N/A

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? I'm all about location and the Omni is awesome!  5 min walk as long as you don't hit a train coming by.  Love being right across the street.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? No issues with noise.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests? Yes

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? I am not

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above? No celebs sighted which was a slight letdown from our stay in Hard Rock in 2019.  Will certainly be trying to stay here again in the future.

What did you like about staying at this hotel? Actually felt it was the quickest to get to from previous stays.  Bayfront if you aren't coming from Hall H line actually seems farther away a bit.  Hard Rock may be a little closer but there is always a slowdown crossing street there and having to deal with security and key cards.  Was able to make it from exhibit floor and back to drop off stuff in around 15 mins. 

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel? Weird farmhouse sliding door on the bathroom that barely closes the opening without a gap which can be awkward when cramming 4/5 people in the room.  When checking in they billed me $500 more than I anticipated which was a $100 a night amenity fee which they said I would be credited back if I didn't use any amenities.   
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: lliving on April 08, 2023, 10:06:04 PM
Name of Hotel:Hard Rock Hotel San Diego

Type of Room: King Bed Studio & 2 Queen Bed Studio
Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2022



* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?

   Yes, did not make use of any of them.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Most of front desk staff, housekeeping, maintenance and bellhops were courteous and polite.  Some of the security staff in the elevators and out front were a little aggressive. Having to show a card key every time I entered the lobby got old very quickly. Also,
 being loudly told to get on another elevator by security when I am paying to stay in the hotel is something that irked me.

* Did you order room service?
   No

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
I did not visit the gym(even though I paid for access apparently), some others in my party did and found it useful. Did not visit the pool.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?

Rooms were bigger than the ones I've had at the Omni and Hilton Gaslamp Quarter. Large bathroom and shower, very modern look to the entire room. Mattress was super comfortable.
Stocked fridge with  liquor, beer, soda, bottled water & candy.  NONE OF IT FREE! (I took things out to make room for stuff i bought at Ralphs and made sure to put them in their original places at check out). There was an "intimacy box" with condoms, lube and candles(all with prices clearly marked) . Definitely something I hadn't seen at other hotels. I left the box alone too.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
N/A

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
It's right across the street, so not a long walk.  But you do  have to navigate through the crowds to get across the street.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?

My room faced the convention center, did not have any major  issues with noise from other rooms.  Lobby area and near elevator could get loud particularly during the EW party.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
NO ::)   One of the annoying things was the VIP PASS . What a bogus charge.  WIFI and access to the gym should be free. The VIP PASS and the $500 amenities hold I did not feel were explained well during checkin. It was also at a time when I was tired and just wanted to get to my room and unload all my stuff. So maybe I wasn't listening as well as I should have been.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Not sure if they have a rewards program

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
I was looking forward to staying here because of the celebrity sightings I've heard other people talk about.  I saw NO ONE. Perhaps the limited elevator access/elevator police might be the reason.  Two of my friends who didn't go to SDCC, but tagged along to see San Diego saw Winston Duke at the exercise center but didn't figure out who he was until later that day. "We saw this guy using one of the bikes. I knew his face but just couldn't remember from where..."


*What did you like about staying at the hotel?
Proximity.  Size of the room and bathroom. Comfortable bed. Room had a modern, well maintained appearance. Will keep it in my list of downtown hotel options, but probably not first choice.

*Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
There was a hold of $500 per room placed to cover amenities in the room, which I wasn't expecting.   It was refunded within 24 hrs of returning home.  Access to my room was delayed when I first got there because the lock wouldn't open due to a dead battery.  It took 3 trips downstairs for  a new card key before some one figured out the problem. Replacing a hotel lock battery apparently requires Maintenance to replace the battery and Security to reset the code afterward, so it was not a quick process. I did not enjoy the frequency of  having limited access to all the elevators at the front of the hotel.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: kimchi_paradise on April 12, 2023, 10:52:06 AM
HOTEL REVIEW AND FEEDBACK LAYOUT

Name of Hotel: Hotel Solamar

Type of Room: 1 king-sized bed

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2022

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?

There was some quick breakfast and free coffee in the foyer, which helped to save some money from buying breakfast from Starbucks or keeping snacks in the bag during the con. Cost-wise, it was probably the same.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?

Hotel staff were courteous. Valet was timely in case you needed it. It was weird though since we got a physical key (like metal key) for our hotel room, and after a certain time, you could not get in without a key card, so had to knock/get front staff attention to be let inside the hotel. Our room was one of the only ones with a physical metal key due to them fixing things up, so I suspect that this shouldn't be too big of a problem for most folks.

* Did you order room service? No

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?

There was a pool with access, and it was a great pool -- husband used it every day with our toddler. Great area. It was closed off during the National Geographic party that was happening, but other than that it was a great time.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?
Room was very spacious for 2 adults and a toddler. They were able to provide a small cot for our toddler daughter which was very helpful.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
Parking rate was $55 per night.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
It was in a great location, it was about an 8-10 minute walk from the con. Close enough that the walk wasn't bad, but far enough that you were just outside the craziness, which was nice with a toddler. Because of this flexibility I hope to have a closer hotel in the future.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
Walls weren't super thin that you could hear other guests, but you could hear outside commotion. I suspect that it would be less intrusive here than in the heart of downtown/by the con. It did not cause us any problems, as the rooms were well insulated from the noise.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests? Yes

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? No


* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above? Not really....


What did you like about staying at this hotel?
- close location to the convention center (8-10 min walk)
- had great customer service (always available for questions, even had packages delivered there)
- close to a lot of restaurants
- great view from your room
- got to see a few smaller scale celebs and artists, such as Ahmed from Community and a Spiderman Comic Artist.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Nothing in particular stood out as BAD per se. Parking was expensive, the room was expensive, the small grab-and-go breakfast available wasn't free -- but this is normal stock for most of the downtown hotels. Also having an actual metal key was slightly worrying since we didn't want to be responsible in case that key was lost, unlike a key card. Still a great experience and worth the premium due to proximity to the convention center. The rooms were decently sized for a couple and a child, and the hotel folks were pretty flexible.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Amurphy599 on April 12, 2023, 05:13:51 PM
Hilton Bayfront 2019 double bed. Excellent location, room was basic but clean.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: kamisbutterfly on April 24, 2023, 10:07:47 PM
Name of Hotel: Hard Rock Hotel

Type of Room:  1 king-sized bed standard room

Number of Nights You Stayed: 3

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2022

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel? Yes, Mary Janes was connected to the hotel and there was also a Starbucks nearby. Both were great.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? The staff was awful and unhelpful. They were rude and unless you were a celebrity, they treated you like trash. The only helpful staff was the bell hop guy who, without us realizing it, was preparing us for our stay.

* Did you order room service? No

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? They had them and you would be able to use the for an additional $25 a night. However during the con everything is closed because of special events.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels? The room was the size a standard room at a hotel. However, this hotel charges more per night than any other hotel and there is nothing in the dated room we had to warrant such a price.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? We drove and it was about 50 a night I believe.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? Walking distance but with the crowds in the Gaslamp probably like 10 minutes.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? This is a loud hotel at all times of the day. Bring earplugs.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  No

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? I am a member but upon check in was told there are no perks to being a rewards member.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
This hotel used to be known as the hotel celebrities stay at. This is no longer the case as its mostly reporters and entertainment companies’ staff that stay here. I chatted with 2 reporters on the elevators and they mentioned the Pendry is where the A-listers stay. Also there are apparently parties there but not even they are invited. There are some minor non A-listers that do come here for those interested.


What did you like about staying at this hotel? Apart from being close to the con center nothing else.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
This is very long so pardon but read on for why you should never stay here. It started even before I checked in. If you uber or get dropped off they send you to the Omni because they close the street off. You can only enter the closed street if you are staying there and will valet. I drove there and it was an adventure to get to valet. They didn't believe me that I was staying there. I had my email, reservation but I figured they were just being strict. Than upon check in the front desk agent wanted to charge $25 a day for wifi and amenities like the pool, gym, 207 lounge etc. All those amenities are closed because of the parties and some of those have been reserved for parties. I told her that too and front desk agent just laughed. I have their rewards program and the front desk agent said she never heard of the program when I mentioned it to her. She went and asked her manager, her manager came by and said the rewards program doesn't do anything. I am like ok well thanks for letting me know. We were told to use the 3 elevators to the left and were assisted by the bell hop staff. On the way to our room, we were greeted by what the bell man called the suits. He than dished all the tea on how ridiculous the hotel is by hiring a manager to attract Hollywood people, a manager to pick the music and manager for private parties. Thinking back on it now they should have hired a customer service manager because the hotel is severely lacking in that.
Once we got to our room, I was shocked with how old and dated it was. It looked like a hotel room from the 80’s. Old damaged furniture and fixtures. A remote from the last century with buttons that didn’t work. About 4 of the light fixtures didn’t work. The bathroom had mold in the shower and the sink had major water damage.
We went out to the con using the elevators they told us to. Day 2 comes and suddenly we can only use 1 elevator on the left out of the 3. The other 2 had a rope. My guess was they were for people going to their parties. They have a silly side entrance with a red carpet that we weren’t allowed to walk to. I also should mention the noise, its ridiculously loud at all times of the day so if you are sensitive to this look for another hotel.
We also weren't allowed to wait in the lobby for some odd reason. I was waiting for a friend for dinner and the hotel staff said I can't wait in the lobby and sent me to my room. She says go back upstairs or wait outside! This lady yelled at a hotel guest for being in their hotel lobby! I've never stayed at a hotel where the lobby is forbidden to wait in. I thought ok whatever but than the day of EW party they wouldn't let me use any of the elevators to get to my room on the 7th floor. They told me to go to the other end of the hotel and use those or take the stairs. They were so rude and treated us like trash. When I tried to take the car out they said they weren't taking valet calls because of the party. So I paid 50 a night to have my car trapped behind maybe celebrity cars.
Checkout time came and I asked for bell service and no one came. Called again and the guy said oh we forgot we are busy. At this point I just want to leave and get my car from valet but plot twist they aren't taking valet calls. So me and my group go downstairs finally get a guy to find our car. 3 trips up and down to get our stuff in the car. I should mention that I tried to check out like 5 times and never got my bill no email nothing. I finally get a txt 3 hours later saying I checked out. I will never stay at the Hardrock again. I would not stay here unless I had no other choice. This is a dying hotel, and they are desperately trying to cater and be cool at the expense of those who actually paid to stay there. They are nowhere near the caliber and quality of The Pendry and have the worst all around service that I am not surprised celebrities are choosing not to stay there anymore. One last bit, about 2 or 3 weeks after the con I saw charges on my credit card from the Hardrock and I was never able to get them to answer where these charges came from. I did a chargeback and got my money back. I did end up contacting and emailing them about my terrible experience, but they didn’t care and never answered me. Please stay away from them, you deserve a better hotel stay than this.

Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Kira001 on July 24, 2023, 04:51:47 PM
Name of Hotel: DoubleTree By Hilton Hotel Circle

Type of Room: 2 Queen Beds + pull out sofa bed

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2023

Hotel Review:



* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? Only dealt with the hotel staff once and that was during check-in, the person the woman checking me and my group in was pretty friendly and gave everyone a free cookie that Hilton usually hands out when you check into any of their hotels

* Did you order room service? No
   If yes, tell us if you had a good or bad experience with room service.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? I did notice that the hotel did have a pool but did not use it

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?  How many people occupied the room during your stay? The room seemed like a standard size room that would have 2 queen beds

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? $30 per day

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? Around 30 minutes

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  Yes

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? No

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?


What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Both the bed and pillows that they had were both pretty comfortable

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Really don't much have much negative to say about the hotel but it is starting to show it's age with nicks and scratches on the furniture around the room. Also, there really isn't that many places in regards to food around the hotel. There is a small corner by the check-in desk with the standard snacks but if you wanted something to eat before going onto the shuttle, you're going to be hard pressed. 

Other then what I wrote above, it's a pretty good hotel if you're just looking for a place to sleep in-between days. Also there is going to be a $50 security deposit per night, just figured I would write this down since I know I am always checking around how much the security deposit is going to be a couple days before I actually check in


Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: jnyama on July 24, 2023, 05:36:03 PM

Name of Hotel:  Hilton San Diego Airport/Harbor Island

Type of Room: 2 Queen Beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2023

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?  Yes
   If "Yes," tell us about the restaurants and type of food they had (if you remember).
The hotel had a restaurant/bar called "Panorama"--you can find images of the menu on Yelp.  I was only able to get food there once, as the restaurant closed at 9pm and the bar closed at 11pm and I was almost always back later than that, but I did get a breakfast burrito to go the last morning.  It was ok--a little dry, but it came with salsa and pico de Gallo.  On the pricey side at $20/tip.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? Yes

* Did you order room service? No--I would have, but like the restaurant, room service ended at 9pm.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?  No

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?  How many people occupied the room during your stay?  It was a pretty standard-sized room with adequate room for 3 people.  4 might have been pushing it, and there were only tables/chairs enough for 2 people.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? $35

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?  Around 12-17 minutes by car.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?  I didn't have a problem and I had the bed closest to the hallway.  During the day I was aware of airplane noise but was possibly too tired to hear it at night.  I was in the elevator with one woman who was super agitated at the noise she got from the ice machine, so maybe try to avoid a room near that.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)  Yes

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?  Yes.  Diamond, so free premium wifi, and $30 dining credit each day.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?  The housekeeping seemed very erratic.  One day they didn't seem like they finished cleaning the bathroom as we didn't have a full set of towels and they didn't take the tip.  We had to call down at least twice on separate occasions for more towels.


What did you like about staying at this hotel?

- location reasonably close to the convention center for not being in the downtown area traffic
- decent sized rooms
- able to get points/some perks from rewards program

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?

- overpriced (like every other hotel during SDCC
- parking charge
- traffic going by the airport towards the convention center
- early closing time for all food service
- unreliable housekeeping (signs all over the room say cleaning is only by request, but this is outdated, as it has resumed daily service)
- place to tap card on entry to parking lot is recessed, so difficult to reach if you have short arms/disinclination to scrape up your car getting close enough
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: rushfanyyz on July 25, 2023, 06:10:09 AM


Name of Hotel: Marriott Marquis Marina

Type of Room: 2 Queen

Number of Nights You Stayed: 6

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2023

Hotel Review:


* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel? Yes
   Restaurant inside, did not use. Pool has food service but did not use. Quick service counter-did use. Fast grab and go options of sandwhiches and salads and beverages plus hot food like breakfast burritos and bagels, lunch had hot sandwiches and pizza. We liked everything from here, nothing fancy or amazing but decent for convenience and price.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? Polite, no issues

* Did you order room service? No
   
* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? There is a pool, did not use. Didn't look around much for other amenities.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?  How many people occupied the room during your stay? Two people in the room. It was large enough to move around and pile all our con purchases around. With four people it may have been more cramped considering all of the things bought at con. With no excessive purchases four would be fine. Slept comfortably, could only hear the music from the What Not offsite during the day, at night it was quiet enough to sleep.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? On foot, less than 10 minutes.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? Could not hear hallway or nextdoor.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  Yes if a rewards member which is free to sign up for

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? Yes, basic level, free internet and earn points

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above? There were a few celebrities staying at the hotel based on instagram pictures but we did not see any in person.


What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Proximity to con and gaslamp is great
Room size is perfectly fine



Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Tell us about anything that negatively impacted your stay at this particular hotel that you may not have already mentioned above. 
No negative experiences, price lines up with other con rates
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: hikanteki on July 25, 2023, 06:44:03 PM
Name of Hotel: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel San Diego - Mission Valley

Type of Room: Two Queen Beds

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2023

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel? Yes, the hotel had a cafe, a bar, and restaurant. The cafe was not officially a Starbucks (or even a licensed Starbucks), but it served Starbucks-brand coffee and had many of the same menu items. Prices were much higher than a real Starbucks but they offered 15% off for Comic-Con attendees and opened earlier (5am). We didn't go to the bar or restaurant. The restaurant served breakfast but it wasn't free.

The hotel was in Hazard Center which IMO makes this one a cut above most other hotels in Mission Valley & especially above Hotel Circle. Hazard Center is a generic but cute shopping center with restaurants, a movie theater, shops (including B&N) and grocery (Ralph's). It's also a block away from another shopping center with more restaurants and grocery (food4less) and an awesome seafood taco truck. 
 
* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? Yes, the staff was very good.

* Did you order room service? No

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? They had a gym and an outdoor pool, but I didn't use them.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels? The room was a pretty good size for two people. It's among the larger rooms we've stayed at. There was room to move around, pack and unpack, and store all the stuff we got. But, the room did not quite have blackout curtains. Also, while the most recent remodel was nice enough, it wasn't a complete overhaul and I could still tell it was a 50-year old building, i.e. there were lots of marks and scuffs on the shelving and it still had questionable plumbing.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? I didn't, but it looked like $36/night.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? Another nice thing about this one is that it was right by the Green Line so you could take the trolley or shuttle. Trolley was 20-25 min each way. Shuttle was first out, last in so it was about 20-25 minutes on the way there and 30-40 minutes on the way back, depending on traffic.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? No issues with noise.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests? Yes, but it was pretty bad. There's faster wifi for a price.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? I'm a Hilton Honors Silver member but I was not aware of any perks. They thanked me for being a rewards member at check-in.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above? The bathroom is the sliding door type which isn't completely opaque, doesn't really close, and is a little awkward if you're sharing a room. Tbh I'm seeing this more and more and this trend needs to DIE.

What did you like about staying at this hotel? Rooms were comfy and spacious. Fridge in room. Access to both light rail and shuttle. Steps away from amenities, which is unusual for Mission Valley. (Relatively) easy on the wallet.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel? Kind of far away, but that isn't the hotel's fault. But the bathroom door sucked, and that is the hotel's fault.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Xircuits on July 27, 2023, 12:11:02 PM
Name of Hotel: Marriott Marquis Marina (MMM)

Type of Room: 1 King double occupancy (room had a chair that was also secretly a fold out bed/cot)

Number of Nights You Stayed: 7 days 6 nights. 7/18 - 7/25

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2023

Hotel Review: First time at MMM, 2nd time in SDCC. So far, this is my favorite hotel and room. It was like 3 times the size of my room at Horton and it was modern!!! The view was great! Our room was facing the Hilton Bayfront, Hulu Offsite, Adult Swim, concert shell, and the boats! I had a wonderful view of the rear steps where everyone was taking their cosplay photos. This is my first year using the BonVoy app and while I think I was able to add it to my profile, it still currently says I have zero points. I couldn't use the free Wifi - only prepaid is available for me. I don't travel much.  :( The bathroom was heavenly to say the least. I liked the bright lights that were motion sensored, and the shower was huge! So large it would fit both me and my partner together (though no, we did not shower together LOL). Again, everything was very modern including the digital thermostat. There's an empty fridge in the room that we filled with coffee, seltzer, and stuff from Ralph's (a short walk straight walk about 2-3 blocks). Our keycards did get de-magnetized because they sat next to our phones and wallets, but getting them replaced was easy. Also on the BonVoy app it showed me being charged with the Destination Amenity Fee however on the paper bill we received it showed we were not charged.

We arrived late Tuesday night and the restaurant outside of the South Tower was closing however the kiosk heading toward the lobby was still open. We ordered chicken fingers and fries and a chicken salad. Both were delicious. Even though the salad was pre-packaged and probably sitting there for most of the day, the lettuce was still delicious and crunchy. The fries were an absolute treat because they were freshly fried - chicken fingers were...well chicken fingers. LOL I didn't spend time at the pool though I wished I could - do they allow shorts and sports bras in the pool (I'm too embarrassed by my body to wear anything else.)

My partner and I did spend one night watching anime in the function rooms in the North Tower after dinner. That was awesome and sadly it was mostly empty. There were at most 7 people in the 4 function rooms. I asked the hosts who were running the anime episodes if it was  always this empty. They said during the day, they get about 40 people, but at night everyone is doing nightlife stuff. It was quiet and I liked it like that.

I was just too tired to even hear what was happening in the next room. But after the convention, I did notice sound seeping in from the next room. It wasn't loud, but almost whispery. Didn't order room service - didn't see any room service menus. The room was oddly void of many things - usually you see a booklet with ideas to visit and menus and stuff like that, but the room didn't have any of this. As modern as the room is, my side of the bed didn't have any USB plugs. It did however have a small night table with the phone on it. And there was no clock in the room. That part was weird - the hotels I've stayed at previously all had a small digital alarm clock.

We travelled by foot mostly because it was soo close to the convention. Towards the end of the stay, we did take the trolley up to Little Italy. It was very easy. We bought a day pass. The only scary part was the mentally ill man at the Seaport Village station who kept banging a rock against the poles. I was worried he was going to throw that rock at my head or something. I think it was like a 5 minute walk at the most to the convention center - the only unfortunately part is MMM is by gate A and if you're trying for exclusives, you have to walk the entire length to either gate G or to the tents outside depending on the hour.

On the very last day as we waited for the elevators on the South Tower, I saw someone that looked remarkably like Leonard Maltin. I'm pretty sure it wasn't him, this guy was like in his 80s with a cane. I mentioned it in the full elevator and the guy standing behind me did a double take and said, yeah, you're right, he does look like him.  :smilie_confused_dontknow:

My favorite about the room was that it was spacious and the warm water in the shower was virtually instant, even though we were on the 10th floor! They had full sized bottles of shower gel, shampoo, and conditioner and it smelled wonderful. The elevators were really fast for the most part. During the convention because of soo many people coming and going, many times the elevator doors would complain because they had been held open too long. Otherwise, this was a huge step up from Horton, though both hotels had great staff service. It was a perfect stay pretty much - so much so that I didn't need an alarm to get up early for the exclusives line. The hotel even had a little store in case you forgot things like swimsuits, snacks, supplies (shampoo, toothbrush, paste, etc). My partner forgot his flip flops and easily was able to get a pair in the store. I bought knickknacks for my co-workers. It even has a Fedex counter.

What didn't I like about the hotel? Nothing really. Maybe a switch for a fan in the bathroom - this bathroom didn't have a separate switch to turn on bathroom fans.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: sessionka on July 27, 2023, 07:31:07 PM
Name of Hotel:

Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

Type of Room: (Did your room have 1 king-sized bed, 2 full-sized beds, or another type of bed?  Did you have a suite?)

1 King Sized Bed with two (2) balconies

Number of Nights You Stayed:

six (6) nights

Year(s) You Stayed There: (Type in the actual year: 2012, 2013, 2014, etc.)

2023

Hotel Review:

(Here are some questions to get you started as you think about your hotel stay during Comic-Con.  Again, you can answer all or some of these questions to help you write your hotel feedback comments.)

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   If "Yes," tell us about the restaurants and type of food they had (if you remember).

Yes. 
Starbucks - I got coffee multiple times and breakfast sandwiches
Exchange
I ate at the Pool Bar once (I forget the name)


* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?

Hotel was very nice and professional

* Did you order room service?
   If yes, tell us if you had a good or bad experience with room service.

No room service

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?

I didn't use the pool or gym

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?  How many people occupied the room during your stay?

No roommate.  I had a very nice size room.  I could have lived in that room.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?

No car

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?

5 minutes on foot

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?

I couldn't hear anything from the rooms on either side of me. 

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)

Yes for members of the hotel's rewards program, but I didn't use it.  I have my own hotspot device.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?

Yes.  I'm not sure of the level

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?

I did see Leonard Maltin near the elevators.


What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Since you might have already wrote about it from the questions above, just make a quick list about the things you liked the most about your stay at this particular hotel.

Example list:
- close location to the convention center
- had great customer service
- Additional panels in the hotel ballrooms
- great view from your room
- Activity in the hotel lobby
- It's my favorite hotel


Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Tell us about anything that negatively impacted your stay at this particular hotel that you may not have already mentioned above. 

Example list:
Totally Minor issue.  The Sunday bag check ends at 3:00.  It used to end at 5:00.  I've been using the bag check at the convention center.  As I've said, it's a totally minor issue, and if it's the price I pay to always stay at the MMM, I'm fine with that.

Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Michaelnaut on July 28, 2023, 08:22:04 AM
Name of Hotel:
Hilton San Diego Bayfront

Type of Room:
Coronado Bridge View 2 Queen Beds

Number of Nights You Stayed:
7

Year(s) You Stayed There: (Type in the actual year: 2012, 2013, 2014, etc.)
2015-2023

Hotel Review:
This is my go-to hotel. Close to the convention center and easy access to the Gaslamp via the pedestrian bridge.  Always clean, the amenities were great, and ready access to pool and restaurants and other amenities (like fitness center) when needed.

Some items:
- Pool area was just ok this year...there seemed to be an inordinate amount of kids running around this year, more so than last.  And after hanging out there (mostly hot tubbing) I caught a pretty bad cold that I been trying to kick (and I think I finally did *today*) and that impacted my overall con experience.
- Restaurants: super easy access, but I think they bumped up the pricing a lot
- Staff: Fantastic; all staff were helpful and quick to assist
- WiFi: Free for hotel guests per their sign in
- Sightings: This hotel is usually the place for celebrity sightings, but with the strikes, none of that obvs this year.  Although bumped into folks like Rob Liefeld as they seem to stay here.
- Am a rewards member but no special perks this year that I saw.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
- Room size
- Service
- Access to all around the area
- Super close to center

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
I was (un)lucky (?) to get room #666 via the Hilton app, and when I tried to change it, the app wouldn't let me (hmm). The first couple nights in the room it seemed the AC didn't work (thinking that was a coincidence w/the room #) but they took a bit to get it fixed...like Wednesday, and I arrived Sunday.  So while I appreciate that it was fixed and working, 3+ days in the room w/o it working properly was a pain in the ass.

Also, not that I'm a drink price snob, but I do not remember prior years in the restaurant on the first floor that an old fashioned cost $30.  I think I nursed that for like an hour, savoring it.

Overall a great property to stay at, with easy access to all around the area.
(https://onedrive.live.com/embed?resid=5E7629E8156F9C77%21287594&authkey=%21ANyjyQcBuJy1Nwc&width=999999&height=256)
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Transmute Jun on July 28, 2023, 08:26:10 AM
Name of Hotel: Marriott Marquis & Marina

Type of Room: King bed (with sofabed)

Number of Nights You Stayed: 6

Year(s) You Stayed There:Too many years to count, starting in 2008. Every year since about 2017-ish, including 2023.

Hotel Review: This was my favorite SDCC hotel even before the Bonvoy merger. Since that merger, I have had status in the Bonvoy program, so that makes me even more attached to this hotel. I know a lot of people prefer the HBF, but the MMM has bigger rooms, nicer/bigger bathrooms, and fridges in every room. The pool area is fantastic (which is nice if you arrive early/stay late for the con week). Celebrities stay at MMM, even if it is not as 'advertised' as celebs who stay at Hard Rock. The entire hotel was renovated during COVID, so it feels new and fresh. It is (technically) the closest hotel to the convention center, because the edge of the MMM building is about 10 feet away from the edge of the convention center, and much of the MMM parking is actually in the convention center lot (they also have their own, small lot on their property). When walking to and from the hotel, you never have to wait for 'line traffic' crossing the lawn/sidewalk. 

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
Yes. We primarily used the Marketplace (fast casual option near South Tower) and the M Lounge (for Bonvoy Elites). Easy walk to Seaport Village restaurants, which tend to be less crowded than the Gaslamp restaurants. The SDCC Hospitality Lounge is also in this hotel, so it's easy for any attendee to drop in there for snacks and drinks.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Super friendly and courteous.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
There is a resort-style pool (technically 2 pools) and 2 hot tubs. If you arrive at the con before Wednesday or stay after Sunday, it's really nice to use that pool/hot tubs. Obviously most people are too busy to use them during the con.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?  How many people occupied the room during your stay?
We had 3 people in a king room (the vast majority of king rooms have sofa beds). There was plenty of space. The rooms are much bigger than those at HBF.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
$40 per day, which is unfortunately comparable to most hotels in the area. On the good news side, the Comic Con rate rooms do not have a resort fee, so for us this is a wash.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
5-15 minutes to the convention center (depending on whether you were going to the Hall A or Hall H side). The MMM is close to Hall A.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
No noise issues.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
Yes. You have to join Bonvoy, but membership is free. Free enhanced wifi for bonvoy gold and up members.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Yes, I am titanium elite. Free enhanced wifi, free room upgrades/changes (if available at check-in), late checkout (as late as 4 pm), access to M Lounge with free food and drinks (closed on weekends).

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
Mentioned above but worth repeating... almost all king rooms have a sofabed, so it's easy to fit 3 people into a king room.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
- Close to convention center
- Big rooms
- Easy access to front of convention center AND back of convention center (offsite/Next Day line area)
- Bonvoy perks are really helpful for us
- Occasional celebrity sightings (not frequent... like 1-2X per con for most people)
- Beautiful pool area
- Great views from most rooms of convention center/offsites/Harbor Blvd.)
- Some con facilities/panels in this hotel (gaming lounges, anime, hospitality suite, merchandise store, etc.)

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
If you're going to Hall H or PetCo Interactive Zone/pedestrian bridge, HBF is closer. I wish the parking were cheaper, but it's a pretty standard rate for Gaslamp hotels.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Berts on July 28, 2023, 10:57:22 AM
Name of Hotel: Hard Rock Hotel

Type of Room: One-bed studio

Number of Nights You Stayed: Four (Wed - Sun)

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2023

Hotel Review: The Hard Rock is the "it" hotel. Has been for a while. I've been trying to snag this hotel for over ten years now. Finally, I got it! ...and... it's during the strikes. So no celebrity sightings for me. The hotel was OK. A little dated. They don't offer free WiFi which is a head scratcher in this day and age. I'm glad I stayed here because now I can say I did it. Would I stay here again? Probably but I'm not going to sweat it if I don't. Our room had a direct view of the grassy/stage area where all the parties are held (but not the EW party, because of the strikes!). It was pretty cool to be able to watch the setup, teardown, and events happening. We managed to sneak into Fandom on Thursday and had tickets to IGN on Friday. The convenience of staying at the hotel and going to those parties was amazing.

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   Yes, there's a restaurant attached to it. Maryjane's. We didn't eat there though.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
   Yes they were. I've read stories about them being total jerks to you if you're not a celebrity but since there were no celebrities this year, maybe they mellowed out.

* Did you order room service?
   Nope.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
   I didn't use the pool or gym but I saw both of them (the pool area extensively). They're both nice.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?  How many people occupied the room during your stay?
   It was just my wife and I so the room was more than spacious enough, but it was a small room.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
   $58 big ones a day to park there. It's a little absurd but nothing too out of the ordinary considering the surrounding hotels charge the same.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
   Maybe 5-7 minutes depending on if there was a train or not. Aside from the Marriott Marquis, this is probably the closest hotel to the convention hall doors.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
   We heard a little noise from the hallway (and obviously from the parties down below) but nothing that disrupted our sleep.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?
   NOPE. Well, they HAVE it, but you have to pay for it. I think it was $25/day (or maybe $25 overall?) can't remember because I noped out.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
   No. I think they have one but I don't think it gets you anything.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
   While there were no celebrities, it did feel very cool staying here. Like you were the cream of the crop and had the exclusive spot that everyone else wanted.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
   The proximity to the convention center was amazing. The coolness factor of the hotel was great. The elevator wraps were Interview with the Vampire and the lobby wraps were Yellowjackets which were both very cool.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
   No free WiFi was a bummer. It did get a little weary being in the thick of things constantly.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Nooklin on July 30, 2023, 09:45:34 PM
Name of Hotel: Hilton Bayfront

Type of Room: 2 full-sized beds tower room facing south 20th floor Fridge and Coffee maker in room

Number of Nights You Stayed: 6 nights

Year(s) You Stayed There: First year there

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel? There were few dining options and food delivery was the best bet. There is a general market downstairs that does breakfast sandwiches that are decent, but expensive. It was over $30 for 2 sandwiches, a cup of coffee, and an oatmilk.

* How was the hotel staff?  Staff was helpful and courteous.

* Did you order room service? Did not order room service.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool. Did not use amenities as they closed by the time I got back from afterparties.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? By foot it was about 12 minutes to Hal G from my room and all the way to Hall A about 17 min.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? I could hear doors closing and people talking in the hall, but not noises from their rooms.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests? Yes with password provided by front desk

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? Yes I'm a member, but not a high enough level for perks.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above? A few celebrity sightings in the lobby area and the bar. Mostly Con professionals

What did you like about staying at this hotel?

List:
- close location to the convention center
- fast elevator
- friends staying here
- easy to meetup in lobby

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?

- couldn't set the thermostat lower than 66
- the fridge didn't get very cold and took a long time for drinks to chill
- limited food options and was a long walk to gaslamp for other options.
- Front desk doesn't answer when I called. I tried multiple times, even just to schedule a taxi.

One more thing was that a friend had random charges on his account each day that would later fall off. The front desk said those were incidental fees that can range from $2-$300/day. However, the front desk employee could not explain what the charges were for and whenever he'd ask to speak to someone that could explain it, they'd put him on hold then hang up.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: tsnyder on August 03, 2023, 08:10:26 AM
Name of Hotel: Marriott Marquis & Marina

Type of Room: 2 Queen

Number of Nights You Stayed: 6

Year(s) You Stayed There: This was our first year!

Hotel Review: This hotel has always been my number 3-4 on my list.  I have stayed at Bayfront, Omni, and Hard Rock with the Hard Rock being my favorite.  My thought process has been I needed one of those 3 and wanted to be in that location.  Will I have to say MMM was awesome and is probably my new number 1.  Room seemed to be the largest of the ones I've stayed and no weird frosted or sliding bathroom door.  Didn't notice any noise and the location was awesome.  At least once a day we ducked down the back steps from convention center and turned right for a quick walk with no crowd to our hotel.  We also spend some time in the Pinball lounge ad Video game lounge when I've never checked out before as it was right there.  We really loved this hotel and will definitely try to get it again in the future.  We bumped into Todd McFarlane and Robert Kirkman while there.

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
Yes but we didn't use any of them

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
Only talked to at check in but were very nice

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
For the first time ever I got in a pool at SDCC! granted it was Wed before PN but it was super nice.  That is about all we used.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?  How many people occupied the room during your stay?
We had 4 people in the room and bought a TON of stuff and had plenty of room.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
N/A

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
5-15 minutes to the convention center (depending on whether you were going to the Hall A or Hall H side). The MMM is close to Hall A.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
No noise issues.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)
Yes. You have to join Bonvoy, but membership is free. Free enhanced wifi for bonvoy gold and up members.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
Yes, the free wifi

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
Mentioned above but worth repeating... almost all king rooms have a sofabed, so it's easy to fit 3 people into a king room.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
- Close to convention center
- Big rooms
- Easy access to front of convention center AND back of convention center (offsite/Next Day line area)
- gaming lounges

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
Was more of a walk than we usually do meeting up with friends at night for Gaslamp.  Trade offs are worth it though
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: Wkdbriss on August 04, 2023, 11:55:08 AM
Name of Hotel: Intercontinental Hotel

Type of Room: King bedroom city view

Number of Nights You Stayed: 7

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2023

Hotel Review:

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel? There were a bunch of places to eat right around and in the hotel. We ate breakfast the first morning we were there in the hotel. It was good, but we thought $9 for a small glass of orange juice was way too much. There was a really good coffee shop and sandwich shop next door and a Starbucks downstairs. There was also a liquor/convenience store downstairs that had lots of snack options to include yogurt and healthier options.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous? The staff was great although we thought the concierge was a bit off-putting. We sat waiting forever to talk to him while he was off somewhere else and then he was just kind of condescending and like he couldn’t be bothered when we were asking about metro passes. He just wasn’t very helpful at all.

* Did you order room service? No

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them? We didn’t use any of the amenities. They had a small pool on one of the roofs.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?  How many people occupied the room during your stay? We had an enormous room! I don’t know if we just got lucky or it was due to us having IHG membership (which I signed up for when we got the room in the lottery) but they gave us a corner room. Two walls were floor to ceiling windows with views of the city and we could see the harbor and the Midway. There were only two of us in the room but we could have easily had 4 more people and still had room.

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? We didn’t drive, but I think parking was $30/day in a covered garage.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? The convention shuttle is right outside the hotel in the shade but we only used it one time. It took about 20 minutes to get to the convention. And then it was parked way over by Petco Park so we still had to walk over pretty far to get to the convention center. After that we started using the trolley. That was great because the train station was across the street and it dropped us right in front of the convention center. Then we discovered the 4-day Comic-Con pass for $16 and that was an easy sell. We used that so much while we were there. It was really useful for the parties at Parq Nightclub and getting way out to the Jurassic Park offsite, the PlayGG offsite and Patrick Ballesteros’ pre-con art sale in Little Italy. I will definitely be using that again if we’re far from the con. My husband and I are ADA so it was a life-saver.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)? We didn’t hear anything at all. We also brought a noise machine because we’re used to sleeping with a fan, but it was quiet.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  No. They either charge an amenity fee which is pretty expensive ($45/day) which includes wifi, two bottles of water, discounts at certain locations and a few other things. If you are an IHG member, you get free wifi.
* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get? Yes. We just have the basic level and it gets us free wifi and late check-out (up to 2pm). Although we asked for late check-out, the desk clerk only gave us until noon but she did say we could call down in the morning and ask for more time, we went ahead and left.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above? This was a really nice hotel and we really enjoyed staying here.

What did you like about staying at this hotel? Our room had amazing views, and the room was huge with a very comfortable bed. Also, there was an Office Depot about two blocks away which made shipping stuff home very convenient and they had cases of bottled water for $5.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel? It was about 1 mile from the convention center so it took a little while to get there. It was also a little bit on the expensive side at $330/night. Finally, I want a refrigerator that I can put stuff in but theirs is full of amenities and if you remove them, there’s a sensor that charges your room so you can’t even make space for your own food or drinks.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: MsButtaskotch on August 07, 2023, 07:29:27 PM
Name of Hotel: San Diego Mariott Mission Valley

Type of Room: One-bed

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5 (Weds – Mon)

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2023 (1at)

Hotel Review: Could have been better. The hotel is nice. The restaurant in the hotel is nice. The lobby is nice and they even had a little comic-con photobooth set up. The room was nice but the bathroom was where I had problems. I had to have them reclean the bathroom because I found stains” on the toilet seat which meant it was not thoroughly wiped/cleaned. I let them in to clean on Saturday and whatever they did ended up clogging the shower drain. I reported it to cleaning crew that morning around 10 and came back after con for the day, around 5 and it was still not fixed. They called maintenance to fix it and he basically pulled out a big hair ball and it went down. Then I called housekeeping to clean it and it took almost an hour because they had to find someone. At that point, I was over it. They finally came and cleaned the bathroom/shower and I took a shower and went to bet. Other than that, it was a very nice room and decent sized .

* Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?
   Yes, I was near a Wendy’s and a Wing place (that apparently doesn’t serve Fries, but breadsticks with their wings), a breakfast restaurant and another place.

* How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?
   Staff was decent. It was the follow up and communication.

* Did you order room service?
   Nope.

* Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?
   I didn't use the pool or gym but I saw both of them (the pool area extensively). They're both nice.

* Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?  How many people occupied the room during your stay?
  Yes, I was able to. The room was more than spacious enough..

* If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays?
   n/a.

* How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?
   By Shuttle. It was a 25 min ride.. sometimes, it felt like 30. Crowded on the purple route.

* Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?
   Didn’t hear anything.

* Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?
   Yep.

* Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?
   No. I think they have one but I can’t remember what it gets me.

* Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?
   The Monday we were leaving, the Manchester united team were staying there.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
   The proximity to tj maxx because I forgot my shoes and a wendys .and it was a quick uber ride to Target since I couldn’t make my Ralph’s Run this year due to being so far out.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?
   I had to have the bathroom recleaned upon checking in.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: MandoSaves on August 14, 2023, 10:14:09 AM
Name of Hotel: Hotel Republic

Type of Room: 1 king-sized bed

Number of Nights You Stayed: 4

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2023

Hotel dining options: There is a hotel bar that serves both food and beverages. We only had drinks, which they served cocktails and draft beer. Didn't try the food though. The other dining options near Hotel Republic are very sparse with the closest restaurant being on the same block right around the corner being the Karl Strausse Brewery. My party tried both the beers and food, which were all delicious. After this, dining options are few as this hotel is located primarily in the business district. More dining options are a few blocks away, but again, it will take some walking to get to.

Hotel staff:  Staff were friendly and were all very pleasant and inviting from the valet workers, front desk staff, security and even the restaurant workers.

Did you order room service? No room service was ordered, but when we ordered more towels, the staff delivered it within minutes.

Hotel amenities: there is a pool and gym, but we did not use these.

Room size: we fit 4 people in a 1BR king bed room. We were able to fill all of us, but the sleeping arrangement was a bit tough. We were able to fit an air mattress and still have room for our luggage.

Hotel parking: Hotel republic charges $55 per car per night for valet parking with unlimited parking privileges. They had a nice automated service of texting their valet desk to prepare my car to drive to the front and they would reply on how long it would take for the car to be retrieved. Once it was in the front, they'd send another text. This feature was very convenient.

How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot? Hotel Republic is located one mile away from the convention center. It's about a 20-30 minute walk depending on your fitness level. The SDCC shuttle did not run through this hotel, but there was a stop at the Westin Hotel which was about a 2 block walk.

Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  We had to sign up to be a Bonvoy Marriot member, which is free to sign up. After sign up, I had to sign in to use the wifi.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?
Beautiful interior that was very modern.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel? This hotel is one mile away from the convention center so it's quite the journey to and from. Would I stay here again? Only if I had to, but straight up answer is no. Otherwise, this is a fine last resort hotel if there was nothing else closer in Gaslamp.
Title: Re: Hotel Review and Feedback Thread
Post by: roam abyssma on November 08, 2023, 01:04:10 PM
Name of Hotel: Hotel Del Coronado

Type of Room:  2 Queen bed

Number of Nights You Stayed: 5

Year(s) You Stayed There: 2023

Hotel Review: This was my first time staying on Coronado and not downtown.  I usually floor slept at a friends Airbnb a few blocks into the Gaslamp on J, couldn't this year because we were a group of 4 instead of 2.  When I saw The Del on the list this year and for the discounted price it caused us to target it post the lottery when we didn’t hit any of the “big names” downtown.  I do NOT regret it in the least.  There is a ton to do at the resort and could fill a full vacation by itself (think of it as getting 2 vacations for the price of 1 when staying here).  Definitely add on at least 1 day to your trip if possible just to walk out and play on the incredible beach and catch one of the best sunsets east of Hawaii.  I am strongly considering it as my #1 choice this year in the lottery instead of the downtowners.

Were there any dining options inside or near the hotel?  The hotel has multiple bar/restaurant(s) from fancy to simple street taco’s, plus the surrounding area on Orange Ave has a bunch or restaurants to choose from.   The Babcock & Story Bar on the lower level of the resort was a great place after a long con-day to grab a quick (or relaxing cocktail) and a snack.  What’s even better, on Friday/ Saturday’s they are open until 2am for post those super late con days.

How was the hotel staff?  Were they polite and courteous?  They were all super helpful and attentive for any of my interactions.

Did you order room service?  No I did not.  It was available though if I would have been around.

Tell us about the hotel amenities, like the gym or pool.  Did you use any of them?  Great large pool complex right across the seawall from one of the best beaches in North America (and well known).  The resort has beach chairs, loungers and umbrellas for rent (not the cheapest but you are at The Del), there is a gym and a spa but I did not utilize.

Were you and your roommates able to sleep and move around in the room comfortably?  Do you think the room is smaller or larger than the same type of room in other, comparable hotels?  The main hotel is called The Victorian and is a historic hotel (been around since 1888) and is where you will be placed via on-peak reservations.  All of the rooms are a little bit different from each other.  Some are smaller, ours was quite large with 2 queen beds for 4 people.  The bathroom is on the smaller size BUT it never caused a problem.

If you drove and parked your car at the hotel, how much was the parking rate per day for overnight stays? We did not drive a car but there is parking available at $55 per day.

How long did it take you to travel to and from your hotel by shuttle, trolley, or on foot?  We used Uber/ Lyft for most of our travel to and from the convention center.  Set your drop off to the Hilton Bayfront and it was an easy in and a quick walk over to the con entrance (this is also where we went to order the return rideshare from.  It was about $15 to $18 (including tip) each way so it does add up if on a really tight budget but spread across a group, I thought it was really easy.  It typically was 30 minutes from ordering the Uber/ Lyft to drop off.  One other thing, if you so desired (and were not heading over early or back late you could take the free Coronado Island shuttle that circles the island all day to the ferry terminal and take the ferry over (very relaxing and a way to get a completely different view of the goings on).  $8 each way (per person) and it drops you off right at the backside middle of the convention center.  I loved it!

Are the walls of the room thin?  What are the noise levels in your room from outside sources (hallway or next door)?  It was very quiet around the rooms but The Dell is a huge resort with A LOT of people not attending Comic-Con just enjoying a family vacation so the resort can be on the louder side with activity.

Does the hotel have free WiFi for guests?  (Yes or No)  Yes for HHonors members

Are you a member of the hotel's rewards program?  What level do you have, and what kind of perks did you get?  Yes (HHonors).  Free wifi, couple bottles of water on arrival… pretty typical.

Is there anything else you like to mention about the hotel (i.e., celebrity sightings) or your room that isn't mentioned above?  I did not see any that I remember but a lot of celeb’s like to stay here so maybe on a normal year that would be different.  It was a fantastic place to come back to at the end of a long con day.  It just “felt” like an exhalation after all the hustle and bustle all day.  I WILL be putting it as my #1 choice in this years lottery is it is still available in the pool.

What did you like about staying at this hotel?  It’s The Hotel Del Coronado (and is what Disney based the Grand Floridian design off of).  Beautiful, relaxed, classic, every amenity wanted AND on one of the best beaches in North America.  Add on a extra day or 2 on both ends of the convention and you can have 2 vacations in 1.

Finally, what didn't you like about staying at this hotel?  It was expensive. The highest of the hotels in the lottery and Comic-Con pool.  The only way to the convention is to travel via car (your own or Uber/ Lyft/ Taxi) to the convention center.  There is no shuttle.  With the hotels on the island there is no reason Comic-Con does not add more and a shuttle.