Review of the Holiday Inn San Diego Bayside

The hotel recently underwent a renovation and the results are pleasant, light-filled contemporary rooms with the usual amenities, including mini-fridges, cable TV, wireless Internet, and movies and video games on demand. There are a few suites and some rooms have wet bars. The bathrooms are clean and modern, with ample towels and excellent water pressure. Families traveling with small children can reserve rooms with a children's alcove, complete with bunk beds. The hotel has two sections, one is a traditional two-story motel; the second has multiple stories with an elevator. Parking is free, but getting your luggage from the car to some rooms can be a schlep. The hotel is only about a mile from the airport, and there is free shuttle service. However, proximity to the airport has its price; those take-offs and landings are noisy. The hotel has a fairly standard check-out time of noon, but check-in isn't until 4 p.m., which---depending on your arrival time---can be downright irritating. There is a pool, jacuzzi, a pool table and a nine-hole putting green. The hotel is well located for business travelers and the hotel business center has computer, fax and printing capabilities. Service in the hotel is professional. However, the restaurant is ordinary and the service is uneven.

San Diego is a surprisingly affordable city. The concierge desk at the hotel is a good source of information about discount packages for local attractions.Tour buses stop at the hotel, but most visitors prefer the flexibility of a car, especially if exploring some of the great outdoor activities in the surrounding area. Of course, San Diego has a great deal to offer within the city limits. Balboa Park is truly a marvel, with a staggering concentration of cultural, entertainment and dining options and the added attraction of the San Diego Zoo. Neighboring Hillcrest is a terrific place to people-watch and shop. Old Town and the Gaslamp District offer great charm, history, shopping and dining. Local freebie newspapers and websites are a great place to score discount coupons for everything from restaurant and nightclubs to special rates on fishing expeditions. The hotel has complimentary beach cruiser bikes, so don't miss the opportunity to pedal by some spectacular expanses of waterfront scenery. Check the hotel website for special promotions and packages.

For more than 50 years, Holiday Inns have offered travelers affordable, predictable accommodations in some of the most sought-after vacation spots and business centers in the United States. The Holiday Inn San Diego Bayside is no exception. The hotel location is central to most of the major tourist attractions in San Diego, and its proximity to freeways makes it a snap to travel north to La Jolla, Del Mar and Torrey Pines or south to the Mexican border. The hotel staff is courteous, helpful and truly seem to have a soft spot for vacationing families. You can trust their recommendations for everything from kid-friendly cheap eats to the best bike and hiking trails in the San Diego area. The pool facilities are surprisingly nice for a hotel chain, with poolside activities like table tennis and shuffleboard for the kids to burn off energy. Food and beverages can be ordered at the pool. And a special note, kids younger than 12 eat for free if they are accompanied by an adult, and seniors get a 10 percent discount.