The Bristol Hotel San Diego

Great location and the staff are very cool and know a lot about the area. I enjoyed the coffee machine in the lobby. I’ll definitely be back. There are a lot of food and beverage options nearby and the room was the best value in the gaslamp. I stayed at the end of March and the baseball team was playing at the stadium and it was a lot of fun downtown.

We stayed here during spring break and had a great time! The hotel was clean, close to the zoo, and within walking distance of Little Italy. However, we recommend taking a ride back at night, as there is a noticeable homeless population in the area.

This is an email I wrote to the hotel in the interests of helping them improve. I received a short, perfunctory response. “ I arrived at 2.30pm and my room wasn’t ready, (which isn’t unusual). I was told to return at 4pm. The receptionist was unsmiling, unwelcoming, and lacked any warmth. I returned at 4pm and my room wasn’t ready.I had to wait until almost 5pm, before my room was available. There was no apology, no offer of water/coffee. Your hotel knew there was a guest arriving for that particular room type, so there are no excuses why it wasn’t ready for my arrival. There is no point in your pre arrival check in, if a room isn’t ready. Security is an issue. At night, when we returned, the front desk was empty. No key card is required to enter the lobby, nor the lift. Anyone could access any floor. The room itself screams cheapness, and lack of thought. There was an ice bucket, but no glasses, one shower gown, in a room for two people, ( I asked for second one and was told it was one, per room ), a glass jar in the bathroom, containing one make up removal pad, four different coffee types, not two of each. The closet in the room just closed one half of the space, exposing either an ironing board or an iron/ice bucket. The display cabinet in the lobby was virtually empty, which isn’t a good look, but indicative of so much more. The coffee available in the lobby is just until noon. Why not all day? It would provide a reason to linger in the lobby. Your e mail system doesn’t function efficiently. I received 11 identical emails from you, re my arrival, (5 in one hour). I have never been hassled by email before to identify my precise time of leaving. I know the check out time, when I leave is when I choose. It occurs your cleaning staff is smaller than is needed, another cost cutting measure. Valet parking cost is too high. For context, I stay in hotels for vacation for approx 85 nights each year, and have written almost 500 reviews. There is so much to say about the Bristol, I barely know where to begin. I thought I would write to you directly to share my experiences.”

Convenient location to San Diego Civic Theatre and Gaslamp restaurants. Clean rooms. No frills but also no resort fee. Parking anywhere in downtown SD is expensive so $42 for valet convenience is acceptable considering other plusses. Would stay here again.

Great the only issue is parking is expensive. The rest was awesome ! Nice staff, great rooms, close to everything. Just walk to the harbor don't pay parking at the harbor. Love love love location. Cant wait to return. Again walk to sealort villiag. See you guys soon.