Holiday Inn Express & Suites San Diego-Sorrento Valley by IHG — Hotel in San Diego

I stayed here weeks ago and am finally writing this. A real review. Do not be deceived by some of the fake reviews on here. I predict the manager will respond to me then eventually tell me to call 1-800 Holiday Inn which is a fake attempt at correcting the sound problem.

Renovated about a year ago, this hotel feels fresh but is undeniably compact, earning it a nickname like “Microtel” or “Lilliputin Motel.” If you’re familiar with Japan’s space-efficient accommodations, you’ll feel right at home here. Everything, from parking to rooms, is noticeably smaller than standard. Even the driveway in is small and narrow.

The Micro Experience

• Parking: The lot is shared with a Jersey Mike’s and Starbucks, and the spaces are so tight they barely accommodate a Honda Accord.

• Lobby and Hallways: The lobby feels cramped, and the narrow hallways add to the claustrophobic vibe.

• Elevator: Small and showing its age with dents and scratches at the floor edge, though the walls and buttons are new.

• Ac/heat: Motel 6 style wall unit. Too hot or too cold. The new no name brand thermostat looks nice but it doesn’t work.

• Samsung TV: Not connected to local stations. You can watch 1980’s reruns from TVPlus.

• Breakfast: sausage, turkey sausage, eggs.

• Rooms: Tiny, with barely enough space for two people to pass each other. Thin walls and ceilings mean you’ll hear footsteps from above, as well as neighboring rooms’ toilets flushing, showers running, doors closing, conversations, or even snoring. Soundproofing needed please!!

The hotel cuts corners to keep costs low: • Bathroom: The toilet resembles a $40 Home Depot bargain. The generic sink faucet is stiff, requiring strength to operate, and the showerhead delivers an uneven spray. • Amenities: Between the two queen beds sits a nightstand with just one electrical outlet and two USB ports.

The Positives Despite its shortcomings, the hotel has redeeming qualities: • Cleanliness: No unpleasant odors, and everything feels fresh and renovated. Sheets are clean, and the standard mattresses are lump-free. • Safety: The hotel feels secure, with entry limited to the front entrance, though staffing is minimal (one or no staff at the front desk after 7 PM). • Location: Conveniently within walking distance to Qualcomm buildings and just a mile from strip malls featuring Target, diverse dining options, chain restaurants, and clean gas stations. No visible homeless anywhere.

• Parking fee: Only $10 but I could only find 1 security cam and if there’s only 1 employee working at night, well…

Conclusion: This hotel is a micro budget motel. In five years, don’t be surprised if it’s sold off to the Motel 6 chain. There are other hotels within 1/2 mile. Next time, I would pay more to stay at someplace else so I wouldn’t have that feeling of living in a cheapo place. It was a letdown when compared to other Holiday...

My family and I stayed here in separate units (2nd floor and 4th floor) for 5 nights in July 2022.

THE CONS: -Part of the hotel was under construction for most of our stay; we could hear hammering sounds during the day and construction workers used the elevators to haul barrels full of debris up and down the floors. -Only one ice machine (out of four) was working. No signs were put up to indicate this, and guests had to use the elevator to travel down to the first floor if they wanted ice. -The electrical circuit for both the pancake machine and the toaster tripped during breakfast, rendering both machines unusable. No signs were put up and no staff was there to advise the guests. Eventually the staff stretched a power cord directly across an emergency exit door, blocking access. -Black sludge backed up in the bathroom sink in my family's room one evening. -The closest parking lot has very narrow spaces and guests cram their cars in tightly; beware of door dings (or having to squeeze in and out of your car). -There are no active fans in the bathroom and the mirrors fog up quickly. -There are no shade umbrellas at the pool. -They give you a tiny bar of hand soap, and no paper pad or pens are in the rooms. -The handset didn't work on the in-room telephone, and all the preset buttons (housekeeping, front desk, etc.) had an immediate busy signal. When I finally got a call through to the front desk, the line kept ringing on speakerphone throughout the entire call (over my conversation). -The scrambled eggs were greenish-grey one morning for breakfast. -Guests were confusing the trash cans / recycle bins / towel bins at the pool. -The room furniture was nicked, scuffed and worn. -The bed comforter was thin.

THE PROS: -You get free parking, free WiFi and free breakfast. -The front desk and housekeeping staff are very friendly and help out whenever they can. -The rooms are a decent size, and include microwaves, refrigerators, hair driers and blackout curtains. -The pool is clean and has plenty of chairs. -The mattress and pillows were comfortable. -There is a less-crowded free parking lot not too far from the hotel. -There is a Starbucks directly across from the...

My family and I found this hotel out of sheer luck. Everything was booked solid in San Diego and we decided to take a chance with this Holiday Inn. We did not regret our choice. This hotel is situated in a very nice business area just outside of San Diego (right where the 5 & 805 Split). It was quite and totally empty in terms of traffic and everyday business. That was a very welcomed aspect as San Diego and La Jolla can get really crowded with traffic especially on a weekend. Here is a list of pros and cons that we found:

Pro's:

-Great quite location

-Late breakfast (ends at 12 noon)

-12 noon checkout instead of 1100 am

-Plenty of parking with no additional charge

-Pool, Jacuzzi and small workout room; small but nice

-Minutes away from La Jolla, Old Town and Downtown

-Great Freeway Location

-Rooms were comfy and had plenty of space for three adults and a teen

-Great Television/Cable channel lineup; had Disney, CN etc.

-Chili's Restaurant located literally outside the door

-Free hot breakfast is a great value if you are looking to save some money; great selection and the very nice, spacious dining area.

Con's:

-WiFi signal was very weak; dropped every so often and was really slow (stayed on third floor)

-bathroom could use an additional towel rack or something to hang you clothes on; only sink counter top which could get wet

-Had to pay $10.00 for extra person even though the room fits five (four in our party)

-Pool area could get a little noisy if you are facing that direction

-Add lactose free milk to the breakfast selection please

Overall, a great choice that just far enough away from the hustle and bustle of SD traffic and tourism but minutes away from all the major attractions. I would definitely recommend this place and would stay here again. BTW, CeCe at the front desk was totally awesome and helpful when it came to check in and recommending Filipino places to eat...