The Beach Cottages — Hotel in San Diego

I have mixed feelings on the Beach Cottages.

Pros: The front desk staff is great. Their texting system made it easy to communicate during check in, etc.

The location can't be beat - steps away from the boardwalk and beach.

Cons: The "West Wing" of the hotel is titled correctly - as it's chaotic, loud, not well-run and a confusingly mean, and if you stick around long enough, you'll see crazy stuff you never thought you'd see.

Room 244 must be the Lincoln Bedroom of the West Wing - all the amenities. Not only is it positioned right above the outdoor maintenance workshop, the maids closet is literally right outside the door to 244 (like two feet). If the maids keep it open (and they do - all day), you'll likely be at least moderately challenged in getting in and out of this luxurious room. When we checked in Sunday, there was a maintenance guy in the room directly across from us grinding metal bathroom rails for most of the day - until at least 5pm. That was nice. Down below our balcony was the tranquil sounds of the outdoor maintenance workshop. Luckily, the sounds of the maids banging around right outside our door, and the thin ceilings always let us know the precise location of the guests in the room above us.

After escaping our room as quickly as possible and spending Sunday at the beach (3/22), we came back to shower. We couldn't turn the shower on. I almost yanked the faucet out of the wall just to turn it on. So, we slept nice and sandy - always super comfy. The next morning I texted the front desk and they said to "pull harder." Really? So, I did, thinking I would rip the pipe out with the faucet, and it turned on. Luckily, I got the shower going, but I had to turn the shower on every time because even my 20 year old daughter didn't have the upper body strength to turn on the faucet.

On Monday night (3/22) at about 12:30am, a major, loud domestic disturbance occurred in the Beach Cottages parking lot below our balcony (hotel property). A mid-twenties couple were screaming at each other. It caused most guests in that area to awaken and come outside to the balcony. The fight (seemingly fueled by drugs and/or alcohol) was so intense between the couple that I'm still surprised that no punches were thrown. It was INSANE. But, here's the kicker - this fight went on for at LEAST 10 minutes and the Beach Cottages Security guy, with his fancy "SECURITY" jacket on, just stood by his car and watched it all, just like the guests did. For 10 minutes straight. I made eye contact with him several times, so he knew the guests were disturbed. He literally did NOTHING. Absolutely nothing. Didn't even move - just watched like we did. The guy has ONE job, and he had no interest in doing it.

On Tuesday morning (3/23), I couldn't wait to pack up and leave. At about 8:15ish, I begin to take my things out to my car. But, when I open my room door, there's the open maid closet, a maids cart, and a maid that gives me the dirtiest look that I actually had to look down to ensure that I was wearing pants. It was a real, serious look of disdain - this wasn't just "resting witch face." That caught me so off guard. OK, maybe she's having a bad morning. Plus, who wants to be stationed in the "West Wing" - so empathy was present. I put my stuff in the car and then return to my room. As I'm walking back this same maid from a distance gives me a another mean-spirited side-eye. OK, it's no longer my imagination - this maid has some sort of beef with me. Super strange. And, BTW, to ensure that the "innocent" maids aren't accused of this, the maid I'm referring to was an African American woman who was stationed on the 2nd floor of the West Wing at 8:15am on Tuesday.

Overall, a super weird visit. Strangely enough, based on my experience, I feel overcharged. I considered calling AMEX on my way home, as I paid for room + tax on my AMEX, but decided just to put this incident behind me.

The sad thing about this is the very people who were the best (the front office staff) are the same ones who are going to see...

I recently had the pleasure of staying at The Beach Cottages, a hotel that truly stands out not only for its prime beachfront location but also for its thoughtful guest services and convenient amenities. Situated right on the beach, it offered easy access to the ocean and made for a perfect getaway for anyone looking to enjoy some time by the sea.

The hotel is priced reasonably, striking a good balance between cost and quality, which is a notable advantage for a property in such a sought-after location. One of the services I particularly appreciated was the laundry service, adding a layer of convenience to my stay, especially for longer vacations or those in need of a quick refresh of their wardrobe.

A notable perk of staying at The Beach Cottages was the proximity to a variety of dining options. With numerous eateries within walking distance, I was never short of choices for meals, ranging from casual to fine dining. This diversity in dining options added an extra layer of enjoyment to my stay, allowing me to explore different cuisines without the need for transportation.

Another aspect that stood out was their communication. The hotel uses text messages not only for reminders but also to check in on guests periodically throughout their stay. This level of engagement was something I particularly appreciated, as it made me feel well taken care of and provided a personal touch that is often missing in larger establishments.

However, it's worth noting that there was a slight misunderstanding regarding the room amenities. I was under the impression that my room would include a stove, which it did not. While this was a minor disappointment, it’s a reminder to confirm specific room features before arrival.

Despite this, my overall experience at The Beach Cottages was very positive. The hotel’s excellent location, combined with its array of convenient services and the attentive communication from the staff, made my stay enjoyable. While the absence of a stove in the room was a minor inconvenience, it was far outweighed by the positives.

The Beach Cottages is a commendable choice for anyone looking for a beachfront hotel that offers great value, convenience, and attentive service. The variety of dining options nearby and the proactive communication from the hotel staff only enhance the experience. I’m already looking forward to...

If I could give 10 stars, I would!! Book here for the views, but stay for the hospitality. We booked here on recommendations of my DIL. There were 13 of us all total, so we had different rooms, and cottages. I can’t say enough about the spectacular views from our room on the 3rd floor. The room itself was spacious, well laid out and very inviting. The beach cottages were just perfect as well. The layout again utilized as much space as possible, without feeling cramped. What really stands out for me, is my Mom is 84 years old, and needs a walker/scooter to go any distance. The elevator was down in our building 2 days after our arrival. We were in constant communication with the staff via text messaging that they initiate. My Mom was given AT NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE TO US, the exact same room that we currently had, which honestly was more of an apartment than a room, on the first floor!! We were able to also keep our room on the third floor as well!! She was able to continue to enjoy our family reunion, and stay involved with everything. She was comfortable! That meant the world to me!! Our heaters in the rooms were not working right away, yes it was chilly in December in San Diego. The front desk sent a maintenance man up immediately, to our other family’s rooms as well. Even when I couldn’t find a hair dryer, one was brought up instantly. Talk about service!! I was even able to get a shower chair to help my Mom take a shower! They think of everything!! Two portable cribs for my Granddaughters, literally everything!! Add the convenience of a Ralph’s grocery store across the street and local coffee shops and restaurants nearby, it was wonderful. You have to try the burgers at the outdoor portable grill. They are near the souvenir shop on Sundays and across, near Ralph’s on Tuesday’s! I can’t wait for our next trip to San Diego, I know exactly where we will be staying! So close and convenient to the airport, downtown, La Jolla! Go for the views, stay for the hospitality!! You won’t be...