We just took a look at the brand new TownPlace Suites San Diego Central.
In this post, we’ll take a look at the Residence Inn San Diego Mission Valley.
Review: Residence Inn San Diego Mission Valley (San Diego, CA)
Editor’s Note: This article is part of my ongoing series on the state of California and its sister-series, San Diego.Â
About The Residence Inn San Diego Mission Valley (San Diego, CA)
Images: marriott.com
The Official Website: Residence Inn San Diego Mission Valley
The Marriott Bonvoy Redemption
This Residence Inn hotel is a Marriott Bonvoy Rewards Category 5 property, redeemable for the standard award rate of 35,000 points.
On the night I stayed there, the price of a 1 Bed Suite went for $179.13 USD (plus taxes and fees).
This meant my Marriott Bonvoy redemption was 0.51 CPP (standard for a Bonvoy redemption).
The Lobby And Check-In
Arriving at the hotel, I recall there were plenty of parking spaces, but those spaces were pretty tight.
Overall, the check-in was pleasant and efficient.
I was recognized for my Bonvoy status, and in this case, (believe it or not) it actually meant something.
As a Bonvoy Gold member, I was given a room upgrade from a 1 Bed Suite to a 2 Bed Suite.
The front desk (image: marriott.com)
The front desk (image: marriott.com)
The daily event calendar
The 2 Bed Suite (Upgrade)
I was given a room on the first floor, facing out of the front of the hotel.
My first thought was, “wow, this room was large”.
My next thought was, “wow, this room is a real suite with 2 separate bedrooms”.
This decor of this Residence Inn was much more “home-like” than “business-like” (as opposed to say, TownPlace Suites San Diego Central), which I’m sure is attractive to families traveling on vacation.
The room was obviously dated (with a 90’s feel), as made apparent by the carpet, bathroom tile, and bathroom countertop. But the stylings weren’t a deal breaker by any means.
The rooms were spacious, well-lit, and clean.
The Bathroom
The [only] bathroom was located inside of the master bedroom and had a sink area sperate from the shower and toilet.
This is great for allowing multiple people to get ready in the morning at the same time, but not so great for people in “bedroom 2” that have to come to the master bedroom to use the bathroom in the middle of the night.
I love the Tea Tree line of toiletries, they feel and smell great
The Bunk Bed Room
“Bedroom 2” was a small room with a window comprised of bunk beds, a chair, and a flat screen TV.
Translation? The kids love will this room.
The Living Area
Like the rest of the suite, the living area was spacious and bright.
The Kitchenette
A kitchenette is always a nice touch, and this one came with all the standard appliances: refrigerator, microwave, stovetop, dishwasher, and coffee maker.
There were also a few bags of popcorn for the kiddos.
The Swimming Pool Area
The swimming pool (image: marriott.com)
The Complimentary Breakfast
Residence Inn is one of the few Marriott brands that provides complimentary breakfast.
The complimentary breakfast spread
The seating areas for breakfast
Review: Residence Inn San Diego Mission Valley (San Diego, CA)
Overall, the Residence Inn San Diego Mission Valley is a good hotel with a great location, making for a very quick drive to Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo. However, the hotel is not walking distance to any restaurants and is located on a bluff next to a freeway.
On the night I stayed here, it was for a big family vacation to San Diego. We had several rooms, and I can tell you the kids loved the hotel (and bunk beds).
With that said, the hotel was a little older and definitely had that “lived-in” feel (see the dents on the fridge door).
Final Review: 6.75/10 – A solid hotel (with free breakfast) for a family vacation, but I wouldn’t recommend it for business or couples travel. Also, at just a 0.51 CPP, it may be better to pay with cash rather then points.
