Holiday Inn Express San Diego - SeaWorld Area by IHG

Great staff & Conveniently Located We were looking for a place to stay for our visit to Sea World. This property is just over a mile away & the nearby road led us right into the Sea World parking lot. We arrived early, they started cleaning our room right away & we were able to check in early. The location was near several types of restaurants. The hotel breakfast buffet was very good & varied the 2 mornings we were there. I'd stay here again in an instant!

Front desk Guy ruined my experience. Left me to wander the streets and rooms were available from 8 am until 12:35 This was my second time staying at the Sea World San Diego location in a week. The first experience was amazing with Yazmin and the others being so accommodating and helping that i canceled my other reservation at another hotel to stay a second time. We returned from our fishing trip very early and i came to the hotel to see if there was any rooms available, and that's when I met Steve. I advised him that i needed early check-in and check out as i have to be at the airport by 6:30 pm to catch a red eye flight. He was the opposite of accommodating, even though people were checking out as we were conversing he continued to say nothing was available. At 11:00 am I pointed out to hiim that a lot of the rooms that are visible from Jupiter street now have the curtains open which indicates a vacancy he still told me NONE were clean. I watched 2 other people that were the same as me and had the need for an early check- in, cancel their reservation and go to another hotel because of the delay, lack of compassion, communication and empathy. After they left he finally allowed me to get in a room at 12:35 and I checked out at 6 pm to fly home. Luckily on my way out Yasmin was there at the front desk and i briefly told her of my negative experience with her cohort and brand ambassador for the Holiday inn express.. Not sure if i will return. I value consistency and acts of service and this was not inline with any hotel i have ever visited. On the bright side the room was clean and the bed soft and the free in room coffee is a nice touch. I really just wanted a shower and a nap before going to the fish processor. Then headed to the airport but it didn't happen.

Mixed reviews Very mixed reviews. The breakfast was good. The staff was friendly. The noise level from the highway while trying to sleep was absurd. We got very little sleep due to the noise. The shades in our room would not open (even after calling the front desk 2x to be sure we were trying correctly). There were hairs that were no ours in the shower. The parking is tight. There is only one elevator and it is slow.

Clean but barking dogs! Clean hotel, but if you stay on the west end there is a dog training/daycare. Dogs bark from 5:30 am - 8:30 am. We were told at the front desk they would give us earplugs and to keep our window closed.

I regret booking this hotel! Worst part was being charged $54 a night extra to be on the top floor. I regret having chosen this hotel! My 3 night stay was prepaid thru AAA. I arrived at check in time on a week day and was told I would have to pay another $54 a night to "upgrade" to get a room on the 3rd floor! (Old hotel rooms are not as noisy if no one is above you). The cost difference online for the two double Queen rooms with and without the sofa is only about $24 a night so $45 + fees was excessive. (Plus I have never been charged more to get on the top floor and I stay in a lot of hotels). The doors to the rooms close loudly. So you hear them every time a door to a room near yours closes. They need some sort of seal to close softer and a quieter latch. The room was clean except the carpeting was filthy. Bring your slippers as my socks were filthy in just the first night. The parking spots are insufficient in # and are so narrow it is hard to get into and out of your car. There is an overflow area but it is scary as hotel is not in a very good area. You will be treated differently if you are not an IHG Member AND if you book thru a 3rd party like you cannot leave a review on their web site, you cannot get a late check out, etc. Most of the staff was nice except the one check in person, Jasmine I think. She was abrasive and condescending. I gave 2 stars as there are some nice features like the linens and pillows were nice, the toiletries were of a good quality. The bed was okay but not great. The room has a fridge and a MW. The breakfast hours were for four hours to give time for all guests to eat. I liked getting an extra hour before they closed. The omelets were premade with bell peppers which I do not like. The pancake machine was nice. Additional seating has been added to the area from the pictures online which was good as every table was occupied. They had small trays so you could take your food to your room easily.