Marriott Vacation Club, San Diego

Large room and friendly staff

Nothing

Under no circumstances should anyone ever stay in this hotel. I am not joking when I say that I have never written a public review on the internet, but my experience here is (I am writing this from my hotel room right now) is the worst Marriott hotel experience I have ever had. For context, I've stayed in A LOT of hotels - 1,158 Marriott nights, to be exact. The shower does not have an overhead shower head (I called the front desk about it, and this is not unique to this room. None of them do). It is just a handheld "shower head" that if propped up correctly, MIGHT be tall enough for a midget or child to fit under. The "customer service" here is abominable. Basically for any request, they say "we can't do it because we are a 'timeshare property.'" I have been here for fewer than 24 hours and heard that 3 times - 1) regarding switching rooms to a king bed, when there were many available online when I looked at the Marriott website literally during check-in (the receptionist's excuse - "oh, someone must have just cancelled"...within the 30 seconds that I just asked you about it?! really?!; 2) regarding a late checkout (they said I could have a "late checkout" at 12pm. Which is standard checkout for all other Marriott properties. Platinum members usually can get a late check-out if there are rooms available - and there certainly are. Alas, they can't do it because they are a "timeshare property" - with no reason given as to why being a "timeshare property" does not allow for a normal time checkout; 3) lastly, I asked for compensation for the shower issue, and they "can't do anything because they are a 'timeshare property.'" Lastly, all of the other typical complaints apply - dark room, slight smell, no bottles of water...the list goes on. Do yourself a huge favor and stay somewhere else

The hotel is easy to access from the street, with a lift from the lobby to reception and another up to the rooms. We chose to self-park—yes, the corkscrew entrance and tight spaces are a bit daunting, but the valet assured us our Chevy Equinox would fit, and it did. The direct lift access made it well worth the $42/night, especially for safety and convenience at night. We ended up driving more than expected as Uber prices were high, so having the car was great for beach and museum trips. Check-in was friendly and efficient, with helpful, knowledgeable staff. We booked a king suite and requested a quiet room, but were told all king suites back onto the elevators. We were given the quietest available, but unfortunately the lift noise (like thunder when activated) and a constant buzzing from a nearby staff area were very noticeable. This was the only real downside, but it did affect sleep. We didn’t want to move rooms, so used earplugs for the two nights. The apartment itself is small but cleverly designed, with a layout that creates a sense of separate spaces. Soundproofing isn’t perfect—we could hear the adjoining room—but a towel under the door helped. The bathroom was beautifully renovated, with great shower pressure, good lighting, and plenty of storage (wardrobe and safe are in here). The wall-mounted amenities smelled lovely (though the body wash was empty), and towels were high quality. A soap dish and an exhaust fan would be helpful additions. The lounge area had a comfortable sofa (sofa bed), dining table, and plenty of storage. The air conditioning worked quickly and efficiently, and we didn’t need it overnight even during the heatwave. Having two TVs (bedroom and lounge) was a nice touch, though blackout curtains would improve light control. The kitchenette was a big plus for managing food allergies, with a microwave, sink, dishwasher, and coffee/tea setup. Unfortunately, the dishwasher had a very strong odor (like a fish had died in it), so we couldn’t use it and opted for disposable items instead. We reported it at checkout. Housekeeping communication was excellent—they texted while we were out (as we had the Do Not Disturb sign up), offered after-hours service, and followed up later. Much more proactive than most hotels. The indoor pool is small but a great temperature, and the hot tub was outstanding—easily the best I’ve used. Neither area smelled strongly of chlorine, and there were plenty of towels and loungers. The gym is next to the pool, and access is via reception. There’s an ATM in reception and a small shop selling snacks, drinks, and souvenirs, with charges easily added to your room. Reception appears to be cashless. We also noticed welcome flavours water and children’s activities in the lobby over the weekend. The bar and menu looked great, though we didn’t get a chance to try them. Checkout was smooth—we were granted a late 12 pm checkout, and the hotel held our bags until the evening so we could enjoy a final day out. Loading the car out front was easy, and staff were very helpful throughout. Overall, a fantastic little gem. I would definitely stay again, but next time I’d call ahead to secure a quieter room. If not for the lift noise and buzzing, it would have been a perfectly restful stay. The hot tub and excellent staff really made the experience.

Convenient location and adjacent to Jacobs Music Center.

Placed in room 1519 which has continuous elevator noise.

GREAT VIEW OF THE PLANES COMING IN AND PARTS OF DOWNTOWN. ROOM WAS COMFORTABLE AND BATHROOM CLEAN AND MODERN. GREAT FOR COUPLES. CHECK IN WAS EASY AND PLEASANT. CLOSE TO RESTAURANTS-UBER WAS EASY TO GET. VISITED DURING CHRISTMAS SO DECORATIONS WERE UP AND ADDED TO THE BEAUTY OF THE SEASON AND HOTEL.

THE BAR WAS EXPENSIVE EVEN WITH HAPPY HOUR. HAD TO LEAVE TO GET A FULL MEAL. PARKING COST IS TOO EXPENSIVE SO WE WERE DROPPED OFF. TYPICAL DOWNTOWN FACILITY AS THE PRICE FOR EVERYTHING REFLECTED.