Staybridge Suites Hotel Review: San Diego
It's close to the beaches and a good place for the value.
When we decided to spend three glorious weeks in San Diego (aka My Happy Place) to hang out at the beaches, we had to find a good place to crash. Being ON the beachfront wasn’t an option given our self-imposed budget, so we found a great option at Staybridge Suites San Diego in Sorrento Mesa.
Our Thoughts on Staybridge Suites in San Diego
UPDATE: Before I share my review of this hotel, it’s important to note that the property is now called Sonesta ES Suites San Diego-Sorrento Mesa after IHG defaulted on its payments. My thoughts are based on this hotel before the brand changed hands.
The Location: 8/10
There are three Staybridge Suites properties in the San Diego vicinity, but Donetta and I chose the location at 6639 Mira Mesa Boulevard. This was due to the customer ratings on Google, the proximity to the beaches we wanted to enjoy, and the daily rates.
The location was perfect for us as it was close to many popular beaches, including Mission Beach, La Jolla Cove, and Point Loma. Still, it was also down the street from my favorite brewery, Ballast Point Miramar. There are plenty of restaurants and breweries in the area, and overall, it’s safe and quiet.
The Property: 5/10
I hate to say it, but the property itself outside wasn’t the best. It wasn’t spotless, and parking was a nightmare if you didn’t get to the hotel earlier in the day. There’s also a large carwash by the front of the building, and if your room faces it, as ours did, you’ll have to listen to those damn vacuums until it closes. Additionally, there was a lot of trash and junk by the dumpsters. But the raccoon family was a treat.
The Lobby: 8/10
Inside the lobby and central area, it was very friendly and clean. There is a nice seating area and breakfast bar and the food served every morning was delicious -- including breakfast sandwiches and burritos. The coffee was always hot and fresh as well.
The Staff: 10/10
Every person who worked at Staybridge Suites San Diego was awesome, especially the manager, Donald. He was great to visit with and gave us some fantastic recommendations for restaurants and entertainment.
The Room: 8/10
The room we stayed in was a Studio Suite, so it wasn’t as spacious as some places we’ve stayed in. However, it was immaculate, updated, and had a good vibe. We loved having a fully equipped kitchen to make our meals. The couch and bed were comfortable.
I would’ve given this room a 10, but the car wash and the noise from the gas station brought it down a couple of notches.
The Courtyard and Pool: 7/10
If you’re looking for a place to hang out and chill, the courtyard out back mainly was peaceful and relaxing. You’ll experience some incredible aircraft displays from the USMC (and they can be loud), so that was fun. There’s a lovely fire pit and plenty of outdoor seating to have your adult beverage or evening smoke.
The swimming pool was nice but a bit small. If you’re looking for a quick dip, this will be no problem, but if you want to train like Michael Phelps, you are SOL. They also offer a basketball court and BBQ grills.
The Price: 9/10
Thanks to the generosity of their sales manager and the length of our three-week stay, we were able to get a smoking deal on our room rates. It was under $100 per night, though we were there in the off-season, during the pandemic.
Right now, I’d assume these rates have doubled or tripled.
The Final Score: 7.8
This rating for our Staybridge Suites San Diego review is based on our experience at the hotel at the time. Since it’s now Sonesta ES Suites and they’ve apparently invested in improvements, the score could be higher. Despite this, we would stay at this location again as long as we could afford their rates.