Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Central

Sheila made sure we had what we needed without me having to ask. We arrived pretty late, just me and my two girls, traveling from out of town for a cheer competition. She saw that our group needed two beds and upgraded us to a room with them. She also comped the parking because I had requested two beds and that hadn’t been arranged. That kind, thoughtful service is why this stay reminded me why I always choose Marriott. Sheila anticipated our needs and was top-notch. The stay was quiet and comfortable, and close to anything we might need in San Diego.

The staff were all helpful and understanding, and they took care of a few things because of the inconvenience. Gabriel eventually resolved the internet issue, though it took four of our six days. I’m pretty sure it was old equipment in our room, since it didn’t seem to affect the whole hotel. Nobody seemed short on effort or care. I’d stay here again, hoping the quality is a little higher next time. We picked this Courtyard for its location near Rady's Children Hospital, where my daughter was having surgery. It’s a straight drive down one road, close to several freeways, and the complimentary Tesla and EV chargers were very helpful. We got a “suite” for the extra space, and the setup was good. There were some cleanliness and upkeep problems. The floor and ottomans had stains, and the fitted sheets wouldn’t stay on because the elastic wasn’t strong enough to hold the mattress corners. The internet was a major problem for streaming on the TVs and using my laptop for work. Standard service was 8mbps down and 11mbps up, the slowest I’ve had anywhere. You could pay for a faster option of about 65mbps, which still wasn’t worth the extra charge. The TV service shouldn’t have been affected by those speed tiers. After a full day at the hospital, I just wanted to relax and watch my shows without commercials, but the connection couldn’t run Netflix. Honestly, this could be a great hotel, but it doesn’t feel maintained as well as it should be. It seems like things are being overlooked, maybe because they’re not as busy. I don’t think this is an employee issue. It feels more like decisions by management about what to maintain and offer.

The room was nice and the location convenient, but the extra charges and the stay itself left me angry. The hotel was nearly empty, yet I had to pay for parking and mystery fees. Toilet paper was thinner than the public’s patience with CEOs, politicians, and billionaires. Every few hours the bathroom smelled like sewage, so I kept the doors shut and bought a candle. The elevator was slow and had a musty gym smell. They also weren’t good at tracking packages. If something important is being delivered, be at the desk when it arrives or it could be “misplaced.” It feels like businesses mistreat customers, then try to squeeze every penny from whoever is left. I miss when companies kept their word and cared about doing good business. No wonder big companies are collapsing. Fake sales and sneaky fees to make profits look better aren’t sustainable. They need to remember customers are the heart of their cash flow. I’d recommend a friend’s couch before wasting your hard-earned money here.

The views are solid for a short stay. There’s a gym and pool, but breakfast isn’t included. If you’re traveling without a car, getting around may be inconvenient since most places are within driving distance.