Homewood Suites by Hilton Chula Vista-Eastlake

There’s plenty to do on site: a roughly 70-degree pool, hot tub, patio grills, a 24-hour indoor gym, and a path around the hotel where you can walk safely and watch the sunset. There are also pet stations, and the hotel welcomes pets and service animals. Let the staff know at check-in so they can assign a suitable room. Families can enjoy the grounds, and the hotel decorates for the holidays. Wednesdays bring a social gathering to meet other guests. The suites are spacious, with kitchen-style amenities for cooking, and there’s a 24-hour laundry room with plenty of washers and dryers. Parking is free, and eateries and religious establishments are within a block. Nearby freeways make it easy to reach downtown San Diego and Balboa Park. It really feels like a home away from home, whether you’re visiting family or friends, traveling for work, or dealing with renovations. The ambiance and grounds are lovely, and there’s a lot here to enjoy.

The staff were accommodating, and I was able to check in early. Breakfast was nice, and there are lots of good restaurants and bars nearby.

The room smelled strongly of dog, and there was visible pet hair on the floor and couch. I have allergies, so that was especially uncomfortable. We were worn out from a long drive and thought this was the only room available, so we didn’t go back to complain, especially after the front desk had already been so unhelpful. My husband and I had driven from Florida to California and saw Homewood Suites was one of the few places with availability. We wanted to book in person because it’s usually easier to get the military discount that way. At the desk, we were told there were no rooms, though they could offer a king suite beyond our budget. I asked about the standard king room I’d seen online, but was told there was nothing else. We left to keep looking. Later I checked online and saw availability still listed, so I booked a room there and returned. The same staff member seemed reluctant to help and asked us to wait while he checked that a room was available. He then checked us in. He asked for both my husband's ID and mine, which seemed unusual just to get a second key. We’ve never had to give all my personal information for that before.

The area felt safe and was really nice, and the rooms were impressively clean and well maintained. I did hear some noise from upstairs, and the air conditioner occasionally made flushing sounds, but those were small issues alongside the comfort and convenience of the stay. I had a great experience at Homewood Suites by Hilton Chula Vista Eastlake and would stay again or recommend it.