Howard Johnson Inn San Diego State University Area

This place deserves more credit. The room was clean, really nice, and had an amazing bed. Lina at the front desk made a big difference. She was upbeat and encouraging, and went out of her way to get me the quiet room I'd asked for. I travel through this area often for work and will definitely stay again. The facilities are part of the reason, but Lina is a big part too. Her employer should appreciate her.

The rooms are on the small side, though that didn't bother me personally. I visited in summer and the AC never got cold, and cleaning seemed limited to the easy-to-reach spots. The floor behind furniture and along the wall was pretty gross. For the price, I wanted stronger AC and a more thorough clean. It was okay otherwise.

I only spent about an hour here, from 9:30 to 10:30pm, while helping a friend check in, so I can't speak to a full stay. The place was quiet, with nobody hanging around outside or riding a bike. That stood out to me because I've seen plenty of lower-priced hotels where drug users and dealers are obvious from the people loitering outside. I didn't see that here. My friend had no credit card for the room, so I used mine, and he paid the $150 deposit in cash. I thought that was a pretty high deposit. The woman working there said it could be paid in cash or by card. The room was clean and had no odd smells, which also isn't something I take for granted at cheaper hotels. It was a little crowded, and my friend was disappointed there wasn't an iron, but I got one from the office where he checked in. Seems like an okay budget option if you have a car. There's not much within walking distance, unless you're visiting San Diego State University, which you can reach on foot. Enjoy!

I cancelled the rest of my booking because the room was that bad. The first one I was assigned had ripped linens and marks on the comforter, and the replacement wasn't much better. There was a weed smell and loud people around. Save yourself some trouble and stay elsewhere, even if it costs a little more. At least you'll have a chance at decent rest.