Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

The hotel was great, with a nice spot by the water and good amenities on site. I wish I’d tried the Top Golf simulator. The whole staff was courteous, and Berkeley with valet was kind and helpful. At the front desk, Daniela and Carlos were excellent. Daniela kindly showed us the M Club, a nice extra for a work trip with my wife and infant son. Carlos also gave us a small credit for the Wi-Fi trouble, which I appreciated.

The bed was comfortable, the shower was nice, and the view was decent. Our room was on the 12th floor, at the very point of the building, and its odd shape, concrete pillar, and small size made it feel cramped. It did have two balconies, one at each end. The bathroom had little counter space, so a couple of hooks for a toiletries bag and more than one towel bar for a couple would have helped. The elevators were super fast. A very nice property overall, and well located for the bay and San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter.

They had us leave the pool at 1 p.m. on our second day of three because of a private event. Nobody had mentioned the huge convention or the pool closure when I booked directly with the hotel. It was so inconvenient, and we were made to feel like aliens being told to get out. Everything here is pricey, too. I’ll never stay again, and I’m questioning whether I’ll use Marriott again. San Diego is a beautiful city.

The pool felt like a tropical getaway, and the location was excellent, close enough to walk to the Gas Lamp district, Seaport Village, and the Marina. Coronado was a quick drive or ferry ride away, and the airport was less than ten minutes away. I came for business, but I’d return for pleasure. I stayed three nights for a conference and had a lovely time. The staff were warm and welcoming, and they handled the big conference check-in efficiently. My King North Tower room was immaculate and quiet, with harbor and Coronado views at sunrise and sunset. The air was wonderful for my asthma and sensitivity to mold and chemicals, the best I’d breathed in a long time. The bed was very comfortable, the blackout drapes were great, and I slept amazingly well. I have Celiac, and the on-site restaurant food was expensive and limited, but there was plenty of great food nearby. Conference meals had tasty gluten-free options every day.