Motel 6 San Diego Airport - Harbor

The room was modern, spacious, clean, and well kept, with plenty of space for luggage and a nicely updated bathroom. The surrounding area felt safer than at some other Motel 6 places I’ve stayed, and I had no unpleasant encounters with other guests. I was a little wary after reading online reviews before booking, but the stay turned out very well. Being near the airport means you hear planes taking off and landing. That’s expected at an airport motel, and the air traffic dropped quite a bit later in the evening, so the night was fairly quiet. There was also a major construction project next door, and it was very loud at times, continuing late into the evening. Of course the motel can’t control that. I’d happily stay again and recommend it to anyone wanting a clean, modern, convenient place near the airport.

I expected a lot less after reading the earlier reviews, so I was pleasantly surprised. For around a hundred a night, this was a great stay. It’s fine for families with kids, and as a woman who often travels alone, I’d also be comfortable staying here or walking around the neighborhood by myself. The location was amazing for us. We walked to the waterfront at night and to dinner in Little Italy. There are gourmet restaurants there, plus a gas station and taco trucks a block away. The train station is a few blocks off, and the harbor activities and museums are nearby too. The tram or cable car station is a short walk, with rides for $2.50 to Old Town, the Presidio Park area, or elsewhere in the city. It was a 3 minute Uber ride to the airport for our early flight. The area felt safe. The front desk guy was polite and helpful. It’s a Motel 6, so don’t expect luxury, but the room smelled good and was clean, the bed was comfortable, the sheets were nice, and the shower had hot water and good pressure. My only real gripe was that there was no coffee maker. There’s a mini fridge but no microwave, and the room is small. You can hear planes, but not late at night, and road noise was just during the day. Great for a night or two near the airport.

For the price, this was a great value, though I wouldn’t want it to cost more. I understand people being bothered by the planes, but they’re what makes the hotel attractive. They pass really close, and it didn’t bother us. The area isn’t the best, but the hotel is right by the airport and ideally placed for the promenade. We read the reviews first and braced for the worst, but I can’t find anything negative to say about the facilities or staff. Everyone was helpful, and the light haired gentleman at the front desk was especially nice. It’s an inexpensive hotel in a central spot by San Diego Harbor.

The bed and pillows were surprisingly comfortable. The room was small but clean and had what I needed, including a little fridge. You can walk to Little Italy, and downtown is a bit farther but still walkable. Planes overhead can be noisy, but I slept fine with the AC running and my own white noise at night. There’s also a gas station next door with food, coffee, tea, snacks, and basic things you might’ve forgotten.