San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter

The location is great, but this is one of the three worst Marriott properties I've stayed at. The Courtyard a few blocks away looks more modern and costs less, or you could pay a bit more to stay at the marina. The rooms feel dated, the TV is small and hard to see from bed, and there's no refrigerator unless you ask. The place has a weird smell, maybe from when it was a smoking hotel, but I can't say for sure. The mattress seemed old, there are no modern charging ports, and there's no coffee shop. The elevator is a pain: you enter the floor number in two places, and half the time it won't accept the input. It looks partly retrofitted with an LED screen, but that doesn't seem to work properly either.

I liked the front desk staff and the night view was nice. It was easy to walk to nearby places, and I'd definitely come back for a three-day weekend. I booked a room for a weekend in Dec 2025. My only wish is that the room hadn't had a smell. Maybe they could provide some room spray just in case.

Even with a long wait for the elevator after last night's concert at Petco, which was expected, staff stayed attentive and checked whether people needed anything. It showed they communicated well and cared about guests. The room and bathroom were clean, valet was quick and efficient, and scanning the QR code was convenient. Breakfast staff were friendly and attentive, and every staff member we encountered was great. Such a positive stay, definitely five stars. Thank you!

The location was perfect for walking to restaurants, bars, the convention center, and the Marina. Staff were friendly and helpful, and things generally went well. Valet parking was $69 per day. Nearby garages charge $30-$35 max for a day, but repeated in-and-out trips could add up, making valet the better option. Some spots could use attention: the room carpet needs a deep clean, and high-touch areas weren't clean. The tea and coffee box was covered in fingerprints, as was the coffee machine.