The Alcala Hotel Mission Valley/Seaworld

I didn't feel safe staying here, especially while pregnant. The room was filthy, with a strong mold smell, dirty walls and floors, black mold on the shower and air-conditioning unit, and plastic covering the smoke detector. The refrigerator also didn't work. After one night, our feet and socks were black from walking on the floor. This was the worst hotel my family and I have stayed in. The staff were rude and unprofessional from the moment we arrived. At checkout, I told the front desk employee what concerned me and asked if he'd let his own family stay there. He said he'd take them somewhere else. He told us he'd contact the owner about a refund, and we were told it had been approved, but it never came through. I strongly advise people not to stay here. The conditions were unacceptable and unsafe. I swear, it felt like the hotel had been picked up from Compton and dropped into San Diego.

The people are what have made Riverleaf Inn in Mission Valley one of my favorite budget-friendly stays in San Diego. The front desk staff, manager, and housekeepers are personable and kind. After a while, they get to know you and treat you more like family than another reservation. I've stayed there several times, and the relaxed, comfortable feel is a big part of why I return. The rates are among the best I've found in San Diego for the current economy, especially given the location. Just follow the rules, since getting kicked out would make it hard to find somewhere else this affordable and welcoming. I left a negative review before, but that was about my own circumstances at the time, not the hotel. I want to take that back and give them the credit they deserve. It's a solid choice for good rates, a laid-back atmosphere, and staff who treat guests with kindness and respect.

The workers were super nice and helpful. I locked myself out a few times, and they made me a new key without any trouble. There was also a washer and dryer on site, plus a microwave for guests to use. I brought my dogs and appreciated that they had baggies for cleanup. Still, the key cards kept getting demagnetized every day, and no one ever came to service my room during the nearly week I was there. The stairwell plastic was peeling off, which seemed hazardous. There was no room light except the one by the nightstand, and the place smelled like pee from animals and people not picking up after them. It's a cheap hotel and it served its purpose, but I expected a little more lol. This place is so ghetto lol.

The accommodation is basic, so it works if all you need is somewhere to sleep while exploring Sandiego. It's in a hotel park next to a Best Western. I felt safe, the staff were great, and parking was no problem. Good value for that kind of stay.