The Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Mission Valley is a hidden gem! I really enjoyed our stay here. It’s located in Mission Valley and at first, I confused it with the OTHER Double Tree on Hotel Circle but they are two different hotels. I say it’s a hidden gem because it really is hidden. It’s tucked away at the end of a commercial district but once you find it, it’s a great stay.
We stayed here for the San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon this past weekend. Parking for the hotel is an additional $18/day but you won’t really need a car once you’re parked here. There’s a trolley stop right across the street from the hotel and you can take it almost everywhere! Just a note if you’ve never taken the San Diego Transit system, they call it the “trolley” but it’s not really a trolley bus. It’s the name for their above ground light rail system. It’s clean, safe, efficient and easy to use.
The hotel is located at Hazard Station off the green line. The green line starts about 5 AM-ish and goes until 2 AM-ish with stops to all the major places such as Qualcomm Stadium, Old Town, Seaport Village, Convention Center, Gaslamp Quarter and Petco Park. Make sure you check their website for exact times of service. And if you take the Amtrak or Coaster train down here, you can connect from the Old Town or Santa Fe Depot, so you won’t even need to rent a car or taxi at all.
Ok back to the hotel, it’s a decent size hotel with 11 floors and everything that you would want in a mid range hotel. There’s a small gym, outdoor pool, Jacuzzi and restaurant onsite. We stayed in room 1009, which is a deluxe king bed balcony room on the Executive level. Floors 10 and 11 are the Executive floors and have key card controlled access. However, as of August 1, 2013, the hotel will no longer have an Executive Lounge. Hotel guests will be able to redeem their continental breakfast vouchers at the in house restaurant. Our friends stayed in a standard two queen room on the third floor and the only difference between their standard room and an executive floor room was the addition of a microwave, fridge and a balcony. The rooms appeared to be the same size. The rooms were very spacious and nicely appointed. The beds were great for sleeping and the sitting area was huge. The bathroom was a little tight but not bad.
My only complaint about this place (hence the four stars) is the paper thin walls. Oh man, the walls are thin and you can hear all the doors slamming shut and people talking outside. Not good. We were trying to sleep and could hear either people talking or the TV in the room next door. Was it a deal breaker? Not really but it’s worth noting if you’re a light sleeper.
Now back to the good, the restaurant onsite was very good! We only had breakfast here so I can’t review the lunch or dinner. We ordered the hot breakfast buffet and it was amazing! For $17, it comes with your standard hot and cold items but also has french toast, hot oatmeal and made to order omelettes. And coffee and juice is already included in the price of the buffet. Nice touch Double Tree. Very nice.
