My husband and I stayed for two nights at the Residence Inn, Marriott Downtown, after a beautiful cruise. We did not know this hotel, nor saw any reviews from hotel or on web sites - therefore as we have stayed at Residence Inn's by Marriott before and enjoyed the stay, we assumed it would be a nice hotel in a good location, no need for a car. We had never been to San Diego downtown and did not know about the big train station that seemed to service a lot of trains - Amtrak, commuter, tourist trolley and cargo trains - at all times, night and day. The ear plugs left beside the bed didn't really give us a clue - it was a while later and during the night - the train whistles and whatever - it was so loud and the windows were closed! We were supposedly in a quiet section of the hotel and it was right beside the train tracks! The 3:55 AM noise of whistles and rattling of box cars that got the best of me. Although I eventually did laugh, for the price of the room - we would not have stayed in such a noisy hotel. Everything about the hotel was really nice EXCEPT the noisy trains, trains, trains.

We stayed here for 2 weeks on vacation from Scotland at the end of September and were made very welcome. We had a 1 bed apt which was very clean, well maintained with furnishings showing no wear or tear.It had everything you could possibly need in the mini kitchen to make an evening meal if you wished. Monday to Thursday the hotel provides a complimentary light meal arround the pool area between 5 and 7. This changed nightly and included hamburgers with salads--or pasta --tacos---baked potatoes all served by an extremely aimiable bunch of staff. Free wine, beer and sodas and the chance to mingle with other guests made it something to look forward to. The breakfasts too were very good--self service for quickness as many of the guests during the week are on business. Good self service laundry. Just one downside--The hotel backs on to the railway track--it is prettywell in the centre of town--so there is some earymorning noise from the trains. The Coaster and the Amtrack start blowing their horns from about 5.30 so bring earplugs if you think it will annoy you, and request a room away from the track when booking. All the other guests I spoke to were happy with the hotel, it had a very homely feel about it and the staff were excellent.

My wife and I were traveling to Chula Vista for a dog show and had more than one dog with us, as well as two teenagers (my son and my daughter). We needed to stay at a hotel which accepts pets and was close to Chula Vista - without being in Tijuana. Through the hotel's website, I booked a two bedroom suite (one room for the adults, one for the daughter, and one for the son with dogs in one room). I could've done two rooms next to each other but the teenagers don't want to share a room, much less a bed.

After a late arrival - we got started driving late - I was greeted by "we were overbooked and sold out of two bedroom suites." This meant the boys took one room and the girls another, not a totally acceptable choice but on a Friday night in the San Diego area with pets you've either booked ahead or you sleep on the beach..

The rooms are actually quite clean and well appointed, with each having a dining area, full (ish) kitchen, and a queen size bed and pullout couch. Be warned, however! They provide ear plugs for a reason. You cannot get closer to the railroad tracks without getting run over, and it's not just city trains or cross-country trains, it's both. There's only so much you can do to block out every-few-minuts train noise and horns.

The next day, we were moved to the suite (not the most convenient activity but better than the arrangement we had). The suite was equally clean with the same decor. There were two queen beds and a pullout in the common room, which was again outfitted with full kitchen.

Earplugs had to be retrieved this time from the front desk - facing away from the trains and towards the bay did not help much. The bathrooms were decent sized but the vanity in one room was large enough for two sinks (though it contained only one) and the other vanity was barely wide enough for one person (though the room had more closet space). Showers were effective and shower heads were high enough (I'm 6'1" and they usually clean my chest but not my head without ducking down). Towels were smallish but still a little soft.

The complimentary breakfast buffet was not the usual carbo-only feast, featuring not only the usual doughnut/bagel/bread/ceral choices (add pancakes to the carb side of the equation) but also had sausage patties and eggs. These were, unfortunately, almost inedible. The sausage was peppery, a little greasy, and (odd for ground meat) tough. The eggs were so over cooked it was like eating rubbery rice. I didn't try the coffee (Starbuck's was right around the corner). The toaster was a commercial run-through which is convenient, but was set to a speed that gave only a slight warming once through. There was a couple kinds of yogurt and some fresh fruit (apples, bananas, oranges) as well.

I would stay here again, though the prices were a little high, because it's close to SeaWorld and to our dog show, but I'd make it perfectly clear on the phone with them that I have specific reasons for booking the suite, not just because I want a big room, and that if their reservation center is going to overbook I would be very appreciative of them not giving away my room. The staff were mostly professional and took my tired-from-driving abuse without taking it personally.

Just returned from a two night stay at the Residence Inn San Diego Downtown. I booked this hotel using Marriott rewards points/certificates that I had gotten for applying for and using Marriott Visa. Overall I was very happy. The location was wonderful for our activities. We had a car and this hotel was within minutes of everything that we wanted to do. The train noise was not an issue for us as we had asked for a room away from the tracks. The breakfast was tasty and extra towels, linens, etc. were delivered quickly with a smile. The only warning that I have concerns the sofa bed. It was extremely uncomfortable for two children. The second night we ordered a rollaway bed that cost an additional $10.00. We have stayed at other Residence Inns that the sofa bed was not this bad. I would say be prepared to spend the extra money for a rollaway for anyone other than a small child. Given that this was our only problem, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this hotel.