Local Wally's Guide to San Diego

Come Stay on San Diego's Shelter and Harbor "Islands" by the Bay!

Any kid in 5th grade geography class is going to have a big problem calling these plots of land "islands" - after all, they're connected to the "mainland" by land, making them actually peninsulas. Close enough for marketing, I guess, and perfect for those of you looking for a bay view resort that's close, very close, to the airport and attractions.

Back in 1927, Shelter Island was basically a sandbar visible only at low tide. In 1934 the area was dredged to make the water deeper and the sand was used to build up what would soon be known as Shelter Island. If you're looking for a tropical hotel with water views - often for a surprisingly good rate - then head over to Shelter Island.

Closer to the airport, Harbor Island was built a few years later, again from dredging's from the bay. With a marina on one side and the bay on the other, Harbor Islands' hotels and restaurants offer first class views in an ultra convenient location. Don't let the airport close location scare you - Harbor Island is prime time San Diego.

HUMPHREY'S HALF MOON INN & SUITES

It's like The Brady Bunch Goes to Hawaii! With the tiki torches, splashing waterfalls and squawking macaws, you'll feel like you've been transported back in time to an old school Hawaiian hotel. All the things that make a great vacation hotel are here, from the sailboat views to the lush grounds to the excellent location close to the attractions. It's these things and more that makes this one of Local Wally's favorite resorts.

Let's start with the rooms. There's regular rooms and suites, some have kitchens and views vary from garden to marina to bay. More importantly some are refurbished and some are not, so call about a week ahead of your trip and request one of the newer rooms and Humphrey's will do their best to get you into one of them. The old rooms aren't bad, but the new rooms are awesome. In addition there's a finer dining restaurant that's so good it attracts locals and a bar that has live music and dancing.

LOCAL WALLY HOT TIP: If you love Beatles and 60's rock, no one in San Diego does it better than Rockola who often play at Humphrey's Backstage Bar where there's a lively dance floor. And if you happen to be in town when they perform the White Album or Abbey Road from start to finish, Beatle fans must go! These guys nail the Beatles like no one else.

The hotel is also home to Humphrey's Concerts by the Bay, a 1,400 seat outdoor venue that quintessential San Diego. The Summer Concert series attracts acts such as Ringo Starr or Diana Krall - check out the sailboats in the bay mooching a free concert. Though the shows are not included with your hotel rate, some rooms offer views of the stage and when the show is on the sound is everywhere. Music lovers will like this but those looking for a quiet hotel should pay attention to the concert schedule.

Grab a rental bicycle (first 2 hours free) and tool around the island, grab a fish taco up the street at The Brigantine's bar (Winner of the Best Fish Taco in San Diego), then relax in a tropical paradise that looks like a Maui transplant. You'll love this place, especially since rates are often downright reasonable.

PRO'S: Grab a refurbished room and this place rocks! Killer tropical setting, lively night scene in bar and with concerts
CON'S: Big crowds around the hotel on concert nights.
WALLY SAYS: I love music so I love this place! I come here with my wife for special occasions so you know it's good.

 

KONA KAI SPA & MARINA

You promised the family a tropical vacation but lately your company is going down faster than a porn star and your wallet's getting thinner than Kate Moss. You know all the big resorts and know you can't afford them but you know if you don't pull out a bay or marina view hotel all Hell's going to break loose. What's a poor working guy like you going to do? Book the Kona Kai Spa and Resort and you'll be on Fantasy Island faster than you can say "ze plane, ze plane!"

The Kona Kai remains a hidden secret of a resort. Maybe it's the location on the far side of Shelter Island, maybe it's because it doesn't have a recognizable hotel chain name in front of it, but for some reason only those in the know know that the Kona Kai is one of the better budget tropical resorts in San Diego. Situated on the marina with sweeping views of the bay, you'll get the "island" feel the moment you step on the property. Rooms are above average for a 3 star hotel, nice and clean, and pets are welcome for a $100 fee. Excellent pool as well and lush tropical landscaping, only you will know that you didn't blow the budget by staying here. Book early if you want to attend the Summer luau dinner, complete with whole pig (not the fat guy at the pool) and Humphrey's concerts are a short walk away.

PRO'S: The marina view from the back, the bay view from the front, great location!
CON'S: The landscaping is good, but not blow away tropics like its higher priced competitors.
WALLY SAYS: The same price as an inland hotel but with a water view, this is a great pick for travelers on a tight budget.

 

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BEST WESTERN ISLAND PALMS HOTEL

Talk about split personalities! The Best Western Island Palms, located next to popular Humphrey's, is half Hawaiian resort, half Mediterranean contemporary. And while the Best Western chain usually isn't associated with nice resorts, this Best Western can hold its own with some of the better family style resorts in San Diego. It's a great location, a great property, and a terrific value.

The Best Western Island Palms has three main sections. There's the Island Palms, the older section of the hotel with standard rooms and suites with full kitchen and full size refrigerator, the Casa Del Mar with standards, suites with no kitchen and two bedroom villas with kitchens, and the newest addition, the Casa Marina rooms which are standard size but feature bay or marina views. All of the rooms are done up nicely, but generally speaking Casa Del Mar is probably the best pick. There's two pools to choose from, free parking and wifi, free bike rentals for the first two hours, and a sandy beach across the street with firepits, perfect for having a San Diego beach party.

With Humphrey's concerts next door, seeing a big name show on a warm San Diego night is only a short walk away. And unlike Humphrey's which can get overrun with crowds on a big name night, you get to walk away and relax by your pool with the view of the marina when the show is over. All in all, the Best Western Island Palms Hotel delivers on its promise to provide an resort vibe vacation at a motorlodge price. A Local Wally favorite!

PRO'S: Full size fridge in some rooms, kitchenettes, right on the marina, it's the perfect family resort
CON'S: Traffic can get hairy on a big concert night at Humphrey's next door
WALLY SAYS: Good bang for your buck, your wife and kids will like it and so will your wallet!

 

THE PEARL HOTEL

I love it when someone can take something old and make it cool again. Mid-century vintage is the rage and The Pearl is a great example of how to update without removing the past. Once a pretty basic motel, The Pearl is now a hip and trendy boutique that attracts everyone from the urban chic to the family looking for a great value.

Shelter Island is one of my favorite places to stay in San Diego. I love the laid back fisherman's vibe, the boats in the marina, the smell of the ocean air. The Pearl is located off the water but close to the best of Shelter Island, making it a great destination location for your stay. The hotel itself offers more than just a clean room. Furnishings are downright cool and as hip as anything in the Gaslamp District. Bold bachelor pads, ultra cool platform beds, you're not going to mistake this for a Super 8 Motel. There's a retro coffee shop in the front and a lobby that looks straight out of an Austin Powers movie. And when the sun goes down, jump in the pool and enjoy a movie, projected on a large outside screen.

So you don't get the big tropical resort or an ocean view, but you do get a unique hotel experience that's certain to enhance your vacation stay. Come on, haven't you stayed in enough cookie-cutter hotels on your boring business trips? Stay in a place that makes you forget about checking emails and reawakens your inner spirit and sense of adventure.

PRO'S: A radically different hotel experience, the rooms are spectacular.
CON'S: Let's face it, it is basically a dressed up motel so there are no lush grounds or waterfalls.
WALLY SAYS: Super location and fun rooms, I love the mid-century upscale retro feel to this place.

 

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SHERATON SAN DIEGO HOTEL AND MARINA

You can't believe everything you read on the internet! Seriously, if you did you would be scratching this Sheraton off your list faster than a flea biting your leg. Scathing reviews of crummy rooms, nasty comments about airport noise, you would think this place is your typical airport area dump hotel. In reality the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina is a gorgeous property set right on the bay with stunning views and upscale rooms. Wait a second - really??

While it's true that the Sheraton isn't ever going to bump off some of the great tropical resorts we have around town, you can't ignore any 1,000+ room hotel that offers bay views in a convenient location. Every room has been refurbished as of Fall 2009 so there's no need to worry about being subject to big box, non HD TV (God forbid!) or peeling wallpaper. In fact, the rooms are updated and contemporary, neat and trendy. I like it! There's two towers, the main building being the Marina Tower and the adjunct building the Bay Tower. Lots of debate over which is better, but the main difference is that the Bay Tower offers larger rooms and better views but fewer amenities, while the Marina Tower is where the lobby and restaurants are and, in a way, is where all the action is. If you want peace and quiet, go with the Bay. If you want to hang in the lobby bar or sit by the big pool, go with Marina.

Despite its location right next to the airport, jet noise is typically not a problem in the rooms and even noise by the pool is tolerable. Have another mai tai and forgetaboutit! Restaurants are your typical corporate hotel food fare - good enough for breakfast but please go somewhere else for dinner. Luckily the location on Harbor Island makes it minutes from great restaurants and the main attractions.

So OK, the Sheraton isn't my top pick, but it does make my list of hotels you should consider due to the great location and the excellent views in some of the rooms. Add to that that the rooms are newly refurbished and the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina is a solid pick for both the business traveler and vacationing families.

PRO'S: Excellent location near airport, rooms newly refurbished
CON'S: Lots of business people carrying laptops is a vacation buzz killer if you're trying to forget about work
WALLY SAYS: It's way better than you might think - gorgeous pool, lush landscaping, nice rooms

 

HILTON SAN DIEGO AIRPORT HARBOR ISLAND

Don't get confused. There's the big resort Hilton on Mission Bay, the cool boutique Hilton in Gaslamp, the ultra modern Hilton next to the Convention Center, the business Hilton in Mission Valley, the ocean view Hilton in Carlsbad, and this one, the bay view Hilton on Harbor Island. Each Hilton is different and good for different reasons, and this Hilton makes the list for it's great views at affordable prices.

The Hilton Harbor Island used to be a Travelodge so set your expectations accordingly. That means the pool is good, but not eyedropping waterfall good, the rooms are clean but there's still popcorn on the ceilings, it's what you would expect from a good but not fancy hotel - sort of like a Travelodge! But what sets this place apart are the bay and downtown views - as good as it gets and for a fraction of the price at the bigger resorts. Airport noise is not an issue even though you are just minutes away and key attractions are close enough for a taxi ride if you don't plan on renting a car. There's an onsite restaurant but if I catch you eating anything but breakfast there I'm going to personally slap that fork out of your hand and send you back to my guide to do some detention homework.

The Hilton Harbor Island is the place to pick for honeymoon or anniversary, but it's perfect for families looking for a super convenient location, a room with a view at an affordable price.

PRO'S: Fantastic views of downtown and the bay, a well kept up hotel with a super nice lobby and decent rooms and pool.
CON'S: Lacks a "resort" feel - think of it as a nice hotel.
WALLY SAYS: Close to the airport and terrific views, nice to get away from the big crowds by the Convention Center.

LOOKING FOR A GOOD VALUE HOTEL?
CHECK OUT HOTEL CIRCLE AND OLD TOWN!

 

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• Conv Ctr Hilton $155
• Top Mission Bay $150
• Right on beach <$200
• Hawaii-like resort $125
• Shelter Island $99
• La Jolla $150
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