The Bristol Hotel - San Diego

I was disappointed with my stay at The Bristol Hotel in Downtown San Diego. Despite its prime location, the experience fell short in several areas. Upon arrival, I found the reception staff to be unwelcoming and disinterested, which created a negative first impression. Additionally, I was surprised to discover that valet parking was the only option available, and at a steep rate of $42 per day. The quality of the room was another major concern. It was not as clean as I had hoped, with dirty floors and a lack of basic amenities like napkins. The sound insulation was poor; I could hear even the faintest whispers from the neighboring rooms, which raised significant privacy concerns during my stay. One particularly frustrating aspect was the placement of the coffee machine. It was inconveniently located, requiring me to move it across the room to use it comfortably. While I appreciated the free coffee available in the lobby, it didn’t quite make up for these inconveniences. On a positive note, the fitness center was decent and provided a good workout space. However, overall, my experience at The Bristol Hotel did not meet my expectations. The combination of unwelcoming service, cleanliness issues, and inconvenient room design left me feeling disappointed.

2 months ago

Great location in Gaslamp. Nice room. The valet was exceptional! We arrived at 9pm and he greeted us and very personable. Valet had our car ready when we were leaving. The front desk clerk at check in did not greet us, not even a hello. Never looked up from the computer and looked like he hates his job and we were just bothering him. Hair in shower but other than that the room was clean.

2 weeks ago

I love staying at this hotel. The rooms have a lot of color, which is pretty unique for hotel rooms. It is very comfortable and quiet. They only have valet parking on site, but they are pretty quick getting your car. It's within walking distance for multiple restaurants and the downtown area.

3 weeks ago

Had such a great experience staying here. The rooms are very clean and spacious. The additional seating area coupled with the vanity/desk space were such a great addition to our room! The lobby is very nice and has complementary coffee in the mornings. Valet parking at the hotel was very expensive for $42 a night, but considering the location there are not many better options. But if you have an electric vehicle, valet charges your car for free which makes the price worth it. The hotel from the outside does look a bit outdated but the inside is quite nice. The hotel is a 15 minute walk from Little Italy which is so convenient. Our overall stay was lovely, very affordable, and perfect for a girls trip, romantic getaway, or even business.

4 months ago

The Bristol is one of our favorite hotels! The suites are spacious, clean, and well-appointed, with two TVs, two bathrooms, and a pull-out sofa bed in a separate living area. Although some reviews mention street noise, we’ve found it impressively quiet given the downtown location. It’s a perfect spot for exploring—just a block from the trolley stop and within easy walking distance to main attractions and dining options. The valet service is fast and trustworthy, and the staff is truly exceptional. While I can’t recall all of their names, every employee we’ve encountered has been incredibly knowledgeable, accommodating and attentive. They’re also helpful when unloading our car and getting bags to our room. Special thanks to Erick, Kevin and Russell (valet), and JP, Roxanne, Angeli, Darlene and Sandra at the front desk for going above and beyond. My two-year-old and I love coming here, and whether you’re staying for one night or one week, The Bristol is an excellent choice. I highly recommend it for families, couples, and solo travelers alike!

3 months ago

This isn’t our first time staying at the Bristol, and we’d gladly return.||The location is fantastic—close to the trolley, within walking distance to Gaslamp Quarter and Little Italy, and in a clean area. It’s also just one block from the 992 bus stop, which goes directly to the airport.||We booked directly through the hotel’s website and got the best rate compared to other platforms. As a bonus, we were randomly selected as “Guest of the Day” and received a room upgrade—such a nice touch!||The staff was also very helpful via email, answering all our questions before our arrival, which shows their excellent service.||We highly recommend the Bristol Hotel and look forward to staying here again!

2 months ago

Spacious rooms however very basic and there’s no desk/workstation which most people would expect. WiFi drops in and out meaning video calls/streaming is an issue. The hotel lacks any cafe/restaurant/bar not great if you don’t want to or don’t have the time to go exploring. I was there for 6 nights and on 2 mornings there was no hot water for the showers or washbasins!|I would avoid this place and look elsewhere!

2 months ago

Room had a ton of natural light and was spacious! Bed was super comfortable. Staff were super kind and accommodating. Flight landed very early and they had my room ready, which was great. Location was easily walkable to the convention center. Would highly recommend- great value for the area!

4 months ago