San Diego has an abundance of two things; sunshine and hotels. While one is free, the other can cost you big if you are not careful. In most cases if you are travelling with children you are already on a budget and are probably looking for the bang for you buck. This being the case, hotel circle is probably your best bet. There are some pros and cons so before you jump to the reservations page, take a minute to read up on both.
The best way to describe hotel circle is, Las Vegas without the casinos or lights. As you enter the San Diego area on I-8 you will find yourself immersed in a forest of 6's, suites, and Westerns. "The Circle" is perfectly situated five minutes from Sea World and ten minutes from down town. With so many choices one would wonder how you could go wrong. The down side is, you are not the first quest to choose "the circle" and won't be the last. Odds are you will find yourself to be one of thousands of people with same ideas on lodging as you. Here is how to avoid the potential pitfalls of the swirling circle of hotel deals.
1. Do your research. Find a hotel that serves a free breakfast. It is the best way to save yourself anywhere from $20 to $50 a day depending on the size of your family. Also, try to avoid places that sound "not right." "John's Jolly Suites" is probably not the jolly you are looking for. Go with big chain names.
2. Get a room with refrigerator. If you travel like us you always have an extra supply of sandwich fixins, juice, and water. You will appreciate having a cool place to store your food that doesn't say "Igloo" on the side.
3. Don't go for the cheapest rate. I know you are on a budget, we all are, but a cheap hotel room is not the way to go. Cheap can also mean "scummy." And that reflects both the clientele and the quality of the room.
4. Arrive early. Getting into town early gives you the advantage of haggling for the best room. We prefer rooms on the top floor to avoid stampeding elephants waking you at 0130.
5. Google Earth! Go online and check out the area. Look for retail centers, convenience stores, and restaurants in the area.
Our choice? La Quinta Inn San Diego Mission Valley. The rooms are always super clean, the staff is awesome, and guess what? FREE BREAKFAST! If you are not a La Quinta fan, or want other options click here for a choice of like a 100 other hotels.
Other pros of staying in hotel circle include, dozens of restaurants near by, a Target store, two grocery stores, and quick access to most of the SoCal freeways.
Good luck, and travel well!
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