Hotel Review: Staybridge Suites San Diego

When we decided to spend three glorious weeks in San Diego (aka My Happy Place) to hang out at the beaches, we had to find a good place to crash. Being ON the beachfront wasn't an option because of our self-imposed budget, so we found a great option with Staybridge Suites San Diego in Sorrento Mesa.

Our Thoughts on Staybridge Suites in San Diego

UPDATE: Before I share my review on this hotel, it's important to state that this property is now called Sonesta ES Suites San Diego-Sorrento Mesa after IHG defaulted on their payments. My thoughts are based on this hotel before the brand changed hands.

The Location: 8/10

There are three Staybridge Suites properties in the San Diego vicinity but Donetta and I chose the location at 6639 Mira Mesa Boulevard. This was due to the customer ratings on Google, the proximity to the beaches we wanted to enjoy, and the daily rates.

The location was perfect for us as it was close to many popular beaches including Mission Beach, La Jolla Cove, and Point Loma, but it was also down the street from my favorite brewery, Ballast Point Miramar. There are plenty of restaurants and breweries in the area and overall it's safe and quiet.

The Property: 5/10

I hate to say it, but the property itself outside wasn't the best. It wasn't very clean and parking was a nightmare if you didn't get to the hotel earlier in the day. There's also a large carwash by the front of the building and if your room faces it like ours did, you'll have to listen to those damn vacuums until it closes. Additionally there was a lot of trash and junk by the dumpsters. But the family of raccoons was a treat.

The Lobby: 8/10

Inside the lobby and main area it was very nice and clean. There is a nice seating area and breakfast bar and the food served every morning was delicious -- including breakfast sandwiches and burritos. The coffee was always hot and fresh as well.

The Staff: 10/10

Every person that worked at Staybridge Suites San Diego was awesome, especially the manager Donald. He was great to visit with and gave us some fantastic recommendations for restaurants and entertainment.

The Room: 8/10

The room we stayed in was a Studio Suite so it wasn't as spacious as some places we've stayed in. However it was very clean and updated and have a good vibe to it. We loved having a fully equipped kitchen to make our keto meals and the couch and bed were comfortable.

I would've given this room a 10 rating but the car wash and noise from the gas station took it down a couple notches.

The Courtyard and Pool: 7/10

If you're looking for a place to hang out and chill, the courtyard out back was mostly peaceful and relaxing. You'll experience some incredible aircraft displays from the USMC (and they can be loud) so that was fun. There's a lovely fire pit and plenty of outdoor seating to have your adult beverage or evening smoke. ; )

The swimming pool was nice but a bit small. If you're looking for a quick dip this will be no problem but if you're wanting to train like Michael Phelps, you are SOL. They also offer a basketball court and BBQ grills.

The Price: 9/10

Thanks to the generosity of their sales manager and due to the length of our stay of three weeks, we were able to get a smoking deal on our room rates. It was less than $100 per night but we were also there in the off-season during the pandemic.

Right now I'd assume these rates have doubled or tripled ... so yea for us!

The Final Score: 7.8

This rating for our Staybridge Suites San Diego review is based on what we experienced with this hotel at the time. Since it's now Sonesta ES Suites and they've apparently invested in improvements, the score could be higher. Despite this fact, we would stay in this location again as long as we could afford their rates.