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  5. Reviews of Balboa Park Hotel in Downtown Little Italy

Reviews of Balboa Park Hotel in Downtown Little Italy This rating is a reflection of how the property compares to the industry standard when it comes to price, facilities and services available. It's based on a self-evaluation by the property. Use this rating to help choose your stay!

410 Elm Street, Downtown San Diego, San Diego, CA 92101, United States of America

#153 of 240 hotels in San Diego

Guests' Choice

Review Score

Based on 298 hotel reviews

7.6

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    8.1

  • Comfort

    7.9

  • Location

    8.2

  • Facilities

    7.7

  • Staff

    9.0

  • Value for money

    7.9

  • Free WiFi

    7.4

Verified guest reviews from real Bookers

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Showing 1 - 25

  • Reviewed: May 15, 2024

    9.0
    The property that meets your needs
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Full Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The AC in our room (111) didn't really give us cool air & overnight it would get really warm. The ceiling fan helped somewhat but wasn't sufficient. Two suggestions, a light under the upper cupboards to help illuminate the counter space without having the whole room lit would be very helpful & a second chair. Other than that all is good.

    Well located, cost efficient & friendly. They managed to accommodate us on a very early check in which was awesome.

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: May 7, 2024

    7.0
    Good
    • Business trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Room
    • Stayed 4 nights

    They provided a microwave oven and a coffee machine inside the rooms, but they did not provide chairs and tables, which could have been easily achievable. If we wanted to eat anything in the room, there was no place to sit. Another point was the lack of a handwashing sink in the bathroom, despite there being a large one in the room, which did not make sense. They provided numerous kitchen cabinets in the room that were useless; instead, they could have removed them and simply added one or two tables with two chairs.

    Cleanliness, great and supportive staff, location, facilities, and beautiful interior architecture of the hotel.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: May 6, 2024

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Deluxe Full Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Room newly remodeled but small/adequate. Too expensive!!

    The young man at the front desk was extremely helpful. Great location!

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: May 4, 2024

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Full Room
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Bathroom sink was very small, and hard to access. No electrical outlets in the bathroom. Coffee machine didn't work very well. Front desk is only open until 6pm.

    Very clean, good location.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: April 30, 2024

    7.0
    Not the most comfortable stay
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Walls are thin, you can hear everything going on in the hallways. The mattress was so uncomfortable and the pillows were not soft. The room and bathroom was incredibly small, I’m 7 months pregnant and had such a hard time going around the bed to go to the bathroom. Even my husband had to waddle around the bed. It was even hard to shower comfortably because the shower was small. No parking, there was also no parking garages near by. We got lucky with street parking nearby but I felt so anxious not having a safe place for my car. Also little Italy is a good 10-15 min walk away. The hotel name is a little misleading. It did not feel like the safest walk to little Italy… The good thing is we only stayed here 1 night and overall it was a clean place to sleep and shower. Next time I’m in SD I would spend that extra $50 to stay at a more comfortable hotel

    Easy check in, nice staff, cute hotel

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: April 27, 2024

    8.0
    Nice hotel close to Balboa Park.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Junior Suite
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Kitchen has basic equipment only. The solo rooms are in a separate building that can be warm, but there is AC, as well as a ceiling fan.

    Nice and clean hotel, very kind and helpful staff.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: April 27, 2024

    9.0
    Nice staff. Clean and nice hotel. Very comfortable
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The shower didn’t drain.

    Had a lot of character

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: April 24, 2024

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Deluxe Full Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    I solo traveled! So it was very cozy in there, perfect size for 1 person.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: April 23, 2024

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    No parking could be an issue for some. The rooms are small but for it makes sense considering the price.

    I really like the location of this hotel, the area is pretty quiet and right next to Balboa. Has some good options to eat as well.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: April 16, 2024

    9.0
    Because of Stephanie my stay was salvaged after the initial issue due to booking.com mess up.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Deluxe Full Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Booking.com did not communicate vital information I needed to access the property after hours!

    Stephanie at the front desk is an exceptional human! I will go again just to see her.

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: April 10, 2024

    7.0
    Great place for one night.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Full Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Room was pretty basic - not even a sink in the bathroom. Very few amenities. We just did an overnight so it met our needs.

    Location was great. And the beds were the most comfortable ever.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: April 6, 2024

    7.0
    My wife and I thought it was a good spot to stay the night, one night only it was the last-minute booking. For the price
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Full Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Small rooms

    Good location, next to the gaslamp next to little Italy. Was a perfect spot.

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: April 3, 2024

    8.0
    Cool little spot. The price is right and location is great.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Deluxe Full Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The room size was smaller than expected

    The location is great and price is good. It’s a remodeled old building so the rooms are small but nice.

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: April 3, 2024

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Stephanie was great greeting us and giving us helpful recommendations

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: April 2, 2024

    9.0
    Great stay!
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Deluxe Full Room
    • Stayed 3 nights

    Too much noise from outside my window. YOu can hear the plans and buses go by but It didn't really bother me all that much.

    The room was nicely clean and spacious for the value. Great staff and very helpful.

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: April 1, 2024

    8.0
    Good place to book. It was quiet which was enjoyable.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Full Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The placement of the restroom sink and mirror was a bit inconvenient when washing your face/ brushing your teeth.

    Great staff, clean room, aesthetically pleasing hall. It has everything you need for a stay.

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: March 24, 2024

    8.0
    Affordable local boutique-style hotel that was perfect for my stay in San Diego. I will use them again.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Junior Suite
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Not that I did not like, just a heads up. Only street parking but I never had an issue finding. No elevator, but only a few stories. If you can’t do stairs, make sure you ask for 1st floor when booking. It is only the edge of Hillcrest and Downtown neighborhoods, so it is a few blocks walking distance to walking areas. Just need to be city smart. I really liked this property and all it offered.

    Very convenient to Hillcrest, Downtown and Boba Park. Boutique feel. Nice clean updated room with kitchenette and private bath (room 228). Affordable. Friendly staff. Secure.

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: March 24, 2024

    9.0
    I would stay again if I had to visit.
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Deluxe Full Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    No electric plugs near the bed was my only inconvenience. Staff are not available all the time but, I was able to communicate through Booking messages which was convenient.

    Very friendly and helpful staff. I was able to keep my bag way past checkout and I really appreciated that I didn’t have to carry it with me everywhere I went. Location was very convenient and the price was good considering all the options. Pretty safe. Cute room. Water available at the lobby. Staff always picked the phone up and were helpful.

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: March 22, 2024

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Deluxe Full Room
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Was a bit noisy and worth noting that it is under the main flight path so bring earplugs. Bit of a walk to get anywhere

    Nice stay, comfortable room, staff were friendly

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: March 17, 2024

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Deluxe Full Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    I loved this little hotel, its an old hotel with old fashioned architecture but entirely newly renovated and decorated.

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: March 15, 2024

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Deluxe Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    No blow dryer, no a/c

    Great location close to the airport and right next to Balboa Park. Really nice, spacious, and comfortable room.

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: March 11, 2024

    9.0
    Perfect for tourists
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Deluxe Full Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    There is no elevator, so if your room is located on the upper floor, you have to climb stairs.

    Location of the hotel is great: very close to Balboa Park with its zoo and many museums. Also only a 10-20 minute walk to the city center (Gaslamp quarter etc.) with many attractions around. I found the hotel itself to be nicer than the online appearance suggested. Initially, I was a bit worried because the hotel changed names after I booked it. But on-site, I learned that another company bought the hotel and they wanted to change the name into something that matches the location better, which makes sense.

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: March 10, 2024

    9.0
    Amazing value and friendly service
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Deluxe Full Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The walls are thin, so you can hear the noise from the corridors. Little Italy is right underneath the flight path to the international airport, so expect noise from planes coming in to land after 6am and until 10pm. The room could have used a lockbox for storing valuables.

    Amazing value for the location in Little Italy. Steps away from Balboa park and half an hour walk to the shore front. Close to the airport by public transit. The room had small fridge, kitchen sink, kitchen cabinets, a TV, some shelving with a coat rack, and an attached bathroom with a shower. The bed was clean and comfortable. Great for solo or thrifty travelers. The staff was by far the most helpful and friendliest of any hotel I’d stayed at.

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: March 2, 2024

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Full Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Stephanie at the front desk was very friendly and helpful. She gave us a list of recommendations that were excellent! We really felt welcome there. It was very clean and comfortable as well as having cute decor!

    Stayed in February 2024

Showing 1 - 25

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