Pros

  • Downtown bay-front location next to the Convention Center
  • Large, modern rooms with work desks
  • Manicured grounds and waterfront park
  • Bayside terrace has a saltwater pool and waterslide
  • Business center includes a full-service UPS store
  • Several restaurants offer a variety, from grab-and-go to upscale
  • On-site Starbucks and frozen yogurt are convenient
  • Large fitness center features modern equipment
  • Full-service spa and salon with numerous treatment rooms
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Cons

  • Most dining options are pricey
  • Some rooms face a shipyard
  • Fee for Wi-Fi
  • Fee for both valet and self-parking
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Bottom Line

At one of the more enviable locations in San Diego, the 30-story Hilton Bayfront is right on the bay, directly across the street from PETCO Park. It's connected to the San Diego Convention Center and it has its own massive event space that's frequently used for spillover from conferences. The hotel's business-friendly environment includes an on-site UPS store and 1,190 large rooms with desks that are designed to get work done. It's not all meetings and conventions though, and the hotel has a great outdoor terrace with a saltwater pool and a waterslide facing the bay. With expensive food and added fees for Wi-Fi and parking, the Hilton can end up being an costly place to stay, which may deter those who aren't in town for business. Nearby alternatives include the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, on the opposite end of the Convention Center, or the less spectacular Embassy Suites San Diego Bay, which has cheaper rates and free breakfast.

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Amenities

  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Pets Allowed
  • Pool
  • Spa

Oyster Hotel Review

Hilton San Diego Bayfront

Scene

Business-oriented highrise with functional, but bland decor

The Hilton is modern inside and out, but the hotel's functional, bland interiors don't impress as much as its manicured grounds outside do. The lobby is a wide, roundish room with huge white columns and polished floors. The front desk is the size of an airline counter and sits in front of a curving wood-paneled wall. Floor-to-ceiling windows and huge walls of illuminated panels should make for bright public spaces, but their cavernous sizes can still seem dark. Flowing sculptural ceiling decorations and tall wooden screens reminiscent of plantation shutters add some character, but the sparse big-chain furnishings lend an institutional feel. The overall ambience is busy and business-focused, as one might expect from a convention center hotel.

The hotel's own park grounds are filled with works from local artists and there's direct access from the property to bayside jogging paths in the nearby San Diego Embarcadero park. There are numerous dining options, but the prices are high for a quality that doesn't inspire, especially considering the close proximity to all the great restaurants in the nearby Gaslamp Quarter.

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Location

Right on the bay, next to the convention center

Towering over the bay, the hotel is a convenient location for events at both the adjacent San Diego Convention Center and at PETCO Park, which is just across the street. An active shipyard also neighbors the hotel making for some interesting -- if less attractive -- views on its eastern side. It's within easy walking distance of the historic Gaslamp Quarter, packed with some of San Diego's best restaurants, shopping, and nightlife. The San Diego Zoo and popular Balboa Park are just 10 minutes north into downtown by car. Expect a 15- to 20-minute drive along the bay to San Diego International Airport.

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Rooms

Desks with ample work space and views of the bay

There are 1,190 rooms in this 30-story tower, all with bright blue bedding on Hilton-brand Serenity Collection beds, as well as neutral decor with striped, lightly textured carpets. Simple, modern dark-wood furniture dominates, and some pieces have lighter-colored contrasting drawers. All rooms have ample work desks with ergonomic roller chairs and sitting areas with armchairs or lounge chairs and room leftover to spread out. All units have large vanities with plenty of space for personal belongings, and lighted mirrors. Coffeemakers and laptop-sized safes come standard, but only some suites have mini-fridges. The bathrooms have either glass walk-in showers, or standard shower/tub combos, and some suites have both showers and separate tubs.

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Features

Waterfront park, huge meeting facility, UPS store, saltwater pool, waterslide, and an on-site Starbucks

The Hilton's waterfront park stretches just over four acres, and is decorated with sculptures by local artists. There are some 60 different plants and trees along the walkways, many labeled with signs for a little fresh air education. A more manicured section of green space ringed by pergolas and patios right outside the building doubles as an outdoor venue. The hotel's ample event space includes numerous meeting rooms and two enormous pillar-free ballrooms. An on-site UPS Store doubles as a 24-hour business center, though the shipping services are only available during normal business hours.

Those in need of primping for events can have book appointments at the full-service spa and salon, which also has steam rooms and separate relaxation rooms for men and women. A large fitness center has floor-to-ceiling windows and rows of modern equipment including free weights, circuit machines, treadmills, exercise bikes, and stairclimbers. There's direct access from the hotel to biking and running paths from the grounds to the nearby San Diego Embarcadero Park. An outdoor terrace has two hot tubs, a heated saltwater pool, and a waterslide with its own small landing pool. An open-air pool bar serves snacks and hosts weekend beer tastings.

For more substantial dining, an indoor cocktail lounge stays open late and serves tacos and small plates. Vela serves coastal cuisine with wine pairings, and FOX Sports Grill does classic pub fare at inflated prices. A Starbucks and a colorful local frozen yogurt joint are on-site too. There's no way around parking fees here, but a pedestrian bridge links directly to PETCO Park and the Gaslamp Quarter for those who want to walk without having to navigate heavy traffic.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Hilton San Diego Bayfront

Scene

Business-oriented highrise with functional, but bland decor

The Hilton is modern inside and out, but the hotel's functional, bland interiors don't impress as much as its manicured grounds outside do. The lobby is a wide, roundish room with huge white columns and polished floors. The front desk is the size of an airline counter and sits in front of a curving wood-paneled wall. Floor-to-ceiling windows and huge walls of illuminated panels should make for bright public spaces, but their cavernous sizes can still seem dark. Flowing sculptural ceiling decorations and tall wooden screens reminiscent of plantation shutters add some character, but the sparse big-chain furnishings lend an institutional feel. The overall ambience is busy and business-focused, as one might expect from a convention center hotel.

The hotel's own park grounds are filled with works from local artists and there's direct access from the property to bayside jogging paths in the nearby San Diego Embarcadero park. There are numerous dining options, but the prices are high for a quality that doesn't inspire, especially considering the close proximity to all the great restaurants in the nearby Gaslamp Quarter.

See More Scene

Location

Right on the bay, next to the convention center

Towering over the bay, the hotel is a convenient location for events at both the adjacent San Diego Convention Center and at PETCO Park, which is just across the street. An active shipyard also neighbors the hotel making for some interesting -- if less attractive -- views on its eastern side. It's within easy walking distance of the historic Gaslamp Quarter, packed with some of San Diego's best restaurants, shopping, and nightlife. The San Diego Zoo and popular Balboa Park are just 10 minutes north into downtown by car. Expect a 15- to 20-minute drive along the bay to San Diego International Airport.

See More Location

Rooms

Desks with ample work space and views of the bay

There are 1,190 rooms in this 30-story tower, all with bright blue bedding on Hilton-brand Serenity Collection beds, as well as neutral decor with striped, lightly textured carpets. Simple, modern dark-wood furniture dominates, and some pieces have lighter-colored contrasting drawers. All rooms have ample work desks with ergonomic roller chairs and sitting areas with armchairs or lounge chairs and room leftover to spread out. All units have large vanities with plenty of space for personal belongings, and lighted mirrors. Coffeemakers and laptop-sized safes come standard, but only some suites have mini-fridges. The bathrooms have either glass walk-in showers, or standard shower/tub combos, and some suites have both showers and separate tubs.

See More Rooms

Features

Waterfront park, huge meeting facility, UPS store, saltwater pool, waterslide, and an on-site Starbucks

The Hilton's waterfront park stretches just over four acres, and is decorated with sculptures by local artists. There are some 60 different plants and trees along the walkways, many labeled with signs for a little fresh air education. A more manicured section of green space ringed by pergolas and patios right outside the building doubles as an outdoor venue. The hotel's ample event space includes numerous meeting rooms and two enormous pillar-free ballrooms. An on-site UPS Store doubles as a 24-hour business center, though the shipping services are only available during normal business hours.

Those in need of primping for events can have book appointments at the full-service spa and salon, which also has steam rooms and separate relaxation rooms for men and women. A large fitness center has floor-to-ceiling windows and rows of modern equipment including free weights, circuit machines, treadmills, exercise bikes, and stairclimbers. There's direct access from the hotel to biking and running paths from the grounds to the nearby San Diego Embarcadero Park. An outdoor terrace has two hot tubs, a heated saltwater pool, and a waterslide with its own small landing pool. An open-air pool bar serves snacks and hosts weekend beer tastings.

For more substantial dining, an indoor cocktail lounge stays open late and serves tacos and small plates. Vela serves coastal cuisine with wine pairings, and FOX Sports Grill does classic pub fare at inflated prices. A Starbucks and a colorful local frozen yogurt joint are on-site too. There's no way around parking fees here, but a pedestrian bridge links directly to PETCO Park and the Gaslamp Quarter for those who want to walk without having to navigate heavy traffic.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Business Center

  • Children's Pool

  • Concierge

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pets Allowed

  • Pool

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Spa

  • Supervised Kids Activities

  • Swim-Up Bar

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.