Best Western Americana Inn

This hotel is housed in an attractive two-story building with an adobe roof -- the overall vibe here is pleasant and modern. All rooms are accessed from the outside via staircases, and guests should keep in mind that there is no elevator. The lobby is small but welcoming, featuring a large rustic chandelier, a couch, a large wooden reception desk and a business corner with computers and printers for guest use. The breakfast room is also clean and homey, with wooden tables and chairs. Don't come here expecting mid-range or upscale digs -- but among budget competitors in the area, this is one of the nicest options. It's a convenient base for cross border trips (including medical and dental tourists to Mexico) and the majority of guests are travelers with business in the area.

The hotel is situated in a commercial area of San Ysidro behind a Coco's casual dining restaurant and a Carl’s Jr. The area has a typically suburban feel, with plenty of fast food joints, budget hotels, and highways as neighbors. Some parts of San Ysidro have a dicey reputation among locals, but the immediate area is safe and most guests will be traveling in cars to the various sights in this corner of SoCal. Las Americas outlet mall is a five-minute drive from the hotel, while the border with Tijuana, Mexico, is also a five-minute drive. It's a 10-minute drive to the Sleep Train Ampitheatre for concerts and events, and 15 minutes by car to Imperial Beach. Downtown San Diego will take 20 minutes to reach by car, and San Diego International Airport is about five minutes beyond that.

Like the rest of the hotel, rooms at the Americana are immaculately clean and modern. There's plenty of space in each room and all have a pleasant, homey look characterized by dark striped carpets, light oak furniture, dark neutral fabrics,and  tan accent walls hung with earth-tone abstract art. Beds feature plush mattresses and a variety of pillows, and each room has either two queen beds or a king bed and a sofa bed. All rooms come with small flat-screen TVs with cable channels, mini-fridges, microwaves, coffeemakers, safes, ironing facilities, and individually controlled air-conditioning. Bathrooms are modern, with speckled granite countertops and shower/tub combos. Most rooms look out on the parking lot.

Adding value to a stay here, this hotel offers an ample buffet breakfast with fresh fruit, cereal, bagels, make-your-own waffles, and hard-boiled eggs. It's served in a homey dining room with a decent amount of seating. The heated outdoor pool is small, but well kept -- especially when compared to competitors. Trees tower around the perimeter, providing a bit of privacy, and there's a hot tub plus a few patio tables. The hotel's fitness room is spacious enough for a full workout, and has a decent selection of modern cardio and weight machines. There's also a coin-operated laundry room, and a computer and printer in the lobby. The hotel can arrange discounted shuttle services to the clinics over the border in Tijuana for the many guests who come here for medical tourism reasons. Outdoor parking is free, as is Wi-Fi.