Holiday Inn Express San Diego Sea World – Beach Area

This three-story stucco property is most certainly a hotel for budget-conscious tourists who don’t mind driving short distances to downtown and other area attractions. The modest lobby was updated in a 2012 renovation with comfy furniture in tropical blues and light browns that extend into the hallways. The handsome breakfast area shares that same color palette and has nice laminate wood floors. It’s a popular feature and gets quite crowded at peak times in the morning, when seating might be hard to find. Otherwise, it’s a relatively quiet and friendly place where most travelers should be comfortable for short stays.

The Holiday Inn Express is located on a busy road near Interstate 5 (three minutes away by car) and Mission Bay. It’s mostly a commercial area with several car dealerships, but some apartment complexes are in the immediate area. There are a couple of restaurants, a convenience store, and a bus stop within a short walk, but most guests will want a car to make the most of their stays. Top attractions within a 10- to 15-minute drive include SeaWorld, Old Town, Balboa Park/San Diego Zoo, Mission Beach, San Diego International Airport, and the Gaslamp Quarter. 

These rooms were last renovated in 2012, and they remain clean and relatively well maintained. Each unit has colorful decor that features turquoise accent walls behind the beds, and black and turquoise carpet in square patterns. The drapes and upholstered armchairs also have light blue shades, and the other walls are white. Matching amber wood furniture includes headboards, armoires, and desks with office chairs. Nice black and white photos of tropical beach scenes are a classy touch. Despite the lighter colors, the small windows make the rooms a tad dark. The rooms are also rather small, but still offer enough space for comfort. Standard amenities are a plus, with Keurig coffeemakers, air-conditioning, microwaves, mini-fridges, 37-inch flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. The cramped bathrooms with shower/tub combos lined by tan marble are the biggest drawback. Roomy, tan granite vanities placed outside the bathrooms help ease the lack of space, however. Our room also had a musty odor, which a few past guests also have reported. Those rooms facing the busy road tend to hear the most ambient traffic noise, but it’s not a significant problem. 

Features mostly cater to tourists who don't plan on spending too much time at the hotel. The Holiday Inn Express signature free breakfast buffet includes eggs, a pancake machine, and other hot items. The heated outdoor pool is small, but it’s in a private, walled-off area with covered tables and loungers. The 24/7 fitness center is also small, with only a treadmill, elliptical machine, and stationary bicycle -- but no strength-training equipment. A coin-operated washer/dryer set is available for guests, and valet dry cleaning and laundry services are available. The hotel also has a computer for guest use and one function space that can host small meetings. Parking and Wi-Fi are both free.