Pros

  • Pleasant rooms are spacious with large flat-screen TVs
  • Many rooms have balconies
  • Outdoor pool and hot tub are surrounded by concrete, but nonetheless are well-maintained
  • 24-hour fitness center has cardio machines with personal TVs
  • Shuffleboard, nine-hole putting green, and table tennis on-site
  • Kids under 12 eat free at the restaurant
  • Free airport and cruise ship terminal shuttles
  • Free bicycle rentals and free Wi-Fi
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Cons

  • Removed from most tourist destinations
  • Some rooms feel a bit dated, especially in bathrooms
  • Fee for parking
  • Some guests are woken up by reveille at the nearby naval base
  • Some rooms are in a separate building from the restaurant and pool
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Bottom Line

Split between an older building with a pool and restaurant and a newer addition with hipper decor, this Holiday Inn has a layout that's confusing for some to navigate. Although it's within walking distance of America's Cup Harbor, the hotel doesn't have the most idyllic views either, being tucked between a major boulevard and a giant parking lot. Some of the mid-range rooms have better views of the pool area. Family-friendly recreation options can be found here as well. Business travelers appreciate the property’s proximity to the airport, and the hotel offers a free shuttle.

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Amenities

  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Pool

Oyster Hotel Review

Holiday Inn San Diego-Bayside

Scene

Partially renovated chain near the naval base features modern, simple interiors

Morning reveille issuing from Point Loma Naval Base are familiar sounds at this Holiday Inn, which sits across the street from the sprawling military complex. Naval personnel mix with families and business travelers, and a boating and yachting culture is evident everywhere within walking distance of the lobby. Defying the aesthetics typically associated with chain properties, the hotel’s interior common areas are airy, modern, and serene, with the structure relying on an earth-tone palette accentuated by both bright colors and darker tones. Guests in the newer building have to walk the grounds to the original section to get to the hotel’s pool, bar, and restaurant. 

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Location

On a busy street with easy access to the airport and attractions

The Holiday Inn San Diego-Bayside is north of America's Cup Harbor and a short walk to water-related activities, including Fisherman’s Landing, which offers fishing trips and chartered boats. There are several restaurants within walking distance as well, including a seafood eatery and fast-food joint. San Diego International Airport is a five-minute drive east, and the hotel runs free 24-hour shuttle service both to the airport and cruise ship terminal. Downtown San Diego is a 15-minute drive east, or about 30 minutes by bus. SeaWorld is a 10-minute drive north, or 40 minutes to one hour by bus.

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Rooms

Standard rooms in one building, executive in another

The older Tower Building houses basic guest units and some family-friendly two-room suites, while the newer Bayside Building has the larger executive rooms and suites with a modernized design focused on floor-to-ceiling windows and custom wood shutters. All rooms have a neutral decor in beige and cream, with turquoise accents found in the artwork and desk chairs. Some Tower rooms have balconies overlooking the green space surrounding the pool, but others face a parking lot. Bay-side rooms have better views, with some facing the marina. Working desks, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers are standard, with microwaves sometimes on hand. Most bathrooms have average shower/tub combos, with the executive rooms having large tiled walk-in showers.

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Features

Outdoor games, 24-hour gym, and on-site eatery and bar

There's a substantial outdoor recreation area here beyond the usual pool and hot tub setup, with the hotel having added shuffleboard activities to the large sun deck. The property also has a nine-hole putting green and table tennis. Beach cruiser bicycles can be rented for free and come with helmets. A 24-hour fitness center has modern treadmills with personal TVs and weight-training equipment. Flexible event space includes a modern ballroom and a fifth-floor meeting room with a view of the harbor. There's no free breakfast buffet, but kids 12 and under eat free at Point Loma Cafe, which serves a mix of American and Mexican standards. The Bayside Bar has nightly drink deals and free happy hour apps, as well as outdoor seating adjacent to the pool. 

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Oyster Hotel Review

Holiday Inn San Diego-Bayside

Scene

Partially renovated chain near the naval base features modern, simple interiors

Morning reveille issuing from Point Loma Naval Base are familiar sounds at this Holiday Inn, which sits across the street from the sprawling military complex. Naval personnel mix with families and business travelers, and a boating and yachting culture is evident everywhere within walking distance of the lobby. Defying the aesthetics typically associated with chain properties, the hotel’s interior common areas are airy, modern, and serene, with the structure relying on an earth-tone palette accentuated by both bright colors and darker tones. Guests in the newer building have to walk the grounds to the original section to get to the hotel’s pool, bar, and restaurant. 

See More Scene

Location

On a busy street with easy access to the airport and attractions

The Holiday Inn San Diego-Bayside is north of America's Cup Harbor and a short walk to water-related activities, including Fisherman’s Landing, which offers fishing trips and chartered boats. There are several restaurants within walking distance as well, including a seafood eatery and fast-food joint. San Diego International Airport is a five-minute drive east, and the hotel runs free 24-hour shuttle service both to the airport and cruise ship terminal. Downtown San Diego is a 15-minute drive east, or about 30 minutes by bus. SeaWorld is a 10-minute drive north, or 40 minutes to one hour by bus.

See More Location

Rooms

Standard rooms in one building, executive in another

The older Tower Building houses basic guest units and some family-friendly two-room suites, while the newer Bayside Building has the larger executive rooms and suites with a modernized design focused on floor-to-ceiling windows and custom wood shutters. All rooms have a neutral decor in beige and cream, with turquoise accents found in the artwork and desk chairs. Some Tower rooms have balconies overlooking the green space surrounding the pool, but others face a parking lot. Bay-side rooms have better views, with some facing the marina. Working desks, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers are standard, with microwaves sometimes on hand. Most bathrooms have average shower/tub combos, with the executive rooms having large tiled walk-in showers.

See More Rooms

Features

Outdoor games, 24-hour gym, and on-site eatery and bar

There's a substantial outdoor recreation area here beyond the usual pool and hot tub setup, with the hotel having added shuffleboard activities to the large sun deck. The property also has a nine-hole putting green and table tennis. Beach cruiser bicycles can be rented for free and come with helmets. A 24-hour fitness center has modern treadmills with personal TVs and weight-training equipment. Flexible event space includes a modern ballroom and a fifth-floor meeting room with a view of the harbor. There's no free breakfast buffet, but kids 12 and under eat free at Point Loma Cafe, which serves a mix of American and Mexican standards. The Bayside Bar has nightly drink deals and free happy hour apps, as well as outdoor seating adjacent to the pool. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

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.