Pros

  • Close proximity to airport with free shuttle
  • Most of the nautical-inspired rooms have pretty water views
  • Full-service marina with individual slips and water sport equipment
  • Three pools and dual, 24-hour fitness centers with cardio equipment, weightlifting equipment
  • 120,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space
  • Wi-Fi in public areas
  • Daily food credit for children 11 and under
  • On-site FedEx office
  • Inexpensive shuttle to downtown area and rental bicycles available
  • Daily social hour at Tapatini restaurant
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Cons

  • Daily in-room Wi-Fi fee
  • Mini-fridges only on request
  • Housekeeping can be spotty
  • Airport noise can be a problem
  • Outside restaurants and attractions not within walking distance
  • Pricey daily parking (standard for area)
  • Expensive food and beverages
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Bottom Line

This is a massive, upscale hotel near the marina and airport but far from the convention center, Old Town, and Gaslamp Quarter. With 1,053 rooms in two lodging towers, the property offers gorgeous waterfront views, water sports galore, three pools, and tennis courts. There is also a full-service spa and each tower has a modern fitness center. Dining options include fresh fish and steak, martinis and tapas, pub fare, and Starbucks. Business travelers will likely appreciate the business lobby, meeting spaces, and a FedEx office. Rooms feature nautical-inspired decor and many offer waterfront views. Some guests complain of minor cleanliness issues, however, and daily parking is pricey. Travelers may want to compare rates at the Hilton San Diego Airport/Harbor Island or Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Airport. 

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Amenities

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

Oyster Hotel Review

Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina

Scene

Nautical-themed hotel reflects waterfront location 

The Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina is situated beside a private marina and bay waters. Tall palms and flower-filled planters accentuate the nicely landscaped property. A scenic walkway beside the bay, and across the street, goes from one end of Harbor Island to the other end with grassy, park-like areas all around.  Rental bicycles are helpful in navigating the large property. Due to the airport proximity, many guests stay here for business, and a lobby business area, 73 meeting spaces, and a FedEx office accommodate corporate travelers. The views and water sports draw families and couples on leisure, too. 

Rooms are separated between two towers, about five minutes' walk apart, with a boat rental company and deli in between. With newer, fresher decor, and larger accommodations, the Marina Tower offers more restaurants and amenities than the Bay Tower does. It also has prettier outdoor surroundings. Guests are greeted in a broad lobby filled with natural wood and nautical touches. White walls complement comfortable deep blue upholstered seating in several conversation areas. 

All in all, this is an excellent location for airport stopovers, or for those who care most about being on the water, but it's inconvenient as a home base for sightseeing. Those overwhelmed by the Sheraton’s size may prefer staying at the Hilton San Diego Airport/Harbor Island, which only has 211 rooms. 

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Location

Waterfront location by the airport, but a 15-minute or longer drive to popular restaurant and shopping areas

The Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina is a five-minute drive from the airport, but a 15-minute or longer drive from the restaurants and shops in Old Town or the Gaslamp Quarter. There are only two restaurants on Harbor Island: Tom Ham's Lighthouse on one end (a 19-minute walk) and Island Prime on the other (an 11-minute walk). Business travelers should note that it's also a 15-minute drive to the San Diego Convention Center. Those seeking a marina, water sports, and airport proximity should be happy here, but those looking to sightsee may find the location inconvenient. However, families willing to drive may appreciate that the hotel is halfway in between Sea World (a 12-minute drive away) and Seaport village (a 10-minute drive away), though if Sea World is the primary destination it's also worth considering staying at Paradise Point. 

Comparable hotels near the convention center include Hard Rock Hotel San Diego or the Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter. 

See More Location

Rooms

Bold, nautical decor and waterfront views characterize the rooms at this enormous hotel.

Navy and deep red accents complement white and dark wood furniture in the more than 1,000 rooms. Pin-striped wallpaper in each bath accentuates white countertops, floors, and tiled tub/showers. All guest rooms include 37-inch flat screen TVs, coffeemakers and safes; some King Deluxe Rooms feature upholstered seating and coffee tables. Rooms and baths in the Bay Tower are smaller and seem less updated, so it's worth requesting a room in the Marina Tower. All beds feature pillow-top mattresses and goose down comforters/pillows. Refrigerators must be requested in advance. Some guests have complained of airport noise.

See More Rooms

Features

Outdoor activities and multiple restaurants 

Water sports abound at the marina. Activities at the Lagoon Pool include table tennis and special programming such as movies; two additional pools (one with water views) and a hot tub are available as well. There are bikes for rent and tennis courts, while pool and ping-pong tables encourage indoor fun. Two bright and airy fitness centers offer weight training, cardio and other equipment and the small spa pampers guests. Restaurants include upscale contemporary American cuisine; classic pub fare; Latin-inspired martinis and tapas; a Starbucks; and light breakfasts or cocktails in the lounge (some guests have found food and adult beverages expensive). Targeting business travelers, the hotel features 73 meeting spaces, a large business center and a FedEx office. The expansive gift shop offers accessories for water activities and snacks. There’s a daily food credit for children too.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina

Scene

Nautical-themed hotel reflects waterfront location 

The Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina is situated beside a private marina and bay waters. Tall palms and flower-filled planters accentuate the nicely landscaped property. A scenic walkway beside the bay, and across the street, goes from one end of Harbor Island to the other end with grassy, park-like areas all around.  Rental bicycles are helpful in navigating the large property. Due to the airport proximity, many guests stay here for business, and a lobby business area, 73 meeting spaces, and a FedEx office accommodate corporate travelers. The views and water sports draw families and couples on leisure, too. 

Rooms are separated between two towers, about five minutes' walk apart, with a boat rental company and deli in between. With newer, fresher decor, and larger accommodations, the Marina Tower offers more restaurants and amenities than the Bay Tower does. It also has prettier outdoor surroundings. Guests are greeted in a broad lobby filled with natural wood and nautical touches. White walls complement comfortable deep blue upholstered seating in several conversation areas. 

All in all, this is an excellent location for airport stopovers, or for those who care most about being on the water, but it's inconvenient as a home base for sightseeing. Those overwhelmed by the Sheraton’s size may prefer staying at the Hilton San Diego Airport/Harbor Island, which only has 211 rooms. 

See More Scene

Location

Waterfront location by the airport, but a 15-minute or longer drive to popular restaurant and shopping areas

The Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina is a five-minute drive from the airport, but a 15-minute or longer drive from the restaurants and shops in Old Town or the Gaslamp Quarter. There are only two restaurants on Harbor Island: Tom Ham's Lighthouse on one end (a 19-minute walk) and Island Prime on the other (an 11-minute walk). Business travelers should note that it's also a 15-minute drive to the San Diego Convention Center. Those seeking a marina, water sports, and airport proximity should be happy here, but those looking to sightsee may find the location inconvenient. However, families willing to drive may appreciate that the hotel is halfway in between Sea World (a 12-minute drive away) and Seaport village (a 10-minute drive away), though if Sea World is the primary destination it's also worth considering staying at Paradise Point. 

Comparable hotels near the convention center include Hard Rock Hotel San Diego or the Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter. 

See More Location

Rooms

Bold, nautical decor and waterfront views characterize the rooms at this enormous hotel.

Navy and deep red accents complement white and dark wood furniture in the more than 1,000 rooms. Pin-striped wallpaper in each bath accentuates white countertops, floors, and tiled tub/showers. All guest rooms include 37-inch flat screen TVs, coffeemakers and safes; some King Deluxe Rooms feature upholstered seating and coffee tables. Rooms and baths in the Bay Tower are smaller and seem less updated, so it's worth requesting a room in the Marina Tower. All beds feature pillow-top mattresses and goose down comforters/pillows. Refrigerators must be requested in advance. Some guests have complained of airport noise.

See More Rooms

Features

Outdoor activities and multiple restaurants 

Water sports abound at the marina. Activities at the Lagoon Pool include table tennis and special programming such as movies; two additional pools (one with water views) and a hot tub are available as well. There are bikes for rent and tennis courts, while pool and ping-pong tables encourage indoor fun. Two bright and airy fitness centers offer weight training, cardio and other equipment and the small spa pampers guests. Restaurants include upscale contemporary American cuisine; classic pub fare; Latin-inspired martinis and tapas; a Starbucks; and light breakfasts or cocktails in the lounge (some guests have found food and adult beverages expensive). Targeting business travelers, the hotel features 73 meeting spaces, a large business center and a FedEx office. The expansive gift shop offers accessories for water activities and snacks. There’s a daily food credit for children too.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Airport Transportation

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Business Center

  • Cabanas

  • Children's Pool

  • Concierge

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pets Allowed

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Spa

  • Supervised Kids Activities

  • Swim-Up Bar

  • Tennis Court

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.