Holiday Inn Express La Jolla

The only issue we had was with the construction, which the hotel staff indicated should be finished in a month or so. We could hear some noise right outside of our room the first morning we were there. We also had to walk around the hotel to get to guest registration services or the breakfast area, also because of the construction (only an issue because it rained quite a bit while we were there, unusual for San Diego).
It’s a great location (2 blocks from Windansea Beach), with remodeled and very clean rooms. We could not hear anyone in the adjoining rooms, which is rare for a hotel. The breakfast is done very well with lots of options and the gentlemen that runs the breakfast keeps everything stocked and cleaned (didn’t catch his name, but he does a great job). Jared at the front desk even allowed us a late check out since we had a later flight out the day we left. All in all, would highly recommend.

For two years, there has been near non-​stop construction noise at this hotel. Today, just when I thought it couldn’t possibly get worse, they’re doing jackhammering on their pool! I can’t imagine what it would be like trying to have a nice, relaxing vacation in a place that’s so noisy and inconsiderate. Remember: Even with our doors and windows closed, we neighbors can hear the hotel’s noise FROM ACROSS THE STREET. Unless you think of the New York subway as a meditation retreat, I suggest you stay elsewhere.
5÷10÷16: They’re STILL jackhammering!
5÷23÷16: They’re back jackhammering again!

I was checked in by Rali and she was absolutely amazing. Best customer service I’ve received from any Holiday Inn employee and I am a platinum IHG member (she didn’t know this because the room was booked under my friends).
Rooms are spacious and updated, awesome location, breakfast was great. I loved this hotel.
Rali is the sweetest!

For three guys visiting friends in La Jolla, this was absolutely the best! The room was beautiful and very spacious, with a full kitchen and living area, as well as two huge (and COMFORTABLE) beds. The staff could not have been any nicer, and the heated pool and jacuzzi were great. Plus, wasn’t that crowded with guests, and free breakfast? C’mon bacon!

Pros:
Quiet
Beautiful landscaping and relaxing pool area
Great location-​easy access to beaches in La Jolla
Free parking, free wifi, and free breakfast (I loved the pancakes from the pancake machine and I usually don’t like pancakes :)
Friendly staff
Comfortable beds
Clean
Cons:
No pool towels at the pool– had to chase them down nearly everyday
Pool needed cleaned
Hot tub was full of sand
Shout out to the (50ish) gentlemen that worked in the breakfast area (I also saw him working throughout the day) he was so nice!
For the same price I would LOVE to return.

Great location, very short walk to the beach! Several restaurants and bars within walking distance or a short Über ride away. Pretty standard for a Holiday Inn Express. Rooms were very clean and free continental breakfast was good (not great) — hot scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, bagels/​cream cheese, english muffins, toast, boiled eggs, yogurt, cinnamon rolls, good coffee, juices, cereal. Free wifi.
Only complaints: There was only one person running the front desk, and they had overbooked the handicapped rooms, so the receptionist was scrounging to fit the guy in somewhere he could get to with his wheel chair. Half the hotel and the parking lot were also under construction (something I didn’t know when I booked), so parking was weird (free valet though, if you could find it lol). Surprisingly, I didn’t hear any construction noise the whole time we were there. I would stay here again, despite these things.

This is probably the best hotel for the money in La Jolla. It is a clean and comfortable place, located in a beautiful residential area of La Jolla, one long block east of Windansea Beach, which is apparently a famous surfing beach. Even though my room was near the street, I did not hear anything from the outside. The quiet hum of the cool refreshing A/​C created my own little world for a great night’s sleep. It’s unlike any other Holiday Inn Express I have ever been to, because it’s more like a boutique hotel, not just a modern box hotel. The older section of the hotel is very charming. There is a gorgeous and family friendly section around the pool area, which is surrounded by palm trees, and a peaceful little courtyard area behind the (complimentary!) breakfast room. While I was floating in the pool at night, looking up at the stars, I felt a world away from the noise and lights of the city… it was so relaxing, and truly a refreshing escape from the heat of the day. They offer free wifi, and currently also offer free valet parking while they are going through some construction (which, btw, did not affect my stay at all…). The staff is so friendly and accommodating, it’s almost like staying with friends or family, but offers more privacy than that, lol. There are plenty of cute little places to eat, drink, and shop within just a few blocks walking distance. The short walk to the beach to that view was worth every penny and every moment. I highly recommend this property, and can’t wait to come back once their new suites are finished and open! The manager Larry and his staff really go above and beyond for their guests, and I would definitely return and recommend this hotel to my family and friends.

This place was inexpensive and had free breakfast in the mornings! The desk staff was always very helpful and pointed us to a lot of things to do in La Jolla within walking distance, we had a blast. The rooms were nice and I like the court yard vibe. If you walk down the street a couple blocks it will take you to a beach (found out on our last day) I would definitely stay again.

We stayed at this place for 2 days. Overall, it wasn’t bad. I just found out that they charged another $ 60 on my credit card and they have no record of it. I find this to be troubling. I would recommend being very careful and look at your credit card statement if you stay here. Personally, we will not be staying there again. I can’t stay in a place that has shady business practices.

We had a great stay at Holiday Inn La Jolla. Everyone was so nice to us! Juanita even let my son feed the fish and recommend going to the La Jolla aquarium. The location is so nice and close to the beach. Breakfast is nice and the pool was great fun for my son. Great place to stay!

This hotel is walking distance to the beach. The heated pool and hot tub were a plus. My family had a great time swimming in the ocean then in the pool. There were many families with children. The room was ok with a big tv. The bathroom had a large shower for washing off all the beach sand. A free breakfast was served from 6:30 — 9:30am. There were cheesy eggs, bagels, cinnamon rolls, sausage, and pancakes. There was coffee and bottled water available all day in the check in room. It was a bit annoying that the parking garage was under renovation, but they offered free valet parking. I would stay here again.

The constructing taking place really puts a damper on the stay. There’s no parking so you have to valet (free) or search for street parking. The a/​c in the room is loud, but does get the job done. Breakfast was basic — bagels, cereal, etc. The jacuzzi and pool were nice. We also enjoyed the patios located on the 3^rd floor. Not sure if the people sleeping in the rooms near the patio enjoyed us being there, tho!

Clean, new shower and granite counter tops, comfortable bed, and good breakfast. They even let us check in early so we could check in before a wedding we were attending. Everyone was friendly, and around the hotel seemed mostly quiet.
We would stay here again. Thank you for great service!

We have a partnership with IHG so we get good rates at their hotel and decided to book by its proximity to the beach (1 block walk to Windandsea). We called to confirm and let them know we are checking in very late in the evening, but the lady seemed really confused. Once we checked in, a different lady couldn’t find our reservation at first because it was moved to April… WTF? We think the lady in the AM who couldn’t comprehend what we were saying did it.
It’s a hotel with a bit more character as it has smaller buildings with courtyards and is a bit older. Inside the bathroom looked like they upgraded it, but parts of the room show its age. We were on the 2^nd floor of the same building as the front desk/​breakfast area so we had to carry all our stuff up the stairs. It’s kinda a odd setup to where you open the door and we’re in a small bedroom and then there’s the bathroom, separated sink area, a open «closet» to hang your stuff and a hallway to a living room in the back with a small bar with a fridge, microwave, sink, coffeemaker. It would have been better the other way around as in the morning you can hear people coming out the hallway as the bedroom is right by the door and the living room was quiet as it was further away from a trafficked area.
Most beds feel strange when you’re used to your own, but theirs was not comfy. Very firm bed was a odd combo with very soft, no support pillows. They have 4 pillows, with 2 labeled firm and 2 labeled soft, but they were all the same soft pillows. All my pillows at home are soft, but don’t flatten to nothing so we doubled up to get our heads leveled.
It comes with free breakfast which we didn’t use for any of the days we stayed as we don’t get up early enough as it stops by 9am and I’m sure it’s pretty standard fare. Wifi is free which was a plus, but it sometimes was spotty and would drop. A nice touch is by the front desk door, they kept cold bottled water for guests during the daytime. You can get coffee/​tea and apples inside at all times. There is a complimentary valet, but street parking is pretty easy to find here, which isn’t the case in many SD neighborhoods. Check out was pretty easy and fast.
Currently they are doing construction on a newly expanded wing. Once that is open I would probably request the new building if possible if it gives newer amenities.
If you are looking for a place by the beach, this is still probably a good spot. Windandsea isn’t super crowded and is a good family beach and this neighborhood is pretty quiet but easy enough to go access busier areas.

Excellent find. Friendly staff with great recommendations. 2 blocks from beautiful beach. Pool is heated and clean. Rooms are huge with kitchens. They are expanding, which I never heard construction noise, so valet parking or street parking are the only options.

I’ve stayed at 5 different hotels in La Jolla and not to sound too much like Goldilocks, but one was too noisy, one was too snooty (and hot tub-​less), one smelled funky, and one was too expensive. Over many stays I’ve found the Holiday Inn to be just right.
First I’ll admit the place has… character. Its an odd menagerie of buildings, courtyards, etc which has a few rough edges at spots. The rooms are kinda cheerful and fun rather than the stark modern fancy look. The rooms are spacious, clean, and generally quiet. Staff has been helpful and friendly when I’ve needed them. WiFi was spotty in the past but is now stable and fast enough.
Breakfast has even improved recently — the powdered eggs are gone and real eggs are now being served. The bacon is still paper thin but for the first time I saw gravy with the biscuits.
Bottom line — a cute hotel that’s improving, growing, and always makes me happy to stay here.

Cheap, clean and good service. There was construction, so parking was not available. They provided complementary valet parking.
This place is also in a quiet part of La Jolla, you need transportation to get to Prospect, or walk for 30 min.
Only negative point was the shower, where the water sprayed on to the floor, because the shower area was only half-​blocked off.
There was a speedy check out option, so once I was ready to go, I could leave right away.

Great hotel!
The guests always have positive things to say about the stay too.
The views are amazing and the valet crew are top notch.

Overall a good place to stay at. As long as
You know what your paying for. Love the free breakfast. The hotel grounds are nice as well.

I don’t think I have ever spent so much for a Holiday Inn ($ 185/​night) but we were very satisfied, overall. Great location in La Jolla, free parking, and free breakfast. We got a 2 queen room for the four of us. The rooms and grounds were decorated very well, with plantation shutters, and probably the nicest Holiday Inn I have ever stayed in. Granite countertops and Bath and Body Works toiletries in the bathroom. The shower was very nice with stone-​looking tiles. The TV had great cable options including On Demand channels.
The breakfast was basic but decent (eggs, biscuits and gravy, hot cinnamon rolls, cereals, breads, yogurts, etc). Great place to stay, and just 5 minutes from the beaches.