Wyndham Bayside vs Best Western Plus Bayside?

Question

I see a lot of recommendations to stay at the Wyndham Bayside in San Diego downtown but rarely do I come across suggestions to stay at the Best Western Plus Bayside San Diego downtown. The Best Western Bayside gets much better reviews on all of the hotel sites, such as Tripadvisor, Booking.com, Expedia, etc. and is a Lower price. Why does most everyone recommend the Wyndham Bayside Downtown? I am personally torn between the two hoping for some clarification as to why pick one over the other. Thanks in advance

Answer

Both the Wyndham Bayside and the Best Western Plus Bayside are centrally located in downtown San Diego near the waterfront, so you can easily walk to Seaport Village, the USS Midway, and the Gaslamp Quarter from either hotel. The main differences come down to brand, amenities, pricing, and overall guest experience.

Here’s a detailed comparison to help clarify why Wyndham is more frequently recommended despite Best Western having higher individual review scores:

Wyndham Bayside:
- Large, modern hotel with a strong brand recognition and loyalty program. Many travelers are familiar with Wyndham points and perks.
- More upscale in feel compared to the Best Western; often considered more suitable for business travelers or those expecting hotel-standard amenities like on-site restaurants, larger lobby, and concierge services.
- It has a bigger pool and fitness center, which some travelers prioritize.
- Some reviews mention that rooms are smaller than expected, but the views of the bay are generally excellent, especially from higher floors.
Best Western Plus Bayside:
- Smaller, boutique-feel hotel with generally high guest satisfaction and lower prices.
- Rooms are modern and comfortable, often quieter, and the service is highly rated.
- It’s more value-oriented and lacks some of the larger hotel amenities, like multiple dining options or expansive meeting spaces.
- Fewer floors and slightly less “wow factor” in terms of lobby or waterfront views, though still conveniently located.

Why Wyndham is commonly recommended:

Brand familiarity and marketing reach make it more visible to travel guides and bloggers.
Larger scale and more traditional hotel amenities appeal to a broader range of travelers.
Often chosen for large groups or families who value hotel services like restaurants, concierge, and shuttle options.

Summary advice:

If your priority is value, service, and quieter comfort, the Best Western Plus Bayside is a great choice—it’s smaller, well-reviewed, and cheaper.
If you want a more traditional hotel experience, with bigger facilities, multiple amenities, and possibly more bay views, Wyndham Bayside is the standard recommendation.
Both are highly walkable to downtown San Diego attractions, so location should not be a deciding factor.

Ultimately, it depends on whether you value the boutique, highly rated experience (Best Western) versus a larger hotel with more traditional amenities and brand recognition (Wyndham).