Hotel Help!

Question

Hi Everyone! Visiting in Mid-September for 4 nights. We are in our late 30s and this will be a kid free trip. I've narrowed down our hotel options to

-Sheraton San Diego Resort (renovated room)

-Kona Kai

-Mission Bay Resort

We do plan to have a car. At the moment I'm leaning towards Kona Kai, but have seen some videos and rooms feel a bit outdated vs the Sheraton that is newly renovated. Love the grounds of Mission Bay, but not sure we will want to deal with getting in and out of there. Price is about the same for all 3. Which would you choose?!

Answer

For a kid-free, mid-September San Diego getaway with a car, each of your hotel options has distinct advantages depending on what you prioritize—renovation, ambiance, or ease of access.

Here’s a breakdown:

Sheraton San Diego Resort: Newly renovated rooms mean modern, clean interiors with updated amenities. It’s a larger resort, so you might get more of a “resort” feel rather than a boutique, intimate vibe. Convenient location for Mission Bay activities, restaurants, and easy driving access around San Diego.
Kona Kai: Smaller, more intimate boutique resort with a marina-front location. Very peaceful and scenic grounds, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the bay. Some rooms feel dated, but the atmosphere is charming and less “corporate” than the Sheraton. Ideal if you value a quieter, more romantic setting.
Mission Bay Resort: Beautiful grounds and ideal for water activities or walking along the bay. The location can be slightly isolated with more limited dining options nearby. Getting in and out can be a bit slower compared to the other two, especially with a car, but great for a relaxing, scenic retreat.

Given your preferences for a kid-free trip and having a car:

If you want modern, sleek rooms with easy access to dining and activities, go with Sheraton San Diego Resort.
If your priority is a quieter, intimate setting with waterfront charm, choose Kona Kai, even if the rooms are a bit dated—its ambiance often outweighs the decor for many guests.
Mission Bay Resort is better suited for travelers who want to focus on outdoor bay activities and don’t mind a slightly more secluded location.

Personally, I would lean toward Kona Kai for a relaxing, scenic, and low-key experience, since you’ll have a car to access restaurants and attractions easily, and the peaceful marina setting is hard to beat for a kid-free trip.

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