Hotel selection

Question

Overwhelmed by the hotel choices and neighborhoods. Thinking intercontinetal or marriott marquis for a few nights and air bnb in la jolla the rest of the week. Both those hotels in budget. Family of 4 with 2 teens. Any thoughts appreciated! Week of December 22.

Answer

Great question — both the InterContinental San Diego and the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina are very solid choices, especially for a family of four with teens, and combined with an Airbnb in La Jolla, this could be a really strong plan. Here are some thoughts to help you choose and make the most of your stay during the week of December 22:

Hotel Comparison: InterContinental vs Marriott Marquis

Location & Neighborhood: - The InterContinental sits right in the Marina / Downtown area, giving you dramatic water + skyline views, and it's very walkable to waterfront spots, Seaport Village, and the Gaslamp Quarter. - The Marriott Marquis Marina is on West Harbor Drive, also waterfront, with great views of the bay or marina. It’s very central and close to downtown attractions like Petco Park.
Amenities & Family-Friendly Features: - InterContinental: Offers a rooftop pool with bay views, a nice fitness center, and several on-site restaurants. - Marriott Marquis: Big hotel with two free-form outdoor pools, a children’s pool, and rooms with balconies overlooking the marina or city. There’s also a private lounge (“M Club”) for elite or lounge-access guests.
Atmosphere: - InterContinental: More elegant, modern, with a slightly quieter, upscale feel. Perfect if you want a refined base for relaxing and some waterfront calm. - Marriott Marquis: Larger, resort feel with lots going on — more lively, especially for teens, and very centrally located for exploring.
Logistics for Holiday Week: - Both hotels are likely to be busier and potentially more expensive around December 22. Booking early is very important. - Parking in downtown / Marina will be more costly; check hotel parking rates. - With teens, having a centrally located hotel (like either of these) makes it easy to get around by foot, rideshare, or bike without needing to drive to every attraction.

Recommendation:

- If you want a slightly more upscale, calm, and scenic stay: go with the InterContinental San Diego. - If you want a more bustling, “resort-style” hotel where your teens can enjoy the pool, views, and easy access to downtown nightlife: pick the Marriott Marquis Marina.

Combining with La Jolla Airbnb:

- Splitting your week between downtown (or the Marina) and La Jolla is smart — you get city energy + waterfront, then relax by the beach. - Make sure your Airbnb in La Jolla is in a family-friendly area (close to the village or coastal spots), and check how easy it will be to commute back into downtown if needed.

Other Tips:

Book both the hotel and the Airbnb as soon as possible — Christmas week rates and demand go up early.
Ask the hotel about special holiday packages or room rates for December.
Use a rideshare or public transport to avoid downtown parking stress.
With teens, you might enjoy a mix: some days doing touristy downtown things, and other days relaxing in La Jolla (beaches, tide pools, local restaurants).

In short — both hotels you’re considering are excellent, and the “hotel + Airbnb” combo is a smart way to get variety, convenience, and comfort. I lean slightly toward the Marriott Marquis for its family-friendly resort feel, but the InterContinental is a more elegant retreat. Either way, you’ll have a great base in San Diego. Have a wonderful trip!

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