HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS AND SUITES LA JOLLA - WINDANSEA BEACH, AND IHG HOTEL, San Diego

The hotel sits in a quiet residential area of La Jolla, just one block from the ocean. Windansea Beach is a short walk, perfect for surfing, sunset walks, and tide pools. Children's Pool and La Jolla Cove are a 15-minute walk or quick drive. Downtown San Diego is 16 km (about 20 minutes by car), and the airport is a 25-minute drive; Uber or Lyft are recommended as no shuttle operates. A bus route runs along the street, connecting to Pacific Beach and downtown without a car. Free on-site parking is a significant advantage, as street parking in the area fills quickly. Numerous restaurants, a supermarket, and shops are within a 5-10 minute walk on La Jolla Boulevard, making it easy to dine or shop without driving.

The hotel offers standard double rooms and studio suites up to 600 sq ft. Most two-queen rooms are situated around the pool courtyard, away from street noise - requesting a quiet location is advisable. All rooms have air conditioning, cable TV, free WiFi, and a work desk. Suites with a separate bedroom are available; studio suites are open-plan with a sofa bed. The two-queen studio suite with a sofa bed sleeps up to six, a practical choice for families. Some top-floor rooms provide ocean horizon views and a small balcony. Recent renovations have modernised many rooms, though some bathrooms and carpets show wear. Bedding is comfortable, and external entrances avoid hallway noise, though cleaning staff can be heard in the morning.

Breakfast is a highlight, offering a variety of hot and cold items that change slightly each day - scrambled eggs, sausages, pancakes, cereals, yogurts, pastries, and fresh fruit. Coffee is available throughout the morning. The breakfast room extends to a pleasant courtyard with poolside tables. There is no lunch or dinner restaurant on site, but the snack bar near reception sells prepackaged items such as pizza, snacks, and drinks. For full meals, a dozen restaurants are within 5-10 minutes on foot, including Nautilus Tavern, Su Casa, The Shack, and Carino's Italian. A Chinese restaurant is directly next door, and a 7-Eleven and small market are nearby for self-catering.

The pool is heated to around 27 °C (27°C) and surrounded by sun loungers and umbrellas. The adjacent hot tub is kept at 38 °C (38°C). The pool area is well-maintained and features a peaceful courtyard setting, though it can become crowded during summer afternoons. There is no spa or massage facility. The fitness centre is a small room with one treadmill, one elliptical, and a dumbbell rack (no bench). The beach is a 5-minute walk and offers surfing, swimming, and sunset viewing. A golf course is within 3 km, and a picnic area with outdoor furniture is available on the grounds.

Parking is free and private, no reservation needed, but the lot can fill on busy days - street parking is available nearby. WiFi speeds are sufficient for video calls and streaming (tested at ~5 Mbps download). The 24-hour front desk can assist with luggage storage, late check-out requests, and local recommendations. Business facilities include a computer, printer, and meeting space. The hotel accepts all major credit cards. Pets are allowed for a one-time fee of $75 plus tax, with no restrictions on size or breed; there is a designated smoking area. Housekeeping is provided daily upon request - some stays report inconsistent service, so confirming at check-in is recommended. The property has elevators in each building, though four suites require climbing stairs.