Imperial Beach Hotel Tips by lmkluque

Seacoast Inn: Closed for Re-Building Seacoast Inn Review

There are a few rooms on the ground level which have a small patio and open right out onto the beach. The price for these rooms is higher. There are ocean view rooms and rooms with no ocean view which are priced accordingly. However, the whole motel is right on the beach so any room chosen will be only a few short steps to the Pacific Ocean.

The IB Pier is near and there are restaurants all around to choose from.

Update:

There are plans for a total reconstruction of the Seacoast Inn. Nothing has been approved yet by the city, but during construction this place will most likely be closed. Check it out before organizing your holiday.

Update:

Well, I guess everything has been approved! Construction has begun and I believe the name, Seacoast Inn will remain since that's what it says on the construction site.

I'll let you know when it is finally re-opened.

Unique Qualities: Seacoast Inn is more like a motel than an Inn.

I haven't stayed at this motel but I did go to talk to the people running it and the young man I talked to was very helpful and friendly.

This isn't like a four or five star hotel, but there is a basic standard that has to be met so it should be worth a stay.

Update:

It is obvious from looking at the construction site that this version of the Seacoast Inn will be much bigger. More like an Inn/hotel than a motel and big enough for more than rooms, maybe a restaurant or two, gym/spa even a parking structure. I don't know yet but when I do, I'll update again.

The website listed below states that this will be an All-Suite Boutique Hotel with restaurant and spa. No mention of a parking stucture. We'll see. It's scheduled to open this Fall (2012)

Update:

The projected Fall opening has passed, but they are getting along and it shouldn't be too much longer. I'd guess by the Spring time it will be ready. I'll try to see it as soon as it opens and will tell you what I think.

There is a bus stop near which will take you to the trolley and from there you can go almost everywhere in San Diego, that is if you don't have the use of a car.

Address: 800 Seacoast Drive

Comparison: more expensive than average

Phone: (619) 296-9000

Price: US$120-180

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://seacoast-inn-imperial-beach.pacificahost.com/

Sand Castle Inn: Just Across the Street from the Beach Sand Castle Inn Review

This is a nice looking motel on the east side of Seacoast Drive, which means that it is across the street from the beach. I haven't stayed here and I haven't gone into the office to check things out yet, but will soon and report back after I do.

Today I interviewed the motel. The man in the office was nice and helpful. The office was clean, nicely decorated and I saw a sign that read, "CAFE." I looked in, but there wasn't much but a sink and a microwave, so I asked him what do you serve in the Cafe? "Only Me." He said. I saw a signed photo of Bon Jovi on a shelf and asked about it. Bon Jovi stayed at the Sand Castle Inn too!

We went to look at two of the rooms. A standard and a kitchenette with one bed. They also have a kitchenette with two beds, a Kitchenette with one bed and a view (second story room.) Then there is an apartment suite with view and the penthouse. That one is the most expensive but I didn't see any of the last five type rooms.

Everything looked clean and smelled clean. This is an older type motel and they've done a nice job of keeping it in good order. I asked if they had just rennovated it and he said no, but have re-done a few things. I noticed that there were tables & chairs outside of each room. On some of the tables were ashtrays. Yes, the rooms are non-smoking.

Unique Qualities: They are probably one of the less expensive places to stay so close to the ocean, but I'm not sure what the price of a night's stay would be as they don't list prices on their website.

It is a "bare-bones" motel with the basics in amenities, nothing special. I've been near and around this motel enough to tell you that it is always neat and clean on the outside and doesn't seem to attract rowdy people.

The man in the office gave me a price list for both winter and summer. The rooms are priced higher on Firday and Saturday. Winter runs October to March and Summer runs April to September. He showed me a standard room which was $99.99/$130.00 in winter and $130.00/$140.00 in summer. Then he took me to the kitichenette with one bed which was price at $120.00/$130.00 winter and $150.00/$160.00 summer. These prices may change by the time you're ready to visit, so check with them first.

He did mention that they also offer free Internet.

In general, I'd say it would be a nice place to stay. It is located in the same block as the Aroma Thai Restaurant, The Seacoast Grill, The Surf Hut and the Dunes Park, which is just off the sand. Soon a new big hotel complex will be up just in front of the Sand Castle Inn so I'm not sure how that impact the view rooms.

Address: 785 Seacoast Drive, Imperial Beach, California, 91932

Comparison: less expensive than average

Phone: (619)429-4796

Price: US$80-120

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.sandcastlevacation.com/

The Beach Club: Vacation Rentals! The Beach Club Review

I think Richard & Cheryl's One Source Reality is changing it's name to San Diego Vacations. It was a bit confusing getting their web page. However, I've done it and both names seem to be the same outfit.

Vacation Rentals are usually priced by the week and this company offers a price range of $450.00 (off season) to $3,000.00 (in season/holidays) per week (7 nights) depending on the location, specs and time of year.

Update:

The prices have gone up. Check the website for current pricing.

Just remember that you get what you pay for.

Most of their properties are located on the beach, some of them are across the street from the beach and all seem to be in nice condition.

The Beach Club Grille/Woodies Patio Bar is located in the front part of the building that houses many of these rentals.

Unique Qualities: The most expensive of these rentals offer 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a combined living room and dining room and a fully equipt kitchen plus a nice little patio/balcony. So, the higher price is not really extravagant.

Address: 714 Seacoast Drive

Comparison: more expensive than average

Phone: (800) 449-0357

Price: US$120-180

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.sandiegovacation.com/rental.html

Days Inn!: Budget Minded!

Though technically this Days Inn is located in South San Diego, it is just three miles east of the beach in IB, almost eleven miles southeast of Coronado, twelve miles south of downtown San Diego / The Gaslamp Quarter and six miles north of Tijuana, Mexico

So, if your intent is to save money on the price of a room while visiting the beaches south of downtown SD or if you plan a visit to Tijuana, Chula Vista or Coronado, choosing this motel might be a good option. The location is not a charming one, but safe as a rule and right next to the freeway (I-5) exits, it is easy to get into and to get out of the area.

There is a bus that passes near, which will take you to the beach or to the SD Trolley and from the Trolley, you can reach many places of interest in San Diego County.

Unique Qualities: In the world of hotels and motels this is more of a budget chain-type with the bare basics offered. You know, when the amenities offered begin with continental breakfast and goes on to in-room coffeemaker and TV with cable, this will not a be posh hotel. As stated earlier, it is a budget type hotel and a room runs in the neighborhood of $50.00 per night. They have an outdoor pool and offer free parking, so you see this is good for a stop while on the road.

The general area may make you nervous if you are not used to a culturally mixed population, predominantly Mexican, and this is not a tourist haven which means that mostly lower economic based locals are milling about. I pass by quite often and it is a safe enough place.

Address: 1101 Hollister Street, San Diego, CA 92154

Comparison: less expensive than average

Phone: (619) 429-7600

Price: US$40-80

Theme: Motel

Website: http://www.daysinnsandiegosouthbay.com/