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Balboa Park Hotel

2.0 star property

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Photo gallery for Balboa Park Hotel

Elite Studio Suite | View from room
Executive Studio Suite | Free WiFi, bed sheets
Deluxe Queen Room | Free WiFi, bed sheets
Lobby
Front of property

Reviews

7.8 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi
$130
includes taxes & fees
Nov 30 - Dec 1

Explore the area

View in a map
410 Elm St, San Diego, CA, 92101
  • Place, Petco Park
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Place, San Diego Convention Center
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Place, San Diego Zoo
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Airport, San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.)
    ‪4 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Standard Room Full Bed

Standard Room Full Bed | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Standard Room Full Bed

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Queen Room

Deluxe Queen Room | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Deluxe Queen Room

8.2 out of 10
Very good
(38 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Standard Room Twin Bed

Standard Room Twin Bed | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Standard Room Twin Bed

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed

View all photos for Executive Studio Suite

Executive Studio Suite | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Executive Studio Suite

  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Murphy Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Double Room

Deluxe Double Room | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Deluxe Double Room

7.4 out of 10
Good
(3 reviews)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Queen Room with Shared Bathroom

Queen Room with Shared Bathroom | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Queen Room with Shared Bathroom

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Studio Suite

Deluxe Studio Suite | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Deluxe Studio Suite

  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bunk Bed

View all photos for Family Studio Suite

Family Studio Suite | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Family Studio Suite

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Elite Studio Suite

Elite Studio Suite | View from room

Elite Studio Suite

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Junior Room

Junior Room | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Junior Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Standard Studio Suite

Standard Studio Suite | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Standard Studio Suite

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Luxury Studio Suite

Luxury Studio Suite | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Luxury Studio Suite

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

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About this property

Balboa Park Hotel

Hotel in Bankers Hill
This smoke-free hotel features express check-out.
Balboa Park Hotel offers 50 accommodations with hair dryers. This San Diego hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access, with a speed of 100+ Mbps (good for 1–2 people or up to 6 devices). Refrigerators and coffee/tea makers are provided.
Balboa Park Hotel features express check-out. The property has a front desk available during limited hours.

Balboa Park Hotel is a smoke-free property.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 100+ Mbps (good for 1–2 people or up to 6 devices)

Parking and transportation

  • No onsite parking available

Family friendly

  • In-room refrigerator

Conveniences

  • Limited-hour front desk

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • 6 steps to reach entrance
  • Front entrance ramp
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Well-lit path to entrance

More

  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: 2:00 AM
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Late check-out subject to availability
Late check-out fee: USD 75
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 12:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Guests planning to arrive outside of normal check-in hours will receive an email within 24 hours before arrival with check-in instructions and smart lock details; front desk staffed during limited hours
Prior to arrival, you must complete online registration via a secure link
You will be asked to provide the property with a copy of your government-issued photo ID after booking
The credit card used to book the reservation must be presented by the cardholder at check-in along with matching photo identification, and other arrangements must be coordinated with the property prior to arrival

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours), smart lock

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Deposit: USD 100 per accommodation, per stay

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • Late check-out fee: USD 75 (subject to availability)

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
This property reserves the right to pre-authorize the guest's credit card prior to arrival.
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly)

Property is also known as

Hotel Occidental
Balboa Park Hotel Hotel
Balboa Park Hotel San Diego
Balboa Park Hotel Hotel San Diego
Hotel Occidental Balboa Park Downtown

Balboa Park Hotel Reviews

Reviews

7.8

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 239 out of 520 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 103 out of 520 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 80 out of 520 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 38 out of 520 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 60 out of 520 reviews

8.2/10

Cleanliness

8.2/10

Staff & service

7.2/10

Amenities

7.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

4/10 Poor

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service, room comfort

Basically a Glorified Hostel

The room was very small, which isn't that big of a deal in and of itself for a solo room; however, it definitely wasn't what was advertised. When it said there was a shared bathroom, I expected a conjoined bathroom with another room not a closet with a toilet and no sink across the hall. I had to shoulder the door open to my room, the internet was spotty, and the walls were thin enough for me to hear people walking around the hallway. The room was clean at least, the building and decor were cool, and it was cozy enough for a single person just stopping over for one night. But considering it felt more like a fancy hostel than a hotel, it certainly wasn't worth the price they're asking.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Louis-Charles

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2025

2/10 Terrible

Mitchell

Traveled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is not a hotel but rather a semi converted hostel. No parking for guests. They tell you to park on the street which in downtown San Diego is all metered and you wouldn't want to leave your vehicle overnight in that sketchy neighborhood anyway. Horrible. We left without staying and they are refusing a refund.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

2/10 Terrible

Corey

Business traveler
Disliked: Staff & service, room comfort

Extremely POOR customer service

I stayed there less than three hours. The check in experience was absolutely terrible.I waited forty five minutes outside before anybody even responded to a text message. Follow up from customer service was even that much more problematic. I had booked a 5 day stay and I left in three hours.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2025

2/10 Terrible

Mark

Traveled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Rooms have no restrooms, No air conditioning, No parking and outdated. I would never rent again and not worth the money. Overnight parking was 40dlls a day and 2.50 hr at the street parking meters.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Jorge

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Serena

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Juan

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

As expected based on how much I paid

Overall thought the stay was great, just needed a place to sleep. Room was as clean as it could be for what seemed like an older room based on some paint missing and some old smudges on the wall.The toilet roll holder was broken and part of the window blinds but no big deal. The neighborhood to most is probably sketchy but I'm use to it based on where I'm from in LA so wasn't an issue. Check in took longer than expected due to new system of checking in but once sorted out it was good. I liked how close my stay was to everything I had in mind to do, I probably could of Uber/Lyft but I preferred to drive but doable not driving. I was hesitant on booking this place due to not being what I'm used to but I'd book again.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

steven

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Orlando

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christian

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dwayne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
What I like about the property the most are the rooms, and check in and check out is easy
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Everything about the property is fantastic. Hoping to stay here again soon.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christian

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Ceiling Fan did not work, left a stanley in unit and never got it back after messaging, other than that not bad
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Chance

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dwayne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Rooms are clean and comfortable to be in
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

yelena, buffalo grove

Traveled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Hotel room was great. Room was renovated and large with full kitchen and bathroom. Hotel is conveniently located near zoo and balboa gardens. But the area around the hotel is not the best - many homeless people and some of them appeared high. Do not recommend walking but great for taking an Uber to the zoo and gardens.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Julio

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Mark

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
For an unstaffed hotel, this was pretty good.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

2/10 Terrible

Luke

Traveled with partner
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
There’s no front desk to help with anything and the area around has a lot of homeless. At 3am I woke up to a massive fight outside my room that lasted a couple hours and wasn’t able to sleep. Also the shared bathrooms aren’t very clean.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Anthony

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Andrew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

2/10 Terrible

Melissa

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Complete FALSE ADVERTISING. This is not a hotel, it's a HOSTEL. Such an inconvenient area, no parking, not safe, and not advertised as the Balboa Park Hotel in person either. Need a code, that is emailed to you, to get inside the building, no staff at front desk or on the premises. No room keys because there's no staff around to check you in or help you. You're emailed ANOTHER code to get inside your room. Rooms are so tiny and not as pictured in the booking, no air conditioning, walls are paper thin, shared showers and restrooms. As a single woman traveling this was so so unsafe all around and I feel so lied to. I paid a lot of money for this room, and I feel like it should have been advertised transparently. An Expedia agent could not even get ahold of the staff themselves until days later. And even then the hotel denied me a refund. Worst experience and worst trip I've ever had. Definitely not going anywhere NEAR this place ever again and will think twice before I book with Expedia again
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025