Balboa Park Hotel

2.0 star property

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Photo gallery for Balboa Park Hotel

Reception
Exterior
Reception
Executive Studio Suite | Private kitchen | Fridge, coffee/tea maker
Deluxe Double Room | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Reviews

8.0 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Laundry
  • Housekeeping
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

Map
410 Elm St, San Diego, CA, 92101
  • Port of San Diego
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • San Diego Convention Center
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • San Diego Zoo
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.)
    ‪11 min drive‬

Room options

Deluxe Queen Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Standard Room Full Bed

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Standard Room Twin Bed

  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed

Executive Studio Suite

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

Deluxe Double Room

  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Bed

Similar properties

About this property

Balboa Park Hotel

Hotel in Bankers Hill
Laundry facilities and express check-out are available at this smoke-free hotel.
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. Housekeeping is provided daily.
Balboa Park Hotel features laundry facilities and express check-out. The property has a front desk available during limited hours.

Balboa Park Hotel is a smoke-free property.

Languages

English, Spanish

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
  • Laundry facilities

Conveniences

  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)

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

  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • 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 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

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours), smart lock

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

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
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted

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

8.0

Very Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 149 out of 301 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 59 out of 301 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 49 out of 301 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 22 out of 301 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 22 out of 301 reviews

8.4/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Staff & service

7.4/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

2/10 Terrible

David

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I arrived at 6:15 pm. All the signs had a different name. The desk had a sign saying they were closed for the evening. One “employee ” was there but she couldn’t access the reservation/key system. She was surprised that I had not reserved through Air BnB. Since the desk was closed, I asked how I could get back in later in the evening . She said “they’ll send you a code”. After waiting a little while, I asked where their parking lot was. She said we don’t have parking. I walked out angrily and made a reservation at a normal, competent motel. I reserved and paid months in advance for a room in a normal hotel with parking. I deserve a full refund.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Yesenia

Traveled with family and small children, Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very clean and aesthetically pleasing. Staff was great. Great location but still need to use some kind of transportation to get to places quicker. There’s some homeless nearby but then again this is downtown area. It’s typical. I would return.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

6/10 Okay

Tony

Traveled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service
The property looks nice from the outside, but there are homeless people on the sidewalk close to the entrance,asking for change and food. They hang around there all night long , shouting and squabbling. Our room was in the front so we heard that all night. Central air was on all the time, had to ask to have it turned down as it was too cold. No maid service, and when I went to find the maids, I was told that because I booked thru air bnb, there was no maid service. I DID NOT BOOK THRU AIR BNB. No one at desk, except the one time when I checked in. Nice room, smallish, we had 2 beds in room, No might table between beds, had too move the chair to act as a night table. A disgusting wad of hair covered the shower drain grate, made the mistake of touching it, YUCK! No one around to complain to, so left without seeing anyone, and no tip for maid. Looked like it could be a charming little boutique hotel, as rooms have been tastefully updated. Location sucks. Not recommended for women alone, and be very cautious at night. Close to freeway so getting around town was easy
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Johnny

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

4/10 Poor

Elizabeth

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Glen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Room was quite small however only went there to sleep. For the price I thought great value and everything was within walking distance.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The Balboa is lovely. The staff is very friendly and kind. Our unit was clean and comfortable. If in San Diego for a baseball game, the hotel is a safe and colourful 30 minute stroll from the stadium.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Calli

Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

2/10 Terrible

Patrick

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
GOT CANCELLED DURING COMIC-CON
didn't event get a chance to stay there. I didn't listen to the reviews and arrived, and they had cancelled my reservation. I went for Comic-Con and they 1st day I arrived to check in they said since i booked on 3rd party they didn't receive the reservation. And that they couldn't honor it and they had no rooms! BEWARE!!! Worse than having a dirty room, is not having a room at all. 3 other guests that day were told the same thing. We all worked with hotels.com to find another place.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Veronica

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is a very attractive property. Lovely light fixtures, art, and wallpapers make the environment both elegant and retro. My room was small but efficient, both modern and retro. It felt very clean, and staff was friendly, however they were not available most of the time I was around. They don't keep the air-conditioning on all the time, so if you like it cold, this may not be the place for you. We were a little too hot at night, but there is a fan that helps. Bring an extra mirror if you do makeup. My room only had a mirror above the toilet, so I had to strain to get close enough. There is a shelf at the base of the mirror that helps to hold items though. There is a code to get in the building and a code for your door so I felt very safe inside, but outside there are a lot of homeless or worrisome people walking around or loitering these streets. The homeless seem pretty bad around most of the city though, so I don't know if there is another area that would be much better. It was easy enough to catch an UBER, and the walk to the convention center is a little far, but if you are in good health, is very doable.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sarah

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Anthony

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great place in San Diego
Great location and nice room in San Diego. Easy check in process
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Andrea

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great find!
The Balboa Park Hotel was such a great find! Great location, walking distance to Gas Lamp, Little Italy, Balboa Park and the Zoo. Clean and comfortable room and friendly staff! I highly recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

2/10 Terrible

Jong

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
My room was right next to an external door that was left open all day and night on the ground floor. My room was tiny. No chair so you couldn’t rest except on the uncomfortable bed. The blinds didn’t close all the way for privacy. Overall extremely uncomfortable place to stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

2/10 Terrible

Alan

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amber

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Karin

It was great
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

4/10 Poor

Michelyn

Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

2/10 Terrible

Ryan

Traveled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

JinSeok

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

4/10 Poor

Mike

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Justin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

6/10 Okay

Leilani

Business traveler
Room 224
This review is specific to room 224. Keep in mind this is a boutique hotel and all the rooms are slightly different. I was traveling with my daughter and we had a queen and full bed in our room, along with a kitchenette and full bathroom. PROS - [ ] Location - close to really cool stuff - [ ] Room has cool amenities like a kitchenette with washable plates, a sink with a garbage disposal, tons of drawer space in the bathroom - [ ] Smart tv - [ ] Pretty room - [ ] No maid service until after the end of your stay (I prefer this) - [ ] Cost CONS - [ ] Location - in a neighborhood without designated parking; airport and working vehicle/street noise comes through the windows. Mostly neighborhood people here with a lot of sketchers walking around. - [ ] Rooms are small, no sitting area or side tables - [ ] Average water pressure (I’m spoiled) - [ ] No controllable AC. You get whatever temp the building is on and can only control an individual fan - [ ] Only 2 stories, but no elevator with an awkward (but cool looking) staircase. Our luggage was HEAVY so that sucked - [ ] Hard floors - easy to clean but wish there was a rug by the bed. Dirty feet in the bed is a no no. Bring slippers. - [ ] Uncomfortable beds - metal bed frames make a bit of noise and the memory foam is FIRM - [ ] Front desk is only there during working hours ADVICE - [ ] Bring slippers, your own pillows and a face mask and ear plugs - [ ] Being extra toilet paper unless you want to ask the front desk
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

6/10 Okay

Dan

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great location near Balboa. Street noise may be annoying to some.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024