San Diego Hotel Reviews

San Diego hotel reviews can be found in any of the San Diego guidebooks in your local bookstore. In several, you will find that La Pensione is one of the greatest values in one of the best locations in the entire city. Check it out for yourself and see what the buzz is about!

San Diego Hotel Reviews from Fodor’s and Frommer’s
At La Pensione, we’re proud that we’ve been recognized by these prestigious guidebooks as the choice of budget-minded travelers who are looking for a charming and memorable hotel experience. Frommer’s rated La Pensione the "Best Budget Hotel in San Diego" and Fodor’s calls us the "#1 Budget Hotel" in San Diego. Our friendly, long-time staff strives to keep us worthy of this praise.

Located in San Diego’s charming Little Italy district, La Pensione is a family-owned, 75-room hotel that makes a perfect base for your San Diego explorations. We’re easy walking distance from the harbor, as well as downtown, and the always-buzzing Gaslamp District. The Convention Center is a short walk or trolley ride away and we welcome the business traveler, with data-port phones in every room and free Wi-Fi in our coffee shop.

At La Pensione, we pay close attention to San Diego hotel reviews and want to remain at the top of our class. For this reason, we completed a major renovation in 2003 to update our amenities, while keeping the character we’re known for. The wood and granite details throughout, along with the sunshine and refreshing bay breezes, inspire guests to tell us that Little Italy’s La Pensione feels, indeed, like a little piece of Italy in the heart of San Diego.

La Pensione Hotel

	Address	606 W. Date St
	Location	At India St, Downtown, the Gaslamp & Little Italy
	Transportation	Bus: 83. Trolley: Little Italy
	Phone	800/232-4683, 619/236-8000
	Fax	619/236-8088
	Web site	www.lapensionehotel.com
	Room Information	75 units
	Prices	$90 double
	Credit Cards	AE, DC, DISC, MC, V
	In Room Amenities	TV, dataport, fridge
	Parking	Limited underground parking

 

Frommer's Review

This place has a lot going for it: modern amenities, remarkable value, a convenient location in Little Italy within walking distance of the central business district, a friendly staff, and free parking (a premium for small hotels in San Diego). The four-story Pensione is built around a courtyard and feels like a small European hotel. The decor throughout is modern and streamlined, with plenty of sleek black and metallic surfaces, crisp white walls, and modern wood furnishings. Each moderately-sized but comfortable room offers a ceiling fan and minifridge; some have a small balcony. None have air conditioning; you can open your window, but keep in mind that street cafes stay busy till midnight on weekends. If you're sensitive to noise, request a room away from the street, though this means no bay or city view. La Pensione is within walking distance of eateries (two restaurants are directly downstairs), nightspots, and a trolley station.

Facilities:
Self-service laundry

Read More from Frommers

Customer Reviews

• By complete good fortune on the an end of long solo road trip, I found myself in the quaint hospitable arms of the Pensione Hotel in the heart of San Diego's Little Italy (I had no idea there was such an area).
  
  Everything was perfect, charming, and very comfortable! The rooms are small, but to me it didn't matter, it that only led to the European feel of the space. The room had fun art work (some black and white Italian street scenes) which was a nice departure from the basic hotel art you normally find.   The bathroom was well lit and updated.  
  
  The best thing about this place is not only the proximity to the ocean (walkable) and the immediate charming area, but the rate was amazingly low!!! It still surprises me, some things are really good and true.
  
  Little Italy is great, I wanted to stay right there forever. The food was amazing, nightlife fun, the replicated piatsas with old couples sitting around benches speaking Italian,  the colorful bricks, and painted walls... truly a gem of a neighborhood.
  
  I was having so much fun alone I felt guilty that I was enjoying this all to myself, so I called my mom and she flew out to meet me for the weekend. We had a lovely trip and each night looked forward to walking back into our home away from home at the Pensione.
  
  The staff and vibe there was really relaxed and easy going.  I felt very safe as well being a sinngle female traveler.

  Kris J.

  Chicago, IL

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  This little hotel is purely functional and budget minded.  It did in fact feel somewhat like the kind of modern budget hotel you would find in Rome (tiny rooms, filled mostly by the bed, painfully slow elevator, open air core, nicer than a Motel 6)
  
  Parking in the area is supposedly difficult but I found it to be really easy.  I was surprised how many parking spots were not 2-hour zones or metered.  The only thing to look out for is the street cleaning but if you are used to this routine, you know how it works.  
  I did see people getting their tires chalked in the 15 minute zone out front so be careful there.
  
  Oh yeah, about the hotel also:  they had mini-fridges which was unexpected but a nice touch for a budget hotel.  Our top floor room faced the city skyline which was what I had requested.  Any room with a "water view" couldn't possibly see much water so I wouldnt bother requesting that

  L D.

  San Francisco, CA

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  I love this little hotel!
  my boyfriend and i stayed here when i visited san diego to check out the school i am currently attending. it's cute, within walking distance to all the little italy shops and restaurants as well as to the gaslamp quarter (as long as you're not wearing 4" heals). and it's cheap!
  
  yes, the rooms are small, but the room we had reminded us of a hotel room we shared in barcelona (which was smaller) and i didn't find the size offensive. as i remember, the sink was outside the bathroom, which i found to be useful because i could be getting dressed while he showered and still see myself in the mirror. the shower was a normal-sized tub. it had a full-size bed, so i guess you might think it's on the small side if you're used to a king. we thought it was perfect!
  
  my boyfriend was frustrated at the tiny underground parking lot; i was satisfied with parking on the street. unlike other yelpers, i didn't have an issue with the noise at any time, and found the courtyard to be quaint.
  Great place at a great price!

Lauren G.

Alexandria, VA

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I hesistate to review this place.

Because it is the best kept secret in San Diego. The location is absolutely amazing. You are in the heart of Little Italy and have a ton of restaurants to choose from, not all Italian. It is alsoa short walk to the trolley that can take you to Petco (as we did), the Gas Lamp, Old Town or shopping malls. It is nice to go out drinking and not have to worry about driving (or parking for that matter).

The staff is so helpful and friendly especially Javier and Penny (the hotel dog) adds a warm, homey touch.

There is nothing fancy here, no frills, but it is clean and comfortable and did I mention the location?

I think this will be my new place to stay for business and quick getaways.

Jeremy S

Laguna Beach, CA

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Clean, Friendly, Great Location, and Affordable

I had a business conference at the Town and Country Resort, but I wanted to stay closer to downtown San Diego . I searched Trip Advisor for an alternative hotel to stay in and found the La Pensione Hotel in Little Italy. The hotel is in a great location and very close to the Trolley system. I stayed 4 nights and enjoyed my stay very much. I would definitely stay at this hotel again, the neighborhood was safe and had many great restaurants within walking distance. No car was necessary to go to my conference and to many major attractions in the city.

Brad C.

New York, NY

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WONDERUL EXPERIENCE!!!!!!!

After months of research for the best hotel, based on location, price and atmosphere this hotel had it all. While the rooms were smaller similar to what I experienced in Europe it was large enough for the two of us. We arrived early after our cruise and we were able to check in. There is a great coffee shop next door where we found ourselves relaxed and just people watched. our room was on the 4th floor room 418........we had great views. There is no air conditioning, but we did not need it.........and I will warn you that while you are in there with the windows open you will begin to get hungry. The smell of fresh bread and cooking fills the air on this street.......absolutly yummy. We walked around looking for the best restaurant and while many looked great, I couldnt help going back twice to Filippis Pizza Grotto the prices and portions are great. While I am more of NY style pizza (thin crust) this pizza was thick crust and I guess I am just spoiled, but the pasta was great and meatballs.

The people at the hotel were helpful and yes there is Penny the cutest dog you have ever met. I would suggest this hotel to everyone. When I return to San Diego, I do plan on staying here again. The two nights we stayed went by quickly and they are very helpful with any of your questions and suggestions.

Dan C

CT

LOVED IT!!

I have to admit I was a bit nervous booking this hotel after reading some of the negative reviews. Although most of the people seemed to be angry about the parking situation and I knew I wouldn't have a car so I decided to check it out. I was in for a convention and this was a perfect spot. It was a couple of very short blocks to the trolly stop. A great way to get around, if you don't mind waiting a while. Clean, and safe too!


The hotel was clean and in a great location. You walk into a purple lobby with comfy chairs and a wood burning fireplace. Very cozy.


The rooms are quite comfortable. There is a small fridge in each room which is great for those little extras. The bathroom was very cute with checkered tile flooring and 8 foot ceilings. Very Italian.
You are surrounded by wonderful resturants to get the perfect Italian meal.
I also want to say that I read some reviews complaining about the owner being mean and nasty. I have to say that he was nothing like that. He was kind, and helpful. The other desk personnel was just fine as well.
The only negative I would give to this hotel is that it is a bit noisy. It was either the trolly or the train but one of them had a really loud honk at most hours of the night. If you are a light sleeper, this could be a big probelm. But I would save the extra $150 you would have to spend on a "quieter" hotel, and buy yourself a good set of earplugs. I would highly recommend this hotel.

Tammy D.

Annapolis, MD

 

E-mail: reservations@lapensionehotel.com