Hilton San Diego Del Mar

First, the positives: the location is excellent, and I’ve stayed here many times before. The staff is really outstanding — from the front desk to housekeeping, valet every interaction was warm, professional, and impressive! Now, what unfortunately overrides all of that: the hallways all have an automatic sprayer that goes off every little while filled with a synthetic vanilla “diffuser” scent that you cannot escape. It clings to your hair and clothing, and the smell is so overpowering it gave me a migraine. Even after being moved to another room, it was the same issue everywhere. We have to sleep with the windows open. While I was told by the front desk that “most people love it and it is hotel policy, the owners insist on it” for those of us who are scent-sensitive — or even if you’re not — this is inconsiderate. It is essentially aerosolized Cheap smelling perfume being pumped into the air nonstop- It is even near the restaurant. You can’t get away from it. Not everyone wants to be bombarded by artificial fragrance, and it can trigger headaches, nausea, asthma, for some of us. Disappointing. I’ve loved this hotel in the past, but this aggressive use of synthetic fragrance makes it unlivable for some guests. I sincerely hope management reconsiders this policy.

This hilton looked like a nice place to spend two nights. 2 nights was enough. Hilton was such a good quality chain but now it seems to nickle and dime guests as often a they can. Parking is over $30 per night at a huge lot, on top of hotel rate. No close by breakfast choices so they offer a $25 breakfast buffet at the hotel. No complementary coffee in the lobby. Though, if you can mange the one-cup-at-a-time drip coffee maker hidden in your room then you'll get a cup. And no microwave in the rooms. There is one microwave for the entire 100+ room hotel by the front desk. Too bad they don't even have microwaves available like ice machines. That's not enabling for families or spouses accompanying business spouses. Strong smell in hallways seemingly covering up old odors. In room heard footsteps of above hotel guests. And noitce own footsteps on creaking floor. On the plus side, very pleasant bar area with outside comfortable seating including some fire pits. Warm water pool too. Housekeeping very nice. Pre 4 pm check in is possible based on availability. Easy access to highway. Less than a mile walk to beach and across from SD county fair grounds/ race track. The other Hilton nearby at Torrey Pines is about the same situation. They are seemingly nice for a night or two but you're not wanting to stay much longer.

Hotel is in an excellent location from freeway, beach and local entertainment/dining. Have found it convenient to Whole Foods and grocery stores for easy of quick beverages and miscellaneous necessities. Excellent proximity to the Horse Track. So excellent you can smell the horse matter, but that's expected. No big deal. Here is where it gets hazy- the photos online are extremely misleading. This day and age what hotel is depicted accurate, right? We'll this was a doozie. Very run down looking property. Clearly renovated circa 2010-15 and neglected since. Rooms are mostly clean. Need updating. Corridors smell of dog urine badly. Especially eastern elevator area. Want to go in the pool or hot tub? That closes at 9, which seems absurd. They will run out at 9 on the dot and kick you out. OK fine, there's a hot tub the size of a cup of noodles in the corner adjacent to where horses are kept on the adjacent property. It stinks out there. Not just of horse popp- the rooms adjacent have a patio with artificial turf laid over rocks. It REAKS of dog urine and poop. Horribly. Every evening for the past 4 of 5 nights we have been here. There's simply no getting around the smell of dog pee in this place. I own two great Danes, this scent at a hotel is ridiculous and off putting. Additionally in the same area we saw a couple quite literally getting it on in the hot tub, so we skipped it the rest of our trip. There's also cockroaches. Several. Saw them outside saw them inside! Whats even better is where guests leave their food trays or garbage in the halls as typical but they aren't taken care of for several hours. We left for lunch around 11 am and came back at 930 pm and the same room service and trash was still out in the same locations. Could be why there's ants and cockroaches? Also doors are propped open on the first floor where we saw a roach enter. We had an area of larvae we had to take care of in our room because no one came after telling them. The firepits in the photos are for the restaurant only, and the heaters do not work. I've expressed this with the front desk, no apology made, basically was told what do I expect after the roaches, it's a constant battle. I called hilton and was told someone would reach out. That has not happened. Parking is 35 a night at a hotel that doesn't need to charge that on a non race day. Overall, this is a glorified best western style hotel. Very loud and noisy very minimal in amenity. Personally very disappointed and will likely be continuing business and pleasure with Marriott. I have a holton grand vacations appointment coming up to consider how to spend our vacations more feasibly and I'm bit feeling hilton is with it like they used to be. This is an solid 2 star hotel