We are locals to San Diego and thought we would support our local economy with a little overnight getaway in our own community. Thank goodness we purchased our one night on Groupon so that we didn't waste even more of our hard earned money! When we arrived and walked into the incredibly tacky and dated lobby, we should've been tipped off as to what our room would be like. The website for this hotel shows all of the rooms and we had hoped to be able to pick from a couple of our preferences but we were told that we would have to upgrade for an additional $100 to do so. So, we agreed to the "Reflection Room" and were shown to our room. The lady who works at the front desk told us it was "Contemporary." Um, no. Maybe it was contemporary in 1983, currently it was just old, out of style, out of date, dirty, and smelled like simple green cleaner and mildew. The fake plants were also disgusting. Also, when they said "Reflection Room," we pictured a spa like setting where one could sit and 'reflect', oh no, it was triangular shaped mirror sculptures all over the room so you could see yourself from every angle! The best part...the round bed and the 12" tv that was probably from the early 90's. After the staff lady left, we sat down and seriously considered going home.
We decided to make the best of it and went to Seaside Market for a bottle of wine so we could watch the sunset from the rooftop patios. This was a nice amenity, but the chairs were old and filthy. Also, when you sat in the chair all you could see was the thick railing and therefore you had no view. How about some bar height patio chairs Cardiff lodge? Oh, and the bathroom required a key card that they didn't give us! We did get in the jacuzzi after dinner, which was nice but terribly over chlorinated and if there had been even one more couple in there with us it would have been quite awkward! Breakfast = pathetic. Crusty looking donuts that were cut up into pieces, a jar of fruit salad that looked like it was about to ferment, cheap smelling coffee, yogurt that was spooned into little cups, and hard boiled eggs. We went out for breakfast.
We were also able to peek into a couple of the other rooms and they were just as bad and as outdated. The owners probably think their 'themed rooms' are cute and endearing, but in this day and age it is just sad and gross. For the prices they would typically charge (without groupon) this place is an absolute ripoff. The L'Auberge in Del Mar is only 4 miles south, is right on the beach without have to walk across the Pacific Coast Highway, had a $26 million renovation in 2008, is absolutely stunning, and only charges $350 - $400 per night. Even the Best Western Del Mar is updated and right on the beach (next to L'Auberge) and charges $129 - $169.
As locals, we'd love people to travel to and stay in beautiful San Diego, but if this is your vacation look around at other options. To sum it up, this place is just old and outdated and needs serious work. It has tons of potential but probably needs new ownership.

This is a very unique and lovely B+B. Very nice staff. The owners couldn't have been more accommodating and friendly. An ideal location with beautiful gardens and the jacuzzi is great with nice strong jets. We will definitely be back and will tell others about our fabulous find.

We stayed here for one night in September. Although they call it a B&B, it seemed like it was more of a hotel than a traditional bed and breakfast. The room (Cullen) was very dated and it needed some maintenance, a new bed spread and new carpet. Plus the wallpaper was peeling off the wall and the room smelled musty. The staff were friendly and the breakfast was OK. All-in-all, we won't be staying here again.

Like several other reviewers, we found this place via Groupon. Having read other reviews before our stay, our expectations were not high for our 2 night stay. I debated cancelliing the 2nd paid night but cancellation policy is strict and we decided for 2 nights, we could handle whatever came up.

First the Bad stuff -
1) this place is NOT a bed & breakfast, their website plainly states B&B but as other reviewers have stated, the 2nd B is missing (altho the continential breakfast was sufficient for a hotel).
2) It's seen better days. I'm sure keeping up a property near the beach is a real challenge, however when you are asking your guests to pay top dollar, you should deliver top quality. What we discovered was marginal. We stayed in the Cullen room, complete with a nasty moldy smell (who knows the health issues that might be lurking there), stained carpet, peeling wallpaper, a very strange gurgly bathroom drain, non-functioning lamps, worn out window blinds (oh, and the one window does not open, so much for enjoying a cool breeze), and worst of all - the queen mattress is simply worn out, a giant dip in the middle made sleeping a miserable epxerience for both of us.
3) This is not a beach property, it is NEAR the beach. That means you walk several blocks and cross over the Pacific Coast Highway to reach the beach. However, when you do get there, it is a lovely rustic beach filled with surfers and seaweed and rocks, all of which we enjoyed very much.
4) Parking is an issue. There is parking underneath the property however several spaces were unuseable due to some apparent construction projects going on at the hotel. Street parking is next to impossible. If you find a space, be prepared to leave your car and walk.
5) The rooftop firepit and hot tub is a lovely idea. However a wedding was taking place which meant that for 1 of our days there, this was all off limits to the paying guests. We went to the rooftop on the morning of the wedding and found that all chairs (save 2) had already been removed in preparation for the event.

Good stuff:
1) Walking distance to beach (yes, I already mentioned above).
2) Walking distance to lots of other places - a strip mall nearby with a donut place, restaurant and some other shops. Also Besta Wan Pizza in the same area - go there not for the food but the experience. Seaside Market is also closeby, great deli and prepared foods. There's also a small neighborhood park south of the hotel. A yoga studio across the street.
3) From what we saw, there isn't any other hotel closeby. If you want to stay in Cardiff, this is your hotel.
4) Refrigerator in the room was a nice surprise. A not to nice surprise was lack of free access to ice. You must go request ice at the front desk and it is parcelled out like gold from a small tabletop unit....odd.
5) The shower worked well with plenty of hot water and good water pressure.

Their website paints a pretty picture; reality is quite different. Make your own decisions. I do not expect we will return.