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Howard Johnson Express Inn - San Diego – reviews, photos

2.0 of 5
1631 Hotel Circle South, San Diego, CA 92108
Hotel amenities
Howard Johnson Express Inn - San Diego
Howard Johnson Express Inn - San Diego
Howard Johnson Express Inn - San Diego
Howard Johnson Express Inn - San Diego
Howard Johnson Express Inn - San Diego
Howard Johnson Express Inn - San Diego
Ranked #215 of 246 hotels in San Diego
2.5 of 5 stars 42 Reviews
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42 reviews from our community

    Trip type
Traveller rating
    1
    7
    10
    8
    16
Date Rating
Tutbury, United Kingdom
Senior Contributor
40 reviews 40 reviews
Reviews in 24 cities Reviews in 24 cities
28 helpful votes 28 helpful votes
“Good location clean rooms but tired”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 22 January 2012

We got this hotel at less than $40 a night so we were happy with our stay.
Rooms clean but tired.
Staff very helpful especially Jose.
Bus 88 outside hotel will take you to old town where you can pick up tram for downtown area. $5 all day ticket for bus and tram.
Not alot of places to eat around hotel but Fashion island mall 1.5miles away with great food court.
You can walk to Ricks diner from hotel and there is a mini mart 0.5miles up road for alcohol.
You get quite a lot of road noise in hotel rooms but fridge and micro wave a bonus.
Breakfast basic.

  • Stayed January 2012, travelled as a couple
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 2 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask eyam about Howard Johnson Express Inn - San Diego
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
San Diego, California
1 review
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“do not stay bed bugs”
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 19 January 2012
2
people found this review helpful

me and my boyfriend for night we stay Room 310 Trouble clean bathtub is very nasty look like is not clean from four five days. Bath towel quality is not stander for Howard Johnson when we sleep same thing crawling on my legs we found is the bed bugs
Crawling on under my pillow other side bed to me went down front desk see any manager that I can talk
Guy working at desk is very helpful he said he will there in 5 min he come take picture of the bugs that
Put in zip lock bag this very trouble place I am never stay again in this hotel

  • Stayed January 2012, travelled as a couple
    • 1 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 2 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 1 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 1 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 1 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ask wendy l about Howard Johnson Express Inn - San Diego
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

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Toronto, Canada
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
“Nice Motel but Beware of Billing Problems”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 19 January 2012

Overall I liked this motel much more than others here. The room was clean and quiet and the furniture was good. Bathroom was fine. WiFi was free and worked well.

Room corridors are external. On-site vending machines are reasonably priced.

The clerk refused to accept my coupon claiming that the room rate was already discounted enough. He also asked me to sign a blank visa credit card draft but didn't force me.

I would stay here again if I needed to stay in this area again for some reason. One needs a car out here, of course. If I were a tourist in San Diego I'd probably stay downtown though.

  • Stayed April 2011, travelled solo
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 3 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ask Tim_Messer about Howard Johnson Express Inn - San Diego
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Chula Vista, California
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
“Only the staff made it tolerable”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 28 November 2011
2
people found this review helpful

Upon entering the Lobby, you will see a life sized statue of Hulk Hogan with tattered clothes. I'm sure it was cute at one time. The staff is very friendly and accomodating. The rooms are in dire need of some TLC. When I went into the bathroom, there were dark splatters on the wall, I have no idea what it was, but I was able to clean it off with a clorox wipe (the housekeeping staff should have cleaned it, it was obviously ignored). The areas around the doors were also dirty, and the sofa and carpet in the room can use a good steam cleaning. I had to remove some dust tags from above the table. When the walls are all white, dirt shows up clearly. I felt better once I did some cleaning of my own around the room. The first night, cops were on my floor, handling a disturbance. I think the person was allowed to stay, because I was disturbed 3 of the 7 nights I was there (2-3 a.m). I don't know why the Hotel allowed this person to stay after the cops were called that first night. As I wrote earlier, the staff is very good, the rooms, dingy. I wouldn't use the ironing board, either.

Room Tip: Don't stay here unless you can't afford anywhere else.
See more room tips
  • Stayed November 2011, travelled solo
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 2 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 2 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 1 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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See 4 more reviews by Kitty904 for San Diego
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
HOJOHC, General Manager at Howard Johnson Express Inn - San Diego, responded to this review
30 November 2011
Thank you for taking the time out of your schedule to write a review for us. I apologize that your experience was anything less than satisfying. Our goal is to not only meet the needs of each and every guest we serve, but to exceed your expectations to make your stay as pleasant and comfortable as possible.

Please know that your feedback is extremely valuable to us. Feedback such as yours assists us in improving our service and property on a daily basis. In addition, please know that your comments and issues with our housekeeping staff has been addressed.

The safety and well-being of our guests is our number 1 priority. I can assure you, these situations do not occur on a regular basis. It is our hope that you will give us another opportunity to serve you. Again, I apologize for the inconvenience during your stay and hope to see you during your next visit.

If I can provide any assistance, don't hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,
Amy Patel
General Manager
Howard Johnson San Diego
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Birmingham, United Kingdom
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
“Ok for the price”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 November 2011
1
person found this review helpful

The hotel rooms were pretty clean ans spacious. The outside is quite shabby and could probably doing with being tidied up a little. We were right on the top floor and the whole place felt a little wonky, particularly when walking along landing to the room. It is quite noisy due to the highway but I am guessing most of the motels in the area have the same problem. We would definatley stay here again if the price was right.

  • Stayed October 2011, travelled as a couple
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 3 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ask missymoo85 about Howard Johnson Express Inn - San Diego
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
HOJOHC, General Manager at Howard Johnson Express Inn - San Diego, responded to this review
25 November 2011
Thank you for taking the time out of your schedule to write a review regarding your recent stay at our hotel. Our hotel has just recently gone under new management change and is very pleased to see you enjoyed your stay.

Please know that your feedback is extremely valuable to us and we will utilize your response by continuing to focus on making each and every guest experience the best it can be. We hope to be of service to you in the future.

Again, thank you for completing our survey and if I can be of assistance to you, don't hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,
Amy Patel
General Manager
Howard Johnson San Diego
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC

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Additional Information about Howard Johnson Express Inn - San Diego

  • Howard Johnson San Diego
Address: 1631 Hotel Circle South, San Diego, CA 92108
Price range (per night):* INR2,964 - 9,562

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Howard Johnson Express Inn - San Diego
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