Stay at Holiday Inn Express La Mesa Near SDSU by IHG offering free Wi-Fi, breakfast, outdoor pool & fitness center. Close to Balboa Park and San Diego Zoo.
Guests highlight the property’s cleanliness, friendly staff, and value for money, while noting some minor drawbacks such as noise and limited pool size.
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Rooms, shared spaces, dining and exterior — grouped so you can skim quickly.
Holiday Inn Express La Mesa Near SDSU by IHG is a mid-range hotel and conference center situated at 8000 Parkway Dr in La Mesa, California. It offers practical accommodations with air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and some rooms featuring kitchenettes. Guests appreciate the complimentary breakfast and outdoor pool, while paid parking is available on-site. The property maintains a smoke-free environment and welcomes both families and pets.
The location is convenient for visitors exploring the San Diego area, with easy access to Interstate 8 and a short drive to San Diego State University. Nearby attractions include Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, and Hotel del Coronado, all within reasonable driving distance. San Diego International Airport is about 18 minutes away by car, making the hotel suitable for both leisure travelers and conference attendees.
Guest reviews commonly praise the cleanliness and comfort of the rooms, as well as the friendly and attentive staff. The free breakfast receives positive notes for variety and quality. Some feedback mentions the modest size of the pool and occasional noise disruptions, offering a practical perspective on the stay experience. The surroundings are not highly walkable, but nearby dining and shopping options are accessible by a short drive.
Suitable for budget-conscious travelers, families, and business visitors looking for straightforward accommodations near SDSU and San Diego attractions, this hotel provides functional amenities without extensive on-site dining or business center facilities. Its combination of location, price, and service quality earns it a solid rating from a sizeable number of reviewers.
The short version: what's available day-to-day, and the key practical details most travelers search for.
Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.
We stayed for two nights at a great price. The location was very convenient — it took less than 30 minutes to drive to La Jolla Beach. Costco was also close enough to fill the gas, which was a big plus. We also enjoyed walking at Mission Trails, which had a nice visitor center. It seems like the management has improved as well. Overall, a pleasant stay!
I loved my stay, super clean and very welcoming, ulices was super helpful and kind! We enjoyed our stay!
Pros: 1. Cost. This place is typically pretty inexpensive. When SDSU move in starts, that's a different story. 2. Room cleanliness. Everything from the bed linens to the furniture to the bathroom was very clean. 3. Beds. Pillows (both soft and hard) provide good support and feel comfortable. The beds themselves are a good mix of soft and firm and feel great. 4. Continental breakfast. The breakfast downstairs was pretty good for a continental breakfast, with a good selection of items to pick from. 5. Location. It's a 10 minute drive from SDSU and is right next to the freeway. There are plenty of restaurants, retail, and activities around the hotel. 6. Staff. Everybody working at the hotel was super friendly and seemed like they actually wanted to be there. Cons: 1. The pool. This wasn't huge but from the photos taken, the pool seemed a lot bigger than it actually was. Overall, if I or family or friends ever need a good inexpensive hotel, I would recommend them this.
Professional, accommodating, and friendly staff I felt right at home during my stay at Holiday Inn Express, La Mesa San Diego. The front desk receptionist, Allison, was very helpful and professional, also ensuring I received my delivered package and assisting with any requests during my stay. My overall experience was excellent and truly overwhelming in the best way. I highly recommend this place !
Very friendly good personality always has smile.Does room orderly fashion make u feel at ease.
Central location and service was great. Floors have a bit of residue on them so recommend wearing slippers around the room. Sheets were a bit stained. Accommodations were fine for 2 nights 3 days. Was not quiet with travel baseball tram staying here and lots of noise coming from the room upstairs.
Very well run, nice hotel with excellent customer service and a banging free breakfast! Only downside is that the location isn't very walkable, BUT there is a gas station and Mexican restaurant right next door, a bar and a couple other restaurants less than a block away, and lots of shopping within a mile.
We had a great experience during our stay! The rooms were clean, spacious, and very comfortable. The staff were friendly and helpful throughout. One of the best parts was the location—just 20 minutes away from the San Diego Zoo, which made getting there super convenient. The hotel also offers a free breakfast, which was a nice way to start the day. There is a $20 parking fee, but overall, the stay was well worth it. Would definitely recommend this hotel to anyone visiting the area!
Based on sightseeing, recreation, and getting around
Curated spots travelers usually pair with a stay in California. Distances are rough real-world times, not straight-line.
65,937 reviews 2920 Zoo Dr, San Diego, CA 92101, United States
78,658 reviews San Diego, CA, United States
20,834 reviews 1500 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118, United States
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