More about Ramada Inn Suites Gaslamp Convention Center
Very mediocre for biz travelers
by A TripAdvisor Member
my biggest issue with this hotel (i write this from my room after staying here one night) is that it advertises that it has high speed internet. in actuality, the room i was originally in wasn't wired at all. the front desk clerk told me i could move rooms and get a "box" to access the internet. upon switching, i realized that the "box" was a modem. maybe i'm a snob, but i don't really think 10 mbps is high speed, and it makes downloading files less than speedy. further, the rooms are not set up for biz people, having very few plugs (i had to unplug the alarm clock and a lamp). further, i have phone cords waist-high all over the place over which i have to step to get to the bathroom (i know i'm going to kill myself at nighttime). the rooms are tiny and don't feel super-clean. and this morning the alarm clock in the unoccupied room next to me went off at 4a. the walls are quite thin. i'll end on a positive note: though i haven't had much contact with them, the people who work here do seem quite pleasant.
Homey and convenient
by A TripAdvisor Member
The elevators (there are two, side by side) are utterly charming, and I loved that they'd managed to remain unmolested since 1913. I also loved that the place was a bit run-down--it's like your mom's house, with out-of-style wallpaper and thick coats of glossy paint on the woodwork. Yes, and you can run up the carpeted stairs just like when you were a kid. It's true that the rooms are small, but if you're staying in that part of town you're either at a convention or there to party, so what do you need from your room but a bed? How 'bout those high ceilings, orinal woodwork, and freestanding radiators? (OK, I concede the point about doing work--the only Internet access I heard anything about was a table on the landing above the lobby, which had a phone cord and a sign that it was the docking station for guests. And there wasn't a decent table in my room.) And who needs more than a window unit in 75-degrees-year-round San Diego? It was cozy in the room, gorgeous on the roof (no other advisor has mentioned the fantastic "St. James Hotel" illuminated sign, which guided me home from the trolley and delighted me no end), and quite elegant in the lobby. The only disappointment was the adjoining restaurant, which I went to because it was the only place not swarming with partiers on a Saturday night. (I am quite certain it gets swarming in the wee hours, when the clubs outside close and it's still open.) The food was nothing but greasy bar food (and not even trendy greasy bar food; more like jalapeno poppers), and the beautiful wooden bar and crystal chandelier were undermined by one of the most ill-advised, tasteless renovations I've ever seen. Somebody should get this hotel a historic designation before they mess it up further!
Great location, but needs attention
by TripAdvisor Member LT7744
We recently stayed at the Ramada Inn, Gaslamp/Convention Center in San Diego, CA. The hotel was in a great location right in the heart of San Diego's popular Gaslamp District with all it's clubs, shops and restaurants.
It's an older, smaller hotel with one of the first elevators in San Diego that still is working.
They are in the process of redoing the hotel from top to bottom. The rooms are on the smaller size, but clean & neat. All the basic's are there, but just crammed into the tiny space. The bathroom and shower were small with the mirrors placed in ackward locations.
The staff was very helpful and don't miss out on the views from the rooftop garden. The sights of downtown San Diego and the Bay were quite nice and not to be missed! Overall, good location, o.k. facilities, with some work needed to restore the rooms and improve the space. Reasonably priced considering the location.
Location Location Location but rough around the edges
by A TripAdvisor Member
Let me start on a good note, the location could not have been better. Great access to all restaurants in the gas lamp district and of course the baseball stadium. Short drive to train station, Sea World and the zoo. And the fact that the hotel is rather old, adds to the charm. Okay, now for the other side. The room my husband and I stayed in was extremely small, not even a closet, just a short bar hanging from a wall. The water pressure and temperature in the shower was inconsitent, not to mention you could hear your neighbor shower or flush the toilet at all times of day and night. There were lumps underneath the carpet. The window airconditioner in our room made noise (pow, pow, pow) every time it turned off. The bed was attrociously uncomfortable and made noise everytime one of us would sit on it. On the other hand, my mother and toddler stayed in a room down the hall from us with double queen beds and this room seemed to be much nicer. This room is actually split into two rooms with a door in between. They each had their own tv, phone, closet and sink. Their beds didn't make the noise that ours had, and their window airconditioner seemed to have been updated a little. The staff seemed nice and helpful enough and the eatery/drinkery "Brian's" next door had a great breakfast and was a benefit of staying here. If you are on a budget and looking for a quick getaway in a great location, we'd recommend it. If you are looking for a little more space, comfort, and luxury, try something else.
Tear down and start over instead of refurbishing!!
by A TripAdvisor Member
Positives first - Staff is very helpful and courteous. The location is great, especially if you are going to Petco Park which was the reason for our visit. However, the hotel needs a giant facelift. The lobby is pleasant but it ends there. Our double room was so dark we could not tell if it was noon or midnite. The small windows looked out on a light well which was not very big and went up 9 stories, so hardly any light comes down to the lower floors. The furnishings were all dark and dated looking. The paint on the moldings was chipped. Not all of the electrical outlets worked. The charm of the old-fashioned elevators wears off quickly. It is not easy to pull open the door, pull the grill sideways and hold it while you are pulling your suitcase into the small elevator. The restaurant was only open one evening during our 3-night stay. It was not open for breakfast or lunch. Most of all, it was depressing to think of going back into our "cave" when the weather was so beautiful in San Diego. All this for $200 a night. - I would not recommend this hotel.
Horrible service
by A TripAdvisor Member
Although the location of this hotel is great, their service is not!
I booked and pd in advance to stay in this hotel for 4 nights. i made reservations for a non smoking room. once we arrived the front desk claim that we didnt this request and told us the non smoking room are not available. FINE.. i settled for a smoking room.
This is when the nightmare begins....
When i head back to my room on my second night, my card key did not work. I was locked out of my room after being tired out from an all day excursion. i called front desk about the problem. the guy who handled my call apologized and admitted there was a mixed up on the checkout dates. (i was supposed to be checked out on the 4th day not the 2nd day.) He told me to wait outside by the door and he will bring the new card key to me. After being fed up of waiting for 15MINS i went downstairs to see what's the holdup. It turns out that after the guy spoke to me, he left his workshift and didnt tell anyone in the frontdesk to bring the validated card key to me.
had i not paid a non refundable cost in this hotel in advance, i would have cancelled my stay on my second night. i would return there again.
Freshened up for the new year
by TripAdvisor Member HomeawayfromhomeAZ
For a mid-priced hotel nearly a century old in the heart of the popular Gaslamp district, the Ramada may be worth a second look. All the rooms and hallways were freshly painted and spruced up in November/December with new carpeting, window treatments and mattresses; the furniture remains on the "funky" side but is non-offensive and functional. The walls are thin so if you're unfortunate enough to get noisy neighbors, you may be in for a long night. We were there over the holidays and had gotten an exceptionally good deal, so we were very pleased overall. I believe that the lobby is scheduled for renovation early in 2006.
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