More about The Sofia Hotel
Used Bedding
by TripAdvisor Member likesthingsclean
We just came back from the Sofia Hotel in San Diego. It was an okay hotel except for the fact that they didn't change the bedding from the previous guests. When we retired for bed on our first night, we pulled back the bed spread to find hairs (head and pubic) on our bed linen. It was not my hair as mine is black and the hair was a different color and we have not used the beds yet.
We complained and it took over half an hour for them to come do something about it. They changed the bedding and that's it. We got no apology, no nothing. When we checked out, they gave us $12 measly dollars to cover our cab fare and that was it. They said that because we booked online with Expedia, they could not do anything for us. They offered us a free night coupon but did you think I would really stay there again? No thanks.
Ås well, the rooms are so small, we could not put our luggage down anywhere except where you need to walk.
It was expensive (because there was the Mapquest Conference going on in San Diego at the time with over 15,000 people) and definitely not worth it.
M& T
Great stay in newly remodeled hotel! Pet friendly!
by TripAdvisor Member lvtravelstoca
I stayed 3 nights at The Sophia Hotel (former Pickwick hotel, located at Broadway and Front that was just recently remodeled). Since this was an old hotel that was remodeled the rooms are pretty small but they have used the space well. They have comforatable beds, provide plenty of storage (closet, drawers) and have a mini fridge, and microwave. The hotel will soon have a restaurant as well but was under construction during our stay.
The Sophia hotel is also pet friendly at a very affordable rate!!! A huge plus if you want to travel with your pet. They don't provide pet amenities (bring your own bowls and bed) but for our 2 dogs it was a very comforatable stay (we have 1 small dog and a medium dog).
The location of this hotel is convenient as well, right by Horton Plaza, about 4-5 blocks from the Gaslamp and 1/2 mile to Seaport Village, perfect for checking out nightlife and restaurants. Its also close to the freeway and easy to access the beach
Excellent place to stay for reasonable price
by TripAdvisor Member upinninti
Newly renovated boutique hotel right in downtown San Diego. Great location, across from the Malls and around large business buildings. The rooms were nicely appointed although a bit small. Customer service was great, they were accomodating of request for change in room. Soom rooms can have no view at all, just be aware. Our first room was 308 which was claustrophobic because of the lack of any view from the window, but the hotel did accomodate our change after the first night.
Overall, excellent place to stay, close to everything in the city, well appointed, clean, newly renovated rooms.
Excellent Hotel, at good price
by TripAdvisor Member visoredgepro
Very nice hotel, recently renovated. Apparently the old place was a "roach motel", but was recently gutted and completely redone over a 1 year period. Opened like a month or two before I stayed there.
Rooms are well priced compared to other local SD downtown hotels.
Clean, and large rooms, flat screen TVs, internet access (wireless) in the lobby for free, and 4 other computers in the lobby with printer.
People very nice.
One complaint is that check in took a while, seems like the checkin procedure where they look for open rooms was not really up to date so it took like 15 min for them to find a room...
I'd stay here again!
Pleasant Stay
by TripAdvisor Member ABFine
My wife and I spent a week at the Sophia in mid-May while visiting our daughter who is lucky enough to live in San Diego. The hotel was clean, the staff was friendly, especially the valet staff who were quick and efficient. We found the room a tad small and the view left something to be desired. We were six feet from the building next door. We had a king bed which was comfortable, the bath was small but serviceable. The in-room coffee is not good but there is a coffee shop on the corner outside the hotel.
The hotel is in the Gaslamp District, our daughter's apartment is in Little Italy about five blocks away and the harbor was also about five blocks away, so we found the downtown very walkable and were comfortable even late at night.
I don't remember all the restaurants were we ate but Prado in Balboa Park, Chart House in Cardiff and Extraordinary Desserts stand out. We spent one night in Disneyland and ate at Napa Rose which was also fantastic.
Eh
by TripAdvisor Member AmoryB
Pros: good location (esp. if you need to get to the courts); stylish design; clean, extremely comfortable beds and pillows; wi-fi in the lobby. Cons: painfully thin walls (I woke up at 5:30 am when my neighbor turned on his TV at what was probably a pretty moderate volume); maddeningly loud fan system; and a chic but poorly-designed doorless shower (after I used it, a deep puddle spread all along the bathroom floor, well into the tiled foyer). This is the only time I've been to San Diego in ages, so I can't really compare it to any competition, but the noise problem didn't make me a fan of this hotel.
Nice place
by TripAdvisor Member KittyC93
We stayed here for 2 nights and had a very pleasant stay. The location was good for downtown San Diego and Balboa Park and the staff were helpful with directions and ideas for restaurants. The room size was fine and the bed very comfortable. The only complaint really was when we checked out they said we had watched 3 films which we had not (1 of them while we were not even in the room) and we had to push quite hard to get the charges removed and they were quite off-ish about it all. Apart from that it was all good!
be sure to check parking conditions at all hotels
by TripAdvisor Member nomad19
our fourth of July vacation was nothing but problems and disappointments when it came to our stay at this hotel ( right next to the federal court house). the people were great and the valet parking attendants were outstanding and helpful. but when it comes to the actual hotel they have no parking unless you pay $25 dollars a night for valet or you can pay $5 dollars for the parking lot a block away but i had to get up at 2:30 in the morning to get my truck out of there because they tow all the vehicles at 3:00am. i was very disappointed with this hotels parking issues. not only did we have problems parking, but we brought our dog with us and the only rooms they offer for animals is no bigger than a 10' X 10' room for the price we payed between the parking and the room we could have got a better deal at a regular best western or something close to it. i would not recommend this hotel to anyone with animals or if you plan on driving your own vehicle.
Wonderful room, great location
by TripAdvisor Member wildcatgary
Looking for a great Gas Lamp Hotel, newly furnished, less crowded than the larger ones, then you have found it. My wife and I loved it. Service is superb. Always asked if anything was needed, even if it wasn't. Smiles. Smiles. The ONLY negative, the elevator. new elevator, old shaft. 4 person. But no big deal. Brand new rooms, nothing more than a few blocks away. Grocery store 3 blocks, drug store 2. gas Lamp 3-4 blocks. Mall 2 blocks. We had the top floor VIP suite 721 and I even found multiple wifi systems to tap near the living room window. The split suite plans is small but perfect. Bath products and bed pillow top, top of the line. About a minute from street to our room. They held of luggage for 2/3 of day upon arrival. Had our room all selected and ready, when we return. WILL stay again. Go there a few times a year. Email me for more if you want to. garobison@comcast.net.
Excellent hotel on the edge of the Gaslamp Quarter
by TripAdvisor Member FreqTravBizPleas
I travel for business over 120 nights a year and about 20 more for pleasure. I'm quite tolerant of mid-quality hotels and appreciative when a place exceeds my expectations. I had actually checked in to another property on 6th Ave nearby (so I could be near the Gaslamp Quarter) for three nights, but after the first night I had to get out there due to the sheer oldness and dire need for renovations. The Sofia was six blocks away, had vacancies and what appeared to be a very fair rate for a downtown location.
Universally polite and helpful staff, easy check in, contemporary upscale feel with all the in-room amenities you need including an LCD TV, wired Ethernet, great bed/linens. Sure, the room's smaller than brand new hotels but their renovation (completed in January, according to a manager) is superb. And a no-pets/no-smoking policy.
The coffee shop next door makes outstanding coffee and teas. A space out front is being renovated into a brasserie, not sure when it will open but hey, you're in the Gaslamp -- there's dozens of great restaurants nearby. Another reviewer was upset about parking fees, but if you travel to major cities it's the same everywhere.
The second floor meeting rooms are as up-to-date as you can get, with LCD TVs. The workout room is also new, with great equipment.
Great place to stay for business or couples getaway.
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