The Bristol Hotel - San Diego

United States , San Diego - CA
SAN DIEGO, 1055 1st Ave
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100 reviews shown

8/10

Excellent

10 Mar 2026

Macaila

The Bristol fit my needs as a work traveler and use of city's convention center. It was a healthy walk to convention halls but weather was beautiful for it. I used city bus from airport and easy with stop close to hotel. Light rails also close by. Hotel a few blocks off main Gaslamp hustle bustle. Property was unique and not like corporate cookie cutter. It had a boutique hotel feel. Hotel was undergoing some renovations in lobby area but it did not affect my rest in my room. Would recommend

Self

4/10

Poor

09 Mar 2026

Anita

The bathroom smelled moldy and had what looked like black mold on the grout.

The bed was super comfortable, and gym was a nice size.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

09 Mar 2026

James

Better water pressure in shower would be great. Otherwise all was good!

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

09 Mar 2026

Alec

Room was very nice. Great location! Would definitely stay again.

Self

2/10

Poor

09 Mar 2026

Hannah

This was the absolutely worst.

Friends

2/10

Poor

08 Mar 2026

Xue

There is a renovation going on it is affecting the service and the room is too cold in the night

6/10

Pleasant

08 Mar 2026

Marta Cecilia

Clean room, limited staff, no room service/cleaning done during my stay.

8/10

Excellent

06 Mar 2026

Donna

The only thing that was slightly frustrating was that the walls are so thin, we were woken up by the people in the room next door and the sound carried a lot.

Friends

8/10

Excellent

04 Mar 2026

thomas

poor water pressure and
insufficient hot water in shower

6/10

Pleasant

04 Mar 2026

Lisa

First staff member completely ignored my request to address the heating the first night in my room so I froze. I had to complain again so they moved me to a room with heating that worked the second day. There is no Deli as advertised, or snack bar, or even a soda machine or speck of food in the buidling. They said everything was gone from Valentine’s Day. Wierd excuse. The ONLY coffee available in the lobby is from a gas station cappuccino type machine that was out of a lot of the ingredients. And the lobby was all covered in plastic because it is being renovated I guess. So DONT believe the pictures! The room was clean, and it was quiet. I just realized I left a blouse so I called and I have to call back tomorrow to speak to housekeeping: we’ll see how that goes. Just really really not worth the price IMO.

Self

8/10

Excellent

02 Mar 2026

Polya

Room was clean and fairly quiet. Can hear

10/10

Exceptional

02 Mar 2026

Eduardo

Stayed for one night. Super nice staff! Joseph helped us late at night and was nothing but helpful, informational, and just absolutely lovely. 10/10 Hotel. Will be staying here again. :) Super clean and great location and won’t break the bank.

10/10

Exceptional

02 Mar 2026

Maryluz

Room was very nice and comfortable.

8/10

Excellent

01 Mar 2026

Kayla

Good service and staff. The only reason I give 4 stars is to get to the parking garage you have to go around the corner. When you get to the garage and walk outside to get to the actual hotel you go through a door which outside of it and around is full of pee there is some nightlife around which may be the reason for so much pee. Would be nice if we can access the hotel from another spot

6/10

Pleasant

01 Mar 2026

Mohammad

The staff was very nice! The lobby was under construction which I didn't know.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

01 Mar 2026

Erika

The staff was great, especially the valet. The amenities were limited due to construction happening. The room temperature was hard to keep steady - it got really hot during the day. The bed was comfortable.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

28 Feb 2026

Gregory

It exceeded my expectations in every aspect

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

27 Feb 2026

Taliye

No amenities. Good location. Needs a refresh.

10/10

Exceptional

25 Feb 2026

Angela

I loved the bristol.
Clean and friendly staff

Self

4/10

Poor

23 Feb 2026

Jessica

Requested early check-in and was told it would be granted by one person on the phone, then told it couldn't be by another, then was finally given to me after I complained about the poor communication. I will not stay here again if I am ever visiting in the future.

Self

4/10

Poor

23 Feb 2026

David

I won’t leave a scathing message. I’ll just say that cleanliness and maintenance a bit more work.
Beautiful view and nice location as long as you do reserve parking

8/10

Excellent

23 Feb 2026

Austin Jacob

Very friendly and courteous staff. Only complaint is it wasn’t advertised as going through a remodeling so at times it was quite loud with combination of regular street noise, next door rooms, plus the construction going on (during daytime). Location however is excellent for quickly walking or catching a train across the city.

8/10

Excellent

23 Feb 2026

Ashley

Staff was nice, nice location, cozy space

Self

8/10

Excellent

22 Feb 2026

Amber

The room was great but the lobby is undergoing some type of work or renovation, the ceiling in the lobby needs work also but I frequent here and love it so I don’t mind

Friends

10/10

Exceptional

20 Feb 2026

Mark

Clean room. Centrally located. Friendly staff.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

19 Feb 2026

Joseph

Yes

Self

10/10

Exceptional

17 Feb 2026

Jodie

Great stay, great location, great staff.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

17 Feb 2026

Ryan Thomas

Nice hotel friendly staff excellent location downtown

2/10

Poor

17 Feb 2026

Karina

My Versace Glasses went missing after the valet took my car to park, no one else had been in my car before or after I stayed at the hotel, and my glasses were missing I notice the next morning at my home what sucks it’s who ever stoled them can’t even used them because there prescription sun glasses. The staff inside was nice.

10/10

Exceptional

17 Feb 2026

Brandi

The staff was exceptional and the location was perfect.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

16 Feb 2026

Michael

Older hotel, but well appointed. Staff is extremely professional and friendly. Would like to have more control over the air-conditioning and they should have some sort of free drink or snack in the lobby, but are the ones a very good deal.

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

15 Feb 2026

Brandi

The room was v

8/10

Excellent

15 Feb 2026

Carol

Main room and bathroom were very clean. The room is welcoming and & has a very comfortable king size bed & pillows. The staff at the deck are friendly & helpful. Hotel is being renovated,
The hotel is very central and is an easy walk to
areas such as the Historic Gaslamp,
restaurants, bars & wharf.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

15 Feb 2026

Sothearos

Very nice room, clean bathroom and good location. WiFi was very spotty at best and the thermostat didn’t work.

Business_and_leisure

10/10

Exceptional

15 Feb 2026

David

Yes

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

15 Feb 2026

Elizabeth

The room was really nice. I’m very clean. Everything was amazing.

10/10

Exceptional

13 Feb 2026

Zelalsen

Spotless room and courteous/helpful staff.

10/10

Exceptional

09 Feb 2026

CLIVE

Great staff. Clean room.

Self

6/10

Pleasant

09 Feb 2026

Steven

One morning Luke warm shower/next morning pretty mix cold shower
Killed a cockroach in the bathroom

8/10

Excellent

07 Feb 2026

Karely

Nothing stood out. Basic place.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

05 Feb 2026

Haley

Location was great. Lots of public transit nearby. Room was spacious. Stayed for four days and they only emptied the trash and gave new towels, didn’t make the bed. If you’re sensitive to sounds, you may be bothered by the train sounds.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

05 Feb 2026

James F

Great experience here I every aspect. Except the constant warning sound from the trams.

Friends

10/10

Exceptional

05 Feb 2026

Mohammad

Great location. Good value for money.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

03 Feb 2026

Fernando

Great customer service

Leisure Friends

4/10

Poor

01 Feb 2026

Liz

Room had a very musty smell, mold in the shower, the toilet ran the entire time, sheets did not fit the bed right, water smelled like chlorine. No thank you

4/10

Poor

01 Feb 2026

Wilfran

They should clarify better that the cancellation protection is not fully refundable. I tried to cancel one day before check-in and received no refund at all, which was confusing because the protection makes it seem otherwise.
There was also a lot of noise during the night, which affected my rest.
Aside from that, the front desk service was good, the hotel was clean, and the surrounding area was very nice and well kept. Overall, everything was fine except for those details.

Business

6/10

Pleasant

31 Jan 2026

Gloria

The room we got was dirty like it hadn’t been deep cleaned in a long time and we booked here because we read it had been recently remodeled. Also the reception area ceiling is like caving in? The beds were comfortable and staff was rly nice. Other than that our room could have been cleaner :/

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

31 Jan 2026

Jorge

Great service and amazing stay. I got engaged in Sd and Stayed at the Bristol and everything was perfect!

Will stay here again

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

31 Jan 2026

Itzel

The room was pretty clean and staff was super friendly only down side was parking. You either park valet $42 or find somewhere else to park.

Leisure Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

29 Jan 2026

Keith

Clean rooms with good staff. The hotel is near the waterfront with lots of restaurants and services nearby

6/10

Pleasant

28 Jan 2026

jennifer

It is terrible the fact that you have to pay for valet parking and its $42 . That is terrible , no self parking at all .
The bathroom had a weird smell and only 2 large towels were provided ...

10/10

Exceptional

25 Jan 2026

Hilda

Friendly staff and cleanliness

10/10

Exceptional

23 Jan 2026

Arturo

We stay here about 2x per month on business. The beds are super comfortable. My wife and I love the gym. Thank you

Business Partner

10/10

Exceptional

23 Jan 2026

Jaycob

Very clean hotel friendly staff. I don’t know why they are only a 3 star hotel it’s very nice the rooms are big nice views . The people there are great very helpful would 100% go back

Friends_and_family Friends

2/10

Poor

21 Jan 2026

Melissa

The worst experience at a hotel I have ever had! The thermostats are a joke! Had to move rooms since our first room the thermostat wasn’t even working, then the new room, our first night the thermostat was stuck on 60 and we froze all night! Our last morning there we woke up to water pouring out of the toilet and coming up from the shower drain and it flooded our room! items of ours wet and my husband stepped in the gross water. The front desk guy Axel, did the best he could as well as the maintenance guy, who tried sucking up the water and apologized over and over . After an hour we were finally told they would move us to the room next door for the bathroom since we had no access to a restroom. After 30 more minutes we finally were able to use the restroom next door and at this time the toilet and shower drain began flooding the room again now going out to the hall and almost to the room next door. The manager, Robert, said we would be given a full refund and it’s been 2 days and after multiple emails from myself and hotels.com trying to reach out multiple times, no one has responded. Robert’s response was thermostats get stuck and things happen. Empathy for the entire situation and a response from this crappy hotel would be nice! Never again will we return here or recommend this place to anyone!

Partner

8/10

Excellent

19 Jan 2026

Constanza

Staff was very helpful and nice.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

18 Jan 2026

Veronica

Cute decor. Clean rooms. Walking distance from downtown. Friendly staff

Leisure Friends

2/10

Poor

16 Jan 2026

Mohammad

No water in room. No microwave in room.

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

15 Jan 2026

Zoe

Newly remodeled rooms, clean and wonderful staff.

Business Self

6/10

Pleasant

14 Jan 2026

Paulette

Staff was great BUT Property definitely not what the pictures show. No amenities AT ALL. Be ready to pay 42 dlrs a night in parking, no breakfast options, you even have to pay for water since they dont provide you with any. They don't do room service so good luck with the 2 towels you get and emptying out your own trash cans.
At this point its just a fancier Motel rather than a hotel.

Business Partner

10/10

Exceptional

14 Jan 2026

Fernie

The front desk person was the nicest staff member I’ve ever encountered at a Hotel. Rooms are clean and very well kept.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

13 Jan 2026

Miguel

Clean room, staff was pleasant

10/10

Exceptional

13 Jan 2026

Mhell c

Very accommodating. Customer service was so nice and approachable. For sure we will go back again

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jan 2026

Jenny

Clean room, staff are nice.

Partner

4/10

Poor

12 Jan 2026

Louise

The Bristol is centrally located in the downtown area and easy access to the convention center and pier. The lobby has a nice presentation. The staff were helpful and efficient for check-in. However, there were some glitches I could not overlook. First, there were a number of long hairs (not mine) on a decorative pilllow on the bed. I asked for the pillow to be taken out of the room and the pillow cases for the bed to be replaced since they were all \"touching\". I was told housekeeping would be arriving shortly. They didn't come.I slept without the pillows as I wasn't sure of their cleanliness. Secondly, the door to the bathroom was a pocket door, and I could not get it to close. Luckily, I was traveling by myself, so closing the door was not needed. But, for the next set of guests, it may be! I was also very surprised that there was no security to get to the guest floors. Anyone could easily have walked in the hotel at night, walked straight to an elevator, and traversed any of the floors, as key cards were not needed to access the floors. Therefore, I sadly cannot recommend the Bristol based on the cleanliness and security factors. I wish I could because the rooms were nicely appointed and very cute motif. And the location, as I mentioned, was excellent.

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jan 2026

Laurie

Everything was perfect and the staff is amazing. Thank you Sandra for making our stay so comfortable.

Business_and_leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jan 2026

Roxanne

Excellent customer service from the moment I arrived. Joseph was especially helpful I was very thankful to have him at check-in , it all went so smooth and I even got to check in early. The area has many dining options and all are in walkable distance. Waterfront also walkable I enjoyed morning walks to the pier.
Room was very spacious with a nice large tv and window.
DAYtime valet crew was the best!!
A small microwave in the room or common area would be nice but I still loved my stay at The Bristol ❤️❤️

Leisure

8/10

Excellent

09 Jan 2026

Thomas E

My stay was for two nights prior to getting on a cruise ship. The hotel was clean. The room was clean & spacious. It is strictly for sleeping as there is no restaurant or bar in the hotel.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

07 Jan 2026

Lidia

The room was clean, the staff was engaging, polite and helpful.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

04 Jan 2026

Enrique

Clean room awesome staff and valet is super fast

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

04 Jan 2026

Anita

Staff was very nice and friendly and location is decent but on the border of a sketchier area of San Diego.

Room was clean and generally comfortable, however the bathroom was tiny and the sliding door to the bathroom made a lot of noise opening and closing. Also when you turned on the bathroom light, the bright lights over the mirror in the main room also turned on, which disturbed other people who were still sleeping.

What we didn't care for is up front we were told there would be no daily housekeeping for \"eco\" reasons, which is just an excuse to not service rooms while keeping the same prices. There was also no housekeeping at all on December 31 or January 1. I have traveled to different states and countries over the holidays and have never heard of such a policy. As such, during our 5-night stay we only had housekeeping twice, the second of which was purely by luck once I heard there would be no services for 2 days. I am tired of hotels maintaining the COVID policy of no or little housekeeping several years after the pandemic.

The hotel is also very short staffed and sometimes when we were in the lobby we never saw anyone at the front desk. Staff that were there were always very accommodating and helpful, so it must be the management or ownership that is cutting corners.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

02 Jan 2026

Desserae

Very nice staff and clean rooms

Leisure Friends

2/10

Poor

01 Jan 2026

Anthony

This was the worst hotel that I have ever been too and it was the worst experience I have ever hard at a hotel in my life. The customer service was horrible, it was dirty, and I will never visit ever again. I reccomend taking this hotel off the website, as I would not stay there even if someone paid me too!!!!!!

10/10

Exceptional

30 Dec 2025

Chemu

Gracious staff, good locztion

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

29 Dec 2025

SALVADOR

Buena zona, muy cerca de estaciones de bus y trolley. Falta limpieza adecuada

Partner

8/10

Excellent

29 Dec 2025

Nichole

Hotel was under a bit of construction while we were there

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

29 Dec 2025

Leslie

The staff was wonderful ,nice installations
Very clean and good location

Family

10/10

Exceptional

28 Dec 2025

Kimberly

Friendly staff

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

28 Dec 2025

Candace

Great stay! Everything was very clean and the staff were very courteous. Will definitely be staying here again!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

28 Dec 2025

Tasha

We stayed here for Christmas and the staff was amazing, especially Robert and all the valets. Our room was quiet, clean, and the hotel was in a great location.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

27 Dec 2025

Rita

Parking was safe! The front desk staff, John was amazing, serviceable, so helpful and accommodating. Thank you!!

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

26 Dec 2025

Sidney

Everything is perfect! Great check in experience. Friendly, personable staff. Front desk clerk was a gem.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

26 Dec 2025

Debra

The staff is the best! Very thoughtful. Felt safe. Clean room and bathroom. Convenient location. Again, the staff is the best!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

26 Dec 2025

Earlene

Clean room / attentive staff — considering it was Holiday stay ~

Partner

8/10

Excellent

24 Dec 2025

Wildor

Perfect but I pay for parking

2/10

Poor

24 Dec 2025

Rachita

No housekeepingt

10/10

Exceptional

23 Dec 2025

Tarik

Great place to stay. I like the location & the easy commute and access to the gaslamp quarter. Room was super clean & spacious and comfortable. Staff was super nice & helpful. Would definitely stay there again.

Business Family

6/10

Pleasant

22 Dec 2025

Miguel

Pictures made it seem nicer than what was actually on the property

10/10

Exceptional

21 Dec 2025

Joseph

Steve is great at getting you rejected quickly. They’re very committing with making sure that I had all the amenities or access to the ones that weren’t hard in the room. Just a really great group of ladies in general working there. My only and only little tiny complete is the Internet is a bit slow, but it was great.

Self

4/10

Poor

21 Dec 2025

Fan

No parking lot for hotel, the parking lot they provide charges me $52 dollars overnight (10 hours).

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

21 Dec 2025

Jean

It’s nice, I only wish there was a microwave in the room

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

21 Dec 2025

José

I loved my stay here

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

19 Dec 2025

Derek

All of the staff were friendly and accommodating during my stay. They placed me in a room away from the elevator and since the cleaning people don’t come every morning unless you request service, it was quiet and I didn’t have any issues with noise.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

15 Dec 2025

Sioud

Perfect

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

12 Dec 2025

Maribel

The room was very large and clean. Very nicely decorated. The bed was the most comfortable bed I've ever slept in. The only issue was the parking.

10/10

Exceptional

09 Dec 2025

Diana

Great time!

4/10

Poor

09 Dec 2025

Gabriella

The staff was horrible.

Leisure Friends

2/10

Poor

09 Dec 2025

Jared

Stains on sheet. No parking on site. Valet said it was not available then let cars park in not designated parking spots. Made me part down the block at a run down parking structure that didn’t let me get back to my car for two hours until someone else came by and opened the gate to let me to my car. Sheets were stained with what appeared to be human fluid. Tv remote didn’t work. Bathroom was rundown and decrepit. Worst hotel experience I’ve ever had. Would ask for a refund if possible.

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

07 Dec 2025

Debbie

Courteous staff. Room was fine. Noisy due
To the trolley outside our window. Would
Prefer the fitness room to
Be own 24/7 with key card. Appreciate the coffee/ tea etc in the lobby.

Leisure

6/10

Pleasant

06 Dec 2025

Chitrarasu

Amenities, room

Leisure Family_with_children