Best Western Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina

Excellent location for visiting San Diego. View of water and Marina. Good parking, and a quite location. Easy to get around to all the things you want to visit. The front desk people are very helpful, and friendly, also the servers at the grill, and bar. less

We stayed for 3 nights at this hotel, just as San Diego was starting to shut down because of covid19. The place was therefore pretty quiet, but we really enjoyed our stay. We had to change our booking at the last minute, but emails sent to the hotel were answered quickly and helpfully even though we’d booked through a third party. We had a 2nd floor room in the Casa Marina building overlooking the marina. I’d always choose marina over water view, as the water view has a car park, road and another car park between you and the view! We loved sitting on the balcony and watching the comings and goings. It’s a nice stroll along the pathway between the buildings - ours was the furthest away from reception/bar/restaurant but this wasn’t an issue at all. The car parking was my only gripe with the hotel. They charge $15 per night when parking across the street is free. This wasn’t explained on check in and so we were hit with an unexpected bill for the first night... then I read some reviews on here and we moved the car after that. It’s a little bit cheeky. Maybe it’s something which can be relaxed at quiet times? The location on Shelter Island is great. It’s about a 10 minute drive to downtown San Diego. We found the whole city to be really easy to get around and were impressed with the amount of free parking available - Old Town, Balboa Park and on street parking is free on Sundays. We’d definitely stay here again when we come back to San Diego. less

A great location for watching military aviation, naval vessels and yachts. This hotel has had some updating, but is showing its age. Conversations can be heard from the contiguous rooms, do it’s best to get a top floor to start with. Some buildings have two floors and one building has three floors and most of the buildings have elevators. Both of the front or back rooms provide nice water views. I noticed noise coming from bathtub drain when the neighbors used their bathroom facilities. We also encountered some occasional sewer gas smell as well. Our king bed room seemed pretty clean and we were supplied with six pillows. I found the bed to be comfortable. The bathroom is adequate but is somewhat small. The hotel has a bar and restaurant and the restaurant has good food. They close fairly early, generally around 9 pm. We lodged in the “fountain building” and the ice machine near our second floor room didn’t work. I noticed that area also needs housekeeping cleaning attention. less

On Shelter Island a nice location, more built up than I expected and not a quiet location. It is near Naval base and helicopters buzzing around from early till late. Stayed four nights so that was a bit annoying. A 2-story motel more than a hotel as access to rooms is from outside not via reception. Balcony water view room, well, we could see the water, just. Over the road and carpark and if we dodged around the tree branches but yes it was there. Nice reception area. Parking $15 per night is limited so wont always get a space near your room. Free parking over the road for 48 hours if you are not staying long, I would drop off bags then park over there. (not covered but level and in sight of hotel) Sink outside bathroom area, not my favourite lay out. Small safe but too shallow to be useful. Comfy bed but soft pillows We had dinner in the Blue wave and breakfast but found service to be rubbish frankly. Food ok and at least on china crockery and real cutlery unlike a couple of other BW+ we have stayed in recently, all using disposable plates cups and cutlery, but still had paper in room for coffee and had to keep asking for coffee refills for the room Nice area for a stroll, good couple of sculptures. We ate up the road at Kona Kai, better food and service. less

We had a long layover, and decided to book this hotel using points with American Express. The airline took our 10 hour layover and turned it into 5 at the last minute which wouldn't have been such a problem if we weren't traveling with a 2-year old. Brandy checked us in at midnight - gave us tips on food, ordered extra blankets for the baby's crib and when we went back to check out 4.5 hours later she went out of her way to get warm milk for my daughter before the restaurant opened. We were extremely grateful and impressed. The room for 4.5 people was tiny but again (free with points) and it was clean and located in a really serene marina. The location of the hotel is peaceful and has quick access to the airport. Thanks again Brandy! less