The Hilton Garden Inn San Diego has an upbeat feel and appeals to travelers as well as corporate groups. The Spanish-style building is a refreshing change for the Hilton chain. An attractive stone terrace with a fountain leads to the front doors. Grounds include desert gardens with flowers and palm trees. Interiors are spacious and modern, starting with a splashy gold backdrop at the reception desk. There’s lots of seating on colorful leather chairs and benches in the lobby . A double-height area features several spherical mesh chandeliers hanging from wooden beams on the ceiling. Stylish decor extends to a pair of meeting rooms, one with copper-colored tables and another with a trendy wooden ceiling panel. When not out exploring Old Town San Diego, guests are often found relaxing around the outdoor pool and patio, or enjoying happy hour cocktails and snacks at the restaurant and bar. 

The hotel is located in Old Town San Diego. It sits opposite Presidio Hills Golf Course and is two blocks away from Old Town San Diego Historic Park and several shops. There are also a few restaurants within a short walk of the property. The main dining area that has numerous restaurants and bars is a 10-minute walk away. Downtown San Diego and the Gaslamp Quarter are a 15-minute drive away and offers cultural attractions (Balboa Theater and Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego) as well as restaurants and bars. San Diego’s main highways are easily accessible for trips to Legoland (35-minute drive), SeaWorld San Diego (eight-minute drive), and the San Diego Zoo (11-minute drive). San Diego International Airport is a 10- to 20-minute drive from the hotel, depending on traffic. 

Rooms at the hotel are clean and modern. Decor, while typical of a chain hotel, feels fresh and stylish. There are red leather and wood panels behind beds. Circular mirrors decorate walls and armchairs feature studded leather backing. Each room has free Wi-Fi, adjustable air-conditioning, and a 47-inch flat-screen TV atop a dark-wood cabinet. There are also sleek work desks with Herman Miller ergonomic chairs. Amenities include Keurig coffeemakers and tea facilities, mini-fridges, and microwaves. Larger rooms with king-size beds offer sitting areas with sofa beds and compact tables. Rooms with upgraded Luxury Bathrooms (with high-end toiletries and rainfall showers) are also available. Standard contemporary bathrooms have walk-in showers, toiletries, and hairdryers. Most rooms either overlook the swimming pool or parking lot. 

The Hilton Garden Inn San Diego has typical features for a mid-range chain hotel, with a few unexpected extras. The best feature is the outdoor pool, surrounded by an attractive terrace with fire pits with wicker sofas, sun loungers, and a hot tub. Buffet breakfast is available for a fee and includes cooked-to-order eggs and fresh juices. It’s served at the hotel’s Verde Kitchen and Bar, which also offers dinner and happy hour drinks and snacks. A 24-hour market off the lobby sells beverages, snacks, and some travel essentials. The medium-size fitness center has several modern Precor cardio machines and weight-training equipment. Two contemporary meeting rooms hold up to 10 or 60 people. The outdoor Firepit Lounge can fit up to 999 people, making it popular for events. Audiovisual equipment is available for rental. The business center has two desktop computers and a combination printer/scanner/fax machine. Wi-Fi is free throughout. The laundry room has two coin-operated washing machines and two dryers. Underground parking is available for a daily fee and is accessible via elevator.