What a wonderful Hotel. The staff is wonderful, the rooms are very nicely appointed AND clean! We came for our anniversary and have completely enjoyed ourselves. We will definitely be back!!! read more

Empress Hotel La Jolla - Walking distance to the beach! - Hotels Near Me - La Jolla, California

I was rated $254 for both nights by one of the employees. Was given the handicap room because "that's all they had available." Once checked out, I was never given my receipt which they said they were going to email. Nothing. Next day I received a survey email and noticed on my bank statement that said a charge of $572.89 as manually entered. I tried calling and all they gave me was the run around and "we cannot contact the employee because it's his day off". They tried to get me to settle for half my money back after me having to constantly contact them and then got an email which was only giving me a fourth of my money back. Never again. read more

If you intend to drive your car and pay for valet parking beware! We are extremely disappointed in what we had hoped would have been a great experience. This hotel provides only paid valet parking, so if you are coming from out of town, you don't have much choice. When we checked in and surrendered custody of the car with the key, everything was working fine and there was absolutely no damage to any interior switches. We did not use the car at all until the next day when we asked the valet to retrieve the car for our use in the late afternoon. That's when we discovered all the electric window switches on the driver's side door had been forcefully pushed down to the point the entire panel was dislodged is now damaged. Although we reported the damage and said we wanted to file a complaint, we were met with rudeness from the staff, blanket denials for any responsibility, and only stonewalling from the hotel manager who ignored our requests to speak with him. We caught him circling our vehicle which they had parked in the street the next morning, and told him we were very disappointed that he did not even respond to our calls to him about the problem. He made all sorts of crazy excuses to deflect the fact that the damage occurred while in their custody. It is an unfortunate problem that is still not resolved. read more

Great customer service. Staff treated me very well. Clean. Comfy. Great location. I'm so glad I got a room near the beach so that when my feet were aching too much I could just go to my room and take a nap. Breakfast: I had waffles made from batter + yoplait yogurt. Elevators were super slow so we took the stairs the whole time (4th floor) I had a really annoying neighbor tho... Saturday at 2:44 AM kept knocking on his room over and over, just go on his speaker phone, and his gf b*tch at him "Honey, where ARE you?" guy: "i dunno, where are YOU?' girl: Where ARE you?.... Where ARE you (repeat about 20 times) I wanted to open the door and throw that goddam phone on the ground and punch the guy in the face ... but I decided to be civilized and shove in earplugs and roll over back to sleep. (not the hotel's fault) Overall, it was a pleasant experience I would stay there again esp with the 50 dollar off coupon for my next stay. read more

This was our honeymoon week and it was a very personal hotel. We recieved an upgrade due to our special engagement, which was a surprise and very thoughtful. The linens were top of the line along with the service throughout our four day stay. Not your typical chain hotel where no one greets you by name but in fact each staff member remembered us by name. If you are looking for something close to the cove and great service this is the place for you. Great shopping and dining within walking distance. read more

Empress Hotel La Jolla - Photo by Veronica V. (Suite) - Hotels Near Me - La Jolla, California

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Very nice and friendly staff. They try very hard to make your visit pleasant. A well appointed Comfortable room, with a great location. The music from lobby restaurant was loud on Fri night, but the following evening mgmt had taken care of the problem and all was quiet. All staff was very accommodating. read more

Stayed here last weekend and it was a decent stay, but felt a little dated. The location is absolutely perfect for walking to shops and restaurants in La Jolla Village, in addition to walking to the beach. They only offer valet parking for $18 a night, but if you're lucky, you can find parking after 6pm on the street and leave your car overnight with no charge on the weekend (safe street, well-lit). I didn't like the AC in the rooms - it was an old unit (low, medium, high - no degree) and while it did work, the room still seemed a little stuffy to me. The staff was pleasant and the location was great, but I think I would try another hotel if I return. read more

Met a friend in La Jolla for a girls getaway weekend and stayed at this cute little gem. The location is ideal- within walking distance of shopping, several restaurants, nail salons and the beach (though it doesn't have a view). I appreciated that it was not right in the craziness of La Jolla cove (which meant it was a bit quieter and not as touristy). The hotel was incredibly clean and the staff was very friendly and accommodating. We took advantage of the continental breakfast 2 out of the 3 mornings we were there (skip it one morning to go to The Cottage for brunch, you'll thank me). It was also very reasonably priced for the area. My only wish is that it had a pool for when you still want to lay out, but would like some cocktails (hard to drag them to the beach). Overall, had a wonderful stay! read more

My husband and I stayed here for the first two nights of our belated honeymoon. They gave us a complimentary upgrade to a spa suite and it was one of the nicest hotel suites we have ever stayed in. One of the staff members also gave us a map with great recommendations on local restaurants. This hotel is very close to the cove (and the seals!). Highly recommend! We hope to visit again! read more

Came with friends for a long weekend, we did not want to leave! The staff is so friendly and there was valent right up front which made it convenient for us to quickly unpack and hit the beach before sunset! We were also given hotspots by the management so we felt familiar with the area. We're so grateful for an amazing time thanks to the kind staff. The garden room was our particular favorite spot!.. I hope they do events there because I am looking to book it out in the near future for a birthday. It's an intimate space with a warm surrounding. Thank you for all you did for us Empress, we are forever grateful! read more

The most magical oasis and home away from home. I came for an escape to work away from home and ended up doing an extended stay. The staff is so kind and warm and truly inviting experience! The hotel is special. Only blocks away from the beach and nature hikes. It's the greatest escape! I would give a ten star review if I could and highly recommend it. The Manhattan Restaurant has one of the BEST menus in town! read more

I was looking for a decent hotel near the beach for a two night stay with my family (hubby and infant) - it's two blocks away from the water, yet still close to all the shops and restaurants. We arrived late evening and were pleasantly impressed, well aside from the valet parking fee, but city laws are not their fault I guess. Hubby was happy we received yummy chocolate chip cookies at check-in. Decor was traditional yet modernized and very clean, just like the photos. Service was courteous and friendly. They supplied a crib for our baby too, very helpful. The restaurant by the lobby was hopping but baby was exhausted so we ordered room service and the food was delicious. Room was very spacious. The next day we had continental breakfast plus eggs and waffles, nice. Well priced and a happy stay - would come back for sure. read more

Service was friendly and the price was great. When I called to make my reservation, I was alerted of a 72 hour sale, the standard queen was $99- quite a deal. Breanna, checked me in and was very professional and friendly. I had called to request early check in and they were able to accommodate my 12pm arrival. I didn't check out the continental breakfast. I appreciated the in room Starbucks coffee and the bed was comfy. The a/c was quiet and worked well. They lost a star for cleanliness, the hand towels were literally three different shades, the grayest one looked more like a cleaning rag, the yellowish one had lipstick stains, and the white one, well it was fine. The paint around the doors needs to be touched up and there were stains on the carpet. The room was nothing stellar but it was comfortable and served the purpose. I was surprised that they had turn down service. Ryan checked me out and he was helpful and funny. I appreciated the staff giving walking directions and including a map. I would definitely return for an overnight stay, wouldn't take an extended vacation here as the hotel has limited amenities, but the location is perfect and this is an excellent spot for business travel. Free Wi-Fi was greatly appreciated. I parked on the street, it wasn't a problem, then again, it was a Wednesday in October! read more

I stay often at the Empress and agree with many of the things posters have said - both positive and negative. It is a bit noisy if you are in a room by the elevator (which are slow) and the breakfast is decent and have options. My biggest complaint is the lack of ipod stereos in the rooms. Otherwise, the rooms are large, have great views, and very nice bathrooms! The robes and fridges are a nice touch and you can avoid the valet charge by parking on the street. Free wifi is also great. The biggest pro is the location which is fantastic and why I continue to stay here. read more

Such a nice hotel!!! And perfect location!! I found this place on a Livingsocial and wondered...oh what am I gonna find?? This place was spotless, friendly, and had valet parking with no limit on how often you could get your car!!! We enjoyed our staycation very much, and if ever decide to go back to La Jolla for it...we will indeed return!!!!! read more

Needed a very last minute room and the staff was so friendly in helping me book the room. Very nice hotel, with very nice rooms. The bedsheets were the softest bedsheets I've ever experienced at any hotel. The next time I visit La Jolla I will stay here. read more

Love love love this boutique hotel! Why?! Location and customer service! They're next to the Cottage - great brunch place and around the corner from Public House which has good beer. They're central to a lot of other restaurants and businesses (including grocery store) as well. The last time we stayed at the hotel we walked to Spice and Rice Thai restaurant for lunch and went to Prep Kitchen for dinner. All short walks! We booked the room from Hotel Tonight and got a great deal, better than through Expedia, Orbitz, or booking.com. They only have valet parking... for $18 with unlimited access to your car to leave and come back as you please. Street parking can get tough esp during lunch/dinner rush or on weekends. Their continental breakfast is awesome! Don't expect super fancy food but the ambience in their patio area with a peaceful water fountain makes up for it. I think their selection of items were just fine! Oatmeal, cereals, hard boiled eggs, pastries, Greek yogurt, bread for toasting, 3 jam flavors, 2 waffle makers, decaf and caffeinated coffee, OJ, milk, and water! This hotel is also walking distance to the beach, it's not AS close as the other mainstream named hotels on the main street near the beach but close enough. Rooms are quaint and seems as if they've been renovated in the past few years. The rooms include a fridge and microwave in addition to normal amenities most hotels have (WiFi included). I also liked their terry cloth robes provided, super soft and not too heavy to wear around. A unique addition is the soap bar they provide, I love that they're being economic and doing their part to reduce waste so the bar soap had a huge hole in the middle, kind of weird looking at first but a pretty cool idea! Customer service was superb, especially with Sarah. I arrived there earlier than their check in time and she quickly checked to see if I could get a room immediately because she saw that I'm pregnant due any day now and I was hoping to nap a bit! I was in luck because there happened to be a free room and she was so sweet about offering to help me to the room etc. Talk about going above and beyond, so thankful for people like her in the hospitality business! read more

We stayed at Empress to get ready for our wedding at the Cuvier Club and night of the wedding. The staff was so welcoming and helpful! The spa suite was huge and beautiful, perfect for the bridal party to get ready. I would definitely stay here again!! read more

Ended up getting a great deal on Hotwire to this hotel. So happy with the atmosphere and vibe this hotel gave off. Room was very clean and had everything you could need. It even had a great view of the ocean and windows that open so you can enjoy the breeze. Located within walk distance of the la Jolla cove and all the resteraunts/bars. What really made the trip was when Ryan at guest services gave us a printed guided tour of San Diego and a packet of maps to enjoy a scenic drive to our end destination in San Diego downtown. Very happy with this hotel and will be sure to stay again. Thanks Ryan! read more

This hotel is lucky to be in a good location within La Jolla. Other than that, it has very little going for it. Our suite was a good size but no one came to clean it for our entire stay and it was nothing special in any way. The sofa bed was terrible. It was so noisy and so uncomfortable but we had no choice but to use it. One of our TVs didn't get a bunch of basic channels and when we called the front desk they said they couldn't do anything about it. We ordered room service from the restaurant within the hotel one night. The food was pretty good but no one came to pick up our trays that we left outside in the hallway during our entire stay. The only people we saw working there were a couple of clerks at the front desk who were semi helpful when we checked in/out but not really interested in providing customer service. Overall, I was really disappointed in the place. The two stars are for the location and the decent size of the room but nothing else. read more

A superb refreshing hotel for my brief vacation stay. The reservation desk person was so hospitable and friendly. He gave us a map and ideas for restaurants. They were able to accommodate an early check in. The room was a quiet corner room. Immaculate room and bathroom. I loved the location which was close to downtown but no view, which was fine. The price was reasonable and beds were so comfortable. Added touches were the robe and slippers made it spa like. Thank you for a great stay! read more

We have not yet finished our stay at the Empress, but given that I never leave reviews, I felt I should do so while on my mind. I wish we were here on vacation. This was purely business and under last minute, little time to prepare, and less than ideal or pleasant circumstances. From my first point of contact with the Empress staff, I felt comfortable, trusting, and impressed. I didn't even know what our need was at that time. Sienikka listened and went above and beyond to inform me of our options and to find what best met our needs. She provided service that far exceeded my expectations and is hard to find today. I am incredibly grateful for that. She referred me to speaking with the manager Larry to move forward from there. I was given the same considerate, professional, accommodating, and friendly service from him. All of the staff were clearly looking out for us and making our stay the best possible. Each day they greeted us with a smile and positive energy. The best! We've been at the Empress for 5 days now and have had nothing but amazing experiences. We have engaged with most of the staff here--Seamus, Jon, Siennika, and Larry. We've had nothing but the most pleasant, professional, pleasant, and impressive experiences. I am very grateful for the service they've provided and for the incredible and amazing experience. I sincerely thank you for what you've given us!!!! I'm working on a justifiable reason to come back in the near future .... I'll find one lol. Erin read more

Overall the hotel is good. It's in a good location. Staff is friendly. Rooms were small. However the biggest concern for both of us was the bathroom. Very small bathroom with single sink. The bathroom door is slatted. In other words it's a shutter type door. Whoever designed these rooms discounted one's privacy in the bathroom. Big no no. I would actually give this hotel 3 1/2 stars not 4. The bathroom door and size was a big concern. read more

My first stay at the hotel and there is plenty to like. The location is ideal, heart of downtown La Jolla where there are plenty of local beaches and attractions during the day and better food, drinks, and sites during the evening. The hotel has a very old feel with modern interior and one of the better local restaurant/cocktail lounges is inside the hotel- The Manhattan. Live music on weekends and delicious cocktails. I selected this hotel after a lengthy search for an in-room hot tub, and was happily surprised by the romance package they offer. With this package, they sort rose pedals across the floor and on the bed into a heart shape, provide locally made chocolate, and have champagne on ice when you arrive in your room. If you get high enough (about 3rd floor and up) you can get a slight view of the ocean and it gives a great environment for the sunset. A very classy hotel with great rooms, an outstanding staff, and a historic feel. Worth noting there was zero noise from surrounding rooms and for a quick tip, park right around the corner overnight if you want to skip the $30 valet fee! The spots are open parking from 6 pm-8 am, and 2 hour parking any hours outside. read more

Good Hotel..!! There are enough open free evening parking space available around hotel. That saves vaet/daily parking fee. If I remember correctly, no resort/hotel fee either and it is very close to la jolla shopping and other places.15 mins by walk.. read more

Amazing I have to say! My stay with express blew away my expectations! This was my first and it won't be my last time that I stay with Empress. The staff was beyond friendly, giving us parking and location advice: to upgrading our room for us! The rooms are beautiful, great location and amazing amenities! If your In need of a room, I have to say stay with Empress, you won't be disappointed. Thank you staff for such a great honeymoon!! read more

We blocked rooms here for my wedding. I was so pleased with everything the Empress did for us. Upon check in, they delivered premade (by us) wedding bags to give to our guest as they checked in. Or rooms were great, the continental breakfast was good and the location was perfect! On our wedding night we had Champaign waiting for us in the room. We were within walking distance to our wedding venue and there was plenty of other places to visit after the wedding celebration. Only complaint, the elevators did not work properly. They were very slow and stopped at the wrong floor. I would stay there again if I had an opportunity read more

What a great hotel. We were looking for a weekend getaway and chose Empress Hotel base on Tripadvisor reviews. I'm so glad we did. The lobby was inviting, Sarah behind the desk was very friendly and helpful. The room was clean and tastefully decorated with good size shower (important to my husband). We had a room on the 5th floor with a peek a boo view of the ocean. The hotel's location was perfect. We had a nice short walk to La Jolla Cove before sunset; it was fun watching the seals/sea lions in their natural habitat swimming in the ocean with people. We had a great dinner at Manhattan La Jolla in the lobby of the hotel. We slept in the next day and missed the 10 o'clock cutoff for breakfast, so we walked to The Cottage for breakfast (delicious!) After that, we browsed at all the cute shops in the area. Perfect place for a relaxing weekend getaway!! read more

My husband's first trip to La Jolla and we found this gem! Thanks, Yelp reviewers! Staff is super friendly and truly cater to your every need. Great for walking if you plan to just stay in the surrounding area. read more

I was here for a weekend for a wedding. For the hotel itself, this place was really nice. Very 5 star-esque, hotel decor, service, and awesome bathroom. Of course, other than to shower or sleep, I didn't spend too much time in the room because there's too much stuff to do in San Diego. The bed wasn't uncomfortable like Motel 6 or anything. For such a nice, classy hotel, the continental breakfast was very mediocre. I probably shouldn't be griping about the continental breakfast, but I got to give at least one constructive criticism. The pastries and donuts were all stale and tasted old, and I was hungover from a brutal forced-alcohol-consumption wedding reception. Considering that I paid a 5 star-esque price for this hotel room (booked late), I want 5 star-esque everything. read more

This hotel is close to all the shopping and dining in La Jolla. They have a friendly staff, cookies upon check-in, free wifi, a spacious bathroom, bathrobes, fridge, big closet, and a comfortable bed. This was the first time I slept soundly for two nights in a hotel. I usually wake up every other hour to toss and turn, but didn't experience that here and wanted to sleep in until check-out. read more

location is perfect which allowed us to walk everywhere - nearby restaurants which we taste-tested :) we sampled 2 thai, 1 sushi, 1 asian fusion and had last minute treats at the grocery store. everything is within walking distance.......the cove, the beach, the trails, the boutique shops, Michele bakery, the Cottage, massage, dayspas, nailspas, and fitness club. breakfast was complimentary which helped fueled us to get out and go to the beaches and chill. milk, yogur, cereal, and pastries were all that we need. boiled eggs were hard as rocks but minor. coffee and juice were our staple so that was adequate...to get us out...then we head to nearby Starbucks which gave us the real high :) no Peet's coffee though......... will stay here again. read more

We loved our stay! When we walked in we were greeted by Ryan, who is AWESOME!!! He was so nice and friendly, and he's totally knowledgable about the area, and any restaurant or activity in the area you may be interested in. The room was clean, spacious, and comfortable. The bed was perfect, not to hard or soft, plenty of pillows, and loved the bathroom too! Breakfast had a good variety of items, waffles, bread, hot/cold cereals, juices...by the way I love their soap they provide for your shower, it's got a big hole in the middle so you don't have a lot of waste totally awesome! read more

My wife and I chose the hotel for our 25th anniversary and we were not disappointed. From the lobby to the continental breakfast to housekeeping, everything was wonderful. Everyone was very nice and helpful. We chose the Superior Suite with the jacuzzi tub. What a great way to finish days of wandering around La Jolla. Again, a top notch establishment. If and when we return to La Jolla, the Empress will be our home away from home. Thanks read more

I selected this hotel because it is within walking distance of the beach, businesses and food spots including a supermarket. I booked it on Orbitz which has it listed as a 3 star hotel. I figured that'll suffice for our honeymoon. (it's listed 4/4.5 when googled i saw after.) I was shocked when I got there! We've been to quite a few hotels and this was a 5 star compared to our past experiences. We came in late that night to be greeted by Ryan who was so helpful. He chatted with us a little congratulating us, informing us and offering unlimited help if we needed any. I was caught off guard especially since he was working the night shift. The whole staff was pleasant and nice but Ryan stood out because he just had that personality. We also did valet with the hotel as it was the cheaper route, and while all valets were friendly, Jon was extremely helpful and always portrayed a professional demeanor. We didn't tip much every day when we received our car but they always seemed so grateful. It was refreshing. The rooms were clean, place is gorgeous and quiet, with the exception of a little banging now and again from the construction on the second floor. Didn't bother us...neither did we complain. That'd be like ringing a bell and expecting it not to sound. The complimentary breakfast is delicious and fresh and the view is beautiful. We would stay here again. Definitely. We have never been to ANY hotel that every single staff member was pleasant and friendly. They made our trip Complete. Maybe humanity isn't completely lost after all..lol read more

Great location, decent price for la Jolla. Breakfast included, continental with hard boiled eggs, meats and cheeses. There is no pool, which is a little disappointing. They should put one on the roof. Would be nice to take a dip after being in the sun. Room was good sized and comfortable with mini fridge, microwave and coffee maker. But here's the goofy thing... The bathroom door was louvered. Kind of uncomfortable using the toilet when someone is 3 feet away and not separated by a real door. I'm probably just a uptight American, but that's how I feel. read more

I absolutely loved my stay in La Jolla. The staff at the empress are extremely friendly and helpful. Smiles all around! They provide you with all the information you need to enjoy the city, including a map! The rooms were spacious and very clean, great hot shower, nice big TVS and a lovely view. Before bed they come in to turn down your sheets (with a little piece of candy) which is so pleasant to come home to! I HIGHLY recommend staying here. Affordable and wonderful! read more

The staff here is REALLY nice (even when I called fairly grumpy my first morning about a banging noise from the flags outside). Ryan, at the front desk, even placed a room service order for me before I checked in (I was driving down, and was worried I would just miss the cutoff time for ordering and have to go without dinner). The young blonde valet (I forgot his name) is very nice, professional, and well-groomed. The women who work the front desk in the morning were very gracious about changing my room away from the flag noise (it was an exceptionally windy day and I like to sleep in, so the noise might not be a problem for early risers), and about arranging a late checkout for me (even after I had already accidentally slept past checkout time). Other pros: Room service from the Manhattan restaurant is delicious!!! I especially recommend the rolled eggplant, and I very much enjoyed the veal (florentina, I think???). Rooms are well-appointed and spacious. Bathroom amenities are great (white tea). Location is absolutely superb. Walk to the seals, tons of restaurants, miles of beaches and activities. Although valet parking is available, street parking can be found (esp. If you are not parking during the day when spots are time-limited. I loved the coffee in the lobby. It's great having a fridge in the room! Air conditioning cooled the room nicely (something sadly lacking in many hotels these days, even-perhaps, especially, high-end ones). Room for improvement: The free included breakfast was very nice, but I wouldn't mind having an option to pay a small amount for a slightly larger selection (specifically, boiled eggs, some bacon or lean ham, and some fresh berries or peeled citrus). Also, animals, even service dogs, are limited to 2nd floor rooms. I can see the logic in keeping animals in certain rooms, but perhaps there is a way to do this across different floors/room types? Maybe the rooms at the end of the halls or something? 11am checkout: Dude, that's really early. I stay in hotels a lot, and I just assumed noon checkout, as is pretty standard. In fairness, however, I have stayed several times and never had a problem getting a later checkout (12:15/30 if I recall correctly). Overall, this hotel is a great value and really nice place to stay in La Jolla. The only demographic I would hesitate to recommend it to would be families looking for a more resort feel, as there is not a pool. I would recommend it for solos or couples wanting a relaxed and nice getaway at the beach, people traveling for work (the reason for my stay), or anyone wanting to stay I n the area. read more

Visited the Empress Hotel on the weekend of February 20th and 21st. Took advantage of valet parking and got checked in at about 12:30pm. Found my room to be very comfortable, nice furnishings and appreciate the charger station at the writing desk for my electronic gear. * Very much appreciate the availability of wi-fi connection at the hotel for guest use. The Empress is in a great location and from there one can walk easily to the many shops, galleries, and restaurants nearby. The beach is a short walk away. ( In the evening, my party walked easily to Eddie Vic's for a fine dinner with an incredible moon lit view of the bay. ) The staff were all very attentive, helpful with directions, most courteous and responsive to concerns. I enjoyed the complimentary breakfast on Sunday morning and partook from the selection of cereal, hard boiled eggs, banana, yogurt cups, and used the waffle maker to have a hot waffle. Coffee and teas were also available. Didn't award five stars for this visit due to the following: 1) Phone in room could not reach local businesses in town. Reported to desk for repair. 2) Ice maker on the floor I was staying on was broken. 3) Exercise room is remarkably small and too cramped for use by more than two persons at a time in my opinion. read more

This is a great hotel and the staff was amazing. The rooms are very clean and cozy. The family had an excellent time. Thank you.