We had been looking forward to staying here for our first getaway together after hearing so many great reviews. Overall, it was a good experience, but a few things didn't quite match our expectations. Upon arrival, the building wasn't as "grand" as it appears in the promotional videos--it has more of a homey, slightly outdated feel, though still pleasant. The front desk staff were very friendly and helpful, even offering a golf cart service on a first-come, first-served basis for late-night rides back to the hotel, which was a nice touch. Our room was nice, but not exactly what we expected. We had requested a king ocean-view room--the view was absolutely amazing--but the bed was definitely closer to a queen size. Unfortunately, my husband had trouble sleeping because his side of the mattress was sagging. On a positive note, the bathroom was spotless--really well maintained (check out my photos!). And the location is a huge highlight--within easy walking distance to local shops and restaurants, which made everything super convenient. Overall, a mixed experience: great location and service, but some room details could definitely be improved. read more

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Pros: Nice location. Lovely restaurant. Wonderful valet service. Cozy foyer. Relaxing pool area. Fantastic room service. Luxury toiletries. Cons: Cramped room. Musty closet. Thin walls. Dated furniture, not at all of what's shown on website. High rise blocking water view. Overall: Good enough stay. Wasn't worth the full price paid. Cheers! read more

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My husband and I spent Labor Day weekend at the Grande Colonial, and it turned out to be a lovely little retreat with all the walkability and laid-back coastal vibe we were hoping for. The location couldn't be better -- right in the heart of La Jolla Village, surrounded by cafés, restaurants, bars, shops, and of course the beach. I recommend stopping by Parakeet Café for breakfast; their croissant sandwich and matcha latte are absolutely delicious, and it's just a short, pleasant walk from the hotel. The hotel itself has that classic European elegance. You can sense its history in the lobby, the wood trim, and the timeless décor that complements the building's architecture. It's charming rather than gaudy, and while some parts could use a refresh, everything was clean and well maintained. Being close to the ocean made the evenings cool and breezy, which was a welcome change from the city heat. The elevator is old and slow, which adds to the hotel's historic character but may test your patience if you're in a rush. We loved being able to wander down to see the sea lions, and one afternoon we even went snorkeling with them -- an unforgettable experience. Back at the hotel, they provided beach towels and bike rentals so we could easily ride down the coast path. The valet team was friendly, prompt, and professional, ensuring that arrivals and departures were effortless. As far as our room, it was spacious, and while not the prettiest, it had a soft bed that made for a restful night's sleep. It also included a small fridge, perfect for storing leftover food. They also had a coffee maker with a basket stocked with complimentary water, soft drinks, and a few thoughtful snacks -- a small but appreciated detail that made our stay feel more personal. We also had dinner at the hotel's restaurant, NINE-TEN Restaurant & Bar, which was excellent: a well-rounded menu, attentive service, and a warm, sophisticated but chill atmosphere that fit the La Jolla scene perfectly. The area isn't overwhelmingly packed even for a holiday weekend. It's a great spot for people watching, especially with all the outdoor patios along the street where you can sip a glass of wine and take in the views. And if you want to get into central San Diego, it's an easy drive or Uber ride, so you get the best of La Jolla and the bigger city. If you're looking for ultra-modern luxury this might not check every box, but if you want a comfortable, convenient seaside stay with character, this is a very good choice. I'd definitely stay again. read more

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The location of the Grande Colonial Hotel in La Jolla is very convenient to all of the various and sundry highlights in the Village of La Jolla. There are uniformed attendants posted at the front door of the hotel on Prospect Street to assist with the parking of your car as well as with check in into the hotel itself. Just inside the front door, to the right of the lobby, is located the bar. Also in that location is the excellent NineTen Restaurant (named after the address of the hotel--910 Prospect Street). The restaurant has a Michelin reference (not a star) and is recommended for dinner. The lobby is decorated in a very traditional style of furnishings. in addition, there are also beautiful decorations displayed during various holidays throughout the year. Be sure to request a room with a view of the Pacific Ocean. read more

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Stepping into the Grande Colonial is like entering a refined seaside retreat with a storied past. Built in 1913, this boutique landmark balances old world elegance and modern comfort beautifully. The lobby's arches, crown moldings, and classic European inspired décor immediately set a tone of quiet luxury. We stayed in a room with a pool and peekaboo ocean view, #206, which was spacious, well appointed, and tastefully furnished with warm tones, plush bedding, and modern conveniences, free Wi-Fi, flat-screens, Keurig machine, etc. The location is superb: a short walk to beaches, boutique shops, ocean bluffs, and great restaurants around La Jolla village. The standout for food lovers is Nine-Ten Restaurant & Bar, where we had breakfast. The cuisine is creative, farm-to-table, and the wine list is impressive. For an upscale meal in a comfortable, elegant setting, this is hard to beat. Valet parking adds cost, and there's a resort fee, which some guests found frustrating because it isn't always made transparent in third-party bookings, but I knew it was coming. They also do not have an on-site workout facility, but they do have a relationship with a standalone gym, which is a short walk down the street. Noise can be an issue depending on room location, street noise, or being near service areas or stairs, as reported by my friend. However, room #206 was located in a quiet corner. Overall, the Grande Colonial delivers a mostly delightful stay. If you want historic charm, excellent location, and high-end dining, it's a strong pick. Just check room location, confirm all fees up front. read more

Grande Colonial - Enjoying life in room 206. Crystal waters meet horizon, pure bliss from pool to ocean. - Hotels Near Me - La Jolla, California

The Grande Colonial was our little home during our stay at La Jolla and we could have not asked for a more beautiful spot! When we walked up to our room, we noticed all the back doors were open letting in the fresh ocean breeze and it was absolutely delicious. This historic building is centrally located and has a casual yet elegant coastal grandmother vibe. It is beautiful enough for a wedding, but I still did not feel out of place with my children hanging out in the lounge area. We stayed in a suite and were pleasantly surprised by how roomy and comfortable it was. My kiddos LOVED exploring every single corner and we practically had to drag them out to the beach (which is literally a block over)...they were having that much fun! The reason I am not giving the place four stars, is my husband had an uneasy encounter with a particular member of the housekeeping staff that made us feel like we were being profiled and gave us an uneasy feeling even till now. Other than this one person, I felt like service was very friendly and I loved how you were able to text the front desk with any requests or questions. read more

I stayed here for a work trip and I thought the experience was solid. The lights in the bathroom turned off randomly and the AC was a bit loud, but I enjoyed overall. My room had a fantastic view and the free snacks and sodas were a fun perk! Location was also very convenient. read more

Grande Colonial - View from room 418 - Hotels Near Me - La Jolla, California

We rented three rooms for a Holiday get together and dinner. Valet and check in excellent. Lobby had beautiful Christmas decorations with a large well done Christmas tree next to the fireplace. Just what we were looking for to get that holiday vibe going. This is an older hotel which brings great charm and has a very comfortable feel. The public restrooms were very clean and well maintained. The carpets in hallways to the rooms and on the stairs are just starting to show their age from their last replacement. Some areas need a little touch up painting but not really noticeable. Our room on the third floor, north side had a very small sliver view of the Ocean. We could hear a little traffic noise from Prospect St. It was a good size room with a nice King bed. There were no firm pillows on the bed, just soft down style. The bathroom was good size. Unfortunately, the toilet was right up against the sink vanity so you could not even lean to the right! The lighting was very good in the room, and the window covers did an adequate job. Our two other rooms were on the 2nd and 3rd floors right above Prospect St. Occupants in those rooms got very little sleep because of the loud traffic noise. As an older hotel the exterior noise damping is poor. read more

Friday, November 21, 2025 Earlier this week, we enjoyed our stay and the hotel staff was very friendly ... and very efficient. Also, the room was lovely with nice amenities. However, it was near-impossible to spend time in the lobby bar and the lobby area overlooking the pool and ocean because: Every door and most windows were open ... and it was COLD! BTW: On each floor, many hallway doors and windows were open too. Note to GM: Kim, its winter. I think it's a good idea to keep the guests warm and comfortable. :-) read more

This is the third time we go to Grand colonial, I want to take time and explain why I love this place so much. It's beautiful, old structure but very nicely preserved, European looking building. Has beautiful rooms from the smallest to the suite, they are beautiful. Very kind and polite people work there, if you talk to them you will see how happy they are with their management. And I think their happiness and gratitude translates how they treat you in return. Their food is excellent, service is quick and this makes the whole experience so pleasant. I'm a perfectionist and can find fault in everything and to be very honest, I couldn't find one! This year on our anniversary and my birthday we booked and arrived there, everything was going great until we heard a loved one's passing and turned our celebration into sadness but we stayed and then headed home. Our daughter had paid for our dinner there but we had no appetite for food so we cancelled the dinner. I wish I had the funds to go back and enjoy this beautiful place at beautiful La Jolla but can't afford it anymore in foreseeable future but I hope for anyone that is considering to try the Grand Colonial hotel, to have a wonderful time. Very satisfied customer and thank you. read more

Jacob the closing bartender makes custom cocktails. They're amazing! Stop by if you're in the area. Nice relaxed vibes inside. read more

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Located in the middle of La Jolla Village. Historic hotel but recently renovated so has all the modern amenities. Very friendly staff, highly informed with good suggestions regarding the nearby restaurants and activities. Snacks and drinks in the room plus fridge. Large walk-in closet with safe. Overall a great place for a weekend getaway. read more

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I stayed here over Thanksgiving and it's just beautiful. It's elegant and beautifully decorated. The staff is so friendly. The TVs are kind of hard to use ... nearly impossible, but that's easy to overlook with all the views and excellent food. I will be back again! read more

Grande Colonial - Hotels Near Me - La Jolla, California

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All the employees we encountered during our two days there were very friendly. From Ivy the texting chat, to housekeeping, valet, front desk. We had a ridiculous number of requests (a room upgrade, wine glasses, wine key, bathrobe, slippers, ice and extra bucket, tea, late check-out, etc) to fulfill our needs and each time they were met with kindness and a smile. The hotel itself is a classic traditional style with beautiful details and rich dark wood and marble. It has an upscale feel that makes it fit in nicely. And of course, the location can't be beat. We chose it for the 4-stars and value. We loved our room size and the airy balcony it accompanied with a well operating window that we could use for fresh air and the salty breeze. The mattress and linens were sumptuous and each bed offered several sets of pillows varying in degrees of fluff. We had the wonderful experience of dining at NineTen. Our waiter, Jerard, was fabulous and so knowledgeable about the wines and dishes. He really made them come alive with exciting descriptions. The wine pairings with our duck and salmon were exquisite. Certainly an opportunity not to be passed up while staying there. read more

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Literally nothing but good things to say about this hotel. The rooms are beautiful. Nicely refurbished with modern fixtures and incredible views. All of the staff are very kind and helpful. They go out of their way to make sure you have everything you might need. They definitely go above and beyond. I can't recommend this hotel enough! read more

We wanted good central location to walk around LaJolla and this was the perfect location. Close to the beach and restaurants and shops. Lovely historic hotel. Very spacious room with ocean views and an excellent restaurant in the hotel. Will definitely be returning. read more

Place was great! A good price, free valet, across the street from the beach, clean rooms, cozy patios, a great shower, and no charge for the snacks/water in the room! And the staff was super nice too. And it's located on a super lively street with many food options and hot spots, so we actually didn't even use our car the whole time and left it with the valet the moment we arrived. No complaints! read more

My wife and I chose this hotel because of the location and the reviews we had seen. In terms of the former, the location was excellent. It's central and within walking distance to pretty much everything. In terms of the latter, well our experience was a bit mixed. First of all, the pros. Generally good service, especially the housekeeping staff. They made our experience five stars. Our room (King Garden Suite) was also spacious, included a working electric fireplace, and a small kitchenette that really came in handy. The daily coffee was also good and of good quality. In terms of cons, the room itself, although spacious, could use some updating. For example, where the carpet ends and meets the tile in the bathroom, there were exposed carpet staples which my wife pricked her foot on. The sink occasionally leaked and there are no streaming capabilities on the TV. None. For a hotel of this caliber, I'd expect the ability to at least stream Netflix using my account. Second, amenities. We were told that there would be a shuttle service via London cab or golf cart. The cab was down, so golf cart it is. This is nice but also not the best experience, especially considering the fees that are charged. In fact, of the fees, I'm not really sure what we were really getting for such a high fee. This is La Jolla though, so expect that. Overall, a positive experience but I'd probably stay elsewhere for the cost. read more

This hotel is perfect, and the restaurant is wonderful as well. Amazing location right by the water in La Jolla & the staff is fantastic. I recommend getting an ocean facing room for beautiful views! :) read more

Grande Colonial - Ocean view room - Hotels Near Me - La Jolla, California

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Update to my review: service was so wonderful! The assistant manager, Ryan, is a gem. After my last review he reached out to us via email to make it right. Who does that???? Someone who has excellent hospitality skills. The front desk ladies were so lovely this go round and very accommodating! The laughed and teased with us and even switched our rooms when it was very noisy! All in all, because of their customer service and the managers caring and follow up we will definitely be using this hotel as our go to place in the future. We are in California about 2 to 3 times a year and we have wedding festivities coming up so we will definitely be using The Grande Colonial for all!!!! read more

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My husband and I love staying at this hotel for a relaxing getaway! Beautiful area and grounds in La Jolla, walking distance to ocean read more

Grande Colonial - LOVED our room with this amazing view!! - Hotels Near Me - La Jolla, California

This hotel is my saving grace. I have been a loyal customer for 26 years. This Sunday will be the anniversary of my husband's death. I am a young widow who needed to fall asleep in a place called home. I love this place in every essence of its beautiful walls and extensive view of the ocean. I need to recognize the most amazing employee/ manager ever. Her name is Isabel. She always remembers me and makes me feel special. A few months ago I was studying for my licensing exam. I needed to go to a place for peace and solace. ISABEL WAS MAGNIFICENT. She set up a room away from the noise, arranged a car to take me to the exam, and had other employees check in via text to see if I passed. I was alone without my husband but felt incredibly cared for. After my dinner at Colonial's amazing restaurant, Isabel arranged for a celebratory cake. I was in tears! Thank you Isabel!!!'i read more

Grande Colonial - My Place for peace and beauty' - Hotels Near Me - La Jolla, California

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This hotel is a hidden gem! The staff is so friendly, the rooms are super clean (and even have snacks), the restaurant food is to die for and the ocean views are incredible! You can walk to everything in La Jolla and there are tons of shops, restaurants & bars. I had a wedding at the hotel & the manager Daisy & her team were absolutely amazing! I will definitely be coming back for vacation! read more

Grande Colonial - Sunset - Hotels Near Me - La Jolla, California

Would love to tell you it was awful so I can go back and not fight for a room but in reality it was fantastic. Clean rooms, beautiful view and nice area great choice... Stayed in the bungalows glad I didn't book the hotel as it was perfect. Wish bungalows had designated parking in front of them but no other issues read more

Loved room 425 and had great ocean view unobstructed. Stayed for a night and enjoyed everything about this cozy spot close to the ocean. We stayed in the main hotel. Valet is 24/7 and could've checked in anytime and typically front desk staffed until 11pm on Sunday then night crew takes over. read more

Initially gave 2 stars but then discovered filthy room and bug in shower and nasty ice bucket. Kim GM said manager would contact NEVER EVER DID. READ MY OTHER REVIEW. POORLY MANAGED HOTEL. read more

Grande Colonial - Window sill of room. Dirty dirty dirty. Ivy must have quit because after horrible experience we got no contact from on sight management. - Hotels Near Me - La Jolla, California

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Arrived with my boyfriend for the Memorial long weekend and left engaged! Our whole 3 days 2 night stay can't be more perfect. We arrived a few hours early so we had left our truck with the valet to park while we grab some food. Came back and our room was already ready with our belongings in the room. Super nice! Our room had a pool view and partial ocean views which was cool. We had everything we needed in the room. Comfortable bed and amenities like coffee. I like that it's close to the lobby when we had to grab extra bottled water which they graciously gave us. All the staff was friendly and accommodating. We had room service for breakfast on Sunday, it came fast and food was delicious! We're very happy to have stayed in this beautiful hotel. I'm all for the charm and historic buildings. read more

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This beautiful, classic and totally renovated boutique hotel in La Jolla never fails to impress! The Grande Colonial boasts spacious rooms with extra comfy beds, spectacular views and spotless elegance throughout. I've hosted a few corporate functions here (doing another in August) and Leo Lopez and his staff have always proven to be Top Notch professionals who made me and our guests feel welcome and comfortable in every way possible. If that's not enough, Jamie will greet you at their Michelin rated restaurant NINE-TEN for an outstanding meal and experience led by award winning chef Jason Knibb. Yummy, I can't to return! read more

This past weekend was planned for our wedding anniversary and we chose to celebrate the occasion at the Grande Colonial. I am a proud veteran and utilized a third party booking service through USAA. Unfortunately, it was projected we would immediately be affected by the Line Fire on Saturday. I called USAA Perks and requested on Friday to cancel our reservation and begin our evacuation procedures to be ready and not cause further issues for responding fire personnel. We were under mandatory evacuation early Saturday and are thankful we made the responsible decision to prepare. We are on day 5 under evacuation as this is being written. I was notified today through email from USAA Perks that Grande Colonial would not refund the reservation and would stick with their standard cancellation policy. It is a surprise and disheartening that an establishment of this caliber would respond to a state of emergency in such a callous and non-empathetic manner, we were one day out the cancellation policy. This is the decision made to treat a veteran with such disdain? Apparently the management here is not aware of a sense of dedication. We will have our celebration when we and our animals safely return home, and I guarantee, it will not be at the Grande Colonial! Disrespected veteran https://www.gov.ca.gov/2024/09/07/governor-newsom-proclaims-state-of-emergency-in-san-bernardino-county-secures-federal-assistance-to-support-response-to-line-fire/ Updated 12:30: Thank you to Kim for responding to my review and quickly addressing the problem. I am expecting a full refund. We are still dealing with our evacuation and hope to give Grande Colonial a visit in the near future. read more

This would have been a 4.5 star experience had it not been for the... ...wait for it... the NOISE. It's 100% true what others are saying so heed the warnings you are reading. I was treated to a staycation here a few weeks ago. We tried to book online but all the rooms seemed sold out. Friend was able to book a room via the phone though. It was his gift to me so I wasn't really sure what to expect from the room. I told him how the yelp reviews warned of construction noise so he made note of that. The valet guys were nice and efficient. The lobby looked dated and empty. The check in desk was to the left of entrance. Nine-Ten is to the right of entrance. There was just an eerie feel that early evening (check in is 430p). Elevator was first sign of renovation (see pic). It was shabby and all padded with cushions on the wall. We get to 5th floor and immediately noticed many rooms open and being worked on by construction/handy men. We had to maneuver around construction items in hallway to make it to our room. I felt so bad as friend said upon making reservation, the girl said construction was not being done on 5th or 3rd fl (something like that). So apparently that was false. But, my goodness. Our ROOM was breathtaking. I'm not sure why it's called a suite as it wasn't very big or had a table (for eating). But the views - the fresh ocean breeze that would blow on your face and through your hair - when you opened all the windows facing the ocean. It was truly one of THE BEST rooms I've ever experienced (due to views and breeze, not because of room amenities or furnishings). Friend said hotel mentioned this was a renovated room. There wasn't too much noise that evening. But in the morning, I can't remember what time. The noise just appeared. It was so frustrating and distracting. Friend wouldn't tell me what he paid for room but I know it was alot. It's expensive here at The Colonial so every minute counts when you want the full experience right? So losing precious moments with someone, because of construction noise, was unacceptable. What's the point of this staycation when the morning was pretty must lost due to their construction. We did order room service which comes from Nine-Ten. There were a few mistakes in the order but no biggie. The star dish was their FRENCH TOAST - holy moly . This food blogger was blown away (separate post to follow about Nine-Ten). We tried Nine-Ten happy hour the night before and enjoyed it quite a bit. Bed was comfortable. Bathroom had nice amenities but no tub. The shower was awkward as there was no shower door. Overall, an ok-stay(cation) that should have been a most memorable one. read more

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Fantastic hotel and great customer service. We especially appreciated Casey L.'s help and recommendations to local places to eat and shop. Very welcoming and friendly demeanor. It was nice getting up early to bike around town (the hotel provides the bikes). Love this town and will be coming back to stay at the Grande Colonial Hotel again. read more

Older Hotel in downtown La Jolla, consisting of a main building and several outlying buildings. I had booked a queen ocean view room two beds. The room does have a lovely view, however it faces a small parking lot snd one side is directly on the street. If you are looking for quiet, do not book this room. Another issue was that across the street was some heavy construction equipment parked. At 3:45 am the company decided to move it!!!Unbelevable! The service in the hotel is good, you are greeted by name, there is a very nice restaurant and a small pool. Dry walkable area. Would stay again and book a different room. There was also a mix up with my car, the valet brought me the wrong car the first day. read more

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Great property, very attentive staff. Walking distance to all kinds of dining and shopping. Not inexpensive. Our view read more

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Good location a lot of shops and restaurants in walking distance staff is so nice room service is awesome

The hotel was nice and the vicinity to the beach was perfect. I thought I'd be doing more in La Jolla which is why we paid the extra money for a closer hotel. We ended up not really staying there and venturing out. The demographic at the hotel seemed to be more of a retired crowd and also not too diverse tbh. We went to restaurants in the area that seemed to have a diverse crowd so I feel like it was probably just the hotel. Also, at check-in, I overheard a guest mention that the manager waived an amenities fee since she wasn't going to use them. I requested the same waiver and was denied. I was told everyone pays it but obviously not everyone. Lol I didn't push for it just let them know I wish they'd be consistent. The area was beautiful but I don't think I'd be comfortable staying again. read more

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Always clean. We stayed here years ago. We stayed in a normal room. Since then they have received email specials. We live less than two hours away so we can go last minute and get a discount price for rooms that hadn't been reserved. We just stayed in a king junior suite for not much more than a standard room. You could see the ocean out of every window. read more

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Absolutely excellent in every regard! From the moment you land on the curb you are treated as a welcome guest. Polite and efficient staff at the front desk, and a ambiance on par with many grand old hotels. Not to mention the rooms are impeccably clean and we had a spectacular ocean view. In more ways than one, this hotel has an edge over that pink hotel up the street where we've stayed many times. Filled with charm and great service this will be our "go to" spot in La Jolla in the future. read more

Alright you guys, if you are looking for an amazing stay in La Jolla with an ocean view at a great price, look no further! This place is amazing, staff is very friendly and helpful. Stayed only one night for my wife and my anniversary, and I had called ahead to ask for something special for my wife since it is our anniversary, they provided us with a bottle of wine and an amazing view! When I first booked, I was a little worried that I was paying more for an ocean view because I have heard of many experiences where people only get a partial ocean view from let's say the bathroom. This place is definitely not that! Thank goodness, from every window in this room, we have a view of the ocean! The room is beyond clean, is not outdated, if I were to give some downsides for our room it would be that I wish the shower head was a little bigger or extended out farther from the wall, and that I wish there was a table in the room to eat at. This is more my own preference, there is a desk to sit at. read more

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I have stayed at the Grande Colonial several times over the past five years as a stay-cation. I went back last week and spent two nights at the Little Hotel By The Sea. They had a great deal where you could stay in a small studio king room for the same price as a room in the main hotel. The room was extremely clean, with a lovely soaking tub. The bed was super comfy and the roof deck was empty so I was able to sit and enjoy sunsets there. The service was outstanding. They fulfilled my every request. Extra pillows, a throw blanket, room service, they helped me make reservations at the Nine-Ten restaurant and even the maintenance person came to me and asked me if the pool was warm enough as I had requested it be made warmer. The only thing that gave me pause (any why I didn't give it 5 full stars) was that there were a LOT of guests walking around inside and outside the hotel without masks. When I pointed this out to host staff while I was waiting to get into the restaurant I was met with a "well they should be wearing them" - at that very moment I pointed out 3 guests in the lobby without masks and again was told "well the valet should have told them and look - one guy has his mask in his hand". Well holding a mask in your hand doesn't help anyone. That employee should have stopped what they were doing and told each guest to put on their mask! My suggestion is that the front desk verbally remind everyone checking in about the mask policy AND politely remind guests who are not wearing masks to put them on. read more

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This is just in our check in experience on Saturday, 10/19/19. First of all, we had to wait in line on a Saturday night and the desk clerk was downright rude. She could have easily called for back up help but didn't want to disturb her co worker who later resurfaced with a fast food drink in hand. No comment. Very VERY disappointing for an upscale beautiful hotel like the Grande Colonial. The owner or manager needs to step in and raise the bar!! :( read more

Grande Colonial - Entryway - Hotels Near Me - La Jolla, California