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    La Jolla Riviera Inn

    4.1 (21 reviews)
    ModerateHotels

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    Reviews With Photos - La Jolla Riviera Inn

    This place is like going back to my childhood (in a good way). Great location, not on the water, but I chose it because it had better reviews than the hotels on the water that were in my price range. It's like the motels my parents used to take me to in the 1960s. Yes, it's an older building, but it's clean, roomy, and meticulously maintained. It's not high-end fancy or luxurious, but it's really nice. It's got a mid-century decor (which is probably when it was built, but the furnishings are new). It's got a full kitchen if you want to cook, a dining area, a living room, a bedroom, and a huge bathroom with a walk-in shower (at least my room did, room 11). The rooms surround a small, but very nice, pool that is literally steps from your door, and the parking is easy ($15 a day). They give you an actual room key (not a key card), and Debbie, the person at the check-in desk, walks you to your room and opens the door for you. They also have fast wifi. There was a mixup in my reservation since I booked it on Hotels.com, but then I had to change the date, but Debbie helped me resolve that by talking to the people from Hotels.com. The beach and restaurants are a few minutes walk away. There are both nice restaurants on the water and casual beach-type restaurants around the corner along Avenida De La Playa. I've stayed in countless big-box hotels, and the La Jolla Rivera Inn is a refreshing change.

    Another taped light switch
    Sydney B.

    Pros: - Great location- walking distance to restaurants and the beach - Lots of space, when compared to a traditional hotel room - Quiet neighborhood - Cute retro feel to it - Has a pool - relatively clean Cons: - popcorn ceiling - dated carpeting and linoleum flooring - stained and chipped walls - tiny bed in a large bedroom - sofa bed was slanted to one side - uncomfortable sofa - minimal - no storage in bathroom and bedroom (no dresser) - tiny parking spots that you pay for ($15/night) - dirty baseboards - blinds are cheap and even fell apart when I tried to open them - no air conditioning - tape covering light switches, warning guests not to use them - feels like an apartment/half of the building includes long term residents - this can be good and bad. With all that being said, we *might* stay here again. My husband said "I'll just pretend we are camping!"

    Pool and patio area
    Katie O.

    Second stay. Couldn't be happier. Debby at the front desk is SOOOO welcoming. Rooms have kitchens and coffee. What more could you want? Location is superb. We got here at midnight and walked to the beach. There's nothIng fancy about this place except the location. But it's clean, friendly, and situated perfectly.

    This is the kitchen inside a one bedroom apartment

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    8 years ago

    NO AC ! yes NO AC !! Fans only ! It's a clean very small hotel ... that let you book one night only ! But noooooo AC

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    12 years ago

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    12 years ago

    this place is amazing ... the lady that checked us in was just simply classy..... i will return soon....

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    Ask the Community - La Jolla Riviera Inn

    Review Highlights - La Jolla Riviera Inn

    com, but then I had to change the date, but Debbie helped me resolve that by talking to the people from Hotels.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

    Read more highlights

    La Valencia Hotel - Mediterranean room is the main dining room

    La Valencia Hotel

    (876 reviews)

    $$$

    La Jolla

    Review of La Valencia Hotel…read more I purchased a day pass here as someone who works in the hospitality industry and is always curious to experience new properties from a guest perspective--and La Valencia absolutely delivered. I arrived pretty early in the morning (optimistically expecting sunshine), but even with the typical coastal overcast, it didn't take away from the experience at all. In fact, I somehow ended up with the pool almost entirely to myself--in the middle of August, which felt like a hidden luxury. The setting is just beautiful. The views, the calm atmosphere, and the overall sense of escape made it easy to settle in and relax. I spent about five hours there and never felt rushed or overlooked. The staff, especially at the cabana bar, were fantastic--attentive, respectful, and genuinely pleasant to interact with. I ordered food and drinks throughout the day, and everything added to the ease and enjoyment of the experience. The only small downside is parking, which can be a bit tricky--but that's pretty standard for La Jolla. Overall, this was an incredible day experience and absolutely worth it. I'd do it again without hesitation.

    My daughter coordinated a Wedding here back in March. The venue is gorgeous. I had breakfast in…read moretheir restaurant two days in a row! The Banquet Manager here was a delight to work with, of course I'm from Banquets so I might be biased. This is a lovely place to have a small wedding. My only issue was with their bell staff... they didn't offer to assist with items that my daughter and I struggled with bringing down to the banquet room. Perhaps we didn't look like overnight guests... that shouldn't have mattered. We weren't overnight guests this visit, we were vendors but that left a bad taste in my mouth not only when we were unloading but also when we were packing up around 11:00PM. Respectfully Reviewed.

    Empress Hotel La Jolla - Empress La Jolla 2025 Superior King small

    Empress Hotel La Jolla

    (288 reviews)

    $$

    La Jolla

    This a darling hotel in the heart of downtown La Jolla that is walking distance to many restaurants…read moreand other venues. I stayed here for a workshop at the theater which was 2 blocks away. The front desk staff was friendly and efficient when checking in. Rooms are a little small but for one person who wasn't in the room much it was fine. There is a coffee maker and mini fridge in the room. The bathroom is decent size with a walk-in shower. I thought the shower head was a little tall, but I am also only 5"2. The workout room was in the basement in a small room with no ventilation. We had to keep the door open to have some air come in. They have breakfast in a cute room on the 2nd floor with typical hotel breakfast food. Since the weather was nice the windows were open to give the room a breezy feel. I liked there was a restaurant onsite. I would stay here again if I am ever in La Jolla.

    Absolutely would not stay here again…read more We stayed one night at the Empress Hotel in La Jolla on Valentine's Day, paying over $460/night, and the experience was bad considering this was not "exceptional service." Parking is in a public garage across the street. You pay $25 through an app and use a QR code to enter/exit. The scanner repeatedly failed. We had to get out of the car multiple times on a steep underground incline just to get the gate to open. We kept showing the QR code on our phones and nothing. We tried again and again. This would take 5 minutes every item trying to enter and exit. Finally it would respond. And the people in front of us and behind had the same problem Around 9 PM on a Saturday night (Valentine's Day) the garage gates were closed. The hotel staff should've warned us that parking closes early around here. Several hotel guests were standing outside with us , frustrated and confused. We called and the hotel told us to use an alternate entrance on another street. Once inside there was no way to find your car. You're on a different level having entered in a completely different side and at night. It took 17 minutes walking level to level to find our car. My husband is a Type 1 diabetic, so this stress and exertion became very stressful since his blood sugar started to drop. The microwave in our room also died mid-use, and the hotel had no replacement, which is odd since being familiar with hotel hospitality, they usually have back up coffee maker, microwaves, clocks, etc. We were in the area to visit our kid in college not for VD. We got frozen dinners at pavilions to have meal in our room since restaurants were booked. We had to heat our dinners upstairs in the breakfast area. Breakfast the next morning was awful -- mushy powdered eggs (they melted in your mouth like hot mush), strange bacon, warm milk, and soggy potatoes. Management offered a $17 adjustment, which does not cover the $25 parking fee. This dismissive and insulting given the extent of the all the things that went wrong. The front desk staff Hayley and Josh were friendly and professional. Not worth the price. We won't return.

    Pantai Inn

    Pantai Inn

    (242 reviews)

    $$$

    La Jolla

    5 Stars We just got back from our stay at the Pantai Inn and…read morealready can't wait to come back! This place is an incredible value for the cost, again I feel like I need to gate keep this but yelp is about sharing....you're right across from the ocean, with some of the best views in La Jolla. We stayed in Room 208 and while there are no elevators or luggage carts (so pack light or be ready for some stairs), the oceanfront views totally made up for it. The hotel has a charming, older vibe, but it's well maintained and fits the beachy, Balinese-inspired theme perfectly. Our room came with an above-average kitchen setup, which made it easy to prep snacks and simple meals during our stay. Free water bottles in the lobby were a nice touch, and the complimentary breakfast (7:30-10:30 a.m.) was way better than your standard hotel spread, fresh, even the bacon was crispy but not over cooked, tasty, and filling. It's just a short walk to the beach, the kid-friendly "children's pool" area, and of course, the famous La Jolla seals. Be warned: La Jolla has its fair share of hills, so if you're bringing a stroller, be ready for a bit of a workout. This was our first time staying here, but it's already looking like it'll become our annual end-of-summer tradition. Next time, we're definitely staying longer.

    We enjoyed our stay at this hotel. We had a beautiful ocean view from our balcony…read more The room was clean, price reasonable for the location. A short walk to downtown LaJolla and right on the beach. They offer a breakfast, free waters and sodas, flavored water, coffee and cookies in the afternoon.

    The Beach Cottages - Our fire pit

    The Beach Cottages

    (367 reviews)

    $

    Pacific Beach

    We have been coming to the beach cottages every summer since I was a baby. This place is hands down…read moreTHE BEST. It may not be the most updated hotel on the boardwalk, but it has everything you need. The staff is always welcoming, the house keeping staff are friendly and trustworthy, the parking lot is gated and secured by a guard throughout the day, the rooms are always clean the grounds are well maintained, and after all the years of being loyal visitors, we have yet to experience anything negative at this property. I love that the grounds are secure and you can allow your children to go into the courtyard area and play the provided games with peace of mind- knowing that they'll be safe. They provide tons of outdoor seating options and grills for tenants, which makes cooking a breeze. In order to enter from the beach/boardwalk, you must have a room key to enter the premises- another awesome perk. This keeps all the riff-raft out of the area. &At night, they also require a room key to enter through the front of the building- which is a newer feature, and much appreciated. You can leave your beach toys & chairs outside your room without worrying about someone coming to steal it. We have locked our bikes up downstairs in the courtyard area & nobody messes with them. This is such a great place to stay & an amazing tradition that our family has. We look forward to our visit every May!

    Second time staying here. You can't go wrong with this location, absolutely beautiful views and…read morewell worth the money. The staff are wonderful, highly recommend for your San Diego stay!

    Grande Colonial - Keurig, snacks and fridge

    Grande Colonial

    (249 reviews)

    $$$

    La Jolla

    Friday, November 21, 2025…read more 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. :-)

    We had been looking forward to staying here for our first getaway together after hearing so many…read moregreat 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.

    La Jolla Shores Hotel - View from restaurant table (overlooking the sunset)

    La Jolla Shores Hotel

    (351 reviews)

    $$$

    La Jolla, La Jolla Shores

    We had an incredible stay at La Jolla Shores Hotel and can't say enough good things about our…read moreexperience. The location is absolutely beautiful, and the view from our room patio overlooking the beach was a highlight of our trip. The rooms--and the entire hotel--were spotless. It's clear the staff takes great pride in keeping everything clean and well maintained. We really enjoyed the pool and spa area, which had plenty of lounge chairs and shaded spots to relax. The courtyard was another favorite, with foosball, ping-pong, and other games that kept everyone entertained throughout the day. The fire pits located around the property were such a nice touch, especially in the evenings. The restaurant right on the sand was a stunning setting, complete with fire pits and heaters. The food was delicious, and the views made it even better. What truly stood out was the service--everyone we encountered went above and beyond to make our stay enjoyable. The location is also very convenient, with easy access to nearby shops, restaurants, coffee spots, ice cream, and rentals. The underground parking with direct access was super convenient, and the beach concierge (who sets up umbrellas and chairs) plus available boogie boards made beach time effortless. They've definitely earned a customer for life--we can't wait to come back!

    The views are lovely, the rooms quite comfortable, but:…read more There's a mini fridge with no microwave; there's no trash receptacle near the "kitchen;" and most annoying-- the hotel doesn't provide cleaning services unless you remind them, 2 or 3 times. So we go out around 10 to enjoy Sea World or the Zoo, and we go out to lunch, and we just want to rest in our room before going swimming and we get back around 3. No one has been in the room. We call, and they apologize and no one shows up. We call again around 4, and at around 4:30 the room gets cleaned. Not once, not twice, but four times in our one week vacation. It's a 1st world problem and maybe I'm just a Karen, but I didn't like that.

    Scripps Inn

    Scripps Inn

    (115 reviews)

    $$$

    La Jolla

    First time here Came…read morefor a weekend getaway. You can't get closer to the ocean. The cliff is 30 yards away (measurement in golf terms), a chip shot from the cliff, walk about 5 minutes to the steps that take you down to the shore. It's quite beautiful, and wake up to the ocean in the am. It's a small inn, that doesn't have many rooms. If you are thinking Hyatt or Four Seasons, this is not that. It's cozy, clean, within walking distance to the shops in La Jolla. They have: Beach towels. Chairs, umbrellas, and even a beach cruiser to use. Inside the hotel room: Toiletries, Keurig Coffee, water, high pressure shower, ac, and a friendly front desk person. Enjoy a nice relaxing time here!

    For many years, we have stayed at Scripps Inn several times per year. The last several visits have…read morebeen very disappointing. One visit, the carpet was flooded, it took several hours to get someone to look at it. We asked for another room, but they claimed all rooms were booked. Another visit my husband had to fix the toilet, the seat was very loose. We asked to have it fixed but they would not have someone to fix it till Monday but by that time we would be gone. My husband asked for a wrench and fixed the seat. Another visit, we invited our son, his wife & our granddaughter to come for the weekend. I was so embarrassed, the bathroom had mold & other things were not right. We have not been back for 2 years. We have found other places to stay at, not in La Jolla. We have great memories but unfortunately the Inn has to be upgraded.

    La Jolla Cove Suites

    La Jolla Cove Suites

    (658 reviews)

    $$

    La Jolla

    We came here for a family wedding and stayed three nights. I already know the traffic is horrible…read moreand parking even worse, as I grew up here but have since moved away. The construction is bothersome but I was never bothered by the sounds. Progress comes with inconveniences so it didn't bother me personally. Here's why I lowered the rating. The elevator is HORRIBLE. Something should be done in the massive renovation and it was completely unreliable. Especially, since there's only one carrying luggage down the stairwells is risky at best. The brand new lighting in the bathroom was a big fail! The lights are mounted behind the mirror and my wife could barely see because it's so dim. I have to agree even finding my contacts was difficult with these dim lighting. Fix those two things and you would have a five rating.

    We booked a stay at La Jolla Cove Hotel seeking a peaceful getaway, but unfortunately, it was…read moreanything but. We were woken up at 5:00 AM by loud construction noise from the site next door. When we brought this to the attention of the manager, Sergio, the experience went from bad to worse. Instead of being helpful or empathetic, Sergio was dismissive, stating he 'didn't hear anything' and claimed construction doesn't start until 7:00 AM--he's been here since 6AM - heard nothing --- essentially calling us liars while the noise was happening. For nearly $400 a night, the level of service was shocking. There was zero remorse and no effort to make things right--not even a simple gesture like a coffee to acknowledge the inconvenience. Beyond the service, the rooms are small and outdated. This was a massive disappointment, and we will be sure to warn our friends and family to stay elsewhere. Sergio, you have a lot to learn about basic customer service! UPDATE: I wanted to update my review following a rough start to our stay. While the 5 AM construction noise and initial communication were very frustrating, the manager, Sergio, stepped up toward the end to make things right. During a hectic checkout where the valet was overwhelmed with only one person working, Sergio recognized our frustration and comped our valet charges. I really appreciate him taking the time to listen and provide a solution. Thank you, Sergio, for turning the experience around and showing great customer service in the end.

    La Jolla Riviera Inn - hotels - Updated July 2026

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