Pros:

*Good value for the location - if you get a discount
*The room was pleasant (but you want one that faces in toward the courtyard; the sliding glass door opens to patio and you can walk directly to the pool area).
*Walking distance to the beach, a number of restaurants, bars, shopping, etc.
*Located directly on Hwy 101 and close driving distance (1-2 miles) to Del Mar
*Reasonable proximity to San Diego
*Very comfortable beds
*Clean
*Nice, flat screen TV (though not HD)
*Free wireless and wired internet in the rooms
*Microwave and small fridge in the room is convenient
*Front desk service was pleasant.
*Free parking, conveniently located in a garage directly under the hotel.

Cons:

*The nearby beach is narrow and at high tide, it doesn't really exist...this isn't the kind of beach where you can lay out and don't expect a boardwalk. It's maybe thirty feet from the edge of the cliffs to the water...and that's at low tide.
*Hallway noise. If you are on the first floor, it is very loud when guests walk down the second floor hallway.
*The A/C and heater units are the type that sit under the window, against the wall (not central air). Therefore, there's some noise when the fan comes on periodically and the units aren't very efficient. But not a major issue in this climate.
*Not an upscale place (but if that's what you're looking for, you'll need to look for a higher-tier than a Courtyard).

My wife and I selected this hotel for a weekend getaway and had a great time. It's an older property but the room was clean and comfortable. There was free underground parking where we left our car for the night as we walked everywhere. We did not use the pool in the courtyard or the two spas, nor did we partake in the buffet breakfest (must pay for it). The front desk staff was very courteous and helpful. The only negative was the walls are a bit thin as you could hear the neighbors once in a while, and the small gap under the front door allowed some external noise in from the walkway - but the area is quiet.

There are several great restaurants within walking distance and the beach is 1 1/2 blocks away. Even the Del Mar racetrack is walking distance. The area is clean and safe and definately has a beach community vibe to it. We enjoyed the drive up and down the Coast Hwy and visited the beach cities that offer plenty to do.

We stayed January 2- 6, 2008. We stayed in room 253. Our overall experience was satisfactory at best. The hotel's location was near the beach. The beach was a rather small secluded almost private beach at the bottom of a cliff accessed by 124 stairs The beach is small at low tide and nonexistent at high tide so be sure to check your tide schedule before you go if you want to lay on the beach, but it's perfect for people who love to just jump in and play. The hotel is within walking distance of several restaurants and several stores. We enjoyed the free and secure covered parking in the basement. Our stay would have been much more enjoyable if the overall condition of the room was more serviceable. The foyer light did not work, the sliding closet doors were continually off track and typically much worse after the housekeeping had been in the room, the sliding bathroom door could not be locked without much manipulation and contortion, there was mold on the bathroom ceiling and the paint was peeling, the rear patio screen door was completely off track . . . so far off of track it was unusable, and lastly the room's patio sliding glass door's locking mechanism malfunctioned more often than not rendering the door unlockable. The room's location left much to be desired in that four feet from our door was an ice machine and soda vending machine. Fortunately we were staying during a slow period and we were only disturbed a few times by other guests utilizing the ice machine, but one of those times was at 2:00 in the morning. Why anyone would put an ice machine directly in front of a room is beyond me. We found several locations that would have been much less intrusive for an ice machine. I hope our room's condition was not representative of the hotel's typical room condition. But given that the hotel appeared approximately 80% vacant I assume our room was one of the better rooms, or at least I hope we were not given one of their worst rooms.

We will not be staying at this hotel in the future. There must be better.

Stopped here on our tour of San Diego County in need of a couple of days relaxation for my wife, who was feeling rather poorly. Price was a little higher than our budget, especially as the rate was for "room only", but when we had a look at the rooms and then the courtyard with the two pools, jacuzzis and lounge areas we were sold.
The room on the ground (1st to you Americans) floor was big, comfortable and spotlessly clean, and we had sliding doors which opened onto the pool area, so we were able to sit out in the sun by day and walk into and out of our room easily. In September it is not too crowded, so it was a time for crashing out, which we found pleasantly peaceful and very much needed. We enjoyed the free coffee and cookies by day, and the sinus treatment pills which we bought for $1 at reception were, thank the Lord, very effective before we continued our vacation. There is a conservatory-type restaurant between the pools which serves a splendid buffet and hot breakfast for just $7.50, and this gave us a great start to each day.
We were delighted that we chose to stay here and would certainly go back if in this area again.