Upon arrival at La Pensione Hotel we were rudely greeted by the clerk working the front desk. This man was short with his responses and out right snippy when we asked for alternative parking and directions to the train depot. Parking is not adequate at La Pensione, the hotel only has about 25 spots available for 75 rooms. Metered parking or paying up to $15.00 a day to park in a parking garage that is a few blocks away would be your options. The rooms are small but clean. The hot water in the shower will turn cold or extra hot at will. ( I guess it has a mind of its own). The rooms do get stuffy as this hotel does not have A/C for any of its rooms.

While dining in Vincenzo's on our first afternoon in SanDiego, we noticed people carting their luggage past the restaurant, into an open-air piazza that connects the restaurant & a coffee shop. Our waiter informed us that there was a hotel attached to both buildings...something we'd failed to notice when we'd arrived! Taking a chance, we were given the key to Room #223 - a corner room overlooking India Street. It's one of their larger rooms, but was only $75 a night! Quite a bargain for the location - at night India Street is romantic & beautiful with white lights strung throughout the trees that line it & a large sign in blue neon arches across it. It's within walking distance of Broadway for the Spreckles Theatre & some great dining (when you're NOT feeling like Italian, of course!) The free undergrround parking was nice, but VERY - VERY TIGHT!! Your best bet--rent the smallest car possible & you shouldn't have too much trouble. However, it did lead to some comedic moments, so it was worth it! We were set to leave one day, checked out, got the airport & realized how much we wanted to stay, so we drove back to La Pensione to re-check in! Unfortunately they were doing maintenance on the room already, so we got another one---this time on the 4th floor - #419 I think? Very cool view from the outdoor walkways - you can see right down to the piazza. This room was miniscule, though! Glad we lucked out with #223 the first time, or I might not have such fond memories!

It has been some years since we stayed at the La Pensione. We thought we had found good low price hotel. It had some problems - the pillows were so bad that we bought two cheap pillows and the nearby train was a bit noisy. The incident that made us decide never to return was the night they decided to power wash the sidewalks at midnight! There was going to be a parade in the morning and the owner had told the manager to power wash the sidewalk. This went on for an hour or more and the sound carried throughout the building making sleeping impossible. The lack of concern for the comfort of the guests soured us on this hotel forever.

Great little hotel for a great price.
Knew up front that the rooms are a bit small. We were in room 313, not too big, but clean. The hotel offers free wireless internet.
Location is great: in the heart of Little Italy and a few blocks from the ocean. 7-11 is nearby.
Oh, it also features free underground parking, which is great cause you can use the trolley when travelling around San Diego.