The Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa is a paradisiacal destinationon the shores of Mission Bay and mere steps from San Diego’s famous Pacific Beach. Featuring lush tropical gardens and a private beach, this Polynesian-themed hotel offers 310 guest rooms, studios or suites, each with a private balcony or patio. On-site amenities include signature restaurant Oceana Coastal Kitchen, featuring a surf and turf menu and a patio lined with tiki torches, fire pit tables and lush palms, and the Catamaran Spa, the only beachfront spa in San Diego. Additional activities include bicycle and water-sport rentals and the beach towns of Mission Beach and Pacific Beach, featuring a beachside boardwalk, Crystal Pier and a variety of cafés and boutiques. The Catamaran is conveniently located within 10 miles of major attractions including SeaWorld,the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego International Airport.
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The Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa is often celebrated for its exceptional service, with staff members receiving accolades for their attentiveness and warmth. Nestled in a prime location, the resort is a stone's throw from picturesque beaches and local attractions, making it a hit among travelers. While the tropical atmosphere and lush grounds are a highlight for many, some guests have called out the need for room updates and additional outlets.
Despite mixed reviews about room conditions and decor, the resort's cleanliness generally earns positive remarks. However, some travelers feel the overall value doesn't quite align with the resort's pricing structure, citing steep fees for parking, resort amenities, and dining.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Tropical
Rooms
Dated
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Mixed
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Relaxing
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We usually stay at Paradise Point Resort. However, that resort seems to be declining, with too much deferred maintenance. The last time we stayed there (March 2024), the room was filthy, and they gave us a room facing the highway. So we decided to give another hotel a try.
We picked the Catamaran: good call! We chose a garden view room, one of the newly renovated rooms. We asked for a first floor room with a view of the koi ponds, and that's exactly what we got (room 404). The room had a balcony directly overlooking a pond. It was so relaxing to sit out there watching the ducks and koi.
The room was spotlessly clean. Unlike at Paradise Point, if you walked in the room in your bare feet, they wouldn't be black just walking from the bathroom to the bed. The new decor is tasteful, with grass cloth wallpaper and nice framed prints. There is plenty of storage space with a closet, a dresser, and a cabinet next to the mini fridge. There is also plenty of storage space in the bathroom, with space under both of the two sinks as well as in a console between them. They provide daily housekeeping (unlike Paradise Point, which is probably why the room was so filthy when we stayed there).
The beds were comfortable. There were enough charging stations both in the table between the beds and on the desk.
We ate several meals at the on site restaurant simply because of the serene Bayside views. Lunch on the patio from Moray's included an admittedly expensive hamburger that was one of the tastiest I've ever enjoyed.
Downsides: the water pressure in the shower wasn't the best. But this may simply be California's regulations about low flow shower heads. On the weekend, some other guests were rather noisy for brief periods.
For those who are considering the bay front rooms, know this: these rooms front a public board walk. If you like people watching, you'll be fine with this. But if you prefer a quieter experience, I'd suggest the garden view rooms.
The location is excellent: you're close to restaurants (try La Playa, right around the corner, for an authentic Mexican taco shop), less than 20 minutes from the zoo, and right on the bayfront boardwalk where you can walk for miles in either direction.
On the weekends, there are free cookies and lemonade in the lobby. And most days there is also a bird show at 3 p.m.
We'll be back.
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Date of stay: September 2024
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
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Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Garden view rooms are quieter than the bayfront rooms that look out over a public boardwalk that...
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Response from Ryan Wilson, Marketing at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa
Responded Sep 30, 2024
Dear valued guest, your words are music to our ears. Nothing makes us happier than knowing you enjoyed so many aspects of your stay. Your intention to return is the best compliment we could receive, and we eagerly look forward to your next visit. Best wishes from our team.
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This expertly run resort is absolutely worth a trip, or in our case, a triannual family visit. It is THE best kept secret. Everything about The Catamaran Resort is next to perfection. From their exceptional bay front views, the luxurious pool, remarkable staff, and delectable Oceana Coastal Kitchen Restaurant. I would suggest the seabass sandwich followed later by an espresso martini. Absolutely superb!
Did I mention, location, location, location!? There is nowhere else to experience the bay front views of well-known Mission Bay in such indulgent, yet charming Polynesian style. This resort offers accommodations for families, seniors, and even business people, yet is intimate enough for a romantic getaway. Soak up the sun while yacht watching, take out your paddle and surf boards, or grab a drink and get to know Cornell and Bianchi, The Catamarans local parrots.
Having great leadership is critical for a successful resort. You see, great leaders don't just inspire their teams to work harder and achieve more, they also create a positive work culture that fosters growth and happiness. The Catamaran Resort exemplifies this theory starting with HITOMI KATO, the Assistant Front Office Manager. Hitomi and her staff not only met, but exceeded our expectations. She made my family feel as if we were long time friends. Her friendly demeanor and thoughtful countenance set a next level example for quality customer service. We were treated to elite hospitality during our stay at the Catamaran Resort.
Everything you could ever need or want is found at this exceedingly impressive resort. I hope my review helps your decision.
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Date of stay: July 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Ryan Wilson, Marketing at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa
Responded Oct 2, 2023
Dear valued guest, thank you for your return visits to the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa over the years. We are overwhelmed by your detailed and enthusiastic 5-star review. Thank you for recognizing Hitomi's commitment to providing the best possible guest experience. We love that you had a great vacation and that the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa was at the heart of it. Our team looks forward to welcoming you back for another memorable family getaway.
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We were excited to stay at this hotel because it looked like Hawaii in San Diego. We love Hawaii and this place did not disappoint. From arrival, the check in process was easy and the lobby was so beautiful with a Koi pond with ducks running right through. It smelled nice as well. The grounds were immaculate with tropical vegetation and birds all around. We had a standard room in the tower on the 6th floor. The elevators were a little slow but to be expected especially as the hotel was full. The room was anything but standard. It was good sized with a kitchenette including a toaster oven! We also had a nice couch and table/chairs. The view looked out at San Diego/Pacific Beach and we could see the ocean. The bedding was plush and we slept well. We were provided with a good amount of towels, etc. along with daily housekeeping. Since not all hotels offer this anymore, it was great to have your bed made every day. The location was perfect... on the edge of Mission Bay. Walk out the front and you can walk to the beach and several restaurants along with a grocery store not too far. Walk out the back and you have the beautiful courtyard (with couches and fire pits) to sit and have a drink or go out to the bay itself to sit on the lawn in provided chairs. There are bikes, paddle boards, etc. to rent or just take a stroll on the walkway along the bay. The pool is also beautiful but can be crowded at certain times of the day. The temp was just right and they had a good sized hot tub as well. The drinks prices at the pool were really high -- $20 for a Pina Colada. I enjoyed a cocktail at the Moray Bar and had a couple of meals at Oceana. The breakfast was good but spendy. I wouldn't recommend Oceana for dinner as the choices are limited and very overpriced. I had a bowl of clam chowder for $16 and it included 5 clams in their shell. It came with one homemade cracker and no bread. There are plenty of dining options to walk to so I would recommend that. Overall, I would definitely come back! It is a great resort for families with children.
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Date of stay: July 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:The pool is crowded in the late afternoon after everyone gets back from SeaWorld and the zoo. It...
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Response from Ryan Wilson, Marketing at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa
Responded Aug 10, 2024
Dear valued guest, thank you for staying at the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa. We're pleased you enjoyed our Polynesian-themed resort with palm trees, lush vegetation, tiki torches, koi ponds, waterfalls, exotic birds that are always happy to talk with guests, and a vibe that transports guests straight to the Hawaiian Islands. It would be our pleasure to welcome you back in the future for another amazing vacation.
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Recently went to San Diego for my Anniversary weekend with my wife and decided to stay at the Catamaran Resort. When we got to our room we found that the cabinet door to the minifridge area was partially disassembled and sitting out in the walkway. We then went to the restroom and found the toilet seat completely disconnected from the toilet.
We contacted the front desk who said they would take care of it. We waited 45 minutes before calling the front desk again and being told they were sorry and would send someone promptly. After another 45 minutes (and us really having to use the restroom after our long drive) I physically went to the front desk to let them know that I had spent a lot of money for this reservation. They apologized and offered us $100 credit at the Hotel restaurant or room service (which we had no intention of using). Instead they offered half off one of our nights. The toilet was still not fixed when we left for dinner 20 minutes later.
Later in the weekend their room service knocked at the door to do room service at 10am while we were still getting ready to go out. This felt early but ultimately it was understandable. However, after we left a few minutes later they never came back to bring new towels or anything until 5pm that evening when my wife were back in the room discussing dinner plans when they did not even knock but just let themselves in. It was an awkward exchange wherein we were reprimanded that we didn't have our "Do not disturb" door sign up. We expressed that we would just leave so they could turn over the room. When we got back to the room a few hours later after dinner we saw that nothing had been done. No new towels etc...
The beds were also really hard and left me kind of sore in the mornings. Honestly, we paid WAY TOO MUCH money for the quality we recieved. Additionally, I get it's an industry standard but the "resort fees" are a scam to make the rooms appear cheaper at first glance online. They also charge an additional nightly parking fee on top of rooms, resort fees, and taxes. Even after they cut the cost of one of the nights in half it still felt overpriced. Honestly, I would probably recommend considering one of the other resorts in the area.
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Date of stay: May 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:The pool does get crowded. Expect an additional $50-$70 in fees (not even taxes) a night on top...
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Response from Ryan Wilson, Marketing at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa
Responded May 23, 2024
Dear Dr. Fenske, thank you for staying with us. We apologize for your less-than-satisfactory experience. Management has informed us that they have directly addressed your concerns. We hope to welcome you back for an improved experience in the future.
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We stayed here while we are in San Diego, and unfortunately it wasn’t a great experience for us. The housekeeping standard is that the only change the beds every four days and they don’t even make them. The spa facilities are not included in the cost of the hotel which isn’t cheap. The gym is included however quite a few of the machines were broken when we visited.
Given the price that we paid for this hotel, we expected much higher standard given that this is apparently a 4.5 star hotel.
On the day of leaving, we had a late flight and there were no facilities to shower as we had checked out of our room. We did get a manager envolved who was very helpful and after some negotiation she gave us a room to shower. We should have had use of the spa as there were showers in there.
Some positives are the location for the hotel is excellent and the Hawaiian party that we went to on the Friday night was very good, however this is extra cost.
This place feels more like a motel but with hotel prices. Not somewhere we would visit again.
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Ryan Wilson, Marketing at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa
Responded Aug 31, 2023
Dear guest, thank you for taking the time to write about your recent visit. Please accept our sincerest apologies for letting you down; we strive to provide a positive guest experience. We are sorry about the inconvenience caused by the broken machines; new ones are on the way this month. As for our spa facilities, they are offered to guests who book spa services for the day. Your review has been shared with management for consideration and we hope to welcome you back soon for an improved visit.
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This was a return trip to the Catamaran for us. We love the location on the bay and just a five minute walk to the ocean. The grounds continue to be maintained to an exceptionally high standard and the rooms are well proportioned and cleaned to a high standard every day. Food is great and bar does a wonderful margarita. We’ll definitely be back. Only potential niggle was a high daily car park charge for resident guests on top of daily resort fee.
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Date of stay: March 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Ryan Wilson, Marketing at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa
Responded Apr 11, 2024
Dear guest, your 5 stars speak volumes. Thank you for returning to visit the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa. We're happy that you enjoyed dining at our highly-rated restaurant, Oceana Coastal Kitchen, and the drinks at Moray's. The unbeatable location of our hotel puts you right on the doorstep of the ocean and nearby attractions. We look forward to your next visit. Best wishes. will be delighted to hear that you praised his attentive service. We look forward to seeing you again soon.
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Our recent stay at the Catamaran left much to be desired, as we found ourselves surrounded by a sea of mediocrity. While the grounds are reasonably well-maintained, the overall experience was marred by the lack of attention to certain facilities. We were informed that our room (1257) had been updated, but it still felt outdated and in need of further improvements.
Upon arrival, we couldn't help but notice the overflowing trash in the entryway garbage area behind the valet, which left a less than favorable first impression. It's essential for any establishment to make a positive impact on guests from the moment they arrive.
While the rooms themselves were passable and adequately comfortable, we couldn't help but feel that we got what we paid for. If you're considering staying at this property, it might be worth increasing your budget by 15% and exploring other options that offer a more fulfilling experience.
One minor annoyance was the placement of the provided chairs, which were not on the beach as one might expect, but rather on the grass behind it. Apparently, this had something to do with alcohol policies, but it still felt like an unnecessary inconvenience.
Although we can't pinpoint anything terribly wrong with our stay, we left feeling somewhat disappointed. The initial impression upon driving up to the property may lead you to question whether you accidentally booked a budget motel instead.
To the Catamaran/Evans staff, I’d like to suggest focusing more on the basics. Paying attention to details such as regularly clearing trash, cleaning glass surfaces, and polishing metal in elevators would go a long way in improving guests' overall experience. However, credit is due to the greens crew for maintaining the property's well-manicured appearance.
In conclusion, our stay at the Catamaran fell short of our expectations, and we hope that our feedback will be taken constructively to enhance future guests' experiences. With a little more attention to detail and maintenance, this property could truly shine.
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Date of stay: July 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Ryan Wilson, Marketing at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa
Responded Jul 25, 2023
Dear guest, thank you for your visit and for your valuable feedback. We apologize for not meeting your expectations, and we regret that you left with an unfavorable impression. We strive to ensure every guest leaves satisfied. Your comments were shared with management for consideration. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back for a more favorable experience.
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Some of the reviews discuss the fact that some rooms have been renovated. My main concern with this property is that they are selling unrenovated rooms at the same expensive price as renovated ones. Haven’t seen what a renovated room looks like but I would believe they have to be better than the room I ended up in.
We stayed in the tower on the 10th floor. Very nice view but the room was a disaster. Don’t mean to nitpick here but when you stay in a room that averages costing over $500/night you should expect it to be in good condition.
Here are a few of the issues: The entire room just looked old and worn, dated fixtures carpet and drapes, dented lampshade, stains on carpet, sticky, difficult to open slider to the balcony, and broken concrete on the balcony. The tub was so old the porcelain had worn off in spots and the entire tub was a dingy yellow instead of white. Both the tub and the bathroom sink were clogged and drained very slowly. Mold in the shower/tub caulk. The shower diverter valve (thing that switches the water from the tub spout to the shower head) was broken and the shower turned on with the water. One of the three bathroom fixture light bulbs flickered constantly which was annoying. Don’t plan on sleeping in since the curtains and the plantation shutters do not block out the sunrise at all. We had to ask housekeeping for clean coffee mugs – apparently all they do is empty the trash, replace coffee k-cups, and give you clean towels. Won’t make a bed or change a sheet. I had to log into the WIFI every time I came back to the property. The walls are pretty thin as I could hear the adjacent room.
It was like getting 1970 furnishings at 2023 prices. I’ve stayed in $100/night hotels that were in better condition. I brought some of these issues up with the front desk but nothing was ever done to fox any of them even though they said they would contact maintenance.
I was partially compensated by the property, which was very nice of them to do, but I’m still upset that I was put in the position to complain in the first place.
So if you stay here make sure you get a renovated room if that’s even possible.
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Date of stay: July 2023
Rooms
Location
Service
Room Tip:Ask for a renovated room!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Ryan Wilson, Marketing at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa
Responded Jul 21, 2023
Dear Steve, thank you for staying with us and informing us about your less-than-stellar experience. We aim to provide our guests with the best experience and we apologize that we fell short of that. Our management team has reached out to you directly in order to address your concerns. We hope to have you back in the future for an improved experience and to enjoy our many activities, amenities, and prime Mission Bay location.
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We had previously attended the Sunset Luau at the Catamaran Resort and thought the grounds were so lush and beautiful, as though we were in Hawaii! So on our recent visit to San Diego, we decided to stay at the resort. It is centrally located for everything you want to do in San Diego. We visited Old Town and the Midway Museum, both of which were easy to get to from the resort.
The grounds of the resort feature tropical foliage with lovely koi ponds. Even the lobby has relaxing waterfalls, where we sat to enjoy our iced lattes from Lava Java, the coffee bar. We attended the luau again on this visit, which was very entertaining. There was a wide variety of food available at the luau and it was delicious. We also ate at the Oceana restaurant at the resort. We enjoyed our food at a table outside where we had a beautiful view of the bay. During our yummy dessert, we watched the fireworks presented across the bay at Sea World! During the day, we enjoyed sitting in the lounge chairs the resort provides on the grass next to the beach area. Warm sun, cool breeze, sounds of summer-Truly relaxing!
Our room was very comfortable with a balcony from which we enjoyed a view of one of the koi ponds. The room was furnished beautifully in restful colors and patterns, depicting natural tropical themes.
We had a lovely and relaxing visit and will definitely return again!
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Date of stay: June 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Ryan Wilson, Marketing at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa
Responded Jul 2, 2023
Dear guest, thank you for sharing your recent visit. We love hearing the details of how you spent your vacation at the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa, and we are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our traditional summer sunset luau for a second time. Our unbeatable location on Mission Bay, delicious dining options, and relaxing tropical vibe are some of our best features; thank you for highlighting them. We hope to welcome you back soon for another memorable stay at our exotic paradise on the sparkling shores of Mission Bay.
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We recently stayed at Catamaran resort and was quite disappointed with the room I was assigned. The furniture was old and worn, with noticeable stains on the upholstery. The carpeting was frayed in places, and the overall decor felt outdated. The lobby had a weird stench. It was like a motel room with luxury pricing. You can find spiders inside the room. They didnt provide room cleaning service even after multiple requests at the room service/reception. They also refreshed the towels only once (in our 3 night stay) and amenities are below par.The air conditioning unit was also noisy and didn't cool the room effectively at all.
The bathroom was another sore point. The lighting in the room was dim, and there was no vent exhaust.
Furthermore, the room was near the staff exit that means you can't sleep after 8 am as there were so much noise from door opening. We had trouble getting a good sleep.
This resort was such a disappointment, its a motel room and service with cost of resort. The only good thing about the resort was its location near the beach.
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:This resort for luxury rooms
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Ryan Wilson, Marketing at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa
Responded Sep 11, 2023
Dear guest, thank you for your visit. We strive to ensure our guests leave satisfied and we apologize for falling short and for any inconvenience you may have experienced. We have started to refresh the tower rooms and have remodeled 147 guest rooms to date. Your comments were shared with our management team, and we truly hope you will give us another chance to make a better impression in the future. Thank you.
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There are more places to choose from in the San Diego area.
PRICE RANGE
$263 - $339 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
catamaran resort & spa san diego, catamaran hotel mission bay, catamaran resort san diego, catamaran san diego
LOCATION
United StatesCaliforniaSan DiegoMission Beach
NUMBER OF ROOMS
310
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect nightly room rates, including any mandatory fees. Taxes not included. Please see our partners for more details.
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Are there any historical sites close to Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa?
Many travelers enjoy visiting Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial (3.5 miles), Mormon Battalion Historic Site (4.2 miles), and Presidio Park (3.9 miles).