My first impression was right after I checked in and trekked, in the rain, to my room on opposite side of the hotel. There was a noisy street or highway on my side of the hotel. My keys wouldn't work, so I had to lug all of my belongings back to the desk with me ( it was raining on the "hallway"). When I told the clerk my keys didn't work, he asked me if I knew how to use them... REALLY?? A pretty rude comment if you ask me. He then tested my keys in his machine and said they were fine. He then also gave me a "master" key and said he would have engineering come to my room to check the actual lock to see if the battery was bad. When I got to my room, the engineer said his key worked, he tried both of mine and they still did not work. The master key did. He was nice and he had new keys sent to my room for me. First impression... not good. We were there with a large group of people for a conference, so our gatherings were in different parts of the hotel. The decor is very nice, but not well though out. If you walked down the 'motel like' (outside) hallways, the ceramic tile floors were extremely slippery. Unfortunately, it rained the 4 days I was there. Because of my numerous knee surgeries, I opted to walk outside on the concrete pathways to get where I was going instead of the slip and slide of the hallways. Even the stairs were tile and slick. There were numerous older people at this conference, and we were lucky that no one got hurt, (that I am aware of). Beautiful concept, just not practical. I also have a problem with charges for internet at the "nicer" hotels. With all the money they charge, it is ridiculous. You can get free internet at Motel 6!!!

I've stayed here twice over the last 2.5 years. And each time, I feel like it could have been so much more.

You drive in, and the lobby looks great, but even with a couple people behind the desk, I've never been helped that quickly. Once being helped, staff was courteous, and efficient, it would seem. Until you get to the "are you parking with us?"

That simple question throws off alarm bells. This Crowne Plaza is right next door to a Motel 6 with free parking, and parking in the Hotel Circle area of San Diego is hardly at a premium, and only the sleaziest of "hotels" seem to charge for it. And, the staff never mentions it, only crosses out the $10 fee on the parking pass, and writes in the $12 fee, and makes you sign. So, another $12 goes to increase the rate I booked under.

And internet? At the Motel 6, I believe it's still $2.99. At the Crowne Plaza, $9.99. So far, $22 dollars more than I booked for. Without even a continental breakfast.

These sorts of gotchas add up, and made me feel nickled-and-dimed to death, not treated to a proper 3 star hotel.

The room wasn't impressive either. It was spacious, and the beds and linens were nice, if not a bit corporate feeling. But the armoire was dated, scratched, and even had a missing hook on one side that nobody had bothered to replace. The coffee maker fell apart when I tried to use it, and the hinges of the bathroom door were so caked in a red rust substance that they had stained the tile floor and wall around them. Carpets were worn and dirty. In fact, I thought I had a developed a foot condition when I went to put on socks after walking with slightly damp feet from the bathroom to the bed to sit down. My feet were a dark color on the bottom.

And, the "going green" theme? Apparently, room cleaning only costs the hotel $5/day, which they graciously will give you as a credit at the restaurant if you don't elect to have your room cleaned. Here I thought that I was paying for the room, so I could have someone clean it for me!

The going green also was annoying IN the room. The bathroom lights were on a motion sensor that kept turning them off. I wasn't motionless in the bathroom for hours, but twice during a shower, and once while at the commode, I was treated to this "feature" that made sure I didn't just wiggle a bit, but that I actually went and pushed the button for the lights to come back. And the fan that came on with the lights was so loud, I'm sure the neighbors must've not been impressed.

The feel in the lobby area is that of a tropical hotel, and even the layout lends a theme. But the ill-kept walkways, the creaky elevators, the afterthought fitness room, and attempt to always make an extra dime show you that this truly isn't paradise, no matter the rate.