I stayed at the Hampton Inn (Downtown) San Diego, CA for two nights last week while traveling on business.

The hotel is under renovation but it's really not too much of an inconvenience. I stayed in one of the recently upgraded rooms on the top floor (6th) which was very nice.

The hotel (along with all other hotels in the area) is near the train tracks. You WILL hear the trains. The hotel knows this and leaves ear-plugs on your pillows instead of chocolates. I had no problems sleeping though so they must stop running the trains in the evening.

There is a parking garage directly underneath the building and they charge 12 dollars a day for it but it's convenient and safe/clean.

The cost was $189 per night and I think they wanted even more than that initially. This seems a bit high for what you get.

It was tough making reservations so make them early. I think part of this issue is due to the renovations they're going through.

Maybe, JUST MAYBE, our judgement was tainted by the terrible 5 hour drive from Los Angeles in the pouring rain. (Americans cannot drive in anything but sunshine). The hotel was below average in room and well belopw par on its breakfast. Although the location is good for harbour and Little Italy - THE TRAINS OH the trains.........NOISY just is not a big enough word. We stayed on 23rd and 24th January 2008 and on the 24th the Shuttle Bus drove right into the hotel lobby.Through a big window. Not for us I am afraid....

I stayed at the Hampton and enjoyed the location! The staff was extremely courteous and helpful. They recommeded great restaurants in Little Italy. The rooms were clean and beds comfortable. The trains run near the hotel and are loud but tolerable. The breakfast was good and the hotel sits 2 blocks from the harbor. The price seemed to be great considering being located in the downtown area. Shuttle drivers were courteos and friendly as well.

Other trip advisor reviews warned that trains passed directly behind the hotel and were noisy. This is true, but it was not as bad as I suspected and in fact never woke us up, or disturbed us in hotel sleeping, intenet acess etc. The staff and the hotel shuttle service was great . Staff always willing to provide advice and when I asked for rooms close to the front of the hotel when I chechked in - to mitigate train noise -a tip I picked up from previous Trip Advisor reviews - they accomodated . Breakfast was as good as it gets in those hotels who provide it in the lobby as part of the room price The van took us to Balboa Park (zoo, Museums etc) and was efficient from the airport. We left early morning before shuttle service started and staff arranged taxis. Great location - on trolley line ( the same tracks where the trains run) , near many restuarants (Little Italy and Waterfront)., downtown etc. Overall a good experience.