This hotel was a spectacular surprise; I'll hardly consider other offerings in the San Diego area. My holiday here was great.

We arrived very tired after an exhausting journey that included flying to Tijuana, walking in the desert, crossing the border by foot and then taking one hour (!) for a bus to transport us 20 blocks to the hotel. The location is decidedly not centric: for under-21s like us you do have to walk, buses are scarce, and maybe you can't just walk out and find a huge scene. Yet the hotel was an oasis: the lobby, with its old-world elegance was almost surreal. Check-in was quick but the staff couldn't find us an under-21 car to rent. Once there, we just smiled and jumped when seeing the room. The beds were huge, with very generous and 'puffy' bedding and extremely comfortable. The room didn't have A/C but, even in very hot weather, we found we preferred it that way (the fan more than sufficed).

This hotel has modernity where it's needed. As opposed to the supposedly very XXIst Century W chain, here you get free at-room Wi-Fi access with zero hassle: no password, no key, no nothing. Quality was good enough to call home by Skype every day. We had a small kitchenette; it could have used a dusting but it was all such a piece of Americana memorabilia that you couldn't believe it. It was great to just bring over leftovers from huge American-size servings and then heat up 'at home'. Staff was always attentive and nice. The bathroom wasn't the newest but was comfortable. We had a walk-in closet in a normal room! View wasn't precisely great (parking lot) but was countered by the great sights during breakfast.

Breakfast was served at the top floor. The view was great and you could sit in a very agreeable terrace; the buffet could have been better attended and one of the two toasting machines didn't work throughout our stay. But the food was very good, with excellent onion bagels and generally well stocked. There was also a breakfast venue in front with delicious Mexican and American fare, served very abundantly.

For transportation there were some bus lines downtown, we checked online before leaving to make sure everything matched. We rented a bicycle and it was a truly memorable experience! There's also free parking for both cars and bicycles, right next to the main door. We didn't have a chance to try the restaurant.

The decoration is just amazing, and I can't really express the feeling and ambiance in this great hotel. Avoid if you need a sterile room that's been half-made in China. All the little details were astounding, and even more so when you realise they are all authentic. Be sure to check out the little museum with the history of the hotel, including all the IMPRESSIVE list of celebrities who religiously stayed there before travelling south to Mexico. Hosting celebrities was the original raison d'être of this hotel!

Ensure that you ask for a room away from the construction site (March 2007) - we paid extra for a balcony that turned over to overlook a worksite and were woken early every morning!
We booked this hotel specifically for the "fully equipped kitchen" and were disappointed. Vintage range without instructions, no equipment for oven cooking, not enough plug-ins (unplug fridge to use coffee maker). No cutting board, wine glasses and other essentials and very little countertop space.
Staff were friendly, and did supply a few things when asked. Good location for exploring Balboa Park.
Everything in the suite was a bit tatty and drapes were unclean. Comfortable bed was the best feature. Room was hot even in March.

The Park Manor Suites is lovely, old and charming. I found it to be a delightful experience. The location is the best in San Diego. It is between two major streets with easy access to the expressway, Balboa Park and to downtown harbor attractions. The views from the rooftop are stunning. If you go to this hotel expecting new and modern accomodations, then you will be disappointed, but if you, as I do, enjoy the ambiance of a 1920's hotel then you will have great time here. The bathrooms could use some upgrading and are small, but functional. The mattresses are definately on the firm side, but not uncomfortable. The kitchen and dining room are more than adequate and the living room is large and spacious, with plenty of seating room. There are plenty of closets.

The area is safe and easy to walk. We walked to dinner and back most nights at some of the restaurants in Hillcrest.

The breakfast was generous with a nice view of the city.

Although the parking lot is small, I had no problem parking each time I returned to the hotel.

The bar is very small and delightful with a live piano player an singer almost every night. I did not eat at the hotel restaurant, because I am into trying the variety around town, but the restaurant is adjacent to the bar and seemed to be very nice as well.

On Friday evenings there is a rooftop gay coctail party from 5 until 10 pm. Happy Hour prices are very low and the crowd is very enthusiastic. It is one of the most enjoyable events I have attended. San Diego's gay community has it together and they are very friendly and welcoming.

I can't say enough about how much I enjoyed the Park Manor Suites. I have traveled all over the world and seldomly do I find a place more confortable or welcoming than is San Diego and this hotel.

The Park Manor has bed bugs!
I was bitten hundreds of time and had to take steriods for quite a while, plus many costly creams to eliminate the bites. I also reported it to them in a very kind manner and was told they simply do not have a bedbug problem end of story.
I still have the very itchy bites 3 weeks later and want to protect others from the Park Manor.