Pier South Resort, Autograph Collection

Great staff! Amazing rooms

We loved the small, resort style, getaway to the resort. The staff and on-site restaurant was perfect for a relaxing getaway. The ocean views were amazing and small resort style was perfect. The spa was not in service but the Pool was just right for sun bathing and cooling off.

Right on the beach, you would pay over double for the views and proximity. It’s a real bargain for a couples getaway. Plenty on great food onsite and within walking distance. DoorDash is available from a bunch of mainstream and local restaurants.

Great coffee shops within a 2 minute walk. A convenience store nearby. The pier a nice walk. This is really a hidden gem and budget friendly. But feels like you are getting a steal of a deal.

If we would have stayed longer we would have scheduled the onsite spa massage and used the gym, but this was all about relaxing and enjoying the quiet.

The location of the hotel was excellent. The hotel is located perfectly on the beach. There were a lot of restaurants within walking distance. And there is a restaurant on site that was delicious with courteous staff. The brunch was good as well. I enjoyed the complimentary wine and beer on the rooftop right before sunset. My room had a pier view & we were still able to see the beach. Absolutely loved our stay!!!!

Belle hôtel propre bien situé.

Thank you hammie and iseah
The room was awesome

Too bad for the broken hot tub
Hooray for the nicely heated pool

Thank you

:)

We absolutely loved our stay at this hotel. From the moment we arrived, the staff was incredibly friendly and attentive, making us feel welcome and well cared for throughout our visit. The property itself is beautiful—perfectly situated right on the beach with stunning views and easy access to the water.

We spent time at the pool, which was clean, relaxing, and a great place to unwind. We also dined at the hotel restaurant, and both the food and service were excellent. One night we ordered room service, and the meal arrived hot and fresh in about 20 minutes, which was impressive.

The surrounding town is lovely as well, with plenty to explore and enjoy just a short walk or drive away. I would stay here again in a heartbeat whenever I’m in the area. Highly recommend.

I rarely write negative reviews, but this stay warrants an honest warning to other travelers.

I booked Pier South Resort because it is marketed as a beachfront Marriott Autograph Collection resort. I specifically wanted a relaxing night on the beach and used 58,000 Bonvoy points expecting a premium experience. What I found instead was one of the most disappointing Marriott stays I’ve had.

The first thing I noticed upon arrival was a strong sewage odor throughout the area. By morning, it became clear why: the beach was posted as closed and unsafe due to contamination. Calling a property a “beach resort” without clearly emphasizing that the beach is unusable is deeply misleading.

The property itself felt neglected and under-maintained. The room was acceptable at first glance, but the overall hotel atmosphere suggested deferred upkeep rather than resort standards. The hot tub was closed, the pool area felt lifeless, and many spaces felt tired rather than welcoming.

More concerning was the sense of insecurity. Elevators were unrestricted, my room had multiple exterior access points, the balcony door was unlocked on arrival, and there appeared to be non-guests lingering or camping around the property and beach area. As a solo traveler, I did not feel safe.

What was supposed to be a premium coastal getaway turned into extra transportation costs so I could leave the area and spend time elsewhere. The "resort's" response was a modest partial-points gesture that did not reflect the seriousness of the experience.

This property is not consistent with what travelers expect from Marriott or the Autograph Collection. Until conditions materially improve and marketing becomes more transparent, I would strongly recommend using your points or money elsewhere.

Valet was 10/10 Oliel was so sweet and extremely fast. Personable and so helpful. Extremely friendly too

Valet was great!! Oliel was great! As well as the other gentleman who helped. Front desk was also very accommodating and helpful.

As someone who travels frequently for business and stays at hotels across the country, I don’t say this lightly: the level of hospitality I experienced at Pier South Resort / Marriott in Imperial Beach was truly exceptional.

From the moment I arrived, the team turned what could have been a simple inconvenience into one of the best hotel experiences I’ve had in a long time. The room I originally booked was unavailable, but instead of offering a standard apology, Gaby, Aaliyah, and Daniella went above and beyond. They upgraded me to an even better corner suite with stunning beach views and also adjusted the rate for the inconvenience. That kind of proactive service is rare.

What stood out most was not just the upgrade—it was the professionalism, warmth, and genuine care they showed throughout the process. They made me feel valued as a guest, and that is something many hotels overlook today.

For anyone considering a stay in the San Diego / Imperial Beach area, Pier South should be at the top of your list. Beautiful property, incredible location, and most importantly, a front desk team that understands what world-class hospitality looks like.

Huge thank you to Gaby, Aaliyah, and Daniella for setting the standard. Marriott is fortunate to have a team like this representing the brand. I’ll absolutely be back, in fact whenever I visit San Diego, this will be my go-to hotel. #Marriott #PierSouthResort #ImperialBeach #Hospitality #CustomerService #Travel

I spent a couple nights at Point South, actually went home a day earlier than planned. I’ve had a hard time putting my finger on how to describe this property and finally decided this hotel feels like a Courtyard, and not at the Autograph tier in any way other than the amazing views.

I paid for an oceanfront room (absolutely necessary here) and was “upgraded” to a corner suite on the second floor. My upgrade included a side view to the parking lot, constant noise all night long from the adjacent stairwell, a ceiling fan that worked when it wanted to and zero water pressure.

Due to the noise I requested a move to another room that was ocean front, this time it was a Q/Q room and in better shape. Still no water pressure and a wall in the bathroom that was hacked up and dirty in the corners.

The view is magnificent. Unfortunately, the water is contaminated (signs were posted not to go in the water). But the beach was slow, had a lot of space and was good for walking. I was a solo traveler and felt safe on the beach and in the area (during the day).

Overall, a very tired Marriott property that doesn’t meet up to expectations of being in the Autograph tier. Had I booked a Courtyard or Fairfield, my expectations would have been met.

From the moment we pulled up to the front door in a vehicle
The concierge was smiling positive and willing to help in any anywhere needed
Kassandra and Emily greeted me at the front desk with smiles, laughter, and courtesy.
Willing to make sure the stay would be unforgettable
All the staff were all very positive and the scenery from the room and the hotel is breathless. Something that cannot be bought.
It will be the first place on my list when returning

The new girl at the front desk was very nice but not her manager, not accommodating at all.

We really enjoyed staying at this hotel. While it is a bit older, we did not miss anything. Clean, comfortable suite, amazing location, fantastic old CA vibe of Imperial Beach, our favorite brewery next door (Mike Hess) and ocean view from the balcony. What’s not to like? We will be back!

Right next to the ocean and other restaurants which is convenient

Great property - amazing view! Emily at the front desk was very pleasant and professional.

We love this resort! We hadn’t stayed here in 7 years but we were so happy to be back. There are a few upgrades needed and unfortunately several amenities were closed during our stay which was disappointing. Highlights were the paint and sip night on the rooftop. Our daughter loved participating and the views of the sunset are always amazing. Emily at the front desk was friendly and a great paint night host. Oziel at the valet was fantastic and always greeted us with a smile. We look forward to our next visit.

The room, staff and the facility it self