Uptown Inn - Limited Service Apart-Hotel

Hotels
8 (242 reviews)
819 University Avenue , San Diego , us

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Facilities

Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Terrace
Non-smoking throughout
Invoice provided
Free wired internet
Self parking (surcharge)
Internet access
Covered parking

Review Highlights

Pros:
Good location
Friendly staff
Clean rooms
Cons:
Small rooms
Parking issues
Construction noise

Categories

Cleanliness
7.46
Generally clean but some remarks about construction noise and small cleanliness issues.
Service
8.93
Staff were generally described as helpful and friendly.
Location
8.97
Many reviews praised the good location and accessibility to restaurants and attractions.
Room Quality
6.92
Rooms described as small; some issues with bed comfort and ventilation.
Amenities
7.95
Amenities like the kitchenette and secure parking were mentioned positively.
Value for Money
7.91
Good value was commented on, though parking fees were noted as high by some guests.
Food and Beverage
7.96
No specific mentions about food and beverage but reasonable expectations for mid-range hotels.
Overall Experience
7.93
Customers expressed satisfaction overall, despite some minor issues.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-11 12:14

Property Description

Convenient Location
Situated near top attractions like San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park, Uptown Inn offers a prime location for exploring the city. With free WiFi and on-site parking, guests can easily navigate around the area.

Modern Amenities
Each unit at Uptown Inn is equipped with essential amenities like a flat-screen TV, comfortable seating area, and crisp bed linens. The air-conditioned rooms ensure a pleasant stay for all guests.

Nearby Attractions
Explore popular landmarks such as the Maritime Museum of San Diego and USS Midway Museum, located just a short distance from the aparthotel. San Diego International Airport is also conveniently close by for easy travel arrangements.

To book your stay at Uptown Inn and enjoy these fantastic features, make your reservation now!

Important information:

Attention weekday guests: please be aware that there may be some construction noise in the morning from next door (they start between 7a-8a). There is also some activity in the hallways due to renovation work in our building.Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
This property does not accommodate bachelor(ette) or similar parties.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM

Location

Guest Reviews

8
Based on 242 reviews
Cleanliness: 7.46
Service: 8.93
Location: 8.97
Room Quality: 6.92
Amenities: 7.95
Value for Money: 7.91
Food and Beverage: 7.96
Overall Experience: 7.93
J
Juan • couple • us
10
2026-05-30 • via Nuitee
A
Andrew • couple • us
8
Convenient
Pros:

Great location

2026-05-30 • via Nuitee
L
Leonardo • couple • us
6
2026-05-28 • via Nuitee
M
Michael • solo_traveller • us
10
Good Budget Place to Crash Between Flights
Pros:

First and foremost: you're looking at a 3-star property, so align your expectations accordingly.

Second: if you're like me and select lodging based on physical location relative to other things you want to do, and don't look at what an area is known for culturally, you should be aware that Hillcrest is a LGBTQIA+ cultural hub. So if you're a homophobe: get over it, and if you can't do that... do everyone a favor and just stay home anyway.
That said, if you're simply looking for more heteronormative experience, prepare to travel/walk a little, or look for a different neighborhood.

Review:

Staff:
Frankly, the staff was the true highlight of this property.

Lloyd at the front desk was accommodating, friendly, helpful, and a generally a very pleasant person. Best front desk person I've had in a long time. Melissa was also great, but I interacted with Lloyd a fair bit more.

I ran into some other staff in passing and they were all polite. Even the maintenance(?) guy played along with my joking banter in the elevator!

Room:
There were some real bowls and plates in the room which was a pleasant surprise. Likely not used often because there was a bit of dust when I washed a bowl to use it for the first time, but absolutely functional.

Fridge worked great.

Not a like/dislike, but it's a pretty compact space. The sink is in the common area, not in the (very small) bathroom. The chair in the room allows you to sit at the counter which is really just an extension of the sink counter. No desk or wood surface, but again, not a big deal and if you're looking at these kinds of properties, it's exactly what you should expect.

Location:
Convenient and surrounded by places to eat. There's a Whole Foods, Ace hardware, and walgreens nearby for convenience, and a Target a little bit further (walkable if you're a walker, short straight-shot bus ride if not).

Cons:

While there were the customary shampoo/conditioner/body wash, there wasn't any place for them in the shower at all. Had to set them on the toilet and reach out for them, or bring them into the shower and put them in the ground.

Bathroom was pretty cramped, but honestly, bathrooms are a utility, not a place to hang out.

The A/C worker fine, but it took me a minute to realize that the tiny gray unlabeled button was the power button.

Wasn't a big deal for ME, but the fire department is across the street, so there were intermittent sirens at any given time of day/night.

The window has decent shades to pull down, which you'll probably want to do because the window view is directly into the windows/patio of the neighboring residence. I'd have liked to have some privacy AND some natural light, but with so much to do around, there's no reason to stay cooped up in the room much.

2026-05-26 • via Nuitee
G
Giuseppe Guglielmo • couple • us
4
2026-05-22 • via Nuitee
P
Phuong • extended_group • us
4
Pros:

Had a functioning kitchen

Cons:

When I got to my room, the counter was not cleaned off literally had to go downstairs and ask the front desk. If there was staff to clean it off there’s was no staff, but only one on the premise at the time. Walls were definitely thin had to call front desk because next-door came in at around 5 AM means so much noise.

2026-05-22 • via Nuitee
H
Hannah • solo_traveller • us
6
2026-05-20 • via Nuitee
C
Calum • solo_traveller • gb
8
Great facilities, people, and location
Pros:

Superb location in the heart of Hillcrest nightlife with multiple grocery stores, cafes, restaurants, shops (inc. 24/7) within easy walking distance. Despite being in the heart of the local nightlife, there were no problems in terms of noise either from the outside or from other rooms - so the hotel is clearly very well soundproofed.

Balboa Park with multiple museums, San Diego Zoo, etc also a reasonable walking distance. The Port of San Diego with USS Midway, the Maritime Museum, and city centre/East Village are all about 45-60mins walk from the hotel, assuming reasonable level of fitness, and having walked several different routes all were at least OK and most quite pleasant.

The hotel having in-house laundry facilities, a small gym, as well as shared cooking facilities really elevates it above most competition at this price range and it's a great option for a longer term stay.

Room was nicely sized, clean and modern, with a large worktop alongside the sink & mirror - which allowed me to spread out books+laptop etc and get work done in my room.

There is a proper smart TV, so not only can you log in to your own YouTube/Netflix/Prime etc accounts, but you can also wirelessly cast to it from your laptop or phone which was a huge bonus. Wifi worked for streaming with no problems at all.

All staff were very friendly and professional through all hours during my week long stay.

Cons:

Nothing bad, but having small cartons of milk in one of the vending machines and some healthier (i.e. protein/low carb) snack options as well as chips etc would be great.

Upgrading the laundry machines to card operated rather than/in addition to coin operated would be good as well.

2026-05-18 • via Nuitee
A
ARTURO • couple • us
10
very clean
Pros:

all good

Cons:

my room a little noise because of the freeway

2026-05-15 • via Nuitee
M
Mariano • solo_traveller • it
8
2026-05-13 • via Nuitee
B
Bischof • solo_traveller • nl
10
Pros:

Great location, friendly staff, very comfy beds (really good mattresses)

2026-05-10 • via Nuitee
A
Ali • couple • de
5
2026-05-08 • via Nuitee
S
Samantha • couple • mx
10
´NECESITABAMOS DESCANSO Y EL LUGAR NOS LO PERMITIO
Pros:

ME GUSTO QUE TENIA LKO NECESARIO, LA CAMA SUPER RICA, LAS ALMOHADAS Y LA COBIJA.

2026-05-07 • via Nuitee
E
Erica • solo_traveller • us
8
2026-05-07 • via Nuitee
D
Dennis • solo_traveller • us
8
Fantastic value and location!
Pros:

Fantastic value and location!

2026-05-06 • via Nuitee
R
Roberto • couple • ro
8
2026-05-03 • via Nuitee
A
Ami • couple • jp
8
2026-05-03 • via Nuitee
L
Lara • solo_traveller • us
9
2026-05-03 • via Nuitee
D
Daniel • solo_traveller • de
6
Overpriced
Pros:

Nicely located

Cons:

Only cold water in shower,

hair on toilet seat and old toilet paper in the toilet

2026-05-02 • via Nuitee
B
Brenda • couple • us
10
Very clean
Pros:

A lil small but very cute

Cons:

Bed was really comfortable

2026-05-02 • via Nuitee