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Travels with Baby Reviews: Homewood Suites Liberty Station, San Diego, California A TripAdvisor 2010 Travelers' Choice Award-Winner
In this Review: Overview Rooms Activities Dining Words to the Wise Bottom Line Video Tour More Info & Links Compare deals and read recent customer reviews at TripAdvisor If there’s one thing I can say about Homewood Suites Liberty Station in San Diego, it’s that they like to feed people. A lot. And for free. But happy bellies aside, there are several other reasons you might choose this hotel for your family's vacation in San Diego. Not the least of which are its recent TripAdvisor 2010 Travelers' Choice Awards which include the #3 Best Hotel for Families in the U.S., and get this: the #8 Best Hotel for Families in the World. So when we were invited to come and see what makes this place so ideal for travelers with babies and young children--in one of our favorite family vacation cities--you can bet we jumped at the chance. Here's what we found.
A big part of what makes the Homewood Suites Liberty Station so special is it's location right on the waterfront next to the esplanade. It's a lovely setting that's off the track for general tourist traffic, but a popular spot for joggers, walkers, and local moms powering along with jogging strollers on a sunny Saturday morning. And there is a great playground that's just a 10-minute walk along the water from the hotel. A double B.O.B. jogging stroller provided by Toddler's Travels rentals was perfect for exploring the paths with our entourage. The outdoor areas of the hotel--with outdoor seating areas, two outdoor fireplaces, and a 3rd-floor terrace with balcony-height tables and chairs--were clearly designed to help guests enjoy the location and warm San Diego weather. (Be sure to tour the hotel and a suite in our video tour.)
The hotel offers studio, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom suites, some with balconies. The 1-bedroom suites sleep 4 people plus a crib, while the 2-bedroom suites sleep up to 6 people plus a crib (Pack ‘n Play style portacribs are provided free by the hotel on request). Rooms may have king or queen beds, with pull-out sofa beds in the living rooms. Our 2-bedroom suite (click here for video tour) included two bathrooms, each with a shower/tub, full kitchen and dining area, and a total of 3 Flat screen TVs, so we could watch cable channels or pay-per-view movies from any bed or the sofa(bed). Games are also available for a fee. The kitchens include a full-size dishwasher and full-size refrigerator, microwave, 2-burner stove, and complete pots, pans, dishes, and utensils. What more could you ask for? Popcorn to go with the evening movie was thoughtfully provided as well.
Activities at Homewood Suites Liberty Station
We also found that, with the first 1/3 of the pool being only 3 feet deep, it was very helpful for letting us enjoy the water with our two young "swimmers in training." We appreciated the towels available poolside, as well, and with a family-friendly checkout time of 12 noon, the hotel also makes it easy to help the kids burn off some energy (see waffles below) with extra time at the pool before heading to the airport or setting out on the next leg of your road trip. You also won't want to miss your chance to stroll along the esplanade, or just sip your morning coffee on a cushy chair looking out at the joggers (and don't forget the playground 10 minutes' walk away along the water). There is also a game room with a full-size pool table just off the main lodge room, and two fitness rooms for those who are interested. But the top activity no guest should miss when staying at Homewood Suites: eating the complimentary meals. Dining at and around Homewood Suites Liberty Station
Yes, high chairs are available. Dinner: And after a busy day of sightseeing with babies, toddlers, and young children (or any combination thereof), parents will be thrilled to return to the Homewood Suites Liberty Station and be able to just stay put--especially Monday through Thursday evenings when the hotel provides a "Welcome Home reception" from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the lodge.
Did we enjoy our stay at Homewood Suites Liberty Station? Absolutely. Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, and in fact I already have. Would we stay there again? Yes.
More Travels with Baby Hotel Reviews All photos, video, and content (c) 2010 by Shelly Rivoli. Accommodations provided by Homewood Suites Liberty Station, San Diego. No other compensation was accepted in exchange for this review.
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Liberty
Station is also a convenient location for outings to the main
San Diego
tourist draws during your stay:
The waterfront swimming pool
and Jacuzzi area are a definite attraction for families,
and with plenty of cushioned chaise lounges lining the
pool and shaded tables and chairs, you will want to
build time into your sightseeing schedule to just enjoy
this great feature of the hotel. 
Breakfast: Complimentary
hot breakfasts are served seven days a week in the
lodge, Monday through Friday 6:30 – 9:30 a.m., Saturdays
and Sundays 7 – 10 a.m. We especially enjoyed the
make-your-own waffle station, with fresh strawberries
and whipped cream, though it's so popular you may have
to wait your turn to make the waffles. There are also
scrambled eggs, potatoes, sausages or bacon, yogurt,
peaches, English muffins, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and
cereals.
I
understood there was some sort of complimentary wine and
light fare provided those evenings, so we arrived
expecting appetizers of the cheese and cracker sort. But when we walked
into the lodge and stumbled onto a bustling buffet
line-up including full potato bar, salad bar, a pot of
chili, multiple types of bread, apple cobbler, and then some, I
had to ask to be sure we were in the right place. Indeed,
all the food, unlimited lemonade, iced tea, milk, wine, and
beer were also included.
Compared with what we'd paid to feed the family at a
restaurant the night before, it was clear what a fantastic
value the complimentary Monday - Thursday evening meals
are for families staying at the hotel--not to mention a
convenience. I'd say it's a definite incentive to book
your stay over at least one of these nights just to take
advantage of it if your schedule allows (FYI, other
Homewood Suites offer this, too). A calendar in our room
showed upcoming "Welcome Home" dinners including Fish ‘n
Chips night, Orange Chicken night, Chicken Fajitas
night, Taco Bar night, and a Hot Dog night, all with
related side dishes. 
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