They have done a marvelous job refurbishing the interior spaces of this old hotel. However, the old main building still looks old! We found the rooms very noisy at night - despite requesting a room away from the very busy street. People seemed to be going in and out of their rooms and banging doors all the time. A family must have been above us because we could hear loud foot steps all the time. It was disruptive. The place to be in this hotel is not the main building but the courtyard space. That area has some charm to it. They have a very nice breakfast area with spaces to sit indoor and outdoor. I was impressed by how clean the rooms were. The plus was being so close to the beach and to just be able to walk there. I would go to this hotel again but ask for the courtyard section.

I just returned from a 3 night stay at the Holiday Inn Express and was quite happy with my stay. The motel is an older property about 1 mile south of the main downtown area of La Jolla. It has been renovated with a contemporary beach theme, new cherry furniture, plantation shutters, partial glass shower partitions, and ceramic tiles.

Being older and probably added onto over the years, the motel has a few quirks. The rooms are scattered around a couple of courtyards, one with the pool, in one, two or three story buildings. The parking lot was tight when filled, even with a small car. Your room location and type may affect your enjoyment as some rooms are right on the edge of the pool or near a narrow passage or face the road or parking lot. Mine was on the second floor (no elevator) above the breakfast room. The outside door opened to the bedroom, rather than the living room, which was a bit odd. The living room with a sofa sleeper faced the pool courtyard, but lacked a ceiling light, so it was pretty dark. It did have a small kitchen with fridge and microwave, which was nice. The bathroom sink was tiny and in the hallway between the two rooms. The glass partition didn't entirely prevent water from partially soaking the bathroom floor. There was also a small depression in the hall floor that was covered by the new carpeting, almost like an pipe run that was abandoned when the hotel was renovated. And I could hear some occasional minor noise from the traffic or other patrons. But the room was very clean, the bed was comfortable, the pool was warm and clean, the landscaping was pretty, the staff was friendly, and the free breakfast was good and varied a bit with the hot main offerings every day.

It is not a new hotel and you should know this if you book there, although it has been recently and attractively renovated. But the property is charming and gives off a neat Southern California vibe. Good location for visiting the ritzy stores and restaurants of La Jolla, the beach and surfing communities and Mission Bay to the south, and Torrey Pines State Reserve to the north (which is really beautiful for hiking and strolling the sandstone cliffs along the beach).

I stayed here for one evening and had difficulty sleeping as the rooms are too close to the main road. The room itself was rather nice, with full glass shower, which was surprising.
You can hear people coming in and out of the couryard and
rooms thru-out the night.

I have stayed here two times and both times I have been very satisfied. I asked for a quiet room both times and I received one. I found the staff to be very friendly and helpful. The breakfast has been upgraded to now include eggs and bacon or sausage. The pool and hot tub area is very nice and I never found it to be overcrowed even when I stayed over a holiday weekend. The rates I have paid here I felt were very good for staying in La Jolla. There is a good Mexican restaurant across the street and also a nice small Italian cafe for lunch.