Better be if you're planning a stay at the OB Hotel...
From the noise levels to the musty bathroom, this place brings back fond memories of college. To be fair, though, one has to anticipate that certain type of energy from this place, located steps from the shore in the heart of San Diego's surfer-dude village.
My boyfriend and I checked in on a Friday in July, not expecting the Ritz based on reputation, but hopeful that the very-friendly, helpful staff was a positive indicator that the facility might just surprise us in a fun, carefree San Diego kind of way.
Nope.
We arrived at our third-floor room and our jaws hit the floor when the stink hit our nostrils: eau de must, mold and cigarettes (in a non-smoking room). The bathroom was a stall-sized cell containing a stand-up shower (wear your flip-flops), toilet, sink (upon which one could rest their chin while enjoying a session, if one felt so inclined), as well as the most sinister-looking dust bunny ever seen peering down from the ventilation fan (see photo, though it does not do justice). The carpet was scary (wear your flip-flops). The a/c was portable, and though we could technically see the ocean from our awkward screen-free window, we could also see the back of a crummy condo, ample bird pollution, broken furniture, and two thankfully retired commodes (see photo, this one does do justice).
The real fun started at 3am when the frat boys arrived to their room next door, though it could have just as easily been our room, since the walls are simply a formality possibly formed by wall paper over, evidently, nothing. "Who's up for beer pong?!" Not us. Though we were up. For the next six hours. Until we checked out after deciding that our fun, carefree, blissful vacation would be better spent in a hotel with not as much “cool,” a little more quiet, and a lot less chance of catching staph.
Bottom line, since you were likely wondering when I'd finally get to it: Great staff. Cute courtyard. Fantastic location. Hooray for free parking. Not for those who enjoy basking in the peaceful company of their special someone. Perfect for that 36-hour bender or those who like knowing exactly what their neighbors are smoking.










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