10 Best San Diego Airport Hotels

Whether you need a place to sleep before flying out or a place to base an entire vacation, these hotels near San Diego airport have you covered.

This list is shorter than most because the choices are all major hotel brands that frequent fliers use. They have amenities suited for business and leisure travel.

They’re all within a mile or two of the airport as we don’t have any hotels in the San Diego airport. Three of the hotels are on the larger side for those who prefer a wide range of services and amenities while the rest are mostly popular suite hotels in convenient locations, usually with free airport shuttles.

Where San Diego Airport Hotels Are Located

Forget long drives from airports on the outskirts of town. San Diego International Airport (SAN) is actually in downtown San Diego, minutes from major attractions. This is unusual for a major airport to be so close to the action but it’s also what makes our city so appealing.

San Diego airport hotels are located in four main areas that include Harbor Island (in front of the airport), Liberty Station (to the left on the map), at the edge of Little Italy, or along the San Diego Bay (to the right of the map). Any of these hotels put you within minutes of popular things to do in downtown San Diego, Old Town San Diego, San Diego Zoo, and Balboa Park.

If you have time to go out to eat or enjoy the city’s nightlife, you could also consider a downtown San Diego hotel though many do not offer complimentary airport shuttles. Alternatively, to access the fun in the Gaslamp Quarter, simply take a cheap Uber from one of hotels on this list.

Note: The exact distance from your hotel to the airport varies depending on which terminal you’re headed to. I’ve listed approximate distances below each hotel. Also, hotel amenities may be temporarily modified due to the current climate, but I have listed what they are under normal circumstances. I help people choose San Diego hotels and may be compensated should you book using the links in this post.

1. Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina (Top Pick)

Address: 1380 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92101
Distance from SAN: .5 miles

Why go: The Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina is the closest hotel to San Diego Airport and offers enough amenities that it actually could be the base of an entire San Diego vacation.

Families love the outdoor pool and proximity to downtown San Diego attractions like Seaport Village and the USS Midway Museum in addition to its panoramic bay views.

The Sheraton is also for travelers who would like to enjoy the amenities of a large hotel with a full-service spa and access to water sports before flying out.

This San Diego airport hotel is located on a spit of land called Harbor Island which is just a 5-minute drive to downtown San Diego.

Harbor Island is on San Diego Bay, so there’s no beach. But the views of the harbor, including sailboats and sometimes large Navy ships. Sunsets over the water to the downtown horizon can be spectacular. As evidence of that, several nice restaurants also located on Harbor Island and within walking distance of the hotel, tout their waterfront and sunset views.

See also: Our Stay at Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina

Hotel amenities:

• Two towers adjacent to one another, comprised of just over 1,000 rooms
• Free shuttle service to and from the San Diego International Airport between 5 a.m. – 12 a.m., seven days a week (though you could also walk there in a pinch)
• Sheraton Club Lounge available to Sheraton Club guests, providing, among other things, a complimentary breakfast
• Three outdoor heated pools near the marina
• Bicycle rentals
• Luggage storage
• Basketball courts
• Outdoor lighted tennis courts
• Fitness Center (including Peloton bikes)
• Full-service Island Spa
• Water sports rentals via the onsite SD Adventures
• Seven dining options

Good to know: It may be across the street from the airport but would take you about 15 minutes from Terminal 2. A taxi ride will cost around $10. The Port of San Diego operates a shuttle from the area of the hotel to several downtown attractions as well between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Downtown is so close that hiring an Uber to drive you there will not be expensive. You can also walk to the popular Coasterra restaurant in less than 15 minutes.

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2. Hilton San Diego Airport/Harbor Island

Address: 1960 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92101
Distance to SAN: 1.3 miles

Why go: While there are several popular San Diego Hilton hotels near the San Diego airport (and on this list), this one is the largest. It’s also located on Harbor Island (a bit further in than the Sheraton), about a mile from the airport.

It’s the San Diego airport hotel choice for Hilton Honors members (you can use Digital Key to enter your room). The 211 room hotel touts its resort-like setting, with balconies overlooking the harbor, marina, and downtown skyline. The views can be truly spectacular and seen from many rooms.

San Diego Bay Adventures is a few steps away where you can rent jet skis, kayaks, and SUPs to explore the bay.

Hotel amenities:

• Complimentary airport shuttle on-demand
• Guest rooms with the Hilton Serenity Suites Dreams Bed with Down Duvet
• Heated outdoor swimming pool and whirlpool
• 24-Hour business center
• 24-Hour fitness center
• Car rental desk onsite
• Luggage hold
• Onsite restaurant and snack shop
• Pet-friendly up to 75 lbs
• Free WiFi in-room and in the lobby

Good to Know: Here you can also take advantage of the seasonal Port of San Diego shuttle from Harbor Island to several downtown attractions as well between Memorial Day and Labor Day. You’re within a short walk of Tom Ham’s Lighthouse, a popular seafood restaurant with panoramic views.

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3. InterContinental San Diego

Address: 901 Bayfront Court, San Diego, CA 92101
Distance to SAN: 2.5 miles

Why go: You’d like to stay in a larger luxury hotel with a Club Level that is also walkable to Little Italy, Seaport Village, and the Gaslamp Quarter. It’s not the closest hotel to San Diego Airport but it’s an easy drive. You can see the airport from the hotel even.

InterContinental San Diego is just a few years old with multiple dining options onsite including the upscale Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse.

Hotel amenities:

• Outdoor bar with views of the bay
• All rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows and water views
• Turndown service
• 24-Hour business center
• Club Level rooms that include full breakfast, all-day beer and wine, afternoon soup and snacks, evening cocktail hour with heavy hors d’oeuvres
• Starbucks Cafe
• Swimming pool with cabanas

Good to know: While it is a new hotel and an InterContinental, some feel that it’s not as luxurious as other IC hotels worldwide. However, if you are looking for five-star hotels near San Diego airport, this is your choice (and a good one). Otherwise, drive another mile to Pendry San Diego, my favorite urban boutique hotel (city views only).

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4. Homewood Suites by Hilton San Diego Downtown/Bayside

Address: 2137 Pacific Highway Suite B, San Diego, CA 92101
Distance to SAN: 1.7 miles

Why go: This extended stay hotel near the San Diego airport (two long blocks away) is getting rave reviews. Homewood Suites by Hilton San Diego Downtown/Bayside is steps from the attractions on the Embarcadero and located on the edge of Little Italy. The latter is where many of San Diego’s best restaurants and shops are located (it also close to the cruise port).

Hotel amenities:

• Each of the 160 large, contemporary suites has a fully equipped kitchen, work desk and separate living area. (You can check out a 3-D room layout on their website.)
• Dine via room service, the onsite 24-hour Suite Shop with snacks or any one of San Diego’s best restaurants located within walking distance.
• This hotel will also fill your suite’s full-sized fridge with groceries, by request.
• Daily hot breakfast
• Occasional evening social hour (check with the front desk for the schedule)
• Business center
• Coin laundry
• Luggage hold
• Fitness room
• Swimming pool

Good to know: They do not have an airport shuttle. The hotel is valet parking only and is on a shared campus with Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Downtown/Bayside, another great option. Both are also featured on my list of best Little Italy, San Diego hotels.

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5. Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Airport/Liberty Station

Address: 2592 Laning Road, San Diego, CA 92106
Distance to SAN: 1.5 miles

Why go: This 197-room San Diego airport hotel is located in a couple of miles or so in an area called Liberty Station in Point Loma. This nearly 400-acre site of a former Naval Training Center was redeveloped into a sprawling, mixed-use residential and retail center, which is also just three miles or so from downtown San Diego.

Liberty Station is filled with restaurants (of all price points, starting at fast food), shops, grocery stores, a deluxe movie theater, and even San Diego’s only public market.

Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Airport/Liberty Station is waterfront on the San Diego Bay but not adjacent to any beach itself. It is located just 5 miles or so from Ocean Beach, a beachside community with a famously lingering 1970s vibe, as well as extensive beaches, a pier, and restaurants and shopping (including antiques and crafts) lining its main boulevard, Newport Avenue.

The hotel is also about 15 minutes drive to both SeaWorld San Diego and Cabrillo National Monument. This all-suite hotel is another popular choice for travelers who would like to base an entire San Diego, California vacation in one of the hotels near San Diego Airport that is also convenient to popular attractions.

Hotel amenities:

• Complimentary airport shuttle available upon request
• Complimentary WiFi
• Some rooms feature balcony waterfront views of downtown San Diego
• One-bedroom suites are available
• All rooms feature a Keurig and luxurious Marriott, cotton-rich linens

Good to know: You can also book this hotel using the Marriott Bonvoy discount.

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6. TownePlace Suites San Diego Airport/Liberty Station

Address: 2311 Lee Court, San Diego, CA 92101
Distance to SAN: .5 mile

Why go: You need an extended stay suite with a full kitchen near the San Diego Airport that won’t break the bank. It’s a newer property with Navy-inspired decor that is praised for affordable rates and excellent service. You can walk to the terminals at the airport in about 15 minutes if you didn’t want to take an Uber.

Hotel amenities:

• Pet-friendly up to 50 lbs.
• In-room coffee and tea
• Onsite BBQ and picnic area
• Free breakfast (continental)
• Fully-stocked kitchen
• Onsite sundry store
• Outdoor swimming pool
• Fitness center
• Studios, One-Bedroom and Two-Bedroom Suites

Good to know: There is no restaurant on-site so you’ll want to stock up your kitchen or plan to go out to eat for lunch and dinner. Use the Marriott Bonvoy discount here also to make reservations.

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7. Homewood Suites by Hilton San Diego Airport/Liberty Station

Address: 2576 Laning Road, San Diego, CA 92106
Distance to SAN: 1.3 miles

Why go: This all-suite hotel offers spacious one- or two-bedroom suites with a separate living areas, a kitchen featuring a microwave, a full-size refrigerator, a dishwasher, and utensils.

As you can see by the name, this San Diego Airport hotel is also located in Liberty Station and its nice mix of restaurants, public market, deluxe movie theater, grocery store and other conveniences mentioned above.

Hotel amenities:

• Free WiFi
• Free hot, full breakfast
• Complimentary evening reception and drinks, available Monday through Thursday
• Basketball court
• Fitness center
• Pool
• 24-hour business center
• Coin laundry
• Onsite convenience store
• Complimentary grocery shopping service
• Free airport shuttle

Good to know: One of the other reasons to consider the Liberty Station area for your getaway is that you may pay a little bit less for a room than you would closer to downtown.

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8. Residence Inn San Diego Downtown

Address: 1747 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92101
Distance to SAN: 1.8 miles

Why go: Residence Inn San Diego Downtown is an all-suite, extended stay hotel located on Pacific Highway about a mile or so from the airport. This San Diego airport hotel is adjacent to Waterfront Park, a few blocks from Little Italy, and less than a mile from the Gaslamp Quarter and PETCO Park.

Hotel amenities:

• Free airport shuttle service to and from San Diego International Airport upon request
• Rooms are suites with separate areas for living, sleeping, and fully equipped kitchens
• Fitness center
• Outdoor heated swimming pool
• Free WiFi
• Free breakfast in the lobby
• Complimentary drinks and light fare on select nights at The Residence Inn Mix, three nights per week
• Grocery shopping service

Good to know: They do not have rollaway beds.

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9. Hampton Inn San Diego – Downtown

Address: 1531 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92101
Distance to SAN: 1.9 miles

Why go: Hampton Inn San Diego – Downtown is located on Pacific Highway about two miles from the airport. Its pricing usually skews a little less than the other hotels on this list though it offers fewer frills than the others in the same area.

It is on this list mostly because I’ve learned that people are very loyal to Hampton Inns so it’s a good choice for those who fall into that category. And, they also have a free airport shuttle.

Hotel amenities:

• Complimentary shuttle service to and from San Diego International Airport
• Each of the hotel’s 177 guest rooms and suites includes a 32-inch TV
• Complimentary WiFi
• Fitness center
• Business center
• Rooftop pool with a view

Good to know: This is right next to the Santa Fe Depot train station so great for those training into town. However, some rooms do have train noise (perhaps request a room closer to the front of the hotel).

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10. SpringHill Suites by Marriott San Diego Downtown/Bayfront

Address: 900 Bayfront Court, San Diego, CA 92101
Distance to SAN: 2.5 miles

Why go: This state-of-the-art hotel with contemporary decor is also located along the San Diego Bay, in front of popular attractions like the USS Midway Museum, Maritime Museum of San Diego, and the cruise port. SpringHill Suites by Marriott San Diego Downtown/Bayfront is an all-suite hotel that many people, especially families, use as a base for their San Diego vacations because of its convenient location.

Hotel amenities:

• All-suite hotel with spacious suites, comfortable living areas and stunning views from floor-to-ceiling windows
• Free WiFi
• Free breakfast buffet, offering healthy and hearty choices for every taste
• Fitness center
• Rooftop pool

Good to know: The hotel does not offer a free airport shuttle. It is located across the street from the cruise port and near the Santa Fe Depot Amtrak train station and also next to InterContinental San Diego.

Have questions? Feel free to ask. And, when you need a hotel near the San Diego airport, let us know where you stay?

See also: Inside the Airspace Lounge at San Diego International Airport