Chose The Pearl online while on a cruise ship - the pictures were phenomenal and looked like we were getting an AWESOME room for the price....my husband and I wanted to treat ourselves on the last night of our vacation. When we arrived, we were a little disappointed by the outside appearance - looked rundown and haggard, but agreed to check in and see the room, as we were taught not to judge things by appearances.....turned out to be NOT at ALL what we were expecting!!! It was NOTHING like what the pictures showed or what the description stated. And for $300 for one night - it was just NOT happening - we expected a plush, fancy room, and got something that looked like it was from back in the 60's or 70's (and kind of smelled like it, too)!!! We promptly checked out - for a cancellation fee of $25 - immediately after checking in. Definitely NOT our cup of tea! Might be perfect for some, but NOT at ALL for us!!! I will say that the manager and staff were very friendly, accomodating and understanding when we decided not to stay there!

My wife and I choose the Pearl based on the 4 star rating in Orbitz and the fact that they had a restaurant with bar. Upon arriving to the are littered with 1 and 2 star hotels we were second guessing our choice. The bar and restaurant were closed because they said Sundays were to slow to keep it open. There was no indication of this when booking. The only place to eat close by was a Jack-in-the-box. We had to switch rooms because the 1st rooms bathroom was filthy. The second room was cleaner but as we discovered the following day the bottoms of our feet very dirty from the carpet. The bathroom tile was very worn and the shower curtain had mold and mildew. The rooms were very contemporary and done in good taste but it did not make up for the other faults.

Like those of you reading this review, we did our research prior to booking the Pearl. So, we knew that it had a funky vibe, could get loud in the evenings, and wasn't a 'in the middle of everything' type of place.

If you want to be in the heart of the action in San Diego, this probably isn't your place. Nor is it a good choice if you want a totally quiet and traditional type of hotel experience.

However, if you want a unique experience, I'd suggest the Pearl. It's not for everyone, but after our stay we decided we did like the experience and the property.

When we called, we asked for a room that was away from the noise and action. We booked the smallest room, and yes - it's definitely small. However, we were heading out on a cruise and this helped prepare us for the next week on the ship.

The Gem room was small, but nice. Large flat panel TV, couch/bed combo, and Sza Sza on the wall (Beta fish) greeted us upon entry. Simple, but it worked. The bathroom was cruise ship size, and the only real negative was the shower curtain (mold!) and what looked like a few shortcuts in refinishing the bathroom... paint was peeling and in one area some rust was starting to show through the paint. Those were the only two con's, which were more than made up for by comfy bed (very nice)! We had the fan on for some air movement, and that hummed us to sleep... didn't even hear the activity outside the door in the bar/pool area.

We took advantage of what the property had to offer. We grabbed the bus across the street for the $2 and 8 minute trip to Old Town and had a nice meal. We utilized the mini-mart next door for some ice cream treats and some liquor drinks, and grabbed some bottled water as well. The next morning, we borrowed the beach cruiser bikes and headed to Shelter Island for some breakfast at the muffin place and a nice ride along the waterfront as we watched the activity in the harbor. We could even see our cruise ship beckoning us for our coming trip to Mexico.

Staff weren't always at the front desk, though were extremely helpful. Directions, advice, and friendly conversation was the norm.

If you are rewards member of a Holiday Inn Express or Marriott, this won't be your typical stay and might not be the hotel for you. However, if you want a unique experience at a unique property, then consider the Pearl. We are glad we did.

My husband and I had a wonderful stay at the Pearl and really enjoyed its quirkiness. It is noisy, no question, but if you are the kind of people who like to be in the action it is not a problem. Hotel staff were really helpful and friendly. Food is outstanding. We were able to find parking on the street as the spots available for the hotel guests are limited and are usually full. The neighbor hood is safe and residential, though so again it was not an issue to walk a block. The Pearl radio station with 24/7 groovy tunes was a nice touch.

Pros: resident fish "Jaws", clever decor, nice linens, comfortable bed, free wi-fi, nice TV, dive-in movie, great staff

Cons: a bit off the beaten track