My hotel decision making process is getting way too complicated...

I've got to say, I love the U.S. Grant and would be interested in getting your opinion of it!

Also, the OMNI is a really nice hotel.

But if you really want to go first class and get a great story for your blog, have you considered the Hotel del Coronado?

I sometimes have the same problem! Too many choices, and trying to balance all the great promotions and the status... 😉
But Andaz San Diego is a really cool unique hotel, I would strongly recommend staying there!! The breakfast at the rooftop restaurant near the pool is amazing, and it's a really happening hip hotel.

Just to complicate things a bit more, don't forget:

1) You earn no Priority Club points or free nights under the "Sweet Dilemma" promotion after 10 stays

2) "Crack the Case" night credits are earned for ANY paid rate, including IC Friends & Family rates and Priceline.

But if you stay at the Indigo, you can write about their.... jungle walls!

Personally, while I like the Starwood program, I find the vast majority of their properties overpriced for getting a night's sleep. Two programs of heavy focus is about right, as it really gives you the room to maximize good promotions without really causing any hassles if the program you need has a horrible promotion (Because I'm not a fan of marriott properties, they are the program that I dropped, partially because their properties are lackluster, and partially because their rates are awful compared to what I can get with PC and Hilton)

While the US Grant doesn't have a chain in the name, it is part of Starwood's Luxury Collection. I spent a night there a couple weeks ago and scored a huge two room suite, with two full baths. Really a wonderful hotel.

This is why hotel status is overrated. I say you keep top tier in one program that has some nice international properties and then stay wherever you want once you've re-qualified. Free rooms and upgrade benefits are nice, but staying in new locations in new cities is a lot of fun too.

As Mike said, US Grant is a Starwood Hotel.

You express exactly why I do not bother trying to help people with a concierge style hotel booking service. There are far more choices and variability in planning hotel stays than airline travel.

Also to note, the US Grant has about 47 suites out of 248 rooms, so any kind of Starwood status gets the upgrade.

There is a $2.50 bus from the airport, or a cab is $9 so don't worry so much about the free airport shuttle...

Lucky i know exactly how you feel. I work in the Hotel industry so for me it takes forever. Its so many different things and it takes me weeks to make up my mind!

let alone add into the mix points etc!

@Coins. Your problem is one that all wise frequent flyers ( to include Flyertalkers) have. Sometimes, we're too smart for our own good! And when you throw in a 'must use' Marriott award soon to be expire cert, it makes your life even crazier. And for good measure, don't forget any 5000 Points Break options.
And for goodness sakes, don't forget about staying at a Hotwire 4* property for $59 + taxes and fees. You could do worse.
FYI, the Indigo downtown Dallas was a nice experience.

Go with the US Grant. Awesome hotel, plus SPG points never hurt....

MY philosphy is a little different. My order is Pointsbreak, then Priceline 🙂

I visited 60 hotels in San Diego summer of 2009. Here's my review of the Holiday Inn Downtown - in-room A/C unit, scratchy sheets, not enough pillows on bed, no-name coffee in room brewer (4-cup machine), no closet in the room - only an armoire. If you want to stay at a Holiday Inn - I'd go for the Holiday Inn San Diego Bayside - much nicer, recently renovated - and free bikes for guests to use. Basic alarm clocks in both hotels

Andaz - only 3 years old, cool hotel - very interesting room - had a super tall tub (needed a stool to safely get in and out - back when it was called the Ivy they had a free Escalade that would take you around the Gas Lamp quarter. This room is no good for sharing as the tub is surrounded by glass and in the center of the room with no privacy.I-Pod Dock radio.

US Grant - really nice rooms, cool lobby, was closed for 2 years while they did a complete remodel - the rooms/sheets/bathrooms are top of the line. You get a Meile coffee maker only in suites, the rest of the rooms have to go to the lobby for the free coffee service in the a.m. CD Player alarm.

I wonder how you afford the weekly revenue flights and weekend hotel stays as a college student. Of course, you now have your awards travel service to subsidise this hobby. But still.... I wonder....

Unless there's a promotion like Hyatts FFN where I can get lots of miles and free nights I tend to go with Priceline.

It has become quite a chore to set up a vacation. There was mention of Holiday Inn Downtown and Holiday Inn Bayside. Take both of these properties and you get Holiday Inn San Diego - On the Bay. Our property is located in Downtown and across from the bay and cruise terminal. We also provide free shuttle service to the airport, cruise terminal, Gaslamp Quarter, Seaport Village, MCRD and Zoo. There various rates and packages to fit your travel needs. One way to narrow the decision process would be to compare the loyaly clubs first (this would be a great blog). After narrowing it down to 2 choices, decide which brand gives you more coverage. Then choose the best option within the brand. If you are not a frequent traveler, then deal hunting may be the way.

Try the Grant! It's a great hotel and the lobby is indeed killer!

If you've maxed out on Priority Club staus this year, be sure to wait until Jan 1 to crack any big cases in the Priority Club promo, since those points would count towards getting a jump on your 2012 status.