The Bay Club is an excellent hotel choice. Let me be specific in my accolades:
1. While the room could have used a little modernization, it was over-sized, had a small fridge, a nice balcony overlooking the marina, and the beds were large and comfortable.
2. The front desk staff -- especially Alejandra, Allison, and Gatia -- were incredibly accomodating. They gave us maps to tourist attractions, changed $3 into quarters for meters, made suggestions for insider places to go, printed our boarding passes, and always had a pleasant word and a smile. They were never too busy to help us.
3. A really good buffet breakfast was included in the room cost, and the servers -- Raul and Jerry -- were always ready with coffee and juice and clearing of plates. They made the meal relaxing.
4. Parking is only $5 a night.
5. The location -- on Shelter Island -- requires a rental car, but it's a quiet location out of the city. On one side is the Bay and a small park. Great for an evening walk. On the other side is a beautiful marina with thousands of boats. Yes, thousands.. By car, you're downtown in about ten minutes, and it's a straight shot.
6. The hotel next door has outdoor concerts. While some previous reviewers complained, we couldn't have been happier. From our pool area, you could see into the concert shed and we had no trouble hearing the concert. In the week we were there, we enjoyed concerts by the Doobie Brothers, Frankie Valli, and Ringo Starr.
7. The pool and hot tub were very well maintained and relaxing. They were always clean and the right temperature.
8. Also always available: coffee, computer, weekday paper

We had a really good time here and we'd go back without hesitation and be happy to recommend it to our friends.

Like everyone else, we stayed at the Bay Club Hotel based on the reviews. However, I'm beginning to think that some of the reviewers don't get out much. Reading the 5 star reviews should be taken with a grain of salt. So here's my take:

1. My overall rating is around 3.5 stars; 2. The location is excellent--easy access to airport and all touristie activities; 3. The location is quiet other than the Humphrey Hotel next door--don't plan on going to sleep until 11pm on some nights (loud music); 4. Even though the hotel is dated, that should not stop you from staying there; 5. We stayed on the 2nd floor with a marina view and balcony--you want this view (very relaxing); 6. Our room had two queens--the mattresses are very firm but the pillows have a lot to be desired; 7. The room itself is like your average hotel rooms; 8. They call their rooms air condition, I call them swamp cooler air conditon--if you're a light sleeper, they could be a bit noisy. 9. The hotel is smoke free, however, you do have your smokers on the balcony and down by the pool side; 10. There maid service is excellent--please tip them they do earn it; 11. The pool and spa is Ok; 12. There free morning breakfast is nothing to crow about--it's not your Embassy Suites breakfast meals though;13. The breakfast is premade for you to dish up--scrambled eggs, french toast or hot cakes, sausage and bacon, cold ceral, fruit, breads, muffins, and pastries--the coffee is OK; 14. Hotel staff was good; 15. Would I stay here again--yes but not during the summer--I think you can get better deals at nearby hotels for the same fees. Plus there's restaurants within 4 miles that would give a better quality breakfast for your dollar value.

This was our first trip to San Diego so I did a lot of research before booking anywhere to stay.

The Bay Club on Shelter Island is perfect. It's close to everywhere you would want to be whilst staying in San Diego but far enough away to be relaxing and peaceful.

We booked a marina view room after reading some of the reviews on here and glad we did. It appears to be much quieter at the back of the hotel then the front due to the road outside and the Naval base in the bay. Having said that, as the evenings drew in the whole area becomes very tranquil.

The only word of warning is that Humphrey's, next door, holds concerts on an open air stage overlooking the marina. Great if you like the artist, not so if you don't. If we'd known beforehand we could've rearranged our travel dates to coincide with some of the bigger name acts they have.

Overall the Bay Club is clean, tidy, well presented with friendly staff and superbly located.

Would we stay there again? Without a doubt.

We spent 3 nights in The Bay Club in June.
We had been in Vegas first so we really appreciated the ambience and location on the bay of this hotel. Rooms were very comfortable if not a bit dated. Breakfasts were excellent. Location was perfect for us, quiet but very near all the action when needed.
The walks along the bay were lovely and there were alot of good places to eat in walking distance of the hotel . San Diego is a great city to visit and when we return we will definetely stay in the Bay Club.