Imperial Beach has been redefining itself in recent years, and tourism is really starting to grow. Found just south of Coronado Island, Imperial Beach offers access to a number of great area beaches. Downtown San Diego isn’t far off either, so your Imperial Beach vacation can include a varied list of pursuits. Surfing, swimming, and birdwatching are among the preferred things to do in Imperial Beach, and you can also plan day trips to Tijuana, Mexico, on the side. While tourism may be on the rise, there is still a lack of Imperial Beach hotels to choose from. As such, those seeking Imperial Beach lodging often look to the vacation rentals to expand their choices. One good thing about the hotels in Imperial Beach is the fact that they are affordable. If you want more in the way of luxury, you can look to the Coronado Beach hotels or elsewhere in the area to find something more upscale.

The Imperial Beach hotels might not be luxurious, but there are a couple of them that offer some comfortable rooms that have enough amenities to satisfy most people’s needs. Found right on the beach, the Seacoast Inn offers 37 recently renovated rooms that feature amenities such as cable TV, a fridge, ceiling fans, internet access, and a clock radio. Extras like a crib, a hair dryer, an iron, and a rollaway bed can be requested if you need them. Some of the larger suites also feature a kitchen for added convenience. Outside the rooms, there are barbecue grills for guest use, not to mention some picnic areas. The heated outdoor pool is a nice place to relax, or you can enjoy a soak in the adjacent hot tub. Beach toys are available for your enjoyment and parking is free.

While the value-priced rooms at the Seacost Inn are ideal for some, those wanting a bit more in the way of comfort and amenities can look to the Sand Castle Inn for their Imperial Beach lodging. You’re just 15 minutes from downtown San Diego, 20 minutes from the family-favorite Sea World amusement park, and 10 minutes from the border of Mexico when you book a stay at the Sand Castle Inn. You’re also just steps from the beach. The mid-priced rooms at the Sand Castle Inn feature a warm and welcoming decor, and while they are not elegant, they do provide a nice, homey feel. The tile floors are a nice touch, and they also help to keep the rooms cool on warmer days. Amenities that you can expect in all of the guest units are a clock radio, a fridge, a coffee maker, comfortable queen-size beds, an additional sleeper sofa, cable TV, and ceiling fans to aid the tile floors in temperature control. Some of the rooms also have a kitchenette, and if you want a full kitchen and even more space, you can stay in one of the apartment units. Guests can grab some fishing equipment from the hotel and hit the pier, or stick to the barbecue area and enjoy a cookout if they please.

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Your only remaining choice when it comes to the hotels in Imperial Beach is the Hawaiian Gardens Suite Hotel. Hawaiian Gardens offers discount-priced apartment units that provide their guests with a good amount of space to work with. Studio, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom units are available, and all of them have fully-equipped kitchens for those who like to create their own special dining moments. While the apartments are pretty basic and relatively low on amenities, they are clean, have cable TV, and feature private balconies or terraces. Maid service is provided on a daily basis. As for the overall hotel amenities, a heated pool, barbecue areas, a coffee bar, and a laundry room are all part of the plan. To help you get your day started, a continental breakfast is included in the rates, which are just a bit higher than they are at the Seacoast Inn. One of the drawbacks to the Hawaiian Gardens Suite Hotel is the fact that it does not enjoy beachfront access.

As mentioned, you can always look to vacation rentals to help make up for the lack of Imperial Beach hotels. The Imperial Beach vacation rentals come mostly in the form of condo/apartment units, and many California beach apartments will have you very close to the water. While the rates at these condos/apartments are higher than those at the hotels in Imperial Beach, you get more in the way of luxury, not to mention privacy. You’ll hardly notice that you left home when you book a vacation rental as your Imperial Beach lodging. These accommodations are brimming with comfy beds, ample furnishings, home entertainment options, and fully-equipped kitchens, so they are understandably popular with a good amount of visitors. Regardless of which Imperial Beach lodging that you choose, don’t forget to book ahead well in advance if you plan to visit during the mid-summer Sand Castle Contest, which is just one of the many family-friendly California festivals.