Holiday Inn Express San Diego Airport-Old Town by IHG

Some hotels are built for lingering; this one is built for getting on with the day. Holiday Inn Express San Diego Airport-Old Town suits you if you want a straightforward San Diego base with air conditioning, a pool, breakfast and a room where a tired diver can put the kettle on without staging an expedition.

The mood is functional rather than theatrical. You have free WiFi throughout, a shared lounge and television area, an outdoor pool with loungers, and a 24-hour front desk for arrivals that do not quite respect the advertised plan. The hotel also welcomes children of any age, with family room options for up to four and selected accessible accommodation.

San Diego is the setting, in the United States, between the airport, Old Town and the Pacific coast. San Diego International Airport is about 0.6 miles away by road, and the hotel also runs a shuttle to the airport, San Diego Amtrak Station and other destinations. That makes this a sensible landing point when you would rather not start a holiday by negotiating unfamiliar roads with luggage in the boot.

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is about 1 mile away, while Washington Street Station is a 10-minute walk. Balboa Park and San Diego Zoo are around 3 miles away. The beaches are not outside the front door: Ocean Beach is about 4.5 miles by car, with Crown Point Beach, Sail Bay Beach and Mission Beach also within roughly 5 miles.

For food and coffee away from the hotel, Dos Brasas and Las Brasas are about 0.1 mile away, while Little Italy is around 0.6 mile. Gelato Vero Caffe is about 0.4 mile from the hotel. A useful arrangement when the day’s main achievement has been getting your wetsuit off without falling over.

The room choice is mainly about who is travelling and how much sleeping flexibility you want. A standard room with two beds works for up to four guests, while the king rooms keep things simpler for two. The king suite and king room with sofa bed also accommodate up to four, giving couples travelling with family or friends a little more separation than a single bed arrangement.

Every room includes air conditioning, a microwave, a refrigerator and a coffee machine. That combination earns its keep: cold drinks when you return warm and salt-streaked, somewhere to keep a snack, and the option of heating something without having to go straight back out. You also have a seating area, desk, flat-screen cable television, radio and telephone.

The bathrooms are private and include a shower, towels, toiletries and a hairdryer. Selected rooms are designed for mobility or hearing accessibility, including a roll-in shower option and an accessible tub. For a longer stay, daily housekeeping, laundry and dry-cleaning services are available.

Breakfast is served daily in continental style, with an American option and breakfast to go. The takeaway format is particularly handy when you have an early start and would rather eat something before leaving than conduct a dawn search for coffee and carbohydrates.

For later hunger, the hotel has a snack bar, an on-site minimarket and vending machines for snacks and drinks. The in-house offer is therefore geared towards breakfast, quick provisions and practical refuelling rather than a long restaurant evening. For a proper meal, Dos Brasas and Las Brasas are close by, and Little Italy is within about 0.6 mile.

The outdoor pool gives you somewhere to cool down without planning another outing. Pool towels and sun loungers are available, and the sun terrace, outdoor furniture and picnic area make it possible to sit outside with a drink or a snack and let the day finally slow down.

There is also a fitness centre if you still have energy to spend. For something more cultural, Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is about 1 mile away, while Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo are around 3 miles away. The Maritime Museum of San Diego and USS Midway Museum are also within the wider city area, giving you alternatives to another afternoon beside the pool.

The airport shuttle is available for transfers to San Diego International Airport, San Diego Amtrak Station and other destinations. Private parking is available on site, with a parking garage, and luggage storage is available if your room is not ready or your flight leaves long after breakfast. The front desk operates around the clock, with express check-in and check-out services.

Check-in starts from 16:00, and the minimum age for check-in is 18. You will need photo identification and a credit card on arrival; cash is not accepted. A refundable damage deposit is collected by card and returned after check-out, subject to an inspection of the property. Check-out is available around the clock. Children are welcome, and cots or extra beds can be requested subject to availability. Laundry and dry-cleaning services are also available.