My son and I spent a week at the Balboa in June and it was everything I could have hoped for - and more! The hotel is just an easy stroll away from the beach and pier and just slightly farther from the Fun Zone where there is an arcade for the kids, boat trips around the harbor and access to Balboa Island. There are many nice restaurants and shops, a pharmacy and grocery store all within walking distance. And the hotel was absolutely marvelous. The staff was very friendly and paid close attention to our every need. The restaurant in the hotel had good food and the best people staffing it. I never saw anything but nice smiles and good greetings. The room was immaculate and thoroughly cleaned every day. There was plenty of hot water for showers and my son had the greatest fun in the jacuzzi Air conditioning kept the room perfectly cool during the night but we opened the windows during the day to bring in that wonderful breeze off the ocean. Each morning we ate the complimentary breakfast on the patio just a few steps away from our room. How nice to have your morning coffee while watching the waves break over the beach and hear the booming surf. It is not a ""cheap"" hotel, but you get what you pay for and we got excellent value for our dollar. Would I go back? In a heartbeat!!
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