Ramada St. James/Gaslamp Review

It's a pretty nice and affordable stay! The hostesses and housekeeping were very kind and helpful!

Service is good, clean rooms but the room was quite small. The location is great, right in the middle of Gaslamp District.

It's a little dingy and dated, but staff are very friendly and helpful, and rates are cheap for the area

Not only hotel even the firdge, crib and everything seems to be age old. Love and hate elevators too risky

Old elevator, odd shaped room (sink was in the living room and bedroom). Air conditioning is ok but I would only stay here if you are all out of options like we were.

Definitely an older building, could use some rennovation. Great location that is close to everything in the gaslamp.

Very well located but with certain details to be an old building

Service was good, but the building itself was dim and a little shabby- peeling wallpaper and the like. Seemed clean at least.

Free airport shuttle, really friendly & helpful staff & I was upgraded to a 2 bedroom room at no charge! It has an older feel, but it's charming & in no way run down. The restaurant downstairs is good & 24 hour... No complaints!

Extremely unique hotel perfectly located in downtown district

Good location. The room was small but affordable compared to other hotels in the area. Employees were friendly. Stairs layout was a litle confusing.

Beautiful, old, quaint 1913 hotel. Unique and lovely to stay at.

Horrible my family and I got stuck on the old elevator and they didn't get to us on time we had a panic attack and I was claustrophobic not only that but my family was losing oxygen in the Vintage elevator does Peyton only that but the rooms had old shorts and bloodstains on the Tails it was so disgusting the rooms are very small something I wouldn't expect in a hotel especially if it's a Ramada Hotel not only that but there's really not that much privacy in the rooms you could see each other from a cross gave you was a wall next to a window or you saw construction it was even a beautiful view and the rooftop was very unstable

Wonderfully retro. The elevators are a one of a kind experience. Straight out of an old noir movie. The roof top view is awesome. Staff friendly, rooms clean but musty & really old. Reminded me of "Somewhere in Time".

Inexpensive, very conveniently located, and pretty decent accommodations.

Experience was great! Rooms are small. However it has the 1913 feel with the old
elevators and beautiful roof top! Service was amazing. We met a gentalman named Darian who was
very accomadating and friendly. Would come back forsure.

First and foremost: MEH. I came here for a long-stay at a conference and wasn't surprised at the hotel as I peeked beforehand. Here's the good, the bad and the weird.

The good:
- The bed. Comfortable. Everyone I spoke to in my group that's staying here also recommended the beds. We all slept very well. But not together. Because that's weird.

- Abundance of hot water. Never ran out of hot water.

- Free wifi: (if you can get it to work. I had issues with mine.)

- Great front desk staff. Went out of their way several times. Great at their job- really care. (Hard to find!)

- Food next door: Brian's 24 Restaurant Bar & Grill is YUMMY. Everything I've had so far rocks. They did have an error on an order that I put in via room service, but were quick to correct. I actually loved the "weird" things on the menu. Refreshing. HUGE portions. So far, I've had the "Bleu Burger" (ask for it a little charred. Freaking delicious.) Then I had the, "Triple Decker PB&J." Which basically meant I sobbed while I missed by childhood. It was also, freaking delicious. The side of fruit that came instead of fries, (worth the upgrade,) was actually large, sections of pineapple and melon, cantaloupe and watermelon. All ripe and ready-to-go. Yay!

The bad:
- Remember college? Ever get a single dorm room? This is worse. My room had a small closet, (with pipe I lovingly called, "bonus closet pipe." The room featured such things as a sink. And a small desk. The bed was pushed against the wall because the room was so little. The first room I had, was so small I called the front desk to inquire if they had anything that wouldn't cause a panic attack. (My first room didn't even have a closet. It had 2 hangers and a bar to hang my clothes. And it was significantly smaller. The front desk staff was -awesome- (truly!) in fixing it. They deserve kudos.

- The phone in my room has a buzz. If you call someone, most of the time they don't hear you. That's helpful if you want to prank someone. It's un-helpful if you need to call the client that's staying in the same hotel as you and you don't want to sound like a ghost. Unfortunately, that happened.

- There was either a radon mitigation system running down from a pipe in my room, or a sewer pipe. It's clearly the ugly cousin of "bonus closet pipe." It was not closed, or rather- perhaps it was eroded at the top. It was fun to think of all the neat things that could live up there, or come down to visit when I slept. BONUS FRIENDS. In the hotel's defense, I did not see any of the said, "bonus friends" during my stay.

- The carpet feels like someone had one million accidents on it and no one ever cleaned it up. It stuck to my feet in a very strange way. I bonded with it while I screamed and ran for my heels. So, I wore my heels inside my room.

- Massive crack in my tub had me scared to take a bath, or shower. I was assured that it was okay. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't pass inspection as it would allow bacteria to go into the tub, or mold to grow.

- The a/c is a window unit and very, very, loud. It also does not work well. And the, "change filter" light was on during my entire stay. Yayyy!

How's the traffic, you ask? It's like any other busy town. I did not think this hotel had any thinner walls, or louder traffic. If the a/c was quieter, I might have heard neighbors. However, this thing was built 100-something years ago. The walls are solid. I can't imagine, (other than under the door,) hearing neighbors.

What about the location? It was close to the convention center, (6 blocks) and most shopping. It worked well for my purposes.

The elevator is old. If you are traveling alone with more than one bag, it's difficult to get in and back out of. Luckily, if you're like me, you always seem to be sharing the elevator with someone who is either disgusted by it, or in awe that they too, have chosen this hotel. It's a bonding experience. You quickly learn to label people as, "door holders" or "non-door holders." This is how you make friends.

I mean... besides the pipes.

#ForeverAlone

Old style hotels with elevators you have to swing and push the doors

The hotel is irresponsible , they park our cars somewhere in some crazy part of town and then dont think its their fault when it gets broken into, and charge me 30 dollars for it a night .furthermore i totally distrust the valet service .super loud and crowded .I will never stay at this hotel again

I actually laughed when I saw their workout center: two treadmills in a converted closet. I thought I was going to die in the elevator. Room was sparse and in disrepair. Service was friendly, though. You get what you pay for.

Nice place just had to pay $40 dollars a night for parking .

Not very clean, and no shuttle to airport or free breakfast, both of which were advertised online.

Had an overnight emergency and was up all night asked for an extended checkout I was asked to call back 3 different times to talk to Ashley I guess the manager Donald told me he was too busy to call him back after 10am I called at 10:15 and was told I cannot checkout 30 minutes late because he already gave 8 late checkouts away terrible customer service when asking to talk to manager he replied Ashley wont be in till monday so there is no manager he was in charge

If all the important facts to know about this place the one that stands out that it is loud. The Ramada is a very old building and the rooms are run down, but everything is clean. The noise from the street competes with the window fan, radiator and other general hotel sounds. The pillows may as well have been rocks and the shower stall is quite small. My biggest consideration in a hotels is cleanliness hence the three star. There is nothing fancy about this place and it meet our needs, but I did not know about the sound issues so I will not be staying here again. They charge $40 valet parking also, but there is a 24hr lot one street over for $20.

The staff are courteous and always greet you as you come and go!

Loved the friendly staff and the old antique style.

Staff are nice but the building is old and needs maintainance. I ran 5 floors in the morning because the elevator was stuck somewhere.

No parking anywhere and hotels like ramada charge extra to park

Loved this location because it's right in the heart of everything. I liked that I could walk to everything and come right back without having to walk long distances in uncomfortable shoes.

It's definitely historic. The first room we stayed in had a view of a brick wall and a shower shaped like a tube. You're best bet was to throw some soap on yourself and hope the running water made it hit all the important parts. The second room had a nice street view...of construction. I knew there was a reason for the earplugs. But, it was cheap as hell and the beds were comfortable, so it's worth the value if that's what you're after. And, the elevators are the original cars from 1913, in which year they were the fastest elevators in the world. So that's kind of cool, too. You can order room service from the restaurant next door, but it's quite pricey. I'd probably stay here again, especially for the location and price.

Rooms are super clean. Staff is very helpful and friendly.

Just be aware you are in an entertainment district, and life can get quite loud.

Elevator is cute and an antique (1913) but it is way too slow for my tastes. It hasn't been upgraded since it was built.

Excellent location to tour Gaslamp day or night. Once the valet parking receives your car you will not need it anymore. Hotel with age, for those who like sites with character. The price is relative to the size of the rooms, which in our case had the advantage of getting two in one.
Good service, friendly and outstanding from the moment they received us. We loved it and it seemed very comfortable. It also has room service 24hrs Brians24 which is part of the hotel and is also a must for Sunday brunch or American food for large portions 24 hours.
We will return without a doubt!
* The star that I did not put is because the elevator to the old being takes to give service, nothing that does not solve a little patience.

The area was very beautiful. I like San Diego and how close it is to everything.

The noise in the room from the air conditioners is terrible, the room needs repair. The location of the hotel is good. My number 416 is not recommended.

This is the best hotel in the Gaslamp area.
We got a suite for less than two hundred bucks a night.
The only place we will stay on our return visits.

The maids of the 8th floor are very kind. They are the only ones who speak Spanish and they helped me in everything I needed.

Rooms are small as expected, rooftop is wonderful, great location to bars and restaurants. Nearly all bars and restaurants turn to nightclubs after ten. Still a great location!

Service from the staff is great. Everyone is friendly and ready to help with a good attitude. Location is prime and right in the middle of everything, walking distance. The hotel itself is a little dated and showing its age. Our room is fairly small and leaves a little but to be desired. Would recommend to anyone who wants to be in the middle of everything and isn't worried about the room itself.

It's getting one star for the staff and one star for the location. But overall this place is pretty bad. The room was not like any of the photos and it is in serious need of a deep cleaning and upgrades. See attached photos of the tiny and stained shower. I could not even wash my hair without an arm on the wall and one hanging out of the shower and I'm not a big girl I'm 5'3" and weigh 135 pounds to give you context. There was the previous guests hair and pubic hair in both the shower and the sink and when I asked for a different room I was told they are fully booked and could possibly switch on Wednesday (the day I checked out). The doors are all cracked and bubbled paint everywhere. The 100 year old elevator needs to be updated. It's slow and a safety hazard regardless of how exciting it was in 1913. I would not choose to stay here again regardless of the price or location.

It the midst of an international pandemic, this hotel refuses to provide a refund or even respond with an email signed by a real person -- just a one sentence response saying there's nothing they can do. Shocking predatory business practices like this shouldn't be allowed and I guess I'll be filing a complaint with California's attorney general.

Nice historic building with a 24 hr diner attached. Affordable with easy access to the gaslamp district.

Old hotel but room was nice and clean. Very small space, good for a quick stay but not the best for more than a night or so for comfort. Friendly staff and I love the 24hour restaurant next door (Brian's 24 #carneasadafries)

I appreciate that the hotel has retained it's historic style. The service was friendly and helpful. We would stay here again if visiting this area.

It is a nice hotel the only thing is the room i had didn't have a tub so every time i showered it felt like i was at the gym or a public shower. However My overall experience was great

Rooms were small, but the location was very central and inexpensive. Hotel staff is very nice and accommodating.

Great room for the price! You have to jump through some hoops to find reasonably priced parking, but it's a great place to stay. And the restaurant is delicious!

Cute and quaint with a real true historical San Diego vibe

Very charming boutique hotel. The rooms are on the small side, but I don't spend much time in my hotel awake when I'm traveling. There is a great 24-hour American style restaurant attached. They offer 24-hour room service and valet parking for a fee. And you have to ride the elevator. It's original to the building, dating from the 1910's, and still works!

Horrible experience. Reservation made today. No notice on website that the power will be out from 12am to 630am. Hotel supersvisor unable to move us to another ramada hotel at the same rate paid.

Overall good, affordable stay. Rooftop patio is really nice! Some little things; No water bottles on desk where sign said there were, coffee maker was missing necessary parts to use, and there was no "do not disturb" hanger for the door.

Clean, very friendly staff, good location, but everything else is extremely old, teribble elevators from early 1900s. My room had a tiny window which was facing another room 10 feet away. No frig in the room (available at extra cost). I would give them more like 2.5 stars.

The rooms are "classic" small and not recently updated, but the service was nice, and the rooftop lounge is worth the night's stay. Location is great.

The room is clean and the staff are nice. Right next to some great bars

Formerly the st james, the hotel is 100 years old. Brians 24 is connected, it's an excellent bar and cafe.

Fire trap, (Elevators). Not suitable for Elders or handicap.

Clean, friendly staff. Great breakfast in down stair restaurant!

They are very historic, and the elevators made you never want to use the stairs ever again!

The hotel is definitely dated but the staff is extremely nice and the historic feel to the hotel really adds to the charm.

If you are into history and historic hotel stays this is your place. It's next to the street, bars, restaurants so may be noisy. Showers are very small and automatic lights turned on while you toss in bed

Great place. Great service. The elevators are original to the building (they've been renovated) and quite charming.

My stay here last weekend was amazing. Nice, friendly staff. Clean rooms that smell fresh. Walking distance to many restaurants including the Sugar Factory and a movie theater, a CVS. This is the perfect spot for a San Diego vacation. I will stay here again. My only advice is to run the hot water 10 minutes before you hop in the shower! The air conditioner worked perfect and was set at 60, I turned it off and slept so well. My night was so quiet. Quieter than my apartment complex for sure! This hotel is beautiful and the tallest building in the area. Easy to see and find your way back to if you roam around.

I do like this hotel, don't get me wrong but they're a star away from 4 stars because I get the sense that the management/staff doesn't take too much pride in the cleanliness and general functioning of the hotel.
The staff is nice and polite but the place could be a lot cleaner. The carpet for example has a waxy dirty feel and I didn't feel comfortable walking on it barefoot. And the bathroom is a little dorm-y. The oldness of the hotel has it's charm which I enjoyed but it's not for everyone. The elevator and rooms are very small and it's not luxurious by any means (single Queen room). The elevator was fun and vintage for me but I see how someone who prefers creature comforts and amenities would not be a fan.
Location is top notch and its pretty affordable but that's your trade off for tiny, and not super clean. The old historic feel could be seen as a positive or negative depending on the person.

Good for a night or two. Has 1913 era feel smaller rooms but comfortable cool elevators that look original. Must go onto the roof top patio area amazing views staff was really helpful

Clean and economic place to stay very close to San Diego downtown.

Old hotel, there is nothing luxurious, but for those looking for simple accommodation and good location, this is the place ... It has a lift from 1913, listed by the historical patrimony .... Well interesting, at the time was the fastest elevator from California ...

Interesting hotel but needs a complete rehab. Very dingy. Staff nice.

Nice rooms but elevator was too slow and old, elevator presented as a feature, but not sure if it is at this point.

The hotel itself is nice, cleanly kept, and looked great both inside and out. The valet staff were very nice as well. The front desk staff were a little cold and distant however, they felt kind of impatient and didn't seem to want to engage in brief conversation. It wasn't a trip ruining experience, but I definitely feel it needs to be noted.

An old, but okay hotel. Staff is great, but the amenities are just so so. The elevator is ancient, rooms and showers are small, ac units are in window. Fan in my room was off balance and made clicking noises. Very clean, certainly not a bad place in any way. Just don't expect shiny and new.

I have been staying at Ramada Gaslamp for about 13 years now and have noticed a decline in cleanliness in the rooms. Basically a decent place to lay your head at a good price for being in Gaslamp. Staff is always friendly.

Incredible staff, excellent service, the location is amazing. I ll be staying with the Ramada every time I come to San Diego.

Great location in the middle or close to all the gaslamp action. Polite and attentive staff. Dont expect any fancy schmancy this is a Ramada hotel after all. Free parking is pretty much non exisitent in this area so if you have a car you will have to pay an extra fee for thier valet service per night if you leave your car with them. Only advantage to this is you can come and go compared to parking in a public lot where you will have to pay each time you enter. Everything is in this area so you can walk around to where you need to. As for the room, it was very small and I barely fit in the shower. My only negative really is the slow as molasses elevator that says it was the fastest in the country in 1902...

An amazing stay, perfect rooftop area for drinks and welcoming hosts. Would stay again

We checked out immediately after we arrived.. feels like a time machine into the 1800's.. very small and dark room with sinks in the carpeted room next to the bed.

Love the decor, rm is small but cozy, everything I need.

Bland and expensive food, the hotel is old and neglected in details ... It needs an urgent remodeling from head to toe.