The Shoal La Jolla Beach

Recent Reviews: 1306

• User:Jennifer W

  Trip type: Solo travel

  Fabulous hotel!

  29 Mar 2026

  The location was perfect! Easy walk to beach and restaurants. Room was clean and very comfortable. The best part, however, was the staff! Warm, friendly and very helpful. They even loan out beach chairs and towels for the beach. My room was quiet and peaceful. Thank you.

• User:birgittawh

  Trip type: Couples

  Charming hotel at a great location

  11 Mar 2026

  Charming hotel close to Windanse beach. Nice rooms, comfortable beds. Very clean. Great host and manager Tricia. We love to return.

• User:Maria T

  Trip type: Couples

  Would not recommend

  21 Nov 2025

  This is actually a motel. The room, though it looked clean, had a very pungent, foul smell from what was probably their cleaning supplies. You are better off pretty much any place. Tricia Banks, General Manager at The Shoal La Jolla Beach, responded to this review Hi D6599QJmariat,Thank you for your feedback. We’re very sorry to hear about your experience with the smell in your room. We want to assure you that we use EPA-approved cleaning products to maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and guest safety. When issues arise, our team always strives to do their best and be as available as possible to provide a better stay. We appreciate your comments and will use them to continue improving our guests’ experience.

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• User:KentTaylorGM

  Trip type: Couples

  A Fantastic Suite Held Back by a Minimal-Service Policy

  19 Nov 2025

  We had a weekend getaway planned and ended up at The Shoal La Jolla Beach. The highlight was the room we reserved. The hotel itself feels like a nicely renovated Travelodge—which it actually is—but the room made all the difference. We chose what felt like a rooftop addition: a single top-floor suite with a large private, semi–wraparound deck. It was genuinely impressive, and we loved it.The young gentleman who checked us in was charming and friendly, and we were glad to arrive. Our room was clean, and the view from the top was excellent, even with a slight obstruction.One of my least favorite post-pandemic trends is how many hotels have adopted the “reduced service” approach, which often reads as “we can’t be bothered.” When you’re paying hundreds of dollars a night, basic service shouldn’t be a negotiation. The Shoal did mention this policy upfront.The next morning, on our way out, I stopped by the front desk to keep things simple for housekeeping. We only needed two things: replacement pumps for the broken shower product dispensers (two of them), and the bed made. Straightforward.They did replace the pumps, and we appreciated that. But they didn’t bother making the bed. Oddly, they did clean the bathroom and replace towels—something we didn’t ask for. When a guest makes a basic request, why is it missed? Policy? Forgetfulness? Inefficiency? Hard to say.The hotel’s location is excellent—about two miles from the village in a mostly residential area. There’s a charming little gourmet market down the street and several restaurants within walking distance. The beach is just steps away.Even with the on-and-off rain, we genuinely enjoyed our La Jolla weekend. The food scene in this town is strong. Do a little research, because there are some fantastic restaurants packed into this small, very appealing area. Tricia Banks, General Manager at The Shoal La Jolla Beach, responded to this review Hi Kent,Thank you for taking the time to share such a detailed review.We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your suite, the private deck, and our charming location near the beach and local eateries. It’s wonderful to know that the room and your overall stay left a positive impression.We also appreciate your thoughtful feedback regarding our service approach. While we aim to communicate our post-pandemic service policies clearly, we understand how missing a basic request can be frustrating. Our team always tries to accommodate guest needs to the best of their availability, and your comments help us reflect on how we can continue to improve.We’re glad that, despite the occasional hiccup, you enjoyed your weekend in La Jolla and hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back in the future.Warm Regards,

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• User:okateo2018

  Trip type: Couples

  Great property in a Great Location

  11 Nov 2025

  This is a great place in La Jolla. It's a 1950s property that was completely remodeled and is now a fully updated place. The rooms are beautiful, and the staff is friendly and helpful. We did not realize they have instant oatmeal in the lobby which is all we need (along with coffee and tea, which is in both rooms and lobby) to get going. The location is a short walk to Windandsea Beach. Since it is right off of La Jolla Boulevard there are plenty of restaurants around. Tricia Banks, General Manager at The Shoal La Jolla Beach, responded to this review Hi Okateo2018, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed your stay and appreciated the charm of our fully remodeled 1950s property. It’s great to know you found the rooms beautiful, the team friendly and helpful, and our location convenient to Windansea Beach and nearby restaurants. We’re glad you discovered our complimentary coffee, tea, and instant oatmeal in the lobby — perfect for a simple start to the day! We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back to our small beachside hotel again soon.

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