Name: Hampton Inn San Marcos, CA
Address: 123 E Carmel St, San Marcos, California, United States of America, San Marcos, California, US
Price range: $124–$287 per night
Rating: 8.38

What guests think

Across the reviews for Hampton Inn San Marcos, CA, guests consistently praise the friendly staff, generally clean spaces, and convenient location near CSUSM, while also reporting maintenance problems and occasional noise that can disturb rest.

Breakfast is frequently described as good or plentiful, though a few guests mention items running out or limited non dairy options. Rooms feel older; several travelers found beds and pillows comfortable, but many cite worn bathrooms, aging furnishings, and problems like weak water pressure, leaks, odors, or curtains that do not block light. Facilities draw mixed feedback: free parking and a small pool are positives, yet the hot tub was repeatedly reported out of order or unheated, vending machines sometimes empty, and the elevator and fitness room hours frustrate some. Overall, it suits short stays near campus if you are comfortable with an older hotel.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Facilities

Free and easy parking is appreciated, and the small pool is a plus. Common complaints include an unheated or out of order hot tub, an older elevator, limited fitness amenities or hours, and occasional vending machine issues.

Related guest reviews

8

david

Nov 27, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Standard, hotel. Not too big and with free parking

10

elise

Nov 15, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

The room could use some freshening up. The floor in the bathroom and the wallpaper and paint. The beds are comfy. The staff was very accommodating when I requested to relocate to the top floor due to early morning pounding on the ceiling. The pool area is small but nicely tucked behind so it isn't visible from the street and breakfast was ok.

10

Lisel

Nov 8, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Welcoming and positive staff, cleanliness is present, maid staff readily available, helpful and friendly fly, accept dogs at reasonable fee, breakfast in the AM, nice gym, lots of parking and doggie walk areas, close to CSUSM and everything San Marcos and North County. A++++

8

Diane

Jul 7, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Pool area very small could be cleaner

10

Leeann

Apr 28, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Liked location. Wish the pool was heated.

6

amanda

Jul 18, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Staff was friendly, but the property was old and the Jacuzzi did not work.

8

Dulce

May 15, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The staff was really nice. The hotel was clean. The elevator was a little old and the kids were a little scared of it because it made creaking noises. The breakfast was included with the stay and they had a lot of food options. The gas station in front of the property had so many different snacks from around the world.

6

Adrean

May 29, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

service, cleanness, room was all great however this was suppose to be a quiet getaway relaxing in the jacuzzi purchased snacks got dressed only to be told the heater was broken!!! wife was upset we booked another room and stay an extra even to enjoy that accommodation.

6

ANNMARIE

Apr 5, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

I love that it is so close to CSUSM that we can visit our student and be staying nearby. The breakfast and staff are terrific! I don’t like that the pool and hot tub area closes so early that we’ve stayed there many times and rarely have been able to actually use those facilities after we come back after dinner. Some of the rooms are kind of rundown but everything is clean and it’s all about location, location location!!

10

Marlon

Aug 11, 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

Everything went very well. I used the fitness center and the only thing to improve there, is that there is nothing to clean the machines after use; which means that no one is able to clean the machines and therefore are not very healthy.

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Cleanliness

Many guests find the hotel and rooms clean, with housekeeping visible. Others report bathroom mold or grime, dusty or stained furnishings and carpets, lingering odors, and occasional lapses in room or public area upkeep.

Related guest reviews

4

Rosa

Apr 7, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Stayed one night. Rooms are in desperate need of renovation. The curtains in the room had handprints and the bathroom ceiling black spots on it. There were also random remnants of the previous occupants.

8

Kristin

Nov 18, 2025

·

Stayed 17 nights

The room was kept very clean, very nice staff, great continental breakfast and coffee! Only suggestion is to update, looks a little outdated! Overall my stay was a 4.8. I'll stay again, and highly recommend to friends and family that visit nearby!

4

Jeremy

Jan 17, 2023

·

Stayed 19,369 nights

the property smelled of smoke and the carpets looked dirty

8

Mady

Jul 11, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Breakfast was good Staff was great Cleanliness was wonderful

6

Susan Dubay

Mar 26, 2025

·

Stayed 5 nights

The bathroom in our room needs a total renovation! Mold on the ceiling , floor and walls need repair and replace and painting! I’ve stayed at alit of Hiltons properties and this is the first time I’ve been so disappointed

6

David

Nov 11, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Dusty room, curtains are old and dusty, looks dirty. and the bathroom, looks like the bathtub removed , and it looks awful. Pillows are not comfortable.

6

Kathleen

Jun 3, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The bathroom door gets stuck and the paint is coming off. The room had a smell. The bed was uncomfortable, I felt the springs Otherwise staff was very friendly, had hot water which is great.

8

Ahmed

Jan 1, 2026

·

Stayed 4 nights

Rooms were clean. Staff was courteous. Breakfast was good.

10

Rebecca

Mar 24, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

I was very happy staying here with my daughter to visit CSUSM. Every employee was so nice and helpful, the facility was very clean and the beds were comfortable. The hotel is noticeably older, but kept very clean. Breakfast is included and offered a variety of hot and cold options. This hotel is also only a short walk from campus, so perfect for families visiting the college!

10

Valerie

Mar 3, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Very clean! I was afraid to book because of comments I saw about it being old and dirty. In my opinion and personal experience the hotel was great. It was very clean. I saw workers constantly cleaning around. And breakfast was pretty good. Workers were cleaning the tables and refilling constantly. Overall great experience.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Rooms

Rooms are functional but dated, with frequent reports of worn furnishings and aging bathrooms, plus maintenance issues such as weak water pressure, poor drainage, leaks, or loose curtain rods. Noise transfer and light bleed are common, and bed comfort varies.

Related guest reviews

4

Beth

Feb 8, 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

The property could use some updates including new beds. Those were the most uncomfortable beds I've slept on in quite some time.

4

Margaret

Jun 4, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Room needed daily housekeeping; they offer every other day unless you tell housekeeping to service your room. Bathroom and room needed updated.

4

Leo

Apr 18, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The bathroom is smelly, we were at room 218. The curtains do not close hence the light from outside kept bothering all night.

6

Dwayne

Feb 19, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

The staff was great, but the overall interior of the hotel looked dated. Overall, room was clean, but the bed was not very comfortable, and the shower curtain rod would not stay up.

6

Amii

Jan 28, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

The water pressure was terrible. During a shower the water pressure would drop and the water would go cold. One of our hotel rooms had BB’s in the wall, the shower in the other room had a large crack in the wall that was just covered with a sealant. The beds were rock hard and uncomfortable.

6

Rudy

Aug 5, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The floors and walls are paper thin at this property. We could hear people on the floor above us running through the halls and slamming doors, big thuds on the floor. The heavy curtains did not shut, only the shear ones. If im staying in a hotel its usually for vacation like this stay. I do not want to be waken by the sun, the second it pops out. The staff was pretty friendly and it was nice that it came with breakfast.

6

Susan Dubay

Mar 26, 2025

·

Stayed 5 nights

The bathroom in our room needs a total renovation! Mold on the ceiling , floor and walls need repair and replace and painting! I’ve stayed at alit of Hiltons properties and this is the first time I’ve been so disappointed

6

Rindra

Aug 20, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

The room was not really spacious and in the morning it was pretty noisy where noises would wake us up. But breakfast was good and staff were nice!

8

Michael

Feb 19, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Overall a nice. Rooms were a little small compared to most Hamptons I’ve stayed at. My only issue was that there was no dark shade to pull in the window. I am normally an early riser but we were in town for a wedding and stayed up rather late so there was no sleeping in. Also the parking lot lights although are nice for security make for a pretty bright room with no ability to darken while you were trying to sleep

6

Manuel

Feb 22, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Property was out dated. Toilet did not flush properly.

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Service

Service is a strong point, with many praising friendly, helpful staff and smooth check in. A few guests experienced unhelpful responses, rate disputes, or slow assistance during disturbances.

Related guest reviews

10

Vanessa

Sep 26, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Best hotel counter staff and housekeeping..very friendly and helpful! Excellent free breakfast too :)

10

Osvaldo

Jan 22, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The best part of our stay was the staff. So professional, friendly, efficient, and helpful.

8

Dan

Feb 23, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

When there was an issue the front office manager was not pleasant at all. It could have been addressed in a different manner.

10

Dawn

May 26, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Staff was amazing and kind.

10

Diane

Nov 25, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Nice front desk and consideration of room location fit convenience.

8

Deborah

Aug 5, 2025

·

Stayed 7 nights

It was nice - but soccer tournament girls were unleashed !! Hours of screaming, banging on doors and running up and down hallway front desk not answering phone. Will try another option next trip.

10

Shelly

Apr 10, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

I would like to put a great word in for your employee Kirsten. She made sure I was given back items of importance and great value that I carelessly left in my room. I'm truly grateful for her help and honesty as these were Diamond rings that one could have easily stolen. I'm sure a housekeeper was also involved and although I don't know their name, they deserve praise as well. Thank you!!

2

Therese

Nov 9, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

They would not honor my orbitz reservation rate. We left without staying. Terrible customer service

10

Sarah

Jun 12, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Everyone on the team was very helpful with all of our requests. We needed some extra blankets, and they brought 2 warm ones to our room. Down the hall, there was some noisy neighbors, so they provided earplugs which helped a ton! The breakfast is amazing and definitely beyond the meager continental breakfast of most hotels. I loved the unscented toiletries which were plentiful. Thank you for a great stay!

10

Devron M

Aug 19, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

When I checked in with Amanda it was awesome! She was super welcoming and the process was fast and easy.

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Location

Walkable to CSUSM and close to the freeway, restaurants, and shopping; several guests found it quiet and felt safe. A few mention nearby construction or navigation challenges and occasional freeway noise.

Related guest reviews

8

Audrey

Feb 16, 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

Very convenient location for us near our local family. Our room was clean and quiet so we could rest well. We have stayed in several other hotels in the area, and this one suited us best of all. We will stay here again.

8

Margaret

May 18, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Good location for CSUSM

8

Howard

Apr 21, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Breakfast was plentiful and good variety. The surrounding area is undergoing a lot of construction, so a bit of noise and sometimes challenging to navigate. Over all a good stay. Beverages available 24/7. Rooms could use an update but overall clean and pleasant.

10

Shawn

Sep 29, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Great spot for CSUSM parents, its walkable to campus. Breakfast was good and fresh, staff kept it clean and refreshed it.

10

Christa

Oct 18, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

I was pleasantly surprised with my stay! I went in with minimal expectations, knowing it's a small hotel off the highway near a college. The room was spacious, the front desk was friendly and had free snacks available, the room had a not-so-mini fridge, and the breakfast was yummy! A good option for staying in San Marcos close to the freeway if you need to get to other places in North SD County quickly.

10

carlos

Aug 20, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Great one night stay. Awesome free breakfast. Very close to food, movies, and bowling.

8

David

May 7, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Walking distance to Cal State San Marcos.

10

Beth

Jan 6, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Hard to get there from the freeway. We got there on the 3rd attempt. Google directions are wrong.

10

Diane

Mar 11, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

We came to visit our son at college. Super convenient location to restaurants and shopping, Easy walk to the campus. We will be back!

8

Heidi

Aug 29, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Quiet. Walkable to CSU San Marcos.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Dining

Breakfast is widely praised as hot, fresh, and plentiful, with good variety. Negatives include occasional stockouts and limited non dairy options.

Related guest reviews

10

Vanessa

Sep 26, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Best hotel counter staff and housekeeping..very friendly and helpful! Excellent free breakfast too :)

10

elise

Nov 15, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

The room could use some freshening up. The floor in the bathroom and the wallpaper and paint. The beds are comfy. The staff was very accommodating when I requested to relocate to the top floor due to early morning pounding on the ceiling. The pool area is small but nicely tucked behind so it isn't visible from the street and breakfast was ok.

8

Howard

Apr 21, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Breakfast was plentiful and good variety. The surrounding area is undergoing a lot of construction, so a bit of noise and sometimes challenging to navigate. Over all a good stay. Beverages available 24/7. Rooms could use an update but overall clean and pleasant.

10

ALEX

Dec 29, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Clean and pleasant. Good breakfast.

10

Shawn

Sep 29, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Great spot for CSUSM parents, its walkable to campus. Breakfast was good and fresh, staff kept it clean and refreshed it.

6

Melanie A

Feb 13, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

The beds were comfy and the price was right. Towels were soft and I liked the dispensers of bath products in the shower. However, there was some mold in the bathroom ceiling.(poor ventilation) The breakfast choices were decent, but they ran out of several things early. My grandsons were looking forward to the waffles and they ran out of that and orange juice and Milk for the cereal.

10

Froilan

Jan 6, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

The best breakfast I ever had. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Lots of choices.

8

Ahmed

Jan 1, 2026

·

Stayed 4 nights

Rooms were clean. Staff was courteous. Breakfast was good.

8

Lynn

Mar 17, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Best hotel breakfast I’ve had! Everything was clean and the staff was good. The hotel is next to CSUSM and the freeway. The freeway noise did not bother us. My only complaint is that the rooms really need to be updated and maintained. The grout in the bathroom was crumbling, there were water stains under the sink, the bathtub faucet dripped and the toilet would randomly half flush. These things did not ruin our stay though and I would stay there again when we come back to the area due to location.

8

Serena

Sep 22, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The curtains in the dining room were splattered with food. As someone who doesn't eat dairy it was frustrating not to have non dairy options for coffee and cereal. The service was fantastic, check in and out was a breeze and the bed was comfortable.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Month	Average price
January	$129
February	$152
March	$157
April	$161
May	$167
June	$209
July	$231
August	$202
September	$149
October	$156
November	$142
December	$129

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
				1 $228	2	3 $276
4 $125	5 $153	6 $156	7 $200	8 $208	9 $287	10 $263
11 $126	12 $154	13 $159	14 $193	15 $178	16 $274	17 $221
18 $132	19 $138	20 $176	21 $177	22 $183	23 $240	24 $266
25 $135	26 $180	27 $177	28 $183	29 $187	30 $157	31 $193

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14 $262	15 $241	16	17 $216	18 $229	19 $251
20 $124	21 $150	22 $149	23 $153	24	25	26
27 $126	28 $151	29 $151	30 $152

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Monthly average prices

About this property

Location

Room options

Room, 2 Queen Beds, Accessible

Two Queen Beds

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible

One King Study Sofabed

One King Bed

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible

Guest reviews

Very good

Who stays here?

What guests think

Property Policies

Check-in instructions

Good to know

Optional extras

FAQs about Hampton Inn San Marcos, CA

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Prices for upcoming dates