Name: Courtyard by Marriott San Diego El Cajon
Address: 141 North Magnolia Avenue, El Cajon, California, United States of America, El Cajon, California, US
Price range: US$158–US$343 per night
Rating: 8.7

What guests think

Across reviews of Courtyard by Marriott San Diego El Cajon, guests frequently praise very friendly staff, clean modern rooms, and a convenient location near restaurants and The Magnolia, often noting a generally safe, quiet setting beside the police station.

Recurring drawbacks include loud or rattling HVAC, occasional ants or sewer-like odors, and uncomfortable sofa beds. Dining feedback is mixed: guests like the bar/bistro when open, but closures for events, limited breakfast arrangements, and slow lobby coffee frustrate some. Several also mention paid, sometimes tight parking. A practical choice with strong basics and a few operational caveats.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Facilities

Guests appreciate the pool and jacuzzi and a well-equipped fitness center; the on-site bar/bistro is liked but sometimes closed for events. Paid, tight parking and occasional elevator or laundry/sauna issues are noted.

Related guest reviews

10

Rajh

19 Jan 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

I really enjoyed the pool and jacuzzi. Everything was walking distance. I actually live in the same city but I just decided to take a Daycation. Enjoy my time there plan on coming back again

6

Will

9 Dec 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Convenient to shops and cafes Bistro was not open due to an event planned and limited and poorly managed coffee bar

10

Cary

18 Dec 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

We had a great day. The properties is great. The only concern is the pool is not heated enough.

10

Charles

20 Dec 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Elevators broken a couple of times had to use stairs, ask for Towel refresh after 1st day, we didnt get it.

10

Randy

4 Aug 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

I liked this property; the staff and location are great. The only thing I would change is having to pay for parking. This should be included with the stay, and this hotel is not a MOTEL but a luxury property.

8

Shane Maverick

1 Mar 2025

·

Stayed 6 nights

The pillows were very soft and did not offer any support. The bedspread is white(a no,no) and felt very stiff and plasticky. The parking spots are very narrow and are difficult to park a midsized SUV in them. The staff was nice and the overall hotel is good, but after 6 nights, the pullows and bedspread made it very uncomfortable. There was no actual blanket in the room.

10

Christina

20 Aug 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Love this hotel! Very accommodating! Loved the bar and restaurant in the lobby.

8

Kenneth

15 Feb 2024

·

Stayed 6 nights

We stayed for 5 nights. Overall I thought it was a good stay for my family. For the price and the area, I probably would stay again, but I would really consider other options next time before I book here again. Their laundry washer and dryer did not clean very well. We made sure not to overload as it instructed, but the clothes did not very clean and it took a couple cycles to dry. A couple other minor things, the AC unit had a small puddle in the carpet underneath it, and the drawers to their dresser units did not stay closed (probably installed improperly). Lastly the bathroom had a slight sewage smell to it. The beds were comfortable, the room seemed pretty clean, pillows were good, and the room was pretty quiet from outside noise..

6

Joyce

8 Dec 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Staff was courteous. Bar was closed due to an event. You'd think your customers staying at the hotel would be as important as the profit you're getting from the event. Very hard to get out of the queen beds if you had two people in each bed...so close to tge ac unit and room divider. Strong sewer smell in the closet, slightly less smell from the bathroom. Mentioned at check-out.

10

Alexandra

12 Dec 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Really friendly front desk and cafe staff. Clean, up to date rooms. Fitness center has a good selection of equipment. Nice places to walk in the morning.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Cleanliness

Most describe the property and rooms as very clean. Recurring issues include ants, occasional sewer or smoke odors, and some worn carpet or housekeeping misses.

Related guest reviews

8

Yvonne

30 Jun 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

The Hotel was good.. small Ants all over the bathroom. Toilets very low to sit down on and I’m 5”1 water stream in very weak shower heads need to be cleaned. Oh when seat to go to the bathroom the ants will get on you.. the beds rough to sleep on.

6

Monica

25 Aug 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Check in was quick. Our room was okay until it wasn’t. Oddly enough no toilet seat in restroom. Called downstairs and they sent someone quickly to install one. The first evening I came across maybe 2-3 ants. Didn’t think much of it. This was only a preview to waking up in the morning to the entire counter top and things on there being covered in countless ants. It was horrible and aggravating. I called downstairs. They said they’d said someone. No one came for at least 2hrs. We obviously ended up cleaning ourselves and tossing out several things that were just covered in ants. When the facilities gentleman came in he apologized and sprayed the room with whatever he had. We didn’t have much left of our stay so we didn’t let it ruin our trip. Again, the staff was very attentive but the facility perhaps needs a little more detail. Our previous experiences with Marriott has not gone this way.

10

Charles

9 Mar 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Great spot for a stay when visiting for a performance at The Magnolia. Friendly staff. Clean hotel with modern facilities. We will use again.

10

Maria

17 Mar 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The property was extremely clean and not on a busy street. The staff was very friendly and welcoming. My son left his stuffed toy in our room and they made every effort to locate it. I highly recommend!

10

Salbi

17 Feb 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Very clean and up to date property and rooms

2

Nicholas

22 Nov 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

It is a good hotel but our room smelled like sewage and we reported it to the front desk and they sent maintenance while we were gone and nothing was done it still smelled horrible. This happened the last time we stayed there and also the air conditioning didn't work the last time. But this time it worked great.

10

Zainab

16 Apr 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Very clean hotel and this is the most important thing for me

6

Joyce

8 Dec 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Staff was courteous. Bar was closed due to an event. You'd think your customers staying at the hotel would be as important as the profit you're getting from the event. Very hard to get out of the queen beds if you had two people in each bed...so close to tge ac unit and room divider. Strong sewer smell in the closet, slightly less smell from the bathroom. Mentioned at check-out.

6

John

7 Jun 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Good location. There could be at least complimentary coffee station in lobby. Our room had very worn & soiled carpet. Walk in shower but no railings or seat for handicapped guests. Although towel re-use was encouraged not enough hooks to hang towels.

2

fadi

10 Aug 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

I will give them zero stars reason is I stayed there last year they have ants problem and I went last month and they still have the same problem ants everywhere. Bathroom bad on the shower on the towels terrible not recommend it. I thought they will fix their problem since last year but nobody care they want your money only.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Rooms

Rooms are modern and generally comfortable, with many noting quiet stays and good space. Repeated complaints cite loud HVAC, uncomfortable sofa beds, occasional TV or water pressure issues, and some noise or minor maintenance quirks.

Related guest reviews

8

Connie

14 Jan 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

The hotel was beautiful, very clean and the staff was polite and helpful. The room was spacious and clean, but the water pressure was quite low. My quick shower and shampoo took longer because I couldn’t get all the shampoo out of my hair quickly. Low water pressure means a longer shower, which mean more water … I don’t get it. The bed and pillows were very, very soft, but still comfortable. The one thing that caught me off guard was they now charge $10 per day for parking. The parking lot is quite spacious, but you will notice a couple rows say Public Parking. I prefer to park in the Public Parking area because of the narrow parking spots and the big SUVs and trucks that belong to guests. So why was I charged $30 parking??? I arrived Thursday at 3 pm and left Sat. at 10 am. Oh well, it’s their math, not mine.

10

David

6 May 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Spacious room. Newley remodeled . Great bathroom. Amazing staff. Would stay again

6

Sonny

26 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Nice hotel, area is okay. Next to a police station, good and bad. Great seeing all the fire fighters and military folks around. AC was loud. Not pleasant.

6

Diana

8 Mar 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

I like the space and friendly staff. I did not like: no bottled water for coffee in room, only 3 towels for 4 guests. The worst: we could not use the "sofa bed" since the mattress was more like a box spring, so one of the guest had to sleep on the carpet since the sofa was way too narrow to sleep on it.

8

Erin

8 Nov 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Great toom, noisy AC

8

German

15 Apr 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

A/C was loud and annoying during the night

8

Gary

1 Oct 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

It was a Marriott, so overall fine. The TV was terrible.. unstable picture on all channels.. limited selection.

6

fadi

22 Feb 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

HVAC unit humms even when it is turned off making it hard to fall asleep

10

Susan

7 Feb 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Very nice room but traffic noise,

4

Donna

17 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The air conditioner noise was awful, even when turned off, the unit made noise all night. Had to put a pillow over my ears. The pull out sofa bed was awful for my daughter! The springs showed through. We had to put the sofa cushions on top of the bed for some relief, but they keep on separating all night. :( Not a pleasant experience!!

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Service

Service is widely praised as friendly, kind, and accommodating, with smooth check-ins. A minority report refund disputes, delayed responses to issues, or check-in challenges.

Related guest reviews

10

Sofie

17 Dec 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Clean and quiet stay! Check in was seamless with Estella and all staff I encountered were extremely helpful, pleasant and kind. Will def stay again!

6

Monica

25 Aug 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Check in was quick. Our room was okay until it wasn’t. Oddly enough no toilet seat in restroom. Called downstairs and they sent someone quickly to install one. The first evening I came across maybe 2-3 ants. Didn’t think much of it. This was only a preview to waking up in the morning to the entire counter top and things on there being covered in countless ants. It was horrible and aggravating. I called downstairs. They said they’d said someone. No one came for at least 2hrs. We obviously ended up cleaning ourselves and tossing out several things that were just covered in ants. When the facilities gentleman came in he apologized and sprayed the room with whatever he had. We didn’t have much left of our stay so we didn’t let it ruin our trip. Again, the staff was very attentive but the facility perhaps needs a little more detail. Our previous experiences with Marriott has not gone this way.

6

Maria

21 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

It is hard to get my refund back from this hotel. Bad service from the front desk inaccurate information.

10

JOSE L

30 Mar 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Great staff

10

Helen

27 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

My stay was only for the Service and Commitment of my dear friend. I cut short by 1 day as everything had ended after the Friday morning service at Fort Rosecrans. On arrival, the Check in staff was friendly, kind and professional. Very sweet to us. After arriving back to the Hotel after from the Commitment service, the young man at the desk was very accommodating to let us check out earlier and return home. I couldn’t have asked for a better caring staff at this time. I was also upgraded to a larger room for what reason I do not know.

6

Denyse

23 Jun 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Checkin was a challenge. I did arrive early but there were "no" rooms free. Inhad tonwait teo hours for a room. Meanwhile people had clesrly been given late checkouts as some people were leaving after 2pm. They kept telling me they were full, and yet theyballowed people to check out so late.

10

Irma

4 Feb 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great time. Everyone was so friendly and helpful.

10

Alexandra

12 Dec 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Really friendly front desk and cafe staff. Clean, up to date rooms. Fitness center has a good selection of equipment. Nice places to walk in the morning.

10

Steven

28 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Quick easy check in. Staff was friendly and helpful.

2

Maria

31 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Terrible management they won’t refund the money for the reason of their own technical issue from their system.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Location

Convenient, walkable base near The Magnolia, shopping, and dining, with many feeling safe next to the police station. A few note the surrounding area is only okay or not ideal for walking.

Related guest reviews

8

Heini

15 May 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Short walk from Downtown

10

Johnese

26 May 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Right next to the Magnolia Theater; you can walk to the venue

10

Aws

2 Dec 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Very good area, close to everything

10

Tom

13 May 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Went for a show at the magnolia , perfect spot . Walkable , cool little downtown area with restaurants also very walkable . Would definitely stay there again .

10

Lisa

16 Mar 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great area, very clean. Well lit at night, easy access after hours.

10

Sergio

2 Oct 2023

·

The distance from San Diego Airport was convenient. Overall the property was managed very well from the staff to the cleanliness. Plenty of places to eat near the hotel and all within walking distance. The accessible room with accessible shower was better than most hotels provide elsewhere. Felt extremely safe at this hotel considering a police station is right next door. No complaints about this hotel!

10

Bonnie

10 Nov 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

We are originally from El Cajon California, and came down for a quick visit so when I looked for hotels in the area, I was shocked that I found a Courtyard Marriott off of Magnolia. Lol. I used to live off Washington, and some of that area can be very sketchy so when we arrived, we were very pleasantly surprised and bonus was we are right next-door to the El Cajon police station, so made us feel even safer and that our vehicles are safe outside. Great location two minutes to Parkway, Plaza, and some of our most favorite Mexican restaurants as well as our favorite brewery Burning Beard. I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone who wants to stay down in El Cajon away from the beaches and easy quick to the freeway everything about it was amazing! We will definitely be staying here on our visits as we do come down to El Cajon quite often.

10

Artine

15 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Near a lot of dining places I like

10

True

3 Feb 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The hotel was well kept and the staff was great. The hotel is right next to the El Cajon Police HQ and City Hall, so i felt safe

10

Erick

2 Mar 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Great location

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Dining

The lobby bar/bistro earns positive feedback when open, with guests enjoying drinks and quick bites. Many cite closures for private events, limited or extra-cost breakfast, voucher confusion, and slow or minimal morning coffee service.

Related guest reviews

10

Erika

31 Mar 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The bar in the lobby is amazing.

6

Will

9 Dec 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Convenient to shops and cafes Bistro was not open due to an event planned and limited and poorly managed coffee bar

10

Cary

4 Nov 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great staff, great pool and jacuzzi. Our room was modern and sparkling clean. Use the on premise Starbucks and nighttime bar. All equally great

6

Weston

31 May 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

$300 plus a night and you have to pay for breakfast. Big thumb down. That’s pretty messed up.

10

Gregory

12 Aug 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

This was a great choice for San Diego. Super friendly and helpful staff, very clean. If I had to put a negative it would be the breakfast situation. If you pay the $30.00 breakfast prepay. That doesn't get you whatever is on the menu, it is a very limited choice of wjat you can have. Make sure you tell them you pre paid first before ordering. Other than that. No complaints. Location is great, plenty of things to do in walking distance and safe area.

2

Ash

19 Mar 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

I was assigned an unclean room, and when I reached back to the front desk, I received a nice apology with a promise of a partial refund that was never issued or received. I requested a room near the elevator due to a medical condition, I got the most further room in the hall. I purchased a breakfast included with my booking, but it's not a real breakfast included, it's kind of a discount voucher, you have to order an item that is lower in price than your paid "breakfast included" or you have to pay a price different if you order other items.

10

Christina

20 Aug 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Love this hotel! Very accommodating! Loved the bar and restaurant in the lobby.

10

Thomas

23 Apr 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Great stay! So clean and staff went out of way to help. The bar and bistro tops it off! Great good and drink and you don’t need to leave! Comfy beds. Can’t wait to return!

6

Charles

9 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 5 nights

Terrible dining availability in hotel. Otherwise, ok, I suppose.

8

Sereen

10 Apr 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

What I did not like was that we wanted to dine at the hotel itself. Yet the kitchen was closed the entire time we were there. Sometimes a person does not want to go out to get something. They prefer to dine at the hotel or grab a drink at the hotel. Other than that the stay was nice, convenient to everything, and very clean.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Month	Average price
January	US$175
February	US$196
March	US$197
April	US$205
May	US$204
June	US$262
July	US$311
August	US$258
September	US$217
October	US$222
November	US$187
December	US$190

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16	17 $271	18 $220	19 $292
20 $158	21 $254	22 $265	23 $239	24 $269	25 $278	26 $339
27 $164	28 $215	29 $224	30 $198

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
				1 $232	2 $322	3 $318
4 $217	5 $230	6 $230	7 $233	8 $230	9 $301	10 $326
11 $197	12 $248	13 $222	14 $248	15 $249	16 $343	17 $289
18	19 $241	20 $268	21 $248	22 $258	23 $255	24 $267
25 $206	26 $229	27 $234	28 $249	29 $253	30 $260	31 $296

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Monthly average prices

About this property

Location

Room options

Room, 2 Queen Beds

Room, 1 King Bed with Sofa Bed

Room, 1 King Bed

Studio, Multiple Beds, Accessible Bathtub

Room, Multiple Beds, Hearing Accessible

Room, Multiple Beds

Room, 2 Queen Beds, Hearing Accessible

Studio, Multiple Beds

Studio, 1 King Bed with Sofa Bed, Accessible Bathtub

Room, 2 Queen Beds, Accessible Bathtub

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible Bathtub

Studio, Multiple Beds, Hearing Accessible

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible Bathtub (Roll-In Shower)

Room, 1 King Bed with Sofa Bed, Hearing Accessible

Studio, 1 King Bed with Sofa Bed, Hearing Accessible (Roll-In Shower)

Room, 1 King Bed, Roll-In Shower

Guest reviews

Fabulous

What guests think

Property policies

Check-in instructions

Good to know

Optional extras

FAQs about Courtyard by Marriott San Diego El Cajon

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Prices for upcoming dates