Hotel Solarena, BW Premier Collection

“Great Stay Overall!”

When I made the decision to do a quick trip to Newport, Beach, the main question was where was I going to stay? AirBnBs were too expensive for what they were offering (you’re going to make me pay $300* per night for a street parking 1 twin bed room that is a fifteen min walk from the beach? No th... more

When I made the decision to do a quick trip to Newport, Beach, the main question was where was I going to stay? AirBnBs were too expensive for what they were offering (you’re going to make me pay $300* per night for a street parking 1 twin bed room that is a fifteen min walk from the beach? No thanks), and hotel fees added up. Sonder Solarena was the only thing that stood out to me at $177 per night, totaling $377. It was right across the street from Newport Beach, a 3 minute walk exactly, had mixed reviews, mostly all on the positive side, and looked nice. I was a little nervous because you never know what a place is like before you stay there—it could be a crack house for all I knew. But I figured it was two nights and I could survive. First off—check in was very easy. I got an extra pillow and blanket (for my brother who I brought along and had him sleep on an air mattress on the floor for a discounted price—all the double bed rooms were booked), and a code for the room keypad. The room itself was just like the photos, a simple queen bed with a desk on either side, a table and chair, and a reading chair in the corner. There was even a mini fridge and tv. All very pleasant amenities that made the place feel more luxury than the price I paid. They have an app that makes it easy to keep track of your code, check out, and pay for parking ($44 for two days). The bed itself was comfy enough—though the bedsheet kept slipping off. It was clean and my back didn’t kill me as I woke up so I take that as a win. At night you can hear footsteps and some loud noises, but again, it wasn’t anything crazy. There was a sign that advertised earplugs and a noise machine in the room, but I didn’t see any of either. The A/C was enough of a noise machine. Within walking distance is a coffee shop and restaurants. We didn’t try any around the place, but they looked good and are on my list for next time. Overall—as a most of the time budget traveler who likes to keep it nice, I loved Sonder Solarena. The price and location won me over, especially since I was there for a quick beach day. I felt safe and comfy, and loved the on-site parking (though it could be a tight squeeze at times). If you’re a solo traveler or with family looking for a cheaper place to stay by the beach, this is one to add to the list. Pros: Location (right across the street from the beach) Clean and simple rooms On-site paid parking Mini fridge More affordable than most places Great for someone on a budget or who needs a quick place to stay Feels safe Doors lock at midnight and you use a code to get into the building and then the same code for your room Cons: Can get loud at night Cheaper bedding and beds Parking is tight (especially when the larger cars use the “compact” parking spots Older building

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