The Essex retreat is great. Just a couple of blocks to the Hillcrest hub where you can find many restaurants, grocers, and pretty much anything you need. The space is lovely: great decorating, comfy bed and couch, nice kitchen for cooking, beautiful outdoor space to chill, laundry facilities that made doing laundry pleasant! Wade was super responsive and checkin was a breeze. The next time I am in San Diego, I will definitely stay here again.