Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa vs The Dana on Mission Bay

Whether it’s the lobby, pools, on- and off-site activities, amenities & more, see which Mission Bay hotel comes out on top. Will it be The Catamaran or The Dana?

By Jessica VanHook

Last Updated on
May 15, 2024

Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means if you make purchases through them, I may be compensated at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.

Catamaran Resort vs The Dana on Mission Bay

Catamaran vs The Dana

Which Is Best For You?

Hotel Amenities

Tips to Know

Overall Winner

Highlights

Lobby Comparison

Pool Comparison

Restaurant Comparison

Final Verdict

Find Your Perfect Mission Bay Hotel

Beautiful Koi Fish at the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

Path the Main Swimming Pool and Mission Bay at the The Dana on Mission Bay

Whether you’re looking to sunbathe on the beach, enjoy food and drinks at a local restaurant, or have fun in the water, Mission Bay offers something for every traveler.

And what better way to enjoy all these activities than to book a room at a nearby hotel!

Two of our team’s top choices for Mission Bay hotels are the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa and The Dana on Mission Bay.

This won’t be like every other article you read on these hotels; you’re going to learn about the highlights of each one from a team with intimate knowledge of both hotels and all their greatest features!

Grassy Area with Picnic Benches at Ski Beach Park

Exploring Mission Bay

Mission Bay Park is home to one of the largest aquatic parks in the world, stretching across 4,600 acres of shoreline.

It is especially popular for its windsports and watersports, from sailing, windsurfing, and kiteboarding to jet skiing, paddle boarding, kayaking and more.

It is also near other popular San Diego locations and attractions like the famous SeaWorld San Diego, Balboa Park, Old Town San Diego, and Downtown San Diego. The San Diego Zoo isn’t far, neither are the La Jolla beaches and shopping in La Jolla or Pacific Beach neighborhood.

One more thing to consider is both hotels are less than 10 miles from the San Diego International Airport (SAN), so you won’t be far if you’re arriving by plane.

But if you’re looking to decide between which hotel might be better suited to your needs and interests, read on to see how the Catamaran and The Dana stack up to one another.

Looking for Outdoor Activities?

Catamaran is right on Mission Bay at Sail Bay, which is great for swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking, sailing and more.

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Which Hotel Makes the Best First Impression

The first thing you’re likely to notice when you stay at a hotel isn’t its rooms, but its lobby area. Which is exactly why we’re going to start with each one at the Catamaran and The Dana.

Reception at the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

The Catamaran’s Lobby

By far the most noticeable feature of the Catamaran for us is its lobby, which has a mesmerizing koi pond that flows through the lobby to a nearby restaurant outside.

It offers seating, a coffee shop, and an attached bar and is super comfortable and a great place to hang out and relax.

Reception at the The Dana on Mission Bay

The Lobby at The Dana

The Dana's lobby, on the other hand, is pretty minimal. It does have a gift shop and an ATM, but its best feature really is its surrounding property.

Right outside The Dana is a marvelous first class marina, two swimming pools, and the bay boardwalk that we love to take a stroll down every time we come to visit.

Lobby Seating at the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

Our Preferred Lobby: The Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

While The Dana has excellent access to the marina and bay boardwalk, the Catamaran’s unique koi pond really makes the best impression of the two for us, making the Catamaran the winner for best lobby.

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A Look at the Hotel Pools

No San Diego hotel would be complete without a pool to relax and refresh yourself in during the warm, sunny weather San Diego is well known for.

So let’s see how both hotel’s pools compare.

Pool at the Catamaran Resort Hotel

The Pool at the Catamaran

While swimming in a palm tree-surrounded pool can be an amazing experience, in our experience this can also be a downside, as the pool at the Catamaran is in a weird spot that gets shade towards the end of the day which can make it a bit cold.

Main Swimming Pool at the The Dana on Mission Bay

The Dana’s Two Pools

The Dana, on the other hand, has two different pools with one - the Bayside Infinity Pool and Spa - that looks out over the bay plus offers poolside service from its onsite restaurant, the Firefly Eatery & Bar.

Because of this, we highly recommend the Bayside out of the two pools at The Dana.

Second Swimming Pool at the The Dana on Mission Bay

Two Pools with a Bay View? The Dana Wins Best Pool(s)

You just can’t beat a swim with a view and poolside eating, especially as you watch the sun set over Mission Bay.

With that in mind, we choose The Dana for the Best Pool Award.

Each Hotel’s Rooms and Booking Options

Of course, even when you’re out and about during your travels, you can’t overlook the importance of your own room when picking out which hotel you’d like to book.

So let’s look at the differences between the two.

Garden View Room Terrace at the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

Rooms at the Catamaran

Both hotels have pretty similar rooms. They’re pretty okay, but not amazing. But the Catamaran has some rooms on the bottom floor that offer stunning views of the bay.

Deluxe Bay View Room at The Dana on Mission Bay

The Dana’s Rooms

The Dana's rooms are more set back and don't offer the views that the Catamaran does, making them less ideal.

Bay front room, Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

Which Rooms Win?: You Just Can’t Beat a Bay View at the Catamaran

Since both the Catamaran and The Dana have pretty similar rooms, we had to decide which offered the best overall experience. And with its many bay view rooms, the Catamaran had to win this one.

Featured Hotel

Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

Bayfront

Families

Near Beach

With its Polynesian-themed rooms and common areas, the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa, will have you forgetting that you’re still in Mission Beach.

Prices Starting at $171

Check Availability

Comparing the Things to Do Around Both Hotels

You come for the rooms, but you stay for, let’s be honest, all the fun things to do while you’re there! Which is why it’s important to look at which hotel offers the best on- and off-site activities to do for travelers.

Let’s look at both!

Beautiful Sail Bay Beach at the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

What Can You Do at the Catamaran?

I love the location of the Catamaran. It is right on Mission Bay at Sail Bay, which is great for swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking, sailing and more.

The Catamaran is also just across the street from the beach where there are good waves for surfing or body surfing, and it’s a great beach in San Diego for just sunbathing or people watching.

Surfer Walking on Mission Beach

Things to Do by The Dana

The Dana, on the other hand, is along the bay, but you can’t swim in that portion of the bay. It’s also a 10 minute walk or so from the Pacific Ocean in Mission Beach.

Sail Bay Beach in Front of the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

Which Location Wins?: The Catamaran

You just can’t beat proximity and variety! And the Catamaran has both when it comes to fun and exciting activities, making it the winner for best things to do.

Which Is Best For You?

Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

Learn More

The Dana on Mission Bay

Learn More

Restaurants and Amenities

No visit can be complete without sampling all the onsite dining and, of course, walking the grounds!

Ocean coastal restaurant, Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

A Look at Catamaran’s Amenities

The Dana's grounds are nice, but the Catamaran has them beat, with amazing ponds all over and beautiful landscaping.

Also, the Catamaran has a high end restaurant called Oceania Coastal Kitchen. It’s a nice place, but for us it’s very expensive and not generally worth it.

Firefly Eatery Bar at The Dana on Mission Bay

How The Dana’s Amenities Compare

We like the Firefly Eatery & Bar, the restaurant at The Dana. It has a great outdoor area with firepits and just has a great overall atmosphere.

The Catamaran's casual restaurant is on a nice patio next to the koi pond, but we honestly think The Dana's is better.

Crab Cakes at Oceans Coastal Kitchen at the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

The Best On-Site Amenities: A Tie!

While The Dana has a better dining experience, the Catamaran has better landscaping features, making this a tie between the two.

Final Comparison and Tips

Here are some final things to consider when deciding between each hotel.

Spa at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

Some Additional Considerations for the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

Become one with nature: The Catamaran is teeming with wildlife, from koi fish to ducks to exotic birds and more.

And don’t forget to talk with the exotic birds! The Catamaran has numerous exotic birds that like to spend time with the guests, so have a chat with them while lounging by the poolside or even in the hot tub.

Dog Friendly at The Dana on Mission Bay

What Else to Know About The Dana on Mission Bay

Pet-friendly rooms: The Dana offers accessible, pet-friendly rooms for you and your furry friend. It’s even listed as one of our Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in San Diego!