A vacation comes with numerous fun plans and travel experiences. San Diego is a scenic destination for your next trip with its beautiful beaches and surf-town feel. There are various hotels in San Diego where you can choose to stay and make your experience worthwhile. Rest assured, choosing to stay at one of the best hotels in San Diego will enhance your trip even more.
There’s good reason to check out this popular Southern California city. One study ranked San Diego at the top of California’s best places to live. Adults also love the area’s abundance of restaurants, shopping, and nightlife. San Diego is a beautiful city and highly coveted among people looking for a relaxing beach lifestyle. The only downside, however, is the high cost of living.
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It’s necessary to plan everything before booking your hotel. Every individual or couple has different likes and dislikes. The need to decide on a proper budget and location increases because most people prefer to preplan their schedules for fun vacations. After thoroughly reviewing 10 expert websites, we’ve compiled a list of the top five best hotels in San Diego to ensure you have a memorable stay.
The List: Best Hotels in San Diego, according to the experts
1. InterContinental San Diego
Conde Nast Traveler says, “In a destination like San Diego, the view is everything. So it makes sense that the InterContinental capitalizes on its harbor location with floor-to-ceiling windows (in rooms and even in the fitness center) and a fourth floor pool overlooking the water. That means plenty of prime sunset vantage points, too. This is a waterfront hotel for traditional, no-frills travelers.”
The Telegraph rates this hotel eight out of 10 and says, “The modern, sleek high-rise is imbued with a sense of warmth via thematic design elements – geometric shapes, angles, colours and shadows – of sun, sand and sea. Common spaces have mid-century modern-style furniture. Outside, landscape features such as a pitcher’s mound (from baseball) are a nod to the location’s history as Lane Field Park, the old Padres stadium. Then, there are those breathtaking Pacific views.”
“With the addition of more public parks, better restaurants and shopping, the San Diego Waterfront has gone from kitschy to cool in the last decade. A stay at the InterContinental San Diego puts you in the middle of the action, plus it’s walking distance to the Gaslamp, Little Italy and the recently renovated Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. The 3rd floor lobby makes it clear what the hotel’s other biggest perk is: natural light. The lobby and the signature restaurant overlook the nearby USS Midway and San Diego Bay. Guest rooms in the rectangular glass tower have floor-to-ceiling windows, modern furniture and bay views,” writes Forbes.
2. Pendry San Diego
Travel + Leisure ranks this hotel at the top of their website. “Pendry San Diego isn’t just a place to stay in the thriving cultural heart of San Diego—it’s an important part of the infectious energy, home to a bistro and home goods market, rooftop lounge, beer hall, cocktail bar, and throwback-era social club. But it’s the 317-room boutique hotel’s friendly service that pulls at T+L readers’ heartstrings, with a ‘happy’ staff that are ‘top-notch’ and ‘treat the guests really well.’ One called the property the ‘best in San Diego.’ The rooms draw inspiration from southern California’s kick-back coastal style, but also raise the bar with custom amenities (think: marble countertops, Nixon speakers, and curated photography), and guests also get access to the Pendry’s sun-soaked rooftop pool.”
“The Montage resorts are known for their no-expense-spared luxury and for their near-total seclusion from their surroundings. Which makes their brand-new line of Pendry hotels a fairly dramatic departure,” says Tablet Hotels. “The Pendry San Diego is an urban boutique hotel, through and through — from the loft-apartment styling in its guest rooms to the six restaurants and bars, all of them intended not just to serve hotel guests but to tempt the locals who frequent the city’s Gaslamp dining and nightlife district. And while it’s no bargain-basement operation, it’s rather more affordable than its Montage cousins, to suit a wider and perhaps more youthful audience.”
La Jolla Mom explains, “Pendry San Diego is one of the many top luxury hotels in San Diego that welcomes families (kids receive a special welcome amenity) and also offers connecting hotel rooms. However, you’ll want to check the pool party schedule to avoid these when your kids want to swim. Hotel guests receive expedited entry into the social club. It’s also easy to walk to Petco Park if you’re a baseball fan or to the San Diego Bay for tours and museums located on the Embarcadero.”
3. Fairmont Grand Del Mar
Out of all the websites, Time Out ranks it at the top of its list. “Grand is the perfect description for this hotel. Purchased by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts in 2015, it first opened in 2007, in the lush green hills of Del Mar. The property features elegant Mediterranean décor with a sprawling golf course, 249 guestrooms, four heated pools, two tennis courts and an award-winning luxury spa, which just launched a series of wellness retreats.”
Santorini Dave mentions, “Mediterranean-style 5-star resort famed for its marvelous 18-hole golf course and lavish wellness center with a luxury spa, meditation and mindfulness programs, guided nature hikes, and more. In addition to 4 outdoor, heated pools (1 for adults-only), amenities include a kids club, and European-style soaking tubs in every room. The Fairmont is home to San Diego’s first Michelin-starred restaurant, Addison, as well as a coastal Californian bistro, Italian cafe, and an easygoing clubhouse overlooking the golf course. Located in Carmel Valley, 20 miles north of San Diego and about a 15-minute drive to Torrey Pines State Reserve and the restaurants of Del Mar.”
“Fairmont Grand Del Mar oozes opulence. If the beach is calling, Fairmont Grand Del Mar can chauffeur you there and back with chairs, umbrellas and bottled water in tow. Kids can do crafts and play games in the Explorer’s Club while parents take a pilates class or cherish a private dinner at the resort’s award-winning French restaurant, Addison. The 249 hotel rooms are lavishly decorated with Pratesi linens and marble bathrooms to compliment tranquil canyon views,” concludes 10 Best.
4. Tower 23 Hotel
Time Out writes, “Tower 23 is a boutique, beachfront property (only 44 rooms & suites) situated along the bustling Pacific Beach boardwalk. The three-story hotel has a contemporary design that makes use of glass as to not obstruct their incredible ocean views. They have a second-floor patio with fire pits, which is arguably one of the best spots in town to catch the sunset. Take advantage of their complimentary bike and beach rentals (chairs & umbrellas) and overnight valet parking. Locals flock here for dinner and brunch service since the hotel has one of the most popular restaurants in Pacific Beach.”
Santorini Dave states, “Rooms and suites have 1 king or 2 queen beds and private patios; most have full or partial ocean views, and some add jacuzzi baths. Seasonal events include holiday brunches and Wednesday wine nights with guest sommeliers and vintners. Located steps to restaurants and shopping on Garnet Avenue, a 9-minute drive to Belmont Park, and an 11-minute drive to SeaWorld.”
Travellers Worldwide adds, “Tower23 is a spectacular, well-rated, 4-star hotel located right on Pacific Beach. Since guests are steps away from the beach, simply having to walk down the stairs, it’s nice to know that they’ll provide complimentary beach gear, including Beach chairs, Cruisers, Surfboard lockers. Additionally, the rooms at Tower23 hotel have a minimalist, sleek design that appeals to various people, making it a great place to stay if you have a group with varying preferences. As long as everyone enjoys beach activities, you’ll have a grand time here!”
5. La Valencia Hotel
La Jolla Mom says, “Built in 1926, ‘The Pink Lady’ is a great spot for people who want to go carless in La Jolla and have everything they need within walking distance. Ocean views abound from rooms and public spaces. La Valencia is considered the best luxury hotel in La Jolla’s downtown Village, and it is a good spot for well-heeled travelers. Rooms have been renovated. There are also villas (recommend) that offer a little bit more privacy and ICON Suites.”
Conde Nast Traveler says, “You can’t miss it—just look for the iconic pink stucco exterior of this Mediterranean-style hotel that sits on a cliff above La Jolla Cove. Dubbed ‘the pink lady,’ the boutique hotel is Old Hollywood meets Alhambra meets French Riviera, with dark wood, Spanish-style roof tiles, and oil paintings. San Diego is already a beautiful vacation spot, so booking a stay here is taking your getaway to the next level. It’s one of the most picturesque, iconic hotels in town.”
“Its Prospect Street address makes it an ideal location with fine dining, shopping, art galleries, and the ocean just steps away. However, with the gorgeous pool and three critically acclaimed restaurants, it would be easy spend your entire holiday on the property. The recently-renovated hotel retains much of its original Mediterranean characteristics while integrating modern conveniences. Richly appointed custom furnishings, luxurious linens and amenities, WiFi and plasma TVs grace the 112 intimate guest rooms and suites. Panoramic ocean views can and should be enjoyed all over the hotel. Weekend brunch at the Mediterranean Room is popular with locals as is the brand new Cafe la Rue,” concludes 10 Best.
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Sources:
- Conde Nast Traveler
- La Jolla Mom
- Forbes
- Time Out
- Santorini Dave
- Travel + Leisure
- Travellers Worldwide
- 10 Best
- Tablet Hotels
- The Telegraph
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