When choosing a vacation destination, few places like San Diego have that relaxing beach vibe with near-perfect weather year-round. But the city has more to offer than coastal views and its family-friendly reputation – just look at the rich mix of hotels for proof.
There are elegant downtown hotels, romantic Spanish colonial resorts, and historical landmarks, not to mention world-class spas, championship golf courses, and an Oprah-approved wellness center. So whether you’re in town for business or pleasure, you’ll find a place to make sure you get the most out of your trip. Here is our list of the best accommodations in San Diego:
1. Fairmont Gran Del Mar
This Mediterranean-inspired 5-diamond resort in San Diego features four outdoor pools, tennis courts, six restaurants, a lobby bar, a golf course, and a spa. All rooms include fluffy bathrobes and free Wi-Fi.
Rooms at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar feature a European-style bathtub, down pillows, a flat-screen cable TV, and a private bathroom with a double marble sink. They also offer quality bedding, fluffy towels, and terry cloth bathrobes.
The Fairmont Grand Del Mar’s Addison Restaurant serves French cuisine and offers an extensive wine list. The Amaya restaurant features a patio with an outdoor dining area and serves Mediterranean dishes.
Located in the Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve, this resort offers free shuttle service to and from the coastal towns of La Jolla, Del Mar, and Solana Beach. In addition, the resort provides shops, free fitness classes, and a fully equipped fitness center.
SeaWorld San Diego is less than 12 miles away. The shops of the Gaslamp Quarter and the San Diego International Airport are a 30-minute drive from the Fairmont Grand Del Mar.
2. Pendry San Diego
Pendry San Diego features a restaurant, outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, and bar. It is less than 0.6 mi from San Diego Convention Center, 1.3 mi from USS Midway Museum, and 1.7 mi from San Diego Maritime Museum. There is a 24-hour reception, luggage storage, and room service.
Free Wi-Fi is provided. Some rooms include a balcony.
The property offers an à la carte or American breakfast.
The Pendry San Diego features a hot tub. In addition, the accommodation offers darts and provides a car rental service.
The Pendry San Diego is 2.4 miles from Balboa Park and 3.1 miles from the San Diego Zoo. San Diego International Airport, located 6 km away, is the closest.
3. The Lodge at Torrey Pines
Overlooking Torrey Pines Golf Course, this boutique hotel in La Jolla offers an outdoor pool, spa, and wellness center. In addition, it has a restaurant and spacious rooms with free Wi-Fi.
All rooms at The Lodge at Torrey Pines include air conditioning and a flat-screen TV with cable and satellite channels. Deluxe rooms feature marble and granite bathrooms with a bathtub, bathrobes, and slippers. Some offer views of the botanical garden or the golf course.
The A.R. restaurant Valentien is at the Torrey Pines Lodge. It takes its name from a California artist from the early 20th century. It is located in an elegant wooden room overlooking the 18th hole of the Torrey Pines golf course.
The Lodge’s reception is open 24 hours. In addition, the property has a sauna and a hot tub.
It is two miles from Torrey Pines State Park, a 12-minute drive from Downtown La Jolla and San Diego International Airport is 15 miles away.
4. Pacific Terrace Hotel
Located in Pacific Beach Park, this San Diego, California beach resort features a beachfront outdoor pool with a whirlpool area. In addition, some of the island-inspired rooms offer ocean views.
All the luxury rooms at the Pacific Terrace Hotel have elegant dark wood furnishings, a bathroom with plush bathrobes and complimentary toiletries, and elegant tropical-style bedding.
You can use the concierge service to reserve a table in the restaurants in the area. The San Diego Pacific Terrace Hotel offers room service nearby The Duck Dive and Fat Fish Cantina Grill restaurants for a surcharge.
There is a fenced underground car park and a gift shop on site. There is also a spacious and modern fitness center.
Mission Bay Golf Course and Practice Center is 4 miles away. The Gaslamp Quarter and the San Diego Zoo are within a 20-minute drive of the Pacific Terrace Hotel.
5. La Valencia Hotel
This Mediterranean-style hotel combines modern conveniences with old-world charm, located in La Jolla, a 20-minute drive from San Diego International Airport. It offers an outdoor pool, two restaurants, and elegant rooms with free Wi-Fi.
The elegant rooms at La Valencia Hotel are decorated in soft tones and have a flat-screen TV, a minibar, tea, coffee-making facilities, bathrobes, and complimentary toiletries. Some rooms have views of the lush garden or panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.
Hotel La Valencia’s The Med restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and Café la Rue is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to midnight.
Hotel La Valencia also has a fitness center, a business center, a spa, and a wellness center with massage services.
The property is 15 minutes from Torrey Pines Golf Course and 13 miles from Del Mar Racetrack and Fairgrounds.
6. Tower 23 Hotel
Combining minimalist design with sleek sophistication, Tower 23 Hotel is just a 2-minute walk from the Pacific Beach Pier and Boardwalk, where numerous beach bars and restaurants can be found in the area.
Tower 23 Hotel offers exceptional accommodations with flat-screen TVs and luxurious down duvets.
In-room spa services are offered, and the property also houses a gourmet restaurant, JRDN, which specializes in meat and seafood.
Guests at Tower 23 can enjoy many activities in the area, including surfing, fishing, golf, and whale watching. SeaWorld San Diego is 15 minutes drive from the property.
7. Pantai Inn
This boutique inn is located in La Jolla, downtown California. It offers spacious Balinese-inspired rooms with a well-equipped kitchen, fireplace, and views of the Pacific Ocean. In the morning, a deluxe continental breakfast is served.
All rooms at the Pantai Inn are uniquely decorated and feature free Wi-Fi, flat-screen cable TV, an iPod dock, and a work desk. They also have custom-carved wooden furniture and Indonesian artwork. Kitchens are modern and equipped with a microwave, fridge, and tea/coffee-making facilities.
The Pantai Inn La Jolla is 5 minutes walk from La Jolla Cove Beach, while the Birch Aquarium and Scripps Institute of Oceanography are a 10-minute drive away. SeaWorld San Diego is 20 minutes drive from the property.
Free parking is provided.
8. The US Grant, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Diego
Located in downtown San Diego, near the area’s most fantastic attractions, this elegant historic hotel offers luxurious accommodations, exceptional service, and unmatched amenities.
The US Grant Hotel has everything you need for a relaxing and enjoyable stay, including a fitness center, signature restaurant, in-room massage services, and state-of-the-art banquet facilities.
The Grant is located in an area with several attractions, close to the San Diego Zoo, the convention center, shopping districts, museums, and gourmet restaurants.
9. Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
The luxurious Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego resort hotel is located in downtown San Diego and is home to the Top of Hyatt lounge bar, which offers spectacular views of San Diego Bay from the 40th floor. In addition, San Diego International Airport is just 10 minutes by car.
Rooms at the Manchester Grand Hyatt have a flat-screen TV with satellite and cable channels. Some rooms have city or bay views. The private bathroom includes complimentary toiletries.
The Manchester Grand Hyatt is home to numerous restaurants, bars, and lounges. Guests can choose from 8 dining venues, including Sally’s Fish House & Bar and MARKET | ONE.
The Manchester Grand Hyatt features a garden fire pit area with views of San Diego Bay. In addition, there is a swimming pool, and spa treatments are offered.
The Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego is conveniently located near many area attractions. San Diego’s lively Gaslamp Quarter is a 12-minute walk away. Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo are a 10-minute drive away.
10. Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa
The Marriott Coronado Island Resort & Spa occupies a picturesque 15-acre waterfront setting 5 miles from San Diego’s lively Gaslamp Area. This luxury resort offers three heated outdoor pools, a sauna, two restaurants, and panoramic views of the San Diego skyline.
All accommodations at the Marriott Coronado Island Resort & Spa feature air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, and a spacious seating area. Some rooms have a balcony with views of San Diego Bay and the Coronado Bridge. In addition, all rooms include a desk and a bathroom with bathrobes and complimentary toiletries.
The hotel houses the exclusive ALBACA restaurant, which has a cozy atmosphere and serves coastal cuisine made with the freshest ingredients. Guests can dine indoors or enjoy alfresco dining with views of the San Diego skyline. The Auga bar, located next to the pool, serves drinks and offers a limited menu.
The Marriott Coronado Island Resort & Spa features a well-equipped fitness center and bicycle rentals, perfect for exploring the charming beach town of Coronado.
Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo are 5.3 miles from the resort. San Diego International Airport is 12 km away.
11. L’Auberge Del Mar Resort and Spa
Facing the Pacific Ocean in the beautiful coastal town of Del Mar, this pet-friendly luxury resort and spa offers world-class accommodations and facilities. It has a cabin by the sea and several bars and restaurants.
12. Grand Colonial La Jolla
Just a 5-minute walk from the San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art, this eco-friendly, 4-star hotel features an elegant restaurant and a large outdoor pool. Rooms are spacious and equipped with a flat-screen TV and free Wi-Fi.
Rooms at the Grande Colonial La Jolla feature iPod docking stations and work desks. They are traditionally decorated with touches of gold and green and include luxury bathrobes, toiletries, and a complimentary bottle of water.
La Jolla Grande Colonial’s NINE-TEN Restaurant serves fresh California dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There is daily room service, and an excellent Sunday brunch is served.
This hotel offers free access to a digital news service (PressReader). In addition, it has a business center, meeting facilities, valet parking, and dry cleaning services.
The Grande Colonial is less than a 20-minute drive from SeaWorld San Diego and the San Diego Zoo. San Diego International Airport is 13 miles away.
13. Omni San Diego Hotel
Featuring an outdoor pool and spa, this San Diego hotel is a 5-minute walk from PETCO Park and a 10-minute walk from the San Diego Convention Center. All rooms have plush bathrobes and pillow top mattresses. There are several places to eat on the property.
The Omni San Diego Hotel is spacious and air-conditioned rooms. They include bed linens, towels, and a flat-screen TV. Some offer views of the San Diego Harbor, downtown San Diego or PETCO Park, home of the San Padres professional baseball team. In addition, they are all modern and elegantly decorated.
The West Coast Social, located on the property, serves traditional steaks and seafood in a refined setting. In season, the Palm Terrace & Pool Bar serves light lunches and snacks and offers a full-service poolside bar.
The Omni San Diego Hotel features a fitness center, a full-service spa, meeting facilities, a tour desk, and luggage storage.
The property is a 10-minute drive from San Diego International Airport. SeaWorld San Diego is 9 miles from the Omni San Diego Hotel.
14. Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa
Located in La Jolla, next to the University of California, San Diego, this boutique hotel features an outdoor pool, three restaurants, and a spa and wellness center. There is free Wi-Fi in all rooms.
Rooms at the Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa have bathrooms with natural stone. Rooms are luxurious and include plush bathrobes, a safe, cable TV, and a work desk with a high-back reading chair.
Estancia La Jolla Hotel offers several dining options, such as the Greenfinch Restaurant and the Greenfinch Bar. Each restaurant proposes innovative dishes. In addition, there is indoor and outdoor dining.
The Spa at Estancia at La Jolla Estancia offers spa and wellness services. This full-service spa features massage therapies, facials, manicures, and pedicures. There is also a fitness center.
This hotel is 2 miles from Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course. Del Mar Race Course is 15 minutes drive away. San Diego International Airport is a 20-minute drive away.
15. Westgate Hotel
This hotel offers spectacular views of downtown San Diego and is located three blocks from the 5th Avenue Light Rail Station. It offers an outdoor rooftop pool, full-service spa, gym, and restaurant. All rooms include free Wi-Fi.
Rooms at The Westgate Hotel are decorated with handcrafted European furniture and feature a 49-inch LED TV, CD/DVD player, and safe. They also include a remote printing service and a printed document delivery service.
The Westgate Room serves Continental and California cuisine. It also makes a High Tea with live harp music on certain days of the week. In addition, the Plaza Bar offers live piano music.
The Westgate Hotel features a business center, laundry service, ticket service, hot tub, a unique running track, and a heated outdoor lap pool.
The Westgate Hotel is less than a mile from the historic Gaslamp Quarter, 5.3 miles from SeaWorld San Diego, and 3 miles from the San Diego Zoo.
16. Hotel Indigo San Diego – Gaslamp Quarter, an IHG Hotel
Located in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, this hotel is less than 2 km from the San Diego Convention Center and close to Petco Park. It offers a restaurant and unique rooms with modern facilities.
Rooms at the Hotel Indigo San Diego – Gaslamp Quarter feature hardwood floors, plush bedding, a 37″ flat screen TV, clock radio with iHome dock, and free Wi-Fi. Room service is also available. 24 hours.
Phi Bar & Bistro, open for breakfast and dinner, offers a casual atmosphere and stunning city views.
Guests at the Gaslamp Quarter Hotel Indigo will have a business center and a 24-hour fitness center at their disposal.
17. Solamar San Diego
The Solamar San Diego is a modern hotel located in San Diego, next to the lively Gaslamp Quarter, and features a rooftop outdoor pool and lounge.
Some suites at the Solamar San Diego have a spa bath, separate living area, or city views. All the rooms have a 55-inch flat-screen TV, a multi-port charging station, a private bathroom, bathrobes, and a self-service bar with gourmet delights.
The Jsix restaurant offers dishes made from fresh local seafood. The Solamar San Diego features the Upper East Bar, which offers views of the Gaslamp Quarter and serves poolside dining.
Yoga classes are offered at the hotel. In addition, the hotel has a fitness center.
The hotel is a 10-minute walk from PETCO Park, home of the San Diego Padres professional baseball team. In addition, the Solamar San Diego is just a 7-minute walk from the San Diego Convention Center.
18. Kimpton Hotel Palomar San Diego, an IHG Hotel
This hotel’s luxurious design features a swimming pool, a rooftop bar, and elegant rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows. In addition, it houses a fitness center. The nightlife of San Diego’s lively Gaslamp Quarter is a 5-minute walk away.
This accommodation is ideal for couples and offers several rooms with a balcony.
All rooms at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar San Diego have a flat-screen TV. In addition, rooms are stocked with yoga mats and boutique toiletries. Pets Allowed.
Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo are within 1 mile of the hotel. Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres, professional baseball team, is a 15-minute walk from the Kimpton Hotel Palomar San Diego. San Diego International Airport is a 12-minute drive away.
19. Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa
Located 300 feet from the Pacific Ocean, this San Diego resort features an outdoor pool and a full-service spa with beauty treatments. In addition, rooms at the resort include free Wi-Fi.
Rooms at the Catamaran Resort Hotel & Spa have a balcony or patio. They all have flat-screen cable TVs with HBO and iPod docks.
The hotel’s restaurant is the Oceana Coastal Kitchen. In addition, the Catamaran Resort Hotel provides in-line skate rental. Likewise, the hotel offers the possibility of renting equipment to practice water sports, beach volleyball courts, and children’s activities.
Catamaran Hotel Resort is 4 miles from SeaWorld. The San Diego Zoo is 16.8 km from the hotel.
20. Andaz San Diego
A modern-day luxury hotel with a rooftop pool, fire pits, a weekend DJ, a fitness center, and a pet policy. Located a 5-minute walk (0.3 miles) from Westfield Horton Plaza and a 9-minute walk (0.5 miles) from Petco Park, rooms have Keurig coffeemakers and sitting areas, and suites sleep up to 6 people.
