The Best Hotels in San Diego

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Updated: March 11, 2021

San Diego is a great city. I love it. The big decision visitors have to make is whether to stay at one of the great beaches or in downtown San Diego. The pros and cons are pretty obvious. Stay close to the beach and commute to the attractions in and around downtown. Or stay close to the attractions and do the opposite route to get to the beach. The plus side to both is that the drive (or ferry) is fairly short and hassle-free. I’ve created a map of downtown San Diego hotels that should give you a good lay of the land.

The 14 Best Hotels in San Diego

Luxury hotel in downtown San Diego.

The The US Grant – one of the best luxury hotels in downtown San Diego.

1. The US Grant

Historic luxury hotel known for its iconic Grant Grill restaurant and Gaslamp Quarter location just a 1-minute walk (100m) to the San Diego Civic Theatre and a 15-minute walk (0.7 mile) to Broadway Pier. In addition to a fitness center and spa suite, several dining options are on-site, and some guest rooms feature deep-soaking bathtubs.

2. Andaz San Diego

Modern luxury hotel featuring a rooftop pool with fire pits and a DJ on weekends, a fitness center, and a pet-friendly policy. Located a 5-minute walk (0.3 miles) from Westfield Horton Plaza and a 9-minute walk (0.5 miles) from Petco Park, guestrooms have Keurig coffee makers and sitting areas, and suites sleep up to 6 guests.

3. Pendry San Diego

Boutique hotel in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter within walking distance of Petco Park (0.2 mile, 5 minutes), the New Children’s Museum (0.4 mile, 8 minutes), and the Gaslamp Quarter light rail station (0.2 mile, 5 minutes). The hotel features 6 restaurants and bars, a rooftop pool, and a spa, and each ocean-inspired guest room has a bluetooth speaker, designer toiletries, and a mini bar.

4. L’Auberge Del Mar Resort and Spa

Beach-inspired resort with an outdoor pool, spa, and several dining options located a 6-minute walk (0.3 mile) from the shore and steps to the restaurants and shops of Camino Del Mar. Rooms feature balconies or patios and marble bathrooms, and some rooms have fireplaces.

5. La Valencia Hotel

Glamorous hotel located a 5-minute walk (0.2 mile) from La Jolla Cove. Surrounded by restaurants, cafes, and upscale shopping. Outdoor pool, outdoor saltwater spa, afitness center, several dining options, and ocean views.

6. Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego

High-rise hotel featuring several restaurants and bars, including a 40th-floor cocktail lounge, and all rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, a desk, and a sitting area. Located across the street from the Seaport Village light rail station (0.1 mile, 2-minute walk) and a 6-minute walk (0.3 mile) to the New Children’s Museum, a 3-minute walk (0.2 mile) to Seaport Village, and a 10-minute walk (0.5 mile) to the USS Midway Museum.

7. Tower 23 Hotel

Contemporary boutique hotel on Pacific Beach with an on-site restaurant and ocean views from most guestrooms. Located steps to restaurants and shopping on Garnet Avenue, 2 miles (9-minute drive) from Belmont Park, and 4 miles (11-minute drive) to SeaWorld.

Best beach hotel in San Diego.

View of Crystal Pier on Pacific Beach from the wonderful Tower 23 Hotel.

8. Solamar San Diego

Upscale boutique hotel with a rooftop pool and bar located a 4-minute walk (0.2 mile) to Petco Park and steps to the Gaslamp Quarter’s restaurants and nightlife (0.2 mile, 3-minute walk). Complimentary amenities include bicycles, morning coffee and tea in the lobby, a nightly manager’s reception with local beverages, and pet-friendly rooms which feature skyline views, yoga mats, and desks.

9. The Westgate Hotel

4-star hotel home to the 40,000-square-foot AquaVie Fitness + Wellness Club and located a 3-minute walk (0.1 mile) from the San Diego Civic Theatre, a 2-minute walk (0.1 mile) from Westfield Horton Plaza and the Balboa Theatre, and across the street from the Civic Center light rail station (0.1 mile, 1-minute walk). A bar and restaurant are on-site, and rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows.

10. Omni San Diego Hotel

High-end hotel connected via skywalk to Petco Park (100m, 1-minute walk) and within blocks of the restaurants and bars of the Gaslamp Quarter (0.4 mile, 9-minute walk). Amenities include an outdoor heated pool and hot tub, a poolside restaurant, a coffee shop, and a 24-hour fitness center, and rooms offer city or bay views.

11. Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa

Classy resort with several on-site restaurants and lounges, including a Napa Valley winery’s tasting room, located a 10-minute drive (4 miles) to La Jolla Cove. Free shuttle service within a 5-mile radius is available upon request, and recreational amenities include an outdoor saltwater pool, lawn games, a full-service spa, a fitness center, and an EV charging station.

12. San Diego Marriott Marquis and Marina

Harborfront hotel just steps to the Embarcadero with 2 swimming pools, a fitness center, a spa, 4 restaurants, and a coffee shop. Rooms feature city or bay views, some with balconies, and the property sits within walking distance of Seaport Village (0.3 mile, 7-minute walk), the San Diego Convention Center (0.2 mile, 5-minute walk), and Petco Park (0.5 mile, 10-minute walk).

13. Hotel del Coronado

Iconic resort with many on-site restaurants, shops, and recreational activities including beach chairs and umbrellas, rental bicycles, a full-service spa, an outdoor pool, and a kids club. Located on Coronado Island, the property is within walking distance of numerous restaurants and accessible via car (6 miles, 15-minute drive) or ferry from Downtown San Diego.

14. Fairmont Grand Del Mar

Mediterranean-style 5-star resort known famed for its marvelous 18-hole golf course and high-end spa. Located in Carmel Valley, 20 miles north of San Deigo, and about 6 miles to Torrey Pines State Reserve (15-minute drive) and the restaurants of Del Mar (15-minute drive). In addition to 4 outdoor pools, amenities include several restaurants and lounges, a kids club, and Nespresso machines and European-style soaking tubs in every room.

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