Best hotels in San Diego

Lafayette Hotel & Suites, San Diego

The Lafayette Hotel & Suites is a true Southern California icon. Originally opened in 1946 as the Imig Manor, the hotel was built by entrepreneur Larry Imig and quickly became a glamorous retreat for Hollywood royalty like Bob Hope, Ava Gardner, and Frank Sinatra. Today, it stands as a designated historic landmark, recently revitalized after an extensive $31 million renovation.

“With its gorgeous swimming pool, over-the-top lobby and multiple restaurants, bars and nightlife spots (including a bowling alley and live-music venue), the Lafayette Hotel is much more than a place to sleep.”

Shortlisted in New York Times’ 36 Hours in San Diego.

La Valencia Hotel, San Diego

Known as the "Pink Lady of La Jolla," La Valencia Hotel is a true icon of Southern California glamour. Designed by architects Reginald Johnson and Herbert Mann, this Mediterranean-style treasure first opened its doors in 1926. Over the decades, it became a legendary hideaway for Hollywood’s elite, including legends like Charlie Chaplin and Gregory Peck, who were drawn to its stunning clifftop location overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

“This 1926 pink-walled, Mediterranean-style landmark was designed by William Templeton Johnson. Among its 115 rooms, those in the main building are rather compact while the villas are spacious, but the property wins for its Old Hollywood romance.”

The US Grant, San Diego

The US Grant is a historic landmark in the heart of downtown San Diego that first opened its doors in 1910. Built by Ulysses S. Grant Jr., the son of the 18th U.S. President, the hotel was designed by architect Harrison Albright to be a world-class destination. After facing potential demolition in the late 20th century, it was purchased by the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, who meticulously restored the property to its former glory.

“Downtown San Diego’s grand dame, built in 1910 by the son of Ulysses S. Grant, has been rescued from near dilapidation many times over the centuries. The Grant is now as glorious as ever, with its grand sweeping lobby, glistening glass chandeliers, filigreed iron railings, and velvet couches.”

Featured as Frommer’s Exceptional Choice in San Diego.

The Lodge at Torrey Pines, San Diego

The Lodge at Torrey Pines is a masterpiece of the California Craftsman aesthetic, situated on a dramatic bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean in La Jolla, San Diego. Opened in 2002, the resort is a meticulous homage to the early 1900s "ultimate bungalows" designed by brothers Charles and Henry Greene. Its architecture features intricate post-and-beam construction, "clinker" bricks, and custom stained glass, all designed to make the modern hotel feel like a historic residence.

“This picturesque luxury resort on a coastal bluff north of La Jolla is a monument to the California Craftsman architectural tradition. Kilted doormen usher you through stained-glass doors into a magnificent lobby with vaulted ceilings, a grand fireplace, and rich wood accents.”

Featured as Frommer’s Exceptional Choice in San Diego.

Grande Colonial La Jolla, San Diego

The Grande Colonial La Jolla is a true San Diego landmark, opening its doors in 1913 as the Colonial Apartments. Designed by renowned architect Frank Stevenson, the building has served as a cornerstone of the village for over a century. Over the years, it transformed into a sophisticated hotel, hosting Hollywood icons like Gregory Peck and Groucho Marx during the Golden Age of cinema.

“Though first-time visitors in La Jolla gravitate toward the more famous La Valencia, second-timers of pick this thoughtfully restored 1913 inn in a relatively quiet section of La Jolla’s main street. Each rooms is different.”

Featured as Frommer’s Exceptional Choice in San Diego.

Hotel Pendry, San Diego

Hotel Pendry San Diego, which opened in 2017, serves as a chic anchor in the heart of the historic Gaslamp Quarter. As the flagship property for the Pendry brand, it was developed by The Robert Green Company and Montage International to blend modern, urban luxury with the neighborhood's Victorian-era roots. The hotel’s design is a striking mix of coastal California aesthetics and industrial elegance, featuring thoughtful touches like a lobby chandelier made from a driftwood boom and vintage glass lenses.

“Geared toward the millennial traveler, this sophisticated, hip hotel is as notable for its comfortable beds and friendly staff as it is its dining and nightlife. This hotel promises style, service, and a central location.”

1906 Lodge, San Diego

The 1906 Lodge is a beautiful historic gem located on Coronado Island, just a stone's throw from the iconic Hotel del Coronado. Originally built as a boarding house for workers constructing the "Del" and later housing students from the North Island School of Aviation, the building reflects over a century of local history. It was a joint design by renowned architects Will Sterling Hebbard and Irving Gill, blending Hebbard’s signature hipped roofs and rough stucco with Gill’s classic Mission-style interior elements, such as cozy "inglenook" bench seats by the fireplace.

“This meticulously renovated boutique hotel built more than a century ago offers guests a quiet, romantic retreat replete with a daily gourmet breakfast.”

Featured as Fodor’s Choice in San Diego.

Hotel Z, San Diego

Hotel Z, part of the Staypineapple brand, is a vibrant boutique hotel located right in the heart of San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter. The building itself is an architectural survivor; during its extensive interior transformation, designers uncovered vintage wall patterns and original signage stenciling that helped shape its current aesthetic. This blend of historic texture and modern, playful design makes it a unique landmark in a neighborhood known for its Victorian-era roots.

“Hotel Z is a new addition to the Gaslamp Quarter, and has Keurig machines in every room, European-inspired dual duvets and bright yellow bikes that are free for guests.”

Shortlisted in New York Times’ 36 Hours in San Diego, California.

Tower 23 Hotel, San Diego

Tower 23 Hotel, located directly on the boardwalk in Pacific Beach, is a sleek, boutique beachfront property named after the nearby lifeguard tower. Eschewing the typical "beach bum" aesthetic, the hotel embraces a modern, minimalist design—often described as more fashion-forward than your average seaside stay—with crisp lines and a bright, airy atmosphere.

“San Diego’s hippest beachfront boutique property guards lively Pacific Beach. Sleek rooms feature hardwood headboards, deep blue chaises and multicolored throws, all invoking the ocean just beyond your balcony.”