Stylish, spacious, contemporary rooms, some with bay views
Housed in a 1920s bank building, with gorgeous preserved historical details
Great location in San Diego's Gaslamp District
The Lobby restaurant and bar serves Californian cuisine for all three meals
A Starbucks espresso bar and a 24-hour snack shop are on site
24-hour business center, plus modern 24-hour fitness center
Free Wi-Fi and free newspapers in the foyer
Bike rentals available
Express checkout service, and an on-site ATM
24-hour dry cleaning and laundry service
Some eco-friendly policies; guests in hybrid cars get free valet parking
Not much overnight street parking, and valet parking is pricey
The Market prices are pretty expensive
Room service only available for limited hours
Sometimes a long wait for the elevators during busy check-in times
No pool or kid-friendly activities
Safe-deposit box at the front desk, but not in rooms
Don't let the chain name fool you -- this 245-room Courtyard by Marriott is decidedly upscale. It is housed in a 1920s bank building, and historical elements have been preserved throughout (particularly in the grand lobby). Rooms are stylish and contemporary, and some have bay views. The location in San Diego's happening Gaslamp Quarter is near some of the city's best nightlife. The lobby restaurant, aptly called The Lobby, serves California cuisine for three meals a day, and there's even a Starbucks on-site. Just note that valet parking is a bit pricey, and the elevators can be slow during busy check-in times. It's a great value for the area -- the nearby San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter is similarly priced, but not nearly as nice.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
An upscale chain hotel housed in a 1920s bank building
Courtyard by Marriott chain properties are typically mid-range, but this San Diego incarnation deserves to be categorized as upscale -- it certainly has wow factor, particularly given the competitive price. It is housed in a 14-story bank building dating to 1928, and a number of historical details have been preserved. The lobby has stunning Romanesque Revival architecture: soaring ceilings with intricate wood coffering, lots of marble, arched windows, metal hoop chandeliers, and ornate interior wrought-iron gates. A chic purple and yellow rug covers part of the floor in the main space, and geometric patterns pop up on chair fabrics and in the design of the wooden room dividers.For a further taste of the building's history, the authentic bank vault room -- complete with a 47,000-pound door -- can be occupied for business meetings.
Location
In San Diego’s happening Gaslamp Quarter, within walking distance of Hard Rock Café, San Diego Convention Center, and Horton Plaza
The hotel is on the northeastern edge of the Gaslamp Quarter, steps from Hard Rock Café, two blocks from Horton Plaza, and eight blocks from the San Diego Convention Center. Not into walking? There’s a trolley that will ride you through town.The historical Gaslamp Quarter, located between 4th and 6th avenues, and between Broadway to the north and Harbor Drive to the south, is a hip, young neighborhood that's home to some of downtown San Diego's best restaurants, shopping, nightlife, boutiques, and art galleries. It's also where some of the city's most popular outdoor celebrations -- Mardi Gras, St. Patrick's Day, and the Street Scene music festival -- take place.- 8-minute drive to Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo
Rooms
Stylish, contemporary rooms with Art Deco influences, and some with bay views
The 245 spacious rooms were renovated in 2013, and blend contemporary style with subtle Art Deco influences. They have attractive purple and gray carpets, dark wood furniture, white bedding with teal and yellow pillow accents, and purple headboards with a geometric design (some also have purple geometric room dividers). Modern amenities include the 37-inch LCD flat-screen HDTV (with quality cable channels, pay-per-view movie options, and a video-game console are available); free Wi-Fi; and power sockets and USB outlets in the base of the retro lamps. Some rooms have views of the bay.Business travelers will likely appreciate the work desks with ergonomic chairs, as well as the iron and ironing board are available to press linen prior to a big meeting. Those looking to save on food can make use of the empty mini-fridges and microwaves, though the Cuisinart coffeemakers are oddly located in the bathroom. Fuji water is available for a fee.The comfy beds feature pillow-top mattresses, down feathered duvets, and triple sheeting. The bathrooms are compact and a bit more generic than the rest of the room, with bathtub/shower combos, granite counters, and geometric patterned wallpaper.Those looking for a decadent experience can upgrade to the Presidential Suite, which has a rooftop terrace that overlooks the bay.
Features
A billiards room, 24-hour fitness facility, and meeting space in a former bank vault -- but no pool
The billiards room off the lobby has a slightly clubby vibe, with leather seating and a deep teal wall. The hotel also offers free Wi-Fi throughout; those who left the laptop at home can use the computers in the small business center (separated from the lobby by low marble walls). The 24-hour fitness center has one upright stationary bike, three elliptical machines, four treadmills, and multiple free weights; the cardio machines have private video monitors and iPod docks. Six meeting rooms are available, including one in the bank's original vault.The Lobby restaurant and bar serves California cuisine for all three meals, and there's a Starbucks on the premises as well.There is no pool, however -- if that is a priority, consider the Omni San Diego Hotel.
