Hilton San Diego Bayfront

The Hilton is modern inside and out, but the hotel's functional, bland interiors don't impress as much as its manicured grounds outside do. The lobby is a wide, roundish room with huge white columns and polished floors. The front desk is the size of an airline counter and sits in front of a curving wood-paneled wall. Floor-to-ceiling windows and huge walls of illuminated panels should make for bright public spaces, but their cavernous sizes can still seem dark. Flowing sculptural ceiling decorations and tall wooden screens reminiscent of plantation shutters add some character, but the sparse big-chain furnishings lend an institutional feel. The overall ambience is busy and business-focused, as one might expect from a convention center hotel.The hotel's own park grounds are filled with works from local artists and there's direct access from the property to bayside jogging paths in the nearby San Diego Embarcadero park. There are numerous dining options, but the prices are high for a quality that doesn't inspire, especially considering the close proximity to all the great restaurants in the nearby Gaslamp Quarter.

Towering over the bay, the hotel is a convenient location for events at both the adjacent San Diego Convention Center and at PETCO Park, which is just across the street. An active shipyard also neighbors the hotel making for some interesting -- if less attractive -- views on its eastern side. It's within easy walking distance of the historic Gaslamp Quarter, packed with some of San Diego's best restaurants, shopping, and nightlife. The San Diego Zoo and popular Balboa Park are just 10 minutes north into downtown by car. Expect a 15- to 20-minute drive along the bay to San Diego International Airport.

There are 1,190 rooms in this 30-story tower, all with bright blue bedding on Hilton-brand Serenity Collection beds, as well as neutral decor with striped, lightly textured carpets. Simple, modern dark-wood furniture dominates, and some pieces have lighter-colored contrasting drawers. All rooms have ample work desks with ergonomic roller chairs and sitting areas with armchairs or lounge chairs and room leftover to spread out. All units have large vanities with plenty of space for personal belongings, and lighted mirrors. Coffeemakers and laptop-sized safes come standard, but only some suites have mini-fridges. The bathrooms have either glass walk-in showers, or standard shower/tub combos, and some suites have both showers and separate tubs.

The Hilton's waterfront park stretches just over four acres, and is decorated with sculptures by local artists. There are some 60 different plants and trees along the walkways, many labeled with signs for a little fresh air education. A more manicured section of green space ringed by pergolas and patios right outside the building doubles as an outdoor venue. The hotel's ample event space includes numerous meeting rooms and two enormous pillar-free ballrooms. An on-site UPS Store doubles as a 24-hour business center, though the shipping services are only available during normal business hours.Those in need of primping for events can have book appointments at the full-service spa and salon, which also has steam rooms and separate relaxation rooms for men and women. A large fitness center has floor-to-ceiling windows and rows of modern equipment including free weights, circuit machines, treadmills, exercise bikes, and stairclimbers. There's direct access from the hotel to biking and running paths from the grounds to the nearby San Diego Embarcadero Park. An outdoor terrace has two hot tubs, a heated saltwater pool, and a waterslide with its own small landing pool. An open-air pool bar serves snacks and hosts weekend beer tastings.For more substantial dining, an indoor cocktail lounge stays open late and serves tacos and small plates. Vela serves coastal cuisine with wine pairings, and FOX Sports Grill does classic pub fare at inflated prices. A Starbucks and a colorful local frozen yogurt joint are on-site too. There's no way around parking fees here, but a pedestrian bridge links directly to PETCO Park and the Gaslamp Quarter for those who want to walk without having to navigate heavy traffic.