Hotel Parisi, La Jolla

The Hotel Parisi feels like it's part of a shopping plaza: It's entrance is sandwiched between an enormous Victoria's Secret and a Quiksilver. But the hotel is charming, once you get inside: The lobby resembles the courtyard of a Tuscan villa, with a towering fountain reaching up to a skylight, a gas fireplace, lots of green decorative plants, and travertine tiles.

But because the hotel is so small, it lacks the features of La Valencia across the street (its lack of pool is a particular disadvantage). Families might appreciate the extra space Hotel Parisi's rooms afford, but if you can get a similar rate at La Valencia, it's often the better, more luxurious choice.

Hotel Parisi is located in the heart of La Jolla, an affluent seaside community north of San Diego and home to restaurants, shops, mansions, a famous golf course, and coastal bluffs. The property is within walking distance of several beaches, including La Jolla Cove, a popular snorkeling spot with excellent water visibility, and Children's Pool Beach, known for being a haven for seals.

• In the heart of La Jolla, amid restaurants and shops
• 8-minute walk to La Jolla Cove
• 8-minute walk to Children's Pool Beach
• 9-minute drive to Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course
• 17-minute drive to Torrey Pines State Beach
• 17-minute drive to SeaWorld San Diego
• 18-minute drive to Torrey Pines State Park
• 19-minute drive to Balboa Park
• 21-minute drive to San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter
• 21-minute drive to Petco Park, home to the San Diego Padres
• 21-minute drive to San Diego Zoo
• 23-minute drive to San Diego International Airport
• 33-minute drive to Legoland

The main building houses 20 large, contemporary rooms (starting at 425 square feet) with upscale amenities, like separate showers and bathtubs, Egyptian cotton linens, Frette Italian bathrobes, and turndown service. But nice as they are, the Deluxe Rooms -- outfitted with white bedspreads, peach walls, and dark wood furniture -- aren't quite stylish or special enough to be truly luxurious. The Junior suites are significantly more stylish, but they're still not on the same level as the suites at La Valencia. Nine apartments for extended stays are in a separate building across the street: Each features a separate living area with a dining table and a full kitchen, and they have the same services as the hotel rooms.

All rooms include:

• Plush bed with Egyptian cotton linens
• 32-inch flat-screen TV
• Free wireless and wired Internet access
• CD player in standard Deluxe rooms; iHome dock in Superior Junior Suites and Suites
• Minibar
• Separate shower and bathtub
• Frette Italian bathrobes
• Turndown service
• Safe

Room types:

• Deluxe: 425 square feet; one king or two queen beds; sitting area
• Superior Junior Suite: 500 square feet; one king or two queen beds; some have partial ocean views; most have a balcony
• Suite: 600 square feet; one king bed; sitting area; balcony with city view
• Standard Corporate Apartment: 900 square feet; one king bed; kitchen; separate living room; most have balconies
• Corporate Penthouse Apartment: 1,200 square feet; one king bed; kitchen; separate living area and dining room; study with a pull-out sofa; wrap-around balcony; walk-in closet; dual-sink vanity in the bathroom

• In-room spa treatments available
• Small fitness room
• 1,200 square feet of meeting and events space
• Indoor parking ($15 per night with in-and-out privileges)
• Non-smoking property

• Whisknladle is an acclaimed restaurant serving Spanish tapas and Italian specialties for lunch and dinner; open Monday through Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; outdoor seating available; happy hour 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily; weekend brunch served 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Room service available 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. only
• Free breakfast buffet