505 W Grape St, San Diego, California, United States | (888) 616-5829
Charming bed and breakfast in the heart of Little Italy
Rooms have Keurig machines and free bottled water
Food and drink served from local vendors
Outdoor lounge deck for relaxing
Free breakfast and weekend happy hour
Free Wi-Fi
Quick drive to airport
Busy, loud location outside a freeway ramp
Some rooms have shared bathrooms
No lot available for parking (finding space can be challenging)
Very few amenities; no full restaurant or gym
Hotel Vyvant is a modern bed and
breakfast with stylish rooms and an inviting staff. All but the
smallest economy units have en suite bathrooms as well as extras like
Keurig machines. Local producers supply the food and beverages served here and breakfast
is free. The surrounding neighborhood of Little Italy has distinctive cafes and
bakeries as well, but some of the area’s allure gets lost in the one-way streets and
heavy traffic surrounding this boutique property. Light sleepers who
flinch at the idea of a crowded on-ramp right outside should pass on this
one.
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
This bed-and-breakfast is housed in a small historic building.
Built in 1910 to house local fishermen, the
building was known as the Little Italy Inn before getting a full renovation and becoming the Hotel Vyvant. The structure’s white facade with dark trims is
eye-catching, evoking the structure’s maritime roots while also exhibiting a
clean, mod sensibility. The lobby doubles as a living and dining room, with a
stone tiled floor, chevron patterned throw rug, and dark wood dining table. The
outdoor deck is lovely as well, offering wood plank flooring, clustered wicker
seating, and a central dining table. Keep in mind that even though the deck is closed
off from the adjacent road and area, it still gets loud noise from both street and air
traffic.
Location
On a busy street, next to the freeway and near the airport
Located in the hilly Little Italy
neighborhood and off of highway I-5, Hotel Vyvant has easy car access
to the airport and to many of the city’s attractions, including Balboa Park and
the Natural History Museum, both just short drives to the north. However, few
of San Diego's popular sites are within walking distance, and given the surrounding noise
levels, many visitors might prefer a hipper location in the Gaslamp Quarter.
The noise guests might experience is partially due to the Vyvant being right
under the flight path of San Diego International Airport. The upside of this is that it's only an eight-minute drive west of the hotel.
Rooms
Rooms vary widely in terms of amenities; some have kitchens.
The 23 individually decorated rooms
here range widely in size and amenities. No two are exactly alike, but they all
have simple, updated decor with hardwood floors and wood furnishings that lean
toward a classic look; four poster beds and tables with decorative inlays are
common, along with a general white and brown palette. The smallest units are
tiny and have shared bathrooms. Several
rooms have small kitchenettes, and a couple of the larger apartments have full
kitchens. All but the economy units have mini-fridges
and Keurig machines. En-suite bathrooms have bamboo cotton towels and
shower/tub combos, while shared bathrooms have large walk-in showers.
Features
Freebies include breakfast, coffee, weekend happy hours, and Wi-Fi
The
free continental breakfast fare served here comes from local San Diego spots
like Bread and Cie and Safari Crunch, with coffee from Dark Horse. Staff can also pack
to-go breakfasts for early birds. On weekends a free happy hour features local
wines and craft beers while free appetizers are laid out in the living room.
Free bottled water and java are always available as well. Guests can enjoy breakfast or crack open a bottle on the comfy outdoor deck under dangling
string bulbs. Wi-Fi is free as well, and pets are welcome for a fee. However, there's little else here: no full restaurant, gym, or business center.
