The Keating Hotel by Pininfarina

Originally built in 1890 as the San Diego Trust and Savings Bank, the building that now houses the Keating has retained its original brick-and-stone façade, along with exposed brick throughout the lobby and rooms. But Pininfarina covered everything else in lipstick red and black leather -- purposeful motifs that evoke the Italian company's most iconic cars. Vintage black and white photographs from the hotel's history adorn the walls of the small lobby, and a red carpeted staircase dramatically leads up to dark, black-painted hallways. On the top floor, up the staircase, there's a small sitting room that doubles as a business center, with a leather couch and mid-century style red chair. An atrium-style ceiling lends light to this area and the adjacent meeting rooms. Guests should have patience with the slow elevators, which -- unlike the high horsepower engines with which the designer is associated -- still operate by the hotel's original steam powered system.

Upon arrival, guests can expect a welcome amenity such as a glass of champagne, covered by the resort fee. 

The Keating Hotel is located at the end of F street in San Diego's trendy Gaslamp Quarter, close to Horton Plaza and surrounded by the neighborhood's many bars and restaurants. Most attractions are within walking distance, and there are several trolley and bus stops around the hotel; a bus that leaves from Broadway and Sixth Avenue can get you to the San Diego Zoo in 15 minutes. Nearby attractions include the USS Midway Museum and the Seaport Village shopping and dining complex, which are both about a 20-minute walk away. The San Diego Convention Center is a 15-minute walk from the hotel. The hotel is also convenient to the Santa Fe Depot train station, which is just under a 20-minute walk. San Diego International Airport is a 10- to 15-minute drive away. It's worth noting that the bar with which the hotel shares a roof can be quite loud and lively until the wee hours.

Departing slightly from the luxury race car aesthetic of the common spaces, the Keating's 35 rooms and suites were designed with a palette inspired by San Diego. Gray floors and chrome counters reflect the color of the ships docked at sprawling U.S. naval base, and blue accents mirror both the San Diego Bay and clear sky. (Beds still have throws in the hotel's signature red.) The rooms take on the character of industrial lofts, incorporating bathrooms into the open-plan layout, with double vanities and showers exposed to the bedroom. Huge blue-glass walk-in rainfall showers are open to the room and lack privacy, but the toilets are behind their own door. All rooms have upscale amenities like Bang & Olufsen HD entertainment systems and Lavazza espresso machines, as well as iPod docks and minibars. Beds have goose-feather duvets and Frette Egyptian cotton sheets. All guests receive a pair of flip flops with a map of downtown San Diego on them. The suites vary in decor and bonus perks; for example, the Macallan Suite comes with a free bottle of the beloved scotch and has a custom-built copper whirlpool tub designed to mimic a whiskey still. 

Most of the perks are in-room at the Keating, which has few on-site facilities to speak of other than a top-floor meeting and event space. The 2,500-square-foot meeting room highlights the historic architecture of the building, with a massive skylight over the central hall. A small business lounge room has a single computer (Wi-Fi is free throughout, included in the daily resort fee). There's also a simple fitness room with a Nordictrack machine and a weight bench. There's no restaurant or bar, though some rates include breakfast vouchers that can be used at Cafe 21 around the corner (attached to the hotel, but with a separate entrance).