Urban Boutique Hotel

This hip boutique hotel aims for a cool and upbeat vibe. Large pieces of striking urban art liven up the small lobby's beige walls. Two small black wooden desks with white tops serve as the registration area, and mirrored side tables, a Lucite lamp, and a geometric-patterned area rug give fashionable touches. But not everything hangs together in harmony: The tile floors, on-site ATM, and artwork featuring lingerie-clad women can come off as cheap. A more appealing spot could be the bistro-style tables with chairs perched outside the entrance, where guests often bring their breakfast and watch the Little Italy world go by as they eat their pastries and sip locally roasted coffee. This quiet hotel draws couples, families, singles, groups of friends, even business travelers. Its hip, friendly vibe and low rates is an appealing alternative to a pricey, cookie-cutter chain property. 

The hotel is located in downtown's vibrant Little Italy, a safe, lively area with numerous restaurants within a five-minute walk. A pharmacy and convenience store are also nearby -- about a five-minute walk -- as is a bus and trolley stop. While the location isn’t ideal for exploring all of downtown San Diego on foot, most of the city’s top attractions, including the San Diego Convention Center, Petco Park, San Diego Zoo, and the Gaslamp Quarter, can be reached in about a 10-minute drive or a 17- to 25-minute trip via public transportation. SeaWorld is an 11-minute drive from the hotel, and Pacific Beach is about a 15-minute drive away. San Diego International Airport is about eight minutes away by car, taxi, or shuttle service.

Compared with the public areas, guest rooms are subdued and tastefully decorated in a modern style of mostly soft earth tones, with slight variations. Walls are painted light beige -- with no distracting artwork -- and the patterned carpeting mixes various shades of light brown. Drapes are a solid brownish gray, and the beds have decorative pillows and spreads in navy or pewter that stand out against the neutral color scheme. Headboards and nightstands are in a light wood veneer. Rooms, however, lack desks, but they do have upholstered armchairs, and Junior Suites add sleeper sofas. Small, dark-wood vanities with marble tops sit outside the tiny bathrooms. Bathrooms have attractive beige tiling and walk-in showers, and basic toiletries are provided. Rooms range from Standard (double bed) to Deluxe Queen, Superior King, and Junior Suites with queen beds and sleeper sofas -- but many run a bit small for San Diego. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, microwaves, bottled water, and free Wi-Fi. Electronic safes also are provided for a small daily fee. Most rooms look out on the surrounding buildings, but some have at least partial views of the downtown skyline.

A modest boutique property in a vibrant area, the hotel serves a free continental breakfast of fresh pastries from a local bakery and coffee from a local roaster. Guests can take breakfast in a small room with bistro-style tables and stools, or outside by the front entrance. Snacks and drinks are also sold in the lobby, and free coffee/tea is available 24/7. The hotel also offers free one-way transportation to the airport via Super Shuttle. Arriving guests also can arrange to get a voucher for free transportation to the hotel on Super Shuttle. While there's no on-site parking, a few public lots are nearby. The hotel has a fleet of bicycles it rents to guests for a reasonable daily fee. The Visage Beauty Lounge next door offers hotel guests a discount on its salon services, which include various facials and peels. Concierge services include valet laundry. A computer station with internet access and a printer serves as a business center. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. Pets are welcome, but restrictions and fees apply. The hotel has an on-site ATM, and an elevator services all four floors.