The Westin San Diego

The Westin's trademark look is modern, clean, and simple, and this particular location is no different. That's immediately apparent in the lobby -- a vast light-filled glass atrium offset by sleek, light-wood paneling and a vertical garden wall. Guests can drop their cars off at the valet in front of the building, and check in at the reception area, which looks extra modern thanks to hexagonal desks and lit-up panels. Seating areas are scattered about: sofas and armchairs with coffee tables are occupied by professionals on laptops and a high-top conference table with two desk lamps and six stools is ready to accommodate an impromptu work session. The sheer size of the hotel is evident, too: The atrium rises several stories high -- the floors look onto the lobby -- and the escalators and elevators are visible from the first floor. The lobby is bustling during parts of the day, busy with tourists drawn to the hotel's convenient Downtown spot and business travelers and lawyers who are working in nearby offices and courthouses. 

The hotel's location is one of its biggest draws: the Westin San Diego is within walking distance of the waterfront, and the popular Broadway Pier, as well as the charming Gaslamp neighborhood and government buildings downtown. It is convenient for both business travelers and tourists visiting for pleasure. Several bus lines stops on the hotel's block, and a trolley stop is just a few blocks away. 

• Less than a five-minute walk to the Santa Fe train depot 
• Five-minute walk to the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
• Six-minute walk to the Port Pavilion on the pier -- host to a number of fun events, like Fashion Week San Diego and festivals
• Nine-minute walk to Balboa Theatre
• Seven-minute drive to Gaslamp Quarter
• Seven-minute drive to Balboa park
• Seven-minute drive to San Diego Convention Center
• 12-minute drive to San Diego Airport

The hotel offers rooms and suites in a range of sizes -- and shapes, due to the angular architecture of the hotel tower. The most basic accommodations are the Traditional Guestrooms, which start at a small 255 square feet. All rooms have 50-inch flat-screen LCD TVs, mini-fridges, single-cup coffeemakers, and the chain's signature Heavenly beds, as well as rainfall showers and White Tea Aloe (another Westin signature) toiletries in the bathrooms. They also come with large desks with several power outlets -- perfect for guests working during their stays. The decor is a bit generic, but tasteful: most of the furniture is wooden, the drapes are beige, and rooms have patterned carpeting. Rooms on higher floors have better views, but some of the bay-view rooms -- which cost extra -- have obstructed views of the water.

In addition to offering an on-site breakfast and lunch restaurant, Coast, and a lobby bar, the Westin has many business amenities that score major points with traveling professionals. Specially dedicated "war rooms" are available for lawyers, many who stay at the hotel while doing business at nearby government buildings. Available for a hefty hourly fee, the Westin's Tangent Room features computers, printers, whiteboard walls, videoconferencing capabilities, a flat-screen TV, and an Xbox. Other impressive business accommodations include numerous ballrooms and indoor/outdoor meeting rooms. The hotel's outdoor pool, which is located on a third floor roof, and the adjacent 24-hour fitness centers are nice bonuses for guests. The hotel offers loaner New Balance sneakers and workout clothing for a small fee, plus twice-a-week guided runs -- part of the RunWestin program.

One downside, however, is that the Westin offers few extras. Wi-Fi, for example, comes at a high daily rate, and parking is expensive (though typical for the urban surroundings). Dogs under 40 pounds are allowed on some floors; the Westin provides check-in treats, Heavenly doggie beds, and food and water bowls.