Ranking the 8 Best San Diego Hotels in Downtown

Ranking the 8 Best San Diego Hotels in Downtown
Some links in this post are affiliate links—that means that at no extra cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you book through them, which helps keep the blog running. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

San Diego has many hotels downtown, ranging from luxury to highly affordable-this is America’s Finest City, after all!

There are a ton of ways to save money in SD, or you could just as easily spend a sizeable sum on a beachfront hotel.

Of all the magical destinations in California, San Diego has some of the best hotel options, to the point that it can be overwhelming to pick one. I’ve made it easy for you-

Here are the best San Diego hotels in Downtown:


The Westgate Hotel

Gaslamp Quarter

This is the intersection of Europe and San Diego: Sparkling chandeliers, straight-backed, velvety furniture, and a luxuriously long wrought iron staircase dotted with gilded Victorian paintings define the shared spaces of The Westgate.

The Westgate Hotel transports you to an era of extravagance while providing all the modern amenities travelers expect, like a fitness center and a luxury spa.

Oversized rooms, a lively rooftop pool perfect for enjoying the sunny San Diego weather, and an ideal location for walking to the best of Downtown San Diego make Westgate one of the best hotels in the area.

Popular Attractions near The Westgate Hotel

  • USS Midway Museum 0.7 miles
  • Balboa Park 1.4 miles
  • San Diego International Airport 2.4 miles
  • Coronado Beach 2.6 miles
  • Silver Strand Beach 2.9 miles
  • Old Town San Diego State Historic Park 3.4 miles
  • Coronado Beach 4.7 miles
  • La Jolla Cove 11.3 miles

Hotel Solamar

Gaslamp Quarter

Designed to imitate an old brick warehouse, Hotel Solamar is modern Spanish chic.

Suites options include whirlpool tubs, luxury soaking tubs, wet bars, and private patios. The in-room spa treatments and room service available at Hotel Solamar are legendary.

Solamar Terrace, the rooftop bar accessible by a private elevator, is a California oasis with a heated pool, neutral-colored chaises, cabanas, and social fire pits.

Perks at the hotel include a happy hour with complimentary craft cocktails, free rental bikes, pet beds, water bowls, and treats.

Popular Attractions near Hotel Solarmar

  • Horton Grand Theater 0.1 mile
  • Petco Park 0.2 mile
  • Horton Plaza Park 0.4 miles
  • San Diego Amtrak Station 0.8 miles
  • USS Midway Museum 0.9 miles
  • Balboa Park 1.7 miles
  • Old Town San Diego State Historic Park 3.8 miles
  • Coronado Beach 4.3 miles
  • La Jolla Cove 11.8 miles

Intercontinental San Diego

Columbia, across from the Embarcadero

A boat moves across the marina in downtown San Diego.

Sandwiched between the Sante Fe Depot on one side and the deep San Diego Bay on the other, the InterContinental is within walking distance of everything.

A gym on the 4th floor has inspiring views of SD, and the outdoor pool on the same floor appears to melt into the bay. The Vistal Bar + Restaurant is known for its waterfront views and coastal cuisine.

Popular Attractions near The Intercontinental

  • USS Midway Museum 0.2 miles
  • American Plaza 0.2 miles
  • Maritime Museum of San Diego 0.3 miles
  • Seaport Village 0.4 miles
  • Horton Park 0.6 miles
  • Coronado Beach 2.3 miles
  • San Diego Amtrak Station 1.8 miles
  • Old Town San Diego Historic Park 3 miles
  • Balboa Park 4.8 miles
  • Coronado Beach 4.9 miles
  • La Jolla Cove 11 miles

Pendry San Diego

Gaslamp Quarter

One of Downtown’s finest hotels, Pendry San Diego has contemporary rooms, excellent dining, exceptional service, and a superb location in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter.

The hotel’s impressive collection of 6 different restaurants and bars highlights some of San Diego’s most renowned chefs. Whether it’s the beer hall, social club (overnight guests skip the queue to this nightlife experience), rooftop lounge, state-of-the-art fitness center, classy hotel bar, or California-style poolside eatery, Pendry has something for your tastes.

Popular Attractions near The Pendry

  • Horton Grand Theater 0.1 miles
  • Petco Park 0.2 miles
  • Horton Park 0.4 miles
  • House of Blues San Diego 0.5 miles
  • Seaport Village 0.7 miles
  • San Diego Amtrak Station 0.8 miles
  • USS Midway Museum 0.9 miles
  • Balboa Park 1.7 miles
  • Old Town San Diego State Historic Park 3.8 miles
  • Coronado Beach 4.3 miles

US Grant

Gaslamp Quarter

Day and night shots of the exterior of the US Grant, the most famous hotel in downtown San Diego.

A jewel of Marriott’s Luxury Collection, The US Grant is known for 5-star service and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, built in 1910.

Glistening crystal chandeliers, dark wood-trimmed entryways, and season-appropriate decor make the hotel feel intimate. The rooms boast 9-foot ceilings, custom art, and, as a bonus, ghosts. Although the US Grant is a 5-star luxury hotel, it’s priced beneath its competitors because it doesn’t have a swimming pool.

Popular Attractions near The US Grant

  • Horton Plaza Park 0.1 miles
  • Spreckels Theatre 0.1 miles
  • American Plaza 0.4 miles
  • Horton Grand Theater 0.4 miles
  • Balboa Park 1.4 miles
  • USS Midway Museum 0.7 miles
  • Silver Strand State Beach 2.9 miles
  • Coronado Beach 4.7 miles
  • La Jolla Cove 11.3 miles

The Omni San Diego

East Village

Conveniently connected to PetcoPark via a walkway, this 5-star hotel is adjacent to everything you’d ever want to see in the colorful Gaslamp Quarter.

Cozy rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, some with views of the bay and private balconies, give The Omni a familiar and welcoming feel. The refined restaurant and a lobby bar serve essential coffee and wine, while the 6th-floor terrace, with its outdoor pool, hot tub, and seasonal bar, is the perfect place to socialize.

Popular Attractions near The Omni San Diego

  • Petco Park 0.1 miles
  • Horton Plaza Park 0.6 miles
  • Seaport Village 0.8 miles
  • San Diego Station 0.9 miles
  • USS Midway Museum 1 mile
  • Balboa Park 1.9 miles
  • Old Town San Diego Historic Park 4 miles
  • Coronado Beach 4.1 miles
  • La Jolla Cove 11.9 miles

The Guild Hotel

Core-Columbia

Once the Army-Navy YMCA, The Guild San Diego is one of the finest hotels downtown, a truly boutique experience inside a historic Italian Renaissance-styled building.

The original stone staircase, plush seating areas, and a palm tree-dotted courtyard complement the refined yet minimal decor.

Rich velvet furnishings and smooth marble tabletops welcome guests to The Guild Bar’s classy cocktail lounge.

As a full experiential hotel, The Guild has incredible perks:
For only $10 per day, hotel you can access the Broadway Athletic and Swim Club across the street. If you need a Bugatti or Lamborghini for your trip, The Guild has you covered, and if you’re going to a Padres game, they can hook you up with a sky box and a PETCO Park concierge!

Popular Attractions near The Guild Hotel

  • Balboa Park 1.6 miles
  • Old Town San Diego Historic Park 3.2 miles
  • University of San Diego 4 miles
  • SeaWorld San Diego 4.7 miles
  • Coronado Beach 4.8 miles
  • Cabrillo National Monument 5.3 miles
  • San Diego State University 7 miles
  • La Jolla Cove 11.1 miles

Hilton San Diego Bayfront

 Barrio Logan

As implied, the Hilton San Diego Bayfront has some of the best views of the bay, with boats of all sizes moseying across the water all day.

The hotel is directly across from a Trolley and offers a free hourly shuttle to Coronado Island, which drops you off at the Hotel Del Coronado. Sailing, surfing, and other water rentals are conveniently located near the Hilton Bayfront.

Popular Attractions near Hilton San Diego Bayfront

  • Petco Park 0.3 miles
  • Horton Plaza Park 0.8 miles
  • Coronado Ferry Landing Shopping Center 0.8 miles
  • Seaport Village 0.9 mile
  • San Diego Amtrak Station 1.1 miles
  • USS Midway Museum 1.1 miles
  • Balboa Park 2.1 miles
  • San Diego Zoo 2.3 miles
  • Coronado Beach 3.8 miles
  • Old Town San Diego State Historic Park 4.2 miles
  • La Jolla Cove 12.1 miles

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Some links in this post are affiliate links—that means that at no extra cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you book through them, which helps keep the blog running. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.


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