San Diego hotels

One of San Diego’s most historic hotels, the US Grant opened as the city’s premier luxury property in 1910. Ulysses S. Grant Jr. – a successful businessman who moved to San Diego in 1893 – spearheaded the project in honor of his late father Civil War general and President of the United States Ulysses S. Grant. Harrison Albright designed the building, and it had all the hallmarks of a grand city hotel, like a palm court, an atrium with palm trees that has since been turned into a ballroom, and an elaborate dining room.
The US Grant, on the National Register of Historic Places, has been updated many times over the last century and still feels current with 270 guest rooms sporting an elegant blue, gold, and white color scheme and abstract artworks.
The hotel is in the Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego’s hub for dining and nightlife. Sights like Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, and Petco Park are all within easy reach.

There are many fine luxury hotels in San Diego, but Tony Del Mar, just north of the city, is known for having some of the poshest – including the Fairmont Grand Del Mar. At the Mediterranean villa-inspired resort, travelers looking to splurge will find plenty of luxurious amenities, from the Tom Fazio-designed golf course to the indulgent spa. And while it is inland and surrounded by canyons rather than a coastline, guests stay cool by dipping into the hotel’s multiple palm tree-fringed swimming pools. Families and couples can be as active as they like.
The hotel has hiking trails and pickleball. Del Mar is a dream destination for equine enthusiasts with its racetrack and polo grounds and even horseback riding. And after all the activities, recommendation is to dine at the hotel’s three Michelin-starred Addison. It’s one of San Diego’s most refined restaurants.

Estancia La Jolla in upscale La Jolla stands out among the many hacienda-style havens in San Diego, offering a truly serene and romantic experience. Set amidst stunning garden-like grounds adorned with tranquil water features, this hotel has an understated elegance that captivates twosomes. Duos can indulge in a massage side by side in the couple’s bungalow and eat Spanish octopus with charred lemon by the outdoor fireplaces at Mustangs and Burros, the hotel’s excellent Baja-med restaurant.
La Jolla has some of San Diego’s best beaches. I recommend guests explore La Jolla Cove, a beautiful beach with abundant marine life, and Windandsea. The beach with a thatched roof palapa is rockier than the typical stretch of San Diego sand but has pounding surf and rugged beauty as a result.