Health & Fitness
Boutique Hotels in San Diego
Try some of these smaller properties for a unique travel experience
It’s easy to go to the same old hotels over and over again. It’s predictable, it’s familiar, but is it memorable? I have been to so many hotels, and most of them are one big blur.
What if you got outside your comfort zone? What if you took a chance and tried something new? That’s what I did when I went to San Diego this past weekend. I explored some of the smaller boutique properties and I came away with many memorable adventures.
My first stop was the recently renovated Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows. This retro chic property was erected in the 1940s, frequented by A-list celebrities when Big-Band music was king. Walking into the hotel I was taken back to another era, when things were simple, and the Internet was not a primary form of entertainment.
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In the foyer, old time parasols grace the ceiling. So cool… Movie memorabilia punctuates the walls of the hotel, and when you step outside, what a swimming pool! Where is Ester Williams?
This hotel takes me back in time, when my parents used to do exhibition dancing for Arthur Murray. Downstairs during Happy Hour, a jazz quartet played the standards. I could easily imagine my parents doing the foxtrot. I was in heaven.
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In fact, the entire hotel thrives on entertainment. During our stay we laughed ourselves silly at the Finest City Improv group with their wild antics. At the Red Fox Steakhouse, saddle up to the piano bar. Catch a local theater presentation if you’re in the mood. Who wants to go to bed when there is so much to do?
And the food? Make sure you’re hungry when you have breakfast because the portions are large enough to stuff a triathlete. The morning cuisine is reminiscent of my visits to New Orleans, with lots of spice and sass infused into the menu, thanks to Chef Ryan Gilbert. The lamb chop lollipops are a must on the dinner menu along with the pumpkin ravioli.
What other discoveries could be made in San Diego? We headed out to Coronado Island where we explored the El Cordova, infused with a Spanish flair. Inside there is a warm earthy vibe to this place. A real plus is that you’re just a few blocks from the beach.
Miguel’s Coronado is conveniently located inside the premises of the hotel, and boasts an expansive patio, with the menu full of flavor and fun. The shrimp enchiladas are a must, so succulent, and very filling.
Walking the property is like visiting a small Spanish town. There’re lots of shops to occupy your time. Check out their suites that are large and homey. After lunch I was tempted to nap on one of their plush sofas.
It was a perfect day for stroll to the ferry, and along the way I could see why Coronado Island is such a popular destination. The local boulevard is dotted with a number of restaurants and unique shops tempting you to part with your wallet.
After a 10-minute ferry ride, we headed to our third stop, the cool Keating Hotel with its progressive flair of modern amenities. This hotel is a designer’s paradise. Located in the heart of the Gaslamp district, The Keating puts you right in the heat of all the action. Bars and restaurants are plentiful and the street scene is hopping.
The Keating dates back to 1890, with its design reflecting the iconic power of the Maserati and Ferrari brands. In exploring one of the suites, the full force of designer Pininfarina was evident in the finely appointed details of the room. In particular, their Macallan Suite is over the top, pairing the old and the new in a chic, yet functional way. The bathtub easily accommodates five, if you’re so inclined.
What’s a vacation without a massage? Head north to the Hilton Gardens where you can grab a massage or any number of beauty treatments. The Serenity Spa gave me one of the better massages that I’ve had and I am a stickler for massages. Celeste provided the perfect combination of gentle massage, low-level conversation and reflexology.
I fell renewed and refreshed to enjoy my dinner at the Hilton. Often the food at hotels is mediocre at best and always overpriced, but their bacon wrapped scallops were the envy of my dining companions. Both the cheesecake in the chocolate cake were a dieter’s demise. Dense and delicious, both did some damage on what I hoped to be an evening of restraint.
There are so many things to do in San Diego. The following day I opted for a tour of the San Diego Zoo since I hadn’t visited in several years. I got there when it first opened since most animals are livelier in the morning. I also wanted to avoid the crowds. I loved the bus tour, and the skyway connecting you to opposite ends of the park made in this huge expansive property easier to navigate. For the kids, there are so many interactive demonstrations that are both entertaining and educational.
If you haven’t been to San Diego in a while, now is it time to go. There are so many things to do. The summer crowds have dissipated which often translates into lower prices and more scenery to enjoy.
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