Sometimes travelers want a change from the usual chain-style hotels available in every U.S. city. Unique hotels may or may not be independently owned, but they typically offer a one-of-a-kind decor, theme or locale. Guests may also look for outstanding service, special amenities or other perks. San Diego is home to hotels which offer all of this and more, including outdoor terraces replete with fire pits, lodging on the ocean and hip, mid-century design.
Located in the city's Gaslamp District, the Hotel Solamar may be owned by Kimpton, but it is a one-of-a-kind hotel. The 235 guest rooms are decorated in chocolate brown and aqua hues, and the walls are covered in what appears to be stitched tan leather. The furniture is a deep mahogany with sleek lines which emphasize the modern amenities in the rooms, including large flat screen TVs. Guests can even open their windows to let the Pacific breeze into their rooms. Guest rooms at the Hotel Solamar are non-smoking and also include mini-bars featuring organic products and Gilchrist & Soames toiletries. 24-hour room service is available, as are in-room spa services including massage, body treatments and facials. Guests can also relax at the hotel's rooftop swimming pool and sundeck, featuring a view of the city, cocktails and snacks at LOUNGEsix and private cabanas. The Hotel Solamar hosts a nightly wine tasting featuring vintages by Leslie Sbrocco.
Hotel Solamar
435 6th Ave.
San Diego, CA 92101
877-230-0300
hotelsolamar.com
San Diego's Crystal Pier Hotel is truly unique--guests stay in cottages situated on an ocean pier, while the water ebbs and flows below. Guest rooms are quaint, Cape Cod-style cottages with private decks and Pacific views. One and two bedroom cottages have hardwood floors, fully-equipped kitchens and living rooms with flat screen TVs. Guests can park on the pier, directly in front of their cottage. The hotel has a security gate for guest protection. It is a non-smoking hotel, and no pets are allowed. There are minimum stay requirements, such as four nights over a major holiday, three nights in the summer season and two nights in the winter season.
Crystal Pier Hotel
4500 Ocean Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92109
800-748-5894
crystalpier.com
On its website, the Pearl Hotel proclaims it offers "exceptional service and audacious dashes of vintage-modern flair." With just 23 guest rooms, the hotel offers plenty of recreation for guests, including monthly bingo and weekly "dive-in theatre" events, in which popular movies are screened by the swimming pool and guests can enjoy food, drinks and a dip while they take in the film. The hotel restaurant offers Sunday brunch and the bar has a weekday happy hour. There are three kinds of guest room at the Pearl: the strand, the jewel and the gem. Strand rooms have outdoor patios and king-size beds. Gems offer queen beds, mirrored ceilings and sueded walls. Jewel guest rooms have king beds and cast-iron bathtubs as well as tile and wallpaper mosaics created by Michael Soriano; some also have patios. All rooms at the Pearl offer guests Wi-Fi, flat screen TVs and Spa H2O Plus toiletries.
The Pearl Hotel
1410 Rosecrans St.
San Diego, CA 92106
619-226-6100
thepearlsd.com
