Best Boutique Hotels in Downtown San Diego, San Diego

This Gaslamp Quarter hotel gets praise for its trendy ambiance – guest rooms and common areas feature stylized furnishings and contemporary artwork, and the general atmosphere of the hotel says "swanky." With that said, some recent travelers say the Andaz San Diego is more about partying than about relaxing. Guests warn against a weekend stay – Thursday through Saturday evenings, the Andaz's lounge, the Rooftop by STK, is swallowed by loud music and mingling social butterflies. Not to mention the neighborhood is fairly noisy. But during the rest of the week, travelers say a stay here isn't half bad. The comfortable guest rooms provide complimentary snacks and cable TV, and the on-site pool earns high praise. What's more, because of the hotel's Hyatt ties, rewards program members can earn or use points while bedding down at this Andaz property.

Marketed to hip business travelers, the Solamar San Diego in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter is just three blocks from the convention center and a block from Petco Park. The property's convenient location makes it an excellent home base for working guests and sightseers alike. Travelers like the look and feel of the Hotel Solamar, where guest rooms are adorned with dark mahogany furniture, funky patterned accent pieces and amenities such as flat-screen TVs and Atelier Bloem bath products. The 235-room hotel also wins points from the pooches – they get to sleep in designer beds just like their owners. Human guests were also pleased with the property's rooftop sun deck and pool, accommodating staff and seafood-centric restaurant, Jsix.

Most guests praise The Keating for its trendy atmosphere and its prime location in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter. Visitors are also fond of the guest room decor, which showcases red and blue hues with exposed brick walls (in some suites) and contemporary furnishings. Some of The Keating's more unique amenities include LaVazza espresso machines, Egyptian cotton sheets, mood lighting and walk-in rain showers. The hotel also offers a number of tailored stay packages, such as the romantic Amore Mio package, or the spa-tastic Dolce Vita (think: bottle of champagne before or after treatments). However, visitors say that the hotel falls short in a few key ways: Some report an icy reception from hotel employees, and many complain of street noise disturbing a peaceful night's sleep.