FreeArticlesArchive

Once upon a time, most San Diegans didn’t know which hotels to recommend to visiting aunts and old classmates. Since then, the hospitality industry of this burgeoning metropolis has learned martinis and mai-tais bring in a substantial cash flow and—perhaps more importantly—a loyal and local clientele. With the urban revitalization of the downtown area, many locals can now speak with confidence when recommending hotels in America’s Finest City—even if they’re just recommending where to go for a drink, a view, and a fun crowd.

Feel like a poolside celebrity:
Hotel Solamar’s pool deck transforms into a chic bar at night. Whether you’re having an afternoon beer before the Padres game at next-door Petco Park, or sipping a vodka-Cran while watching the colored lights reflect off the pool’s surface at night, JBar makes you feel like you’re a welcomed guest at the home of a famous Hollywood star. The bar encourages you to kick back and make yourself comfortable, and beckons you to look sophisticated while doing it.

Lounge with a view:
The interior of Top of the Hyatt isn’t anything to write home about – but the view? That’s another story completely. Top of the Hyatt takes full advantage of being the tallest waterfront hotel on the west coast, with floor-to-ceiling windows capturing panoramic views of the Coronado Bridge, Seaport Village, and the San Diego bay. The crowd here tends to be a little more sophisticated than at the nightclubs on the streets forty stories below. Insider tip: If you’re looking for a quiet evening, be sure to check the conference schedules before you head downtown; the lounge can get quite crowded during big conferences.

Go to a downtown bonfire:
A heated sand floor, fire pit, beach chairs, and rentable cabanas of the W Hotel’s famed Beach Bar bring a bonfire feel to downtown. But remember that this beachy bar is not really at the beach—be sure to abide by the standard downtown dress code to get in and fit in! Insider tip: Guests of the W can visit the front desk and receive a wristband that will rocket them to the front of the line.

For more info on the best clubs in San Diego, CA visit www.discoversd.com. For related information, check out the San Diego Downtown bars and clubs section featuring the writing of Jessica Nagar.