17 BEST HOTELS in San Diego [December 2024]

With 100 days of summer, over 60 beaches, and tons of fun under the sun, why wouldn’t you want to spend your next vacation in America’s finest city: San Diego? Regardless if you are just looking to layout on the beach, check out the local art galleries, or explore the zoo, San Diego has something for you!

It is no secret that America is not a cheap place to travel, so no matter if you are looking for a 5-star luxury stay or a dorm bed in a hostel, you might be scared to pay more than you bargained for.

No matter if you are a backpacker or a high-roller, we got a hotel for you! With this worry-free guide, you can book with confidence that you will be staying at the best hotel in San Diego to fit how you like to travel!

Get ready to hit the beaches and say surfs up to the best hotels in San Diego!

Quick answers – Best Hotels in San Diego

#1 – Pacific Terrace Hotel

Best Overall Hotel in San Diego

• $$$$
• Fitness Center
• Swimming Pool
• Bar

If you are going to be traveling to a seaside town such as San Diego, you are of course want to be staying on the beach! The Pacific Terrace Hotel offers its guests not only great views of the ocean from their hotel rooms but also access to the beach just a couple of steps away from the hotel!

With its very own fitness center, swimming pool, spa, and even a bar, you are going to be soaking up some rays in complete relaxation!

No matter if you are lounging by the beach or taking a dip into the pool, the Pacific Terrace Hotel is here to give you that dream vacation in sunny San Diego!

 

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#2 – Townplace Suites by Marriot

Best Hotel in San Diego Near the Airport

• $$
• Outdoor Pool
• Terrace
• Cafe

Need to be at the airport early in the morning to catch a flight or maybe touching down in San Diego late at night? Don’t worry about having to find a taxi or rushing to the terminal, Townplace Suites is a hotel right on top of the airport giving you a relaxing staying right after you land or take off!

Other than the hotel’s premium location and cozy rooms, Townplace Suites offers its guests a hot breakfast in the morning, a relaxing terrace to lounge about in, and even an outdoor pool where you can take a swim before you pack your bags on a new adventure!

 

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#3 – The Westgate Hotel

Best Hotel in San Diego Near Downtown

• $$
• Bar
• Outdoor Pool
• Restaurant

Wanting to be staying in the beating heart of San Diego, minutes away from both the beach and all the best sites of the city? Look no further than The Westgate Hotel! This 4-star luxury hotel will have you staying minutes away from Emerald and Horton Plaza, with all the best bars and restaurants nearby!

For true relaxation and all the best meals, you don’t have to walk any further than your hotel lobby! The Westgate Hotel provides its guests with an onsite bar and even a restaurant, cooking up mouthwatering dishes every morning and evening!

 

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#4 – Residence Inn by Marriot

Best Hotel in San Diego for Families

• $$$
• Swimming Pool
• Gym
• Bar

Traveling with kids is never easy, so why not take a little bit of the burden off of your shoulders and start enjoying your family vacation by staying at the Residence Inn?

Located in the center of downtown San Diego, all the best sights in town are within walking distance, meaning you won’t have to worry about dragging your kids into buses or taxis!

With an onsite restaurant, swimming pool, and so many activities both inside and outside the Residence Inn, there will sure to be fun for the whole family!

 

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#5 – Hotel Indigo San Diego

Best Pet-Friendly Hotel in San Diego

• $$$
• Outdoor Terrace
• Bar
• Restaurant

Feeling like you are a bit on a leash when it comes to finding a hotel where both you and your pet can stay? Lucky for you Hotel Indigo has room in the Inn for your furry friend. Not only are they pet-friendly, but they will also be showing you a luxury stay that not many hotels in San Diego can top!

Putting you and your four-legged friend right smack in the center of downtown San Diego, you won’t have to wander far to find all the best sights, bars, and restaurants! Even if you are looking to rest your paws, Hotel Indigo is even home to its very own bar and restaurant!

Top it all of with breathtaking city views, Hotel Indigo is the kind of hotel which is sure to get your tail wagging!

 

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#6 – USA Hostels Ocean Beach

Best Cheap Hotel in San Diego

• $
• Terrace
• Swimming Pool
• Breakfast

The United States is not a budget destination by any stretch of the imagination, so regardless if you are a backpacker or just a budget traveler, finding a cheap place to stay is a must. For San Diego, you won’t find a cheaper bed or a more relaxing stay than at USA Hostels Ocean Beach!

Located just a few minutes away from the stunning Ocean Beach, this hostel will always give you the option of either taking a dip into the sea or just soaking up some rays in their onsite pool!

With a relaxing terrace to kick back and relax in and even a hot breakfast served every morning, guests will find that USA Hostel offers everything the 5-star resorts do, but for a fraction of the price!

 

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#7 – Hilton Garden Inn

Best Hotel in San Diego Near Sea World

• $$
• Swimming Pool
• Restaurant
• Bar

Wanting to be close to all the best amusement parks in San Diego such as Sea World? There is no better place to stay if you are looking to be close to the gates of some of the best theme parks than the Hilton Garden Inn!

When you aren’t out riding roller coasters or viewing the aquarium, the Hilton Grand is still sure to show you the time of your life!

With its very own swimming pool, you are going to be feeling refreshed and relaxed after a long day of exploring! Complete with its own restaurant and bar, even finding a great bite to eat will be a sinch!

 

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#8 – Marriott Vacation Club Pulse

Best Hotel in San Diego Near Balboa Park

• $$
• Outdoor Pool
• Restaurant
• Bar

When staying at the Marriott Vacation Club Pulse, you are getting so much more than just a luxury hotel just minutes away from Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo, but an experience which will make your vacation to Southern California truly one for the books!

Just minutes away from your spacious hotel room, you will have your very own, outdoor pool, restaurant, bar, convenient store, and even a gym to make you feel right at home at the Marriott Vacation Club Pulse!

From great food to an inviting pool, what doesn’t this hotel have?

 

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#9 – Homewood Suites by Hilton

Best Hotel in San Diego Near Misson Valley

• $$
• Outdoor Pool
• Breakfast
• Ticket Counter

If you are wanting to be close to all the sites both inside and outside San Diego, then you are going to want to check yourself into Homewood Suites by Hilton! Located in Mission Valley, you will not only have all the best restaurants and bars nearby but getting from all the famous zoos and golf courses will be a breeze!

When you aren’t out traveling around San Diego, Homewood Suites is here to make sure you feel right at home at the hotel. With its own outdoor pool and mouthwatering breakfast served every morning, this is the kind of hotel you won’t ever want to check out of!

 

#10 – Bahia Resort Hotel

Best Hotel in San Diego Near Mission Beach

• $$
• Outdoor Pool
• Bar
• Cafe

Wanting to up the ante and truly make your vacation to San Diego the trip of a lifetime? If so then you will be wanting to book yourself in Bahia Resort Hotel! Just minutes away from Mission Beach and even Sea World, guests will have all the best of San Diego at their fingertips!

While staying at Bahia Resort get ready to just put up your feet and relax in luxury! With its very own outdoor pool jacuzzi, bar, and even a cafe, you won’t have to look any further than your hotel to find a great place to eat and drink!

 

#11 – Stay Pineapple at Hotel Z

More Best Hotels in San Diego

• $
• Bike Rentals
• Laundry Service
• Lounge

If you are wanting to book yourself into a budget room, but want to avoid all the commotion of a youth hostel, Staypineapple at Hotel Z is here to give you a cheap stay with top-class comfort!

For the price, Hotel Z puts you up in luxury standard rooms which will make you feel like San Diego is your new home away from home!

With tons of choice of places to eat and drink nearby, you are sure to see the best of San Diego’s nightlife! Ready to go out and explore on your own? Staypineapple also offers their own bike rental service which will have you whizzing around to all the top sites in San Diego!

 

#12 – Fairmont Grand Del Mar

• $$$$
• Gym
• Swimming Pool
• Bar

If you are wanting to enjoy a vacation full of luxury while you stay in San Diego, look no further than Fairmont Grand Del Mar! Noted as one of the best 5-star hotels in San Diego, no matter if you are traveling as a family or a couple, this hotel has something for you!

With swimming pools for both adults and children, a gym, jacuzzi, sauna, and even a golf course, be prepared to spend a large amount of your time in San Diego just exploring the hotel itself!

Stomach starting to growl? The Fairmont Grand Del Mar is home to two restaurants, meaning you will never go hungry while staying at this luxurious hotel!

 

#13 – Manchester Grand Hyatt

• $$$
• Outdoor Pool
• Bar
• Tennis Courts

The Manchester Grand Hyatt is another one of those hotels which you will have so much to do within the hotel itself, you will not even have time to explore the rest of San Diego!

With loads of recreational activities for both adults and families, this massive hotel is home to its own tennis courts, outdoor pool, kids clubs, and sauna!

What will really make you fall in love with this hotel is the food! With a bar on the terrace and a total of four restaurants, you are sure to never go hungry at the Manchester Grand Hyatt!

 

#14 – Pendry San Diego

• $$$
• Swimming Pool
• Gym
• Bar

Looking for a breathtaking 5-star hotel located in the heart of San Diego’s downtown! Pendry Hotel is calling your name! Other than being a stone’s throw from all the best restaurants and bars in town, Pendry Hotel also offers its own mouthwatering America breakfast!

When you aren’t out exploring all of the top sites nearby, Pendry San Diego has every comfort you need to relax right at the hotel! With its very own swimming pool, gym, and even a bar, you will be drinking a beer by the water before you know it!

 

#15 – The US Grant – A Luxury Collection Hotel

• $$$
• Gym
• Restaurant
• Bar

From the second you walk into the lobby, The US Grant will keep you in a constant state of awe with the sheer beauty of this hotel! This 5-star is seems almost more like a royal palace than your typical luxury hotel. Once you pick your jaw up off the floor, you can then start to enjoy all the perks packed into this massive hotel!

The US Grant offers so much more than looks alone. After a day of walking around San Diego, The US Grant is here to help you relax and unwind. With a spa, gym, bar, and even its own restaurant, you will find that every comfort is just a few steps away from your hotel room at The US Grant!

 

#16 – Omni San Diego Hotel

• $$$$
• Terrace
• Bar
• Restaurant

Just a short walk from the San Diego Convention Center Trolley Station, guests of the Omni San Diego Hotel will literally be connected to the entire city! With tons of bars and restaurants nearby, you couldn’t ask for a better location!

From Omni San Diego Hotel’s terrace, you can enjoy a delicious meal or just take in the scenery while sipping on your drink from the bar. What will really have you sold on this luxurious 4-star hotel is the stunning views of San Diego from the roof! Every night you will be dining and drink with some of the best views San Diego has to offer!

 

#17 – Marriot Marquis San Diego Marina

• $$$$
• Golf Course
• Restaurant
• Swimming Pool

The Marriott Marquis San Diego is one of the few hotels which no other luxury resort can even dream to keep up with. Not only will you be within a few steps from the beautiful San Diego marina, but you will have access to a massive pool where you can soak up some rays and just relax.

The pool is just the beginning! The Marriot Marquis will knock your socks off with luxurious such as a golf course, jacuzzi, and a sauna to top the list!

When it comes to food you are going to be in luck! Some of the best restaurants in all of San Diego can be found within your hotel! With cozy bars, great food, and even its own Starbucks, The Marriot Marquis is a hotel which truly has it all!

 

Bonus Hotel!

Tower 23 Hotel

• $$$
• Restaurant
• Bar
• Gym

While you are in San Diego, you are bound to be spending most of your time lounging on the beach or enjoying the waves. There is no sense putting you downtown, Tower 23 Hotel will have you waking up every morning just a few steps away from the golden sands of San Diego!

When you aren’t out feeling the sand between your toes, Tower 23 Hotel has everything you need to feel right at home in San Diego. With its very own restaurant, bar, and even a gym, Tower 23 is one of those hotels which you will never want to check out of!

 

To conclude…

Surfs up! Grab your board and lets hit the waves on the breathtaking beaches of San Diego! Regardless if you are a beach bum or just wanting to explore the amusement parks, San Diego is sure to have something for you!

In San Diego, you have so many different options on how to start your adventure, and it all begins with your hotel! Would you rather be close to all the thrilling roller coasters or the sandy beaches? You need to make sure you have a hotel which will fit how you like to travel!

Still unsure on what hotel to call home while vacationing in San Diego? Why don’t we put you on the beach at Pacific Terrace Hotel, our pick for the best hotel in San Diego!

Get your cameras ready and prepare for the vacation of a lifetime! The beaches and zoos of San Diego await!

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