11 Best Hotels near Gaslamp San Diego

The Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego is a historic, buzzy district which is also the main “going out” spot for tourists and locals in the city. While the place is packed with pricey and flashy restaurants and bars, we were interested in exploring remnants of its fascinating past. Recognizable by its old-style ‘gas lamps’ and ornate Victorian structures, this 1860s-developed neighborhood is the epic center of a vibrant urban scene. That’s why we looked for the best hotels near Gaslamp, San Diego, rather than staying in the neighborhood itself. That way, we not only avoided the pricier stays, but also stayed close enough to be able to explore the area on foot easily.

What’s more, these hotels ranged across budgets and vibes and allowed us to stay in different neighborhoods. These included the likes of Downtown, the Marina, Broadway, and Little Italy, among others. Plus, we were close to most of the top things to do in San Diego, so what more could we ask for? Here’s a detailed guide to the best stays around the Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego.

Hotel Republic San Diego, Autograph Collection

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Best value-for-money. We begin with the Hotel Republic San Diego, Autograph Collection, which lies a 10-minute walk from the northwestern fringes of the Gaslamp Quarter. The location was perhaps its biggest selling point, as we were within walking distance of the Gaslamp and Little Italy neighborhoods but weren’t disturbed by any of the noise.

Formerly the W, the vibe here was polished and relaxed at the same time. We loved the comfy digs with modern, nautical vibes and a pleasing white-and-blue color palette. While most standard rooms were spacious, the suites were even more so if you wanted to indulge yourselves. If you want more space without having to break the bank, book the corner rooms.

Standard Wi-Fi was free, allowing us to plan our itineraries without any fuss. Every evening, we’d head to the charming rooftop space for sunset drinks before embarking on our daily pilgrimage of Gaslamp and Little Italy. Are you here on Sundays? The rooftop Trade Restaurant and Lounge hosts free yoga classes for everyone.

Hard Rock Hotel San Diego

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One of the best hotels in San Diego Gaslamp, or rather on its southern fringes, is the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego. The hotel’s bold energy always gets to us, and we were perfectly sandwiched between Gaslamp and the Marina. This contemporary music-centered haven was an aboslute vibe from the moment we checked in. Our room felt like a sanctuary, complete with a spa-like bathroom, free Wi-Fi, and a 42-inch flatscreen TV. One of the coolest things, though? We could borrow free guitars during our stay, which we did, strumming the cords on our private balcony and feeling like complete rockstars.

The real magic happened all over the rest of the hotel. For instance, the rooftop was our favorite space. The pooldeck, Float, was our go-to spot for lazy lounging, stunning views, and craft cocktails and snacks at our daybeds. Besides the rooftop bar, the hotel also had two more restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Nobu, complete with live music. However, what impressed us the most was the hotel’s free music downloads, which were curated specifically for our stay.

Andaz San Diego – a Concept by Hyatt

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One of San Diego’s most romantic stays also near Gaslamp is Andaz San Diego – a Concept by Hyatt. It sits on the eastern fringes of the neighborhood, putting us thick in the middle of all the action but not the noise, thankfully. We loved the overall modern and chic aesthetic of the rooms and suites, which used a lot of natural materials such as stone and wood. Moreover, the local photographs and artwork gave the digs a unique, personalized touch. If that wasn’t enough, our room also had a huge flatscreen TV, a luxurious bathroom with a bathtub, and a minibar, allowing us to relax right in the confines of our abode.

The focal point of the hotel is the rooftop pool area, which features a sun deck with a mesmerizing swimming pool, cabanas, and lounge chairs. It was the perfect place to soak up the sun-kissed ambiance and the views. Aside from the rooftop bar, the hotel also boasts a fantastic onsite restaurant, the lobby-level STK Steakhouse.

The Bristol Hotel

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Best boutique hotel. One of the best Downtown San Diego stays is the Bristol Hotel. It lies just outside the northern fringes of the Gaslamp Quarter. So, we were just a hop, skip, and jump away from the action right along Fourth Avenue. There were a lot of things we loved about this intimate boutique hotel, starting with the fact that all rooms and suites had coffeemakers and fridges. Since we were looking for more space, we chose a suite, which also had a sitting area with a sofa bed. After a long day, we’d make ourselves a cup of joe and relax in the comfy confines of our own room. Plus, we were thrilled to find eco-friendly bath products.

One of the best things about the hotel, and for which we’ll recommend it forward to everyone else too, was the excellent, professional, and warm staff. They were eager and went out of their way to be helpful and make our stay very convenient. Despite being in the heart of Downtown, they offered valet parking, which was a huge deal since we had rented a car. Even though there’s no restaurant, we were surrounded by some excellent eating options, like Blue Bottle Coffee, where we’d enjoy breakfast every day.

Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

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We wanted to stay in luxury near the Marina, which is why we chose the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina. What’s more, it lay just a mere 10-minute walk to the Gaslamp Quarter, allowing us to explore it at our own sweet pace as well. Sitting across two curved towers looking like a ship’s sail, this well-appointed Marriott outpost made the most of its prime waterfront location. So, many rooms, including ours, boasted fantastic views over San Diego Bay and the Coronado Island. We loved the neutral color palette, which brightened all the natural light pouring into the room. A sleek and modern bathroom, mod-cons, and a plush bed made our stay all the better.

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Since it’s a Marriott hotel, we don’t have to tell you that the amenities were fantastic. We had the choice of four restaurants, including a poolside option, and the breakfasts here had everything under the sun, from dim sums to cooked-to-order eggs. The pool area, with colorful sun loungers, fire pits, and tropical plants, boasted a relaxed and fun vibe. Another pool, two hot tubs, a small but exclusive spa (complete with poolside summer massages), and a state-of-the-art gym wrap up the amenities.

Omni San Diego Hotel

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Best family-friendly. What makes the Omni San Diego Hotel so different from the others on this list is that, besides sitting on the southern fringes of the Gaslamp Quarter, it has a pedestrian walkway directly connecting it to PETCO Park. So, we were not only able to explore the historic neighborhood but also catch a baseball game or two. That isn’t the only thing we loved about the hotel. For one, the rooms and suites were elegant and luxurious, with a focus on convenience and comfort both. What’s more, the comfy furnishings, soft lighting, and sleek décor made for a warm and inviting atmosphere.

What we loved at the Omni was that it was very kid friendly. Our little ones not only received an activity backpack at check-in but were also thrilled to find kids’ menus at the restaurants. Moreover, we had a concierge who helped us plan and coordinate our travel itinerary for exploring the city. When we wanted to relax, the rooftop pool was an excellent and tranquil escape from the city, complete with stunning views. With white sun loungers and poolside service, it’s one of the best hotel pools in San Diego. Wrapping things up are the three restaurants, which serve all meals and even do cocktails.

The Westgate Hotel

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We were able to travel to Versailles without even leaving SoCal, thanks to our stay at the Westgate Hotel. Sitting along Broadway right across from Horton Park on the northern fringes of the Gaslamp Quarter, the hotel made for one of our most lavish stays ever. Imagine this — an opulent lobby with Persian rugs, French tapestries, and Baccarat crystal chandeliers. That was our introduction to the hotel, and it also set the vibe for the rest of our stay. The rooms were in line with the hotel’s “Versailles” vibe, with floor-to-ceiling views of San Diego’s skyline, down pillows and comforters, and European furnishings. What’s more, the luxe marble bathrooms were our favorite, with robes and beautiful brass fixtures.

An access fee of USD 30 paid not only for the Wi-Fi, but also turndown service and access to AquaVie Fitness + Wellness Club. The enormous space not only had workout equipment, but also hydrotherapy circuits, an outdoor running track, a dry sauna, a rooftop pool, and a full-service spa. So, our relaxation was taken care of right in the hotel itself. However, we loved the onsite restaurant the most, which not only had an eclectic weekend brunch but also afternoon tea, which was held in the Baroque lobby under crystal chandeliers!

Horton Grand Hotel

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Most historic hotel. One of San Diego’s most historic hotels is the Horton Grand Hotel, which happens to be the oldest standing hotel in the city! Even after a meticulous reconstruction, we were thrilled to see original touches, like polished marble floors, period antiques, and vintage photos of old San Diego. Even the rooms and suites blended old-world charm and modern amenities, with all of them featuring flatscreen cable TVs, period furnishings, plush beds, coffeemakers, and fridges. In fact, our room even had a balcony with spectacular views of the lush, greenery-filled courtyard.

At the same time, modern touches keep the vibe from feeling old and stuffy, including the amenities. Two of our favorites were the opulent Palace Bar, with its wooden staircase and huge mural, and the lush, brick-lined courtyard, which our room overlooked. It was the outdoor area for the onsite restaurant, Salt & Whiskey, which even had local live entertainment during the weekend we were staying here. If you’re looking for a quiet and classy oasis close to the sometimes-noisy Gaslamp Quarter, then this is it.

Hilton San Diego Bayfront

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There’s no better view in San Diego than those of San Diego Bay, so we thought, why not stay with those views? Welcome to Hilton San Diego Bayfront, a modern 30-storied hotel that boasted some of the most jaw-dropping and unobstructed views of San Diego Bay. Despite being a Hilton property, the hotel strived for a boutique feel, and we’re happy to say it did end up achieving it. For instance, the rooms were spacious and modern, with views of either the port or the bay. Obviously, we chose the bay-view room, but they all had huge 55-inch flatscreen TVs, luxe bathrooms, work desks, and coffee machines.

One of our favorite spots to hang out at was the heated saltwater pool that overlooked the bay. It was a favorite with families too as it had a kids-only splash pad. When we wanted to unwind, the full-service spa beckoned to us. What was great was that the Gaslamp Quarter was right across the road, city trolley tours stopped at the hotel, and we had easy access to the waterfront path along the bay.

Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego

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Who said business travelers couldn’t stay near the Gaslamp Quarter? We’re talking about the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, which sits just a mere 10-minute walk to Gaslamp. However, it’s other draw is that it sits right on the bayfront, with some sensational views of the Seaport Village, San Diego Bay, and the Marina. So, if you have work in the city, but also want to ensure that your family has a good time, then this is the place to be.

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What works for this hotel is that all rooms and suites boasted water views, which few hotels around the world can claim to have, let alone San Diego ones. What’s more, they were all outfitted in a modern manner, with windows that opened to coastal breezes, flatscreen TVs, and swish bathrooms with bespoke bath products.

The rest of the hotel was no less impressive. We had the choice of not one, but two pools to choose from to swim in and lounge at. Besides multiple sports courts for volleyball, tennis, and basketball, the hotel also had a 2-hour market and as many as 5 restaurants. Thus, we didn’t have to leave the hotel for anything. Rounding things up was the spa, where we’d enjoy massages and body treatments with amazing views. Oh, make sure you catch at least one sunset from the 49th floor “Top of the Hyatt” bar.

The US Grant, a Luxury Collection Hotel

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Sitting at the top of the list is The US Grant, a Luxury Collection Hotel. Originally opened in 1910, this historic hotel is one of San Diego’s oldest hotels and even sits on the National Register of Historic Places. What’s more, it sits just on the other side of Broadway Avenue, across from the Gaslamp Quarter’s northern end. So, the location couldn’t be better, as we were close to the action without being quite thick in the middle of it.

They’ve done an excellent job of modernizing a historic structure, and the rooms and suites show it. For instance, there are custom paintings above the beds, minimal splashes of color, elegant furnishings, and even room and turndown service. In fact, even room service was undeniably upscale, with cocktail ambassadors whipping up cocktails right in our rooms!

We loved the strong cocktail program here, with bartenders whipping up the extra-special Vieux Carré cocktails between Thursday and Saturday evenings. The onsite restaurant served all meals, which we sipped along with fine wine. Historic and iconic doesn’t get any better than this.

Our Verdict!

While we loved all the stays near Gaslamp for some or the other reason, these are our favorites for their specific features.

• Best value for money: Hotel Republic San Diego, Autograph Collection
• Best boutique hotel: The Bristol Hotel
• Best family-friendly: Omni San Diego Hotel
• Most historic: Horton Grand Hotel

Where to Stay near the Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego?

The Gaslamp Quarter is surrounded by some of the most prominent neighborhoods in San Diego. These include Downtown to the north, Little Italy to the northwest, Broadway to the west, the Marine to the south, and the East Village to the east.

We begin with Downtown, one of San Diego’s most prominent neighborhoods. It sits just north of the Gaslamp Quarter and is home to major attractions and sights, including museums and parks, restaurants, and bars. Secondly, there’s East Village, which is actually an evolving downtown area. The architecturally beautiful neighborhood has a blend of Victorian homes, former warehouses, and sleek high-rises, all housing smart brewpubs and restaurants. Then, there’s the Marina, which, as the name suggests, is the seafront section along San Diego Bay. Sitting south of the Gaslamp Quarter, the neighborhood extends west of it to the Broadway Pier, which has the ferry terminal and is known for its gorgeous sunset views.

Finally, there’s Little Italy, a chic, pedestrian-friendly region with trendy restaurants with outdoor areas, brewpubs, and cocktail bars. What’s more, it also has quaint piazzas, indie music venues, and upscale clothing boutiques.

How to explore the Gaslamp Quarter?

One of the best ways to explore the Gaslamp Quarter is via the San Diego: Gaslamp Quarter Walking Tour. It allows you to not only explore all the region’s highlights but led by a knowledgeable guide to tell its history.

Which is the closest hotel to Gaslamp Quarter for families?

That would be the Omni San Diego, which, even as a brand, is very kid friendly.

Which is the most affordable stay near Gaslamp Quarter?

Hotel Republic, an Autograph Collection Hotel, is the most value-for-money stay we found near Gaslamp.