The best rooftop pool hotels in San Diego, California
The city of San Diego calls itself America’s Finest City and attracts over 30 million visitors a year. This is not surprising considering the countless activities that San Diego has to offer which will make any holiday or business trip complete.
The most exciting part of the city is the Gaslamp Quarter and its surroundings in Downtown San Diego. No matter what your preferences are, here you will absolutely find countless things to do. In the historical Gaslamp Quarter itself you will find many options for fashion shopping and vibrant nightlife opportunities with restaurants, bars, cafes and clubs. In its surroundings wildlife enthusiasts can visit the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld San Diego, or even take a whale-watching cruise. When you prefer cultural activities you can visit one of the many museums in the city, spend the evening in of the several theatres, or visit the San Diego Opera. And let’s not forget the Convention Center, the spectacular Petco Park (home of the San Diego Padres), the local craft brewing industry, the relaxing Balboa Park and the attractive beaches on the Pacific Ocean.
San Diego is situated in Southern California adjacent to the border with Mexico and is part of the San Diego–Tijuana conurbation. This is why you will find the beautiful Spanish and Mexican heritage throughout the city. Due to its sunny location it can also become pretty warm. During the summer the temperature can soar into the 80s °F (30s °C).
So when you want to book a hotel in San Diego you will be interested in a couple things. Of course the hotel needs to provide great service, but you probably also prefer an excellent location near the Gaslamp Quarter, the waterfront, the shopping centers and not too far from the other popular attractions. And it would a big plus if it is a hotel with a nice pool where you can take a refreshing splash into the water and cool off after a busy shopping day.
With this in the back of our mind we have selected the best hotels in San Diego that not only have a rooftop pool, but are also located in or near the Gaslamp Quarter and of course offer great value for money. The hotels are sorted in random order as each of these hotels are great in our opinion, but every person probably has his own little preferences.
Pendry Hotel, San Diego
The Pendry Hotel in San Diego is a beautiful designed luxury five star hotel that opened its doors in 2017. It is located between the 5th- and 6th Avenue in the center of the vibrant Gaslamp Quarter. The hotel is also conveniently located within walking distance from Petco Park (home of the San Diego Padres) and the San Diego Convention Center.
The style of the interior of the Pendry Hotel is a well thought-out mix between chic, traditional and modern luxury. And the service of its warm and welcoming staff is excellent. They are attentive, helpful and are willing to go the extra mile for their guests. Also when their guests are pets.
In the hotel are three exquisite food concepts and three drink venues, like the upscale Lionfish restaurant, a rooftop lounge at the pool area and an underground bar. They all have fascinating ambiances and a formidable drinking and/or dining program.
Other facilities that are available are the 24-hour fitness facilities with modern equipment, a full-service spa, a jacuzzi and an alluring outdoor rooftop pool where you can get delicious drinks and great cocktails. At this rooftop pool area with nautical decor and lovely sunbeds you can sunbathe and overlook San Diego’s 5th Avenue. The pool area is open year-round so you can relax and enjoy yourself here whenever you want.
There are different types of rooms available, but they all have luxury linens, very comfortable beds and custom bath amenities. The rooms are comfortable, modern and relatively spacious when you consider that you are in downtown San Diego. In the bathroom is a walk-in shower with three sides of glass, which is a great design feature. Further does the room have a minibar, an air conditioning and a 50-inch TV. All the rooms are non-smoking and WiFi is available.
In our opinion the Pendry Hotel well deserved its spot on the list with best rooftop pool hotels in San Diego and is a perfect place to stay for business as well as for pleasure.
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
The Manchester Grand Hyatt is the largest hotel in San Diego and is a landmark that exists of two expansive high-rise towers with a setting like a waterfront resort. It is ideally located between the Seaport Village retail center and the Convention Center at the waterfront on one side and the energetic Gaslamp Quarter on the other side.
There are eight on site dining options. The restaurant on the 40th-floor is called Top of the Hyatt and has one of the most spectacular views in the city. Although the view from Sally’s Fish House & Bar at the waterfront is also quite stunning and relaxing. Other available services are the 24-hour fitness center, the full-service spa and an on-site bike rental which makes it easy to explore the bayside area. But that’s not all. It also has a basketball court, a volleyball court and even two tennis courts! The business traveler will be happy to know that the hotel also offers many business facilities, such as its large business center with meeting spaces and one of the largest ballrooms in San Diego. With complimentary WiFi it is quite easy to keep working throughout the hotel.
From all of the rooftop pool hotels in San Diego the Manchester Grand Hyatt arguably has the most attractive pool area, and there are even two to choose from. It has the main pool on the 4th floor surrounded by sun beds and luxurious cabanas. At the main pool can the whole family enjoy the water. What makes this place extra alluring is that the Pool Bar serves appetizing sandwiches and refreshing drinks. At the 3rd floor is a more tranquil and serene area with an adults only pool and a whirlpool. From this area you have a nice view on the harbor. This is the perfect spot to relax in the sun and take a nap, or read a good book in one of the lounge chairs or cabanas. In this pool area are also some tasty foods and drinks served to the guests.
The rooms of the Manchester Grand Hyatt are comfortable, spacious, modern decorated and have plush private label beds. Allowing you to enjoy a good night’s rest here. In the rooms are air conditioning, a coffee machine and a flat-screen tv present. All of the rooms have a private bathroom with a hair dryer and luxurious toiletries. Depending on the type of room you also have a seating area. With the large windows in the room you have amazing city and/or bay views. A nice feature of the rooms is that the windows actually can be opened, so you can feel the fresh breezes from the Pacific Ocean. So as a small tip from Meet The Cities we suggest that you ask for a room with beautiful waterfront views when you book a room at the Manchester Grand Hyatt.
Omni San Diego Hotel
The Omni San Diego Hotel is a 32-story high-rise luxury four star hotel. It is perfectly located at the foot of the Gaslamp Quarter, to the opposite of the Convention Center. A special feature of the Omni San Diego Hotel is that it’s even attached to Petco Park via a pedestrian skywalk. From certain rooms of the hotel you might even be able to catch a baseball game of the San Diego Padres. So as you can imagine this hotel is quite close to the most popular sites and attractions of San Diego.
This hotel has a luxurious, warm and contemporary design and its special connection with the San Diego Padres becomes apparent from some on site baseball memorabilia. It is attractive to stay in the beautiful hotel building as they offer many great services. They have a full-fitness center that is open 24 hours a day and offer complimentary water, fruits and towels, and there are massage therapy services. But our favorite place to spend the day is the 8,000 sq.ft. (743 sq.m.) outdoor terrace on the 6th floor where you can enjoy great views at the harbour while sitting next to a nice stone fireplace. Here it’s also possible to watch a sports game on one of the large television screens. At the outdoor terrace you will also find the heated pool and the jacuzzi which are surrounded by comfortable lounge chairs and palm trees. From May to September you can here also enjoy the delicious food and drinks of the Palm Terrace & Pool Bar. Even for dinner you don’t need to leave the hotel as there is an on-site restaurant and two bars.
All the rooms have a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, plush towels and -linens, bathrobes, really comfortable beds, floor-to-ceiling windows and are non-smoking. But there are several types of rooms and suites available which have their own attractive features. For example, the corner rooms on the higher floors have spectacular views, but they will cost a bit extra.
However, in case you do want to leave the Omni San Diego Hotel than the concierges are perfectly able to provide you with some great information and tips about things to do in San Diego as some of the concierges are member of the Les Clefs d’Or. This is no small feat, as becoming a member takes years of hard work and training as a concierge and extensive knowledge of the city and its area. A concierge who is a member of the Les Clefs d’Or can be recognized by the crossed gold keys they display on the lapels of their uniforms.
Andaz San Diego – a Concept by Hyatt
The Andaz San Diego is a four star award-winning lifestyle boutique hotel. Its location is in the east side of San Diego’s entertainment district, called the Gaslamp Quarter. It is ideally located as a leisure destination where you can relax and recharge. You will find many upscale shops and shopping centers like Horton Plaza and Seaport Village in the area. The Andaz San Diego is also only a few steps away from great restaurants and a vibrant nightlife with many bars and clubs. Because of its central location this hotel is the perfect base for exploring San Diego, its beaches and its surroundings.
At the check-in you will be welcomed with a fresh beverage and the high level of service from the staff of the Andaz San Diego. The creative and artistic design of the hotel is also worthy of note, as the many art pieces and its glossy furniture, with beautiful characteristics such as tall ceilings, wood floors, an edgy wall-length mural, and leather-covered columns stand out as eye catchers.
A must-visit at the hotel is the chic rooftop restaurant and bar with modern regional cuisine and impressive city views. At Friday and Saturday night the music will be turned on and this spot is transformed into a really hip and popular, but still classy, rooftop lounge.
The Andaz San Diego hotel belongs to the best rooftop pool hotels in the city because not only does the rooftop swimming pool have quite a decent size and clear azure water, it also offers a perfect service at the poolside area. During daytime the rooftop restaurant and bar will service the pool area, so you can enjoy their alluring cocktails and appetizing lunches at the poolside.
Other major advantages are the cosy communal firepit, the relaxing lounge chairs where you can sunbathe, or the own private cabanas with even a flat screen television, while being served delicious food and drinks and enjoying the beautiful views over downtown San Diego. There is also a fitness center with modern equipment that is open 24-hours a day so you can stay in shape during your stay. And the WiFi in the hotel is complementary, so that you can stay connected.
The rooms and suites at the Andaz San Diego are all very beautifully decorated, as you can expect from a boutique hotel. Some of the rooms are individually designed with the theme California cool. Whether you will have a bath and/or a shower depends on the room that you choose. Either way you will have a pleasant glass-enclosed en suite bathroom. But even the ones with only a shower will have a nicely designed walk-in rain shower with a built-in speaker system. Spa-inspired bathing products, a hairdryer and bathrobes are present in the bathroom.
Convenient are complementary the snacks and beverages in the mini bar. In your room you will also find coffee with a Keurig coffee machine. Valet parking is offered, but there are also enough other parking lots available near the Andaz San Diego hotel.
Hard Rock Hotel San Diego
The Hard Rock Hotel San Diego is a sophisticated four-star rocker vibe hotel. It is ideally located in the south of the vibrant Gaslamp Quarter near the waterfront, Petco Park and the San Diego Convention Center. The hotel offers free rental bicycles, which is an ideal and fun way to explore the city.
Hard Rock Hotels are famous for their rock vibe and also the San Diego location provides its guests an unique rock star feeling. The hotel is surprisingly inviting whether you are here for business or leisure. In the lobby you can already hear the music and watch music videos. And throughout the hotel you will find all kinds of rock memorabilia. Of course the popular Rock Shop is also in the Hard Rock Hotel. Here you can get your souvenirs to bring back to the people at home or find the right outfit before going out in San Diego.
The hotel is ideally located in the Gaslamp Quarter where you can find many eateries and restaurants in the neighborhood, but for delicious food and drinks you don’t have to look further than the hotel itself, as it has great bars and restaurants inside the building.
MaryJane’s Diner is a restaurant in the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego that offers American style breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night food with a twist of rock. Another restaurant in the hotel is called Nobu. It is a notable high class restaurant where you can enjoy the delicious sushi and the tasty Japanese cuisine.
At its bar, called 207, you can enjoy a wide selection of wines, beers, tequilas and cocktails, but it also offers several premium cognacs, scotches and vodkas. The bar is also the place where you can watch a sports game at one of the television screens, or even go out as this place turns into a club during weekend nights. Atop the hotel is the stylish rooftop bar Float. Whether it’s day or night, from here you will always have a nice view over the Gaslamp Quarter, the harbor and Coronado Bridge. In the afternoon this place gets a more cosy and elegant atmosphere with fire pit. And at night a DJ comes here to turn it into a party place.
Relaxing and recharging is possible In the Rock Spa. It has steam rooms, showers, a zen-like lounge and offers several treatments and massages. And at its fitness center you can work on your body.
As the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego has a great rooftop pool, with fantastic services and stunning panoramic views of downtown San Diego we had to put this hotel in this list with the best rooftop pool hotels in San Diego. During daytime it is the perfect place to relax on the sunbeds or in a private cabana with flat screen tv, while taking a refreshing dive in the pool from time to time. Meanwhile delicious food and refreshing drinks are being served by Float. At sunset the atmosphere at the rooftop pool area changes and becomes the place to see and be seen for the young, the elegant and the beautiful.
The hotel offers several types of rooms, studios and exclusive rock star suites. Depending on the type of room you pick you have a bath and/or a rain shower. The rooms have daring colors and are all stylishly but comfortable decorated with designer furnishings. In the room you will find all kinds of modern features like state-of-the-art lighting, a large integrated flat screen tv and integrated sound system with plug-in and play technology (for iPods or other kinds of devices) and WiFi. A great service is that it is possible to borrow a Fender guitar for free to make some music in your room. And although the hotel is in the Gaslamp Quarter, which is known for having a great nightlife area, you will enjoy a good night’s rest here as the rooms are well-insulated.