The 16 Best Hotels Near San Diego's Top Locations

The Intercontinental San Diego is a contemporary boutique hotel that sits just across the street from the cruise port. It’s located in the ever-bustling Embarcadero with easy access to the Gaslamp Quarter, offering lots to see and do in the surrounding Downtown San Diego area neighborhoods.

Of course, the hotel itself is nothing to sneeze at either! Step inside and admire the stylish decor of the lobby and rooms while enjoying amenities like free WiFi, a fitness center and a health club. The InterContinental San Diego has a rooftop pool with an accompanying bar and lounge area complete with fire pits. The views of the San Diego Bay are stunning!

Not only is TownePlace Suites by Marriott San Diego Airport / Liberty Station a mere mile and a half away from the cruise port, it’s also close by the San Diego International Airport, making it an ideal choice no matter how you choose to travel. The hotel shuttle brings guests to and from the airport and many local attractions.

All rooms at this hotel are suites, so you won’t have to worry about cramped accommodations. Make the most of the hotel’s featured amenities during your stay, which include complimentary breakfast, free WiFi, an outdoor pool, a fitness center, and open-air dining on the patio with a fire pit.

The hotel is especially kid-friendly with large rooms and easy access to Liberty Station, a historic former naval center turned into boutique shops, cafes and art galleries featuring green space, San Diego sunshine, bike paths and more!

You can’t stay much closer to the Convention Center than the Omni San Diego Hotel, which is right across the street, and also mere steps away from PETCO Park.

A convenient location is just part of what makes this hotel great though - its amenities include a 24-hour fitness center, babysitting services, business and conference centers, and its own spa.

Be sure to head to the outdoor pool and hot tub to unwind after an exciting day. You can stretch out on a lounge chair and watch the sunset while sampling snacks and drinks from the Terrace Bar.

Hotel Z - A Staypineapple Hotel is only a half-mile walk away from the Convention Center, close enough for convenience but with enough distance that the sounds of the convention won’t keep you up all night.

It’s easy to spot the hotel from anywhere in the Gaslamp Quarter thanks to its brightly colored, pineapple-themed exterior, and the lobby and rooms retain this sense of chic, playful design.

At the Hotel Z, guests can enjoy in-room flat screen TVs, pet-friendly accommodations, high-speed WiFi, and unlimited complimentary coffee and bottled water. You can even rent beach cruisers for some fun at the shore!

Staying by the airport doesn’t have to involve trading comfort for convenience. At the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, take the complimentary shuttle and leave cramped rooms behind as you relax in an expansive, 4-star hotel.

Explore this gorgeous property and everything it has to offer, from multiple on-site options for drinks and meals to large outdoor pools. Guests can stay in shape at the fitness center or hit the spa for some pampering, all while taking in the waterfront view.

Room amenities at the Sheraton include free WiFi, air conditioning, daily maid service, laundry service, and flat screen TVs.

If you’re planning a work retreat or attending a business conference at the San Diego Convention Center, you can’t go wrong with Four Points by Sheraton San Diego - SeaWorld. In addition to its close proximity to the airport, this hotel has an event center with multiple meeting rooms, as well as free high-speed WiFi.

Mix work and leisure at Four Points with the hotel’s fitness center, three restaurants with a breakfast buffet, and outdoor heated pool and hot tub. Don’t forget to hit the bar and lounge in the evening to unwind as well.

If you’re traveling to LEGOLAND California, why not stay in the park itself?

The LEGOLAND Castle Hotel can be accessed right from the park entrance. The resort is full of fun activities for kids, from a free breakfast buffet with character visits to themed rooms, and your stay even comes with early access to the park.

The LEGOLAND Castle Hotel is newer than the neighboring LEGOLAND California Hotel and a bit more upscale, but still has plenty for kids to explore. The resort fee covers in-room coffee makers and mini-bars, TVs, WiFi, and parking.

If you want to stay close to the park without breaking the bank, try the Quality Inn Encinitas Near LEGOLAND. The hotel’s excellent location offers easy access to both the park and many Encinitas beaches to keep the whole family entertained.

This cozy hotel features Spanish-style architecture and plenty of family-friendly rooms. Guests get a free hot breakfast in the morning, free WiFi, air conditioned rooms, a mini-fridge, and access to the outdoor pool and hot tub for fun and leisure. Maid and laundry services are also offered to all guests, providing great bang for your buck.

With easy access to SeaWorld San Diego via shuttle and close proximity to Mission Bay beaches like Mission Point Park and Santa Clara Point, there’s no shortage of ways to spend your day when you stay at The Dana on Mission Bay.

Head to the shoreline for swimming, sailing, and picnicking, and get Go City San Diego pass discounts on surf lessons or gear rentals like paddle boards, jet skis, and surfboards.

Return to the hotel after a fun-filled day to relax with a drink around a fire pit, visit the fitness center, swim in the pool, or hit the spa!

The beautiful natural scenery along the grounds of Paradise Point Resort & Spa is just one of many ways this hotel stands out. Retreat to a tropical paradise on its own private island at this hotel, which offers multiple pools and restaurants, a spa, beach access, a mini-golf course, tennis courts, and basketball courts.

Located right in Mission Bay Park, SeaWorld San Diego is just one of the many things to do nearby. Hit the boardwalk and head down to the shore for beach day activities like kayaking, sailing, windsurfing, and paddle boarding. Don’t forget your Go City San Diego pass for gear rental discounts as well!

Just three miles away from the zoo, The Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter is an excellent spot from which to explore the city.

With an outdoor pool, fitness center, spa services, and incredible bay views from the comfort of your room, this hotel has everything you need to relax in style and rest up between excursions.

The Westin makes it easy to hit many of Downtown’s best attractions, especially other Balboa Park hotspots like the Japanese Friendship Garden and The San Diego Museum of Art. Save on admission with a Go City San Diego pass so you can also explore the Gaslamp Quarter’s vibrant nightlife scene.

Not only is The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows an ideal location for hitting the zoo, the San Diego History Center, and more, it’s also an incredibly classy resort filled with tasteful, modern decor and natural touches.

The centerpiece of The Lafayette Hotel is its Olympic-sized swimming pool and surrounding deck with lounge chairs and a poolside bar. Guests can rent a cabana, or exercise in the fitness center after a gourmet meal at the on-site restaurant. With so many cutting-edge, personal touches, it’s no surprise that this boutique hotel is popular even among celebrities vacationing in San Diego!

Surfing buffs are sure to enjoy Scripps Inn, which offers easy access to Scripps Beach.

This stretch of coastline is a little off the beaten path, meaning fewer crowds, but the wave conditions are still excellent. Rent a surfboard, take discounted surfing lessons with a Go City San Diego pass, or enjoy other beachside activities like sunbathing, swimming, and paddle boarding.

There’s plenty to enjoy about the hotel itself too! Scripps Inn is a cute boutique resort that provides a calm, tranquil atmosphere ideal for relaxation. Standout qualities include free WiFi, a pool, concierge services for booking nearby activities, and of course, beautiful views of the sunset over the Pacific Ocean.

There’s no need to break the bank if you’re looking to enjoy an incredible La Jolla beach day. Immerse yourself in San Diego’s surf culture and feel your worries melt away when you stay at Inn by the Sea, at La Jolla.

This small-scale, budget-friendly hotel still has everything you need to make your vacation truly memorable. Get pampered at the spa, swim in the heated outdoor pool, stay in shape at the fitness center, and take advantage of the free WiFi. Complete with comfortable and clean rooms, Inn by the Sea measures up to many of the more expensive options in the area.

Experience the majesty of a real piece of history when you stay at the Horton Grand Hotel!

This hotel is famous for its classic Victorian architecture carried over from the early days of the hotel back in the 1880s, which can be seen everywhere from the lobby to the ballroom and theater on the property.

In addition to great amenities like a convenient on-site bar and restaurant, free WiFi, a business center, and a kitchenette in each room, the Horton Grand Hotel is a great way to bring the history of the Gaslamp Quarter right to your room.

Located in the city hub of the East Village neighborhood, Andaz San Diego, a Concept by Hyatt is the perfect choice for anyone interested in visiting all of Downtown’s best attractions.

The trendy, boutique Andaz is located near many local breweries and wineries, but you can always head to the hotel’s rooftop for some late-night fun too. Here, enjoy a fitness center, pool, music, cocktails, and daily free wine tastings.

When you’re ready to explore, grab a Go City San Diego pass so you can save when visiting popular nearby sites like the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, Downtown or take a San Diego City Tour when you arrive to get your bearings.