San Diego Marriott La Jolla

The huge lobby was redone in a modern decor that blends the right angles of minimalist contemporary furniture with organic elements like tree stumps repurposed as coffee tables. Stone-accented columns rise to a high ceiling strung with pendant lamps that are as much an installation piece as a light source. By incorporating wood panels and fabric curtains around wall dividers, separate spaces are created, lending a feeling of intimacy within the cavernous room. Outside, the street is bland, busy, and lined with office buildings, but the hotel is far enough away from it to limit noise.

La Jolla is an affluent seaside community north of San Diego, home to restaurants, shops, mansions, a famous golf course, coastal bluffs, and a beautiful beach. Situated off busy La Jolla Village Drive, the Marriott La Jolla is within easy driving distance of the University of California at San Diego, Scripps Research Institute, and La Jolla Shores' shopping, art galleries, and restaurants. It's is a 15- to 20-minute drive to the downtown area and 12 minutes to the nearest (La Jolla Shores) beach. Expect 20-minute drives to the San Diego Zoo, the famous Gaslamp Quarter, and San Diego International Airport.

Articulated reading lamps protrude helpfully from the attractive wooden headboards of every bed in the Marriott's 372 renovated rooms. The brand-standard Revive bedding makes for plush sleeping in contemporary surroundings, with patterned carpets invoking an organic texture to what is otherwise a minimalist decor. Artwork featuring landscapes and animals is more reminiscent of computer screensavers than decorative art, but the overall effect is sharp and functional with work desks thoughtfully completed by ergonomic chairs. The bathrooms are bright with accommodating marble sinks in an area separated from the toilet and shower. All the rooms have balconies, but most are too tiny to fit a chair. Mini-fridges, coffeemakers, upholstered chairs with an ottoman, and flat-screen TVs come standard.

The Marriott has two different concierge desks to attend to guests' needs, and there's even a kiosk where guests can check their flight info, a 24-hour business center, and an on-site Hertz rental car office, among other conveniences. Between the 24 different meeting rooms totaling 24,644 square feet of total meeting space, there's no shortage of event facilities, and this hotel is a regular site for both conferences and weddings. For food and drink, there's a bar with great outdoor patio seating around a huge fire pit, and a casual restaurant that has breakfast and take-out options. The La Jolla Social doubles as a restaurant and lounge that offers salsa dancing lessons. Guests will find fees for two different speeds of in-room Wi-Fi access, though the lobby has free Wi-Fi. There are pet-friendly rooms available, but some pet owners may find the fee prohibitive.