Empress Hotel – A Greystone Hotel

Guests driving up to Empress Hotel of La Jolla are greeted outside the tan-and-white-striped building by valets, and this is the only type of parking available. The lobby has dark-blue walls and wooden columns plus blue fabric couches and chairs. Fresh floral centerpieces on tables add a classy vibe to the space. The on-site restaurant, Manhattan of La Jolla, has a romantic vibe, with low lighting, brick walls, white table linens, and large oil portraits on the walls. On the weekends, guests can hear live piano music from one of the leather booths. A large, covered patio provides a space to enjoy breakfast in the open air, while outside, cushioned patio furniture offers a place to relax in the sun. The property attracts a mix of business travelers and tourists. 

The hotel is located in a tony, residential area of La Jolla. It’s a short walk to touristy Prospect Street, which is lined with shops and restaurants. The Museum of Contemporary Art is within a five-minute walk, while La Jolla cove is an 11-minute walk. Torrey Pines Golf Course is less than a 25-minute drive, and San Diego International Airport takes around 40 minutes to reach by car.

Rooms at the hotel are modern, with tan walls, wave-patterned carpeting, and tall white leather headboards that brush the ceiling. Teal accents, including bolster pillows, painted tray ceilings, and bed runners, add attractive pops of color. Plantation shutters and photos of the ocean add a seaside vibe. All rooms have microwaves, mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs with premium cable channels, and coffeemakers with Starbucks coffee, plus thoughtful touches such as free bottles of water and turndown service with pillow chocolates. Bathrooms have walk-in showers and magnifying mirrors. Suites are available with whirlpool tubs. 

Empress Hotel of La Jolla provides a free continental breakfast with cereal, bagels, hardboiled eggs, and make-your-own waffles. There’s also a cozy Italian restaurant on-site with a selection of wine and regular piano performances. Coin-operated laundry facilities are available for guests’ use, and two meeting rooms can be rented out for private events. Pets are allowed for a fee, and there's valet parking (but no self-parking) for a fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.