A budget hotel in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter
Very close to restaurants and nightlife, as well as the convention center
Charming antique elevators from 1913
Roof deck with lounge chairs and beautiful city views
Cozy, 24-hour restaurant and bar on-site
Rooms have flat-screen TVs and coffeemakers
Free airport shuttle
Free Wi-Fi
Rooms are a bit dated; some are small
Older elevators can be difficult to use with luggage
Tiny gym with two cardio machines
Fee for parking
Built in 1913, this mid-range Ramada Inn retains an old-fashioned look with some antique details, including a pair of 1913 elevators, and original chandeliers and marble stairs. The hotel’s location in the middle of San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter is arguably its best feature, and puts it within stumbling distance of many restaurants, bars, and clubs. The hotel also has its own 24-hour restaurant with a comfortably worn mahogany bar. While the common areas and 99 guest rooms are clean and mostly well-maintained, the overall look of this hotel is a bit dated, with some furnishings that seem a few decades old. The tiny gym is also a throwaway, with just two machines. Prices are good for this part of town, and some guests will appreciate the antique features. Guests seeking a more modern property can try the Bristol Hotel, which often has comparable rates on weekdays.
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Scene
Some antique details and a great roof deck, though a mostly generic, older hotel
The hotel is set in a 10-story red-brick building and has an early 20th-century elegance, fronted by charming lanterns and with fire escapes crawling up the facade. The property tends to attract an older crowd and has some intriguing antique details, including two 1913 elevators with sliding gates -- though, with heavy doors, it can be a struggle getting luggage in and out. The hotel looks like it was last updated a few decades ago, so there’s a mix of old and really-old decor that generally feels more bland than charmingly retro. The lobby is bright and welcoming, though, with framed Moulin Rouge prints, a white tin ceiling, and molded walls, though the blue and gold carpeting could use a refresh. Brian's 24 Restaurant Bar & Grill has a clubby, old-school feel, with a crystal chandelier hanging over the antique mahogany bar, though it’s much more low-key than such opulence would suggest. The roof deck is sparsely decorated with white lounge chairs, along with some tables, chairs, and umbrellas, and is a nice place to bring a drink and watch the sun set.
Location
In the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter, walking distance to restaurants, bars, and attractions
The hotel sits on the slightly grittier side of Sixth Avenue, and is surrounded by other bars and restaurants in the lively Gaslamp Quarter. Most attractions are within walking distance, and there are several trolley and bus stops surrounding the hotel, with a bus departing from Broadway and Sixth Avenue that arrives at the San Diego Zoo in 15 minutes. Nearby attractions include the USS Midway Museum and the Seaport Village shopping and dining complex, which are both about a 20-minute walk. The San Diego Convention Center is a 15-minute walk. It’s also convenient to the Santa Fe Depot train station, which is just under 20 minutes' walk. San Diego International Airport is a 10- to 15-minute drive, and the hotel offers a free airport shuttle.
Rooms
Clean, but with bland, older decor
The hotel’s 99 rooms and suites are clean, but some are a bit cramped. Their generic, dated decor has little of the antique charm of the rest of the hotel. Aside from the old cast-iron radiators; cream-colored walls and blue carpeting, along with framed flowery paintings, the rooms have the feel of a chain hotel. Suites are more specious, with small kitchens that include mini-fridges and microwaves, and seating areas -- though couches and armchairs seem to have been chosen at random. Sinks and vanities sit outside narrow bathrooms with curtained shower/tub combos, some of which are brighter and whiter than others. Standard amenities include coffeemakers and bottled water, small flat-screen TVs, irons and ironing boards, and hairdryers. The window air-conditioning units make a little noise, and the area is somewhat noisy overall.
Features
24-hour restaurant with room service, roof deck, and free airport shuttle
The hotel's 24-hour eatery, Brian's 24 Restaurant Bar & Grill, has an old-fashioned atmosphere, and serves casual American cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with room service available all day and night. The roof deck has lounge chairs and beautiful views of the city, and drinks can be brought up to be enjoyed with the view. The hotel runs a free shuttle to the airport. A business center has a couple of PC desktop computers and a printer, and there is free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. Valet parking is available for an additional fee.
