"Pendry San Diego has 317 rooms and a fresh Southern California design that includes a lobby with Etruscan concrete tile floors and coffered wood ceilings that are a nod to the Spanish influence in San Diego. Amenities include a spa, a rooftop swimming pool and restaurant with a popular weekend brunch, and five in-demand restaurants and bars including Lionfish, serving excellent seafood, and Nason’s Beer Hall, where the burgers are a hit."

"The Guild Hotel, San Diego, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel is another downtown property that’s winning over stylish travelers. It first opened in 1924 as a Navy and Army YMCA and has been transformed into a hip boutique hotel where the former basketball court is now a ballroom. The lobby features a bar, and guests can also look forward to sleek lounges where black-and-white movies play on screens in the background."

"The third downtown hotel on our list is Hotel Republic San Diego, Autograph Collection, near the Gaslamp District and Little Italy and with a youthful, fun vibe. Guest rooms are bright and light, and the third-floor open-air restaurant and lounge, Topside Terrace Kitchen & Bar, is one of the most happening spots in town and known for its excellent cocktails."

"Leaving the main city and looking to the areas surrounding it, Hotel del Coronado, in Coronado, is getting heads to turn. Open since 1888 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977, the legendary property is amid a $400 million renovation that’s debuting in phases. In August, the beachfront resort unveiled a new main entrance and lobby with 21 stained glass windows and updated Victorian-inspired decor."

"In the North San Diego area, about 40 minutes from the city, Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas is a new beachfront resort that’s been especially well received by couples seeking a romantic getaway. Located in the iconic coastal town of Encinitas, it has a barefoot luxury feel and features soft color tones and natural elements such as wood and stone. An oceanfront pool, restaurant serving dishes with sustainably sourced ingredients, and spa—a signature part of the Alila brand—are among the amenities."

"Last up, L’Auberge Del Mar, a beachfront resort in the town of Del Mar, isn’t new, but it just did complete a renovation with a design that combines traditional with contemporary. The transformed lobby has a neutral color palette with tan, taupe, and ivory hues, and the 121 guest rooms have been upgraded with new furniture and carpets."