"How did it strike you on arrival?This hotel is located in the East Village, a quickly developing downtown neighborhood with warehouse-style restaurants, hip bars, and baseball at Petco Park. Enter through the brick building and you'll find a spacious lobby with warm woods and modern decor. It's trendy but approachable. What’s the crowd like?The crowd is a mix. You’ll see couples of all ages, families with young children, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and some business travelers. On to the big stuff: Tell us about your room.They're not going for understated here. The decor includes prints, metallics, and pops of purple throughout the spacious, 340-square-foot rooms. The suites feature soaking tubs, outdoor patios, and full living areas. How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that worth a mention?Yep, the mini-bar (dubbed an “honor bar”) offers wine, beer, alcohol, and snacks like gummy bears, as well as corkscrews ($12), intimacy kits ($15), and lip balm ($8). If you forget a razor, your cell phone charger, or other essentials, call down to the front desk—the hotel has them in stock. Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.Oh no. Actually, you’ll probably want to take a selfie in front of the bathroom’s graphic black-and-white wallpaper. If you're staying in the Master Suite, get ready for a regal, spa-like bathing experience with a jet tub. The bath and body products are hotel standard: Atelier Bloem made by MALIN+ GOETZ, set up in dispenser pumps. Maybe the most important topic of all: Wi-Fi. Tell us it's free?Not exactly, but the $25 Daily Facilities Fee (included in the room rate) includes bike rentals and poolside yoga classes in addition to Wi-Fi. Room service: What do we have here?The hotel's upscale JSix restaurant offers in-room dining, but hours are limited. Breakfast is available 7 a.m.–10:30 a.m. on weekdays and until noon during weekends, while dinner is 5p.m.–9 p.m. daily. How did you find the staff?Every staff member gets a gold star, but reception and housekeeping are tops. They've been known to write personalized welcome cards and put out complimentary champagne for guests celebrating special occasions. Any other cool features we haven't asked about yet?Solamar's fourth-floor deck, Upper East Bar, has a heated pool, lawn games, a bar, fire pits, and private cabanas for rent. And on Fridays and Saturdays after 9 p.m., it turns into a 21-and-up lounge. Bottom line: What are we coming here for?It's an ideal jumping off point to a lot of the buzz-worthy things to do in San Diego." - Archana Ram
