"How did it strike you on arrival?Tower23 is a modern boutique hotel in San Diego's youthful Pacific Beach neighborhood. It’s a three-story building with large glass windows, a stark white lobby, and rooms that curve around a chic rooftop deck overlooking the ocean. What’s the crowd like?Guests are mostly couples and groups of friends in their 20s and 30s. They're not there to rage, but they do enjoy a classy night on the town. On to the big stuff: Tell us about your room.There are 44 rooms and suites, ranging from $259 in the winter to $459 in the summer, and they’re all decked out in whites and blues—an aesthetic appropriate for the hotel’s oceanfront location. The design is Marie Kondo meets surfer dude: clean, fresh, and clutter-free. Minimalism and California cool. Book a stay in one of the Surf Pad rooms for excellent ocean views and equally excellent people-watching. We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep.Good news, and not just because you can drift off to the sounds of the ocean. Beds have Tempur-Pedic memory foam mattresses with down pillow-tops. How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that worth a mention?The mini-bars are fully stocked with beer, wine, liquor, sodas, and yerba mate, plus candy bars and savory snacks. Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.They're functional, simple, and clean. Look for Egyptian cotton bath towels, fuzzy robes, and custom bath products. The suites have Jacuzzi tubs in addition to the standard shower. Maybe the most important topic of all: Wi-Fi. What’s the word?Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Room service: What are we looking at here?The 24-hour in-room dining menu is a bit limited, but for a bigger selection, head downstairs to the hotel's JRDN restaurant. The breakfast menu features standards like pancakes and chilaquiles, while the menu leans surf and turf—from a $18 yellowtail roll to the crispy chicken sandwich with sriracha aioli for $16. Weekend brunch is a fun, lively scene, particularly if enjoyed on the restaurant’s sunny patio. Any other cool features we haven't asked about yet?The fire pit on the second-floor deck is the place to be at sunset, preferably with a cocktail in hand. Bikes are available to borrow, so don’t miss taking them for a spin along the boardwalk adjacent to the hotel. What was most memorable—or heartbreaking—about your stay?You must see the sunset from the second-floor deck. Bottom line: What are we coming here for?Beach hotels are usually split between shabby-chic cottages and ultra-glamorous resorts. This is a small, contemporary hotel that hits right in the middle, with a prime location by the beach. Check it out—as long as you're okay with a bit of a party vibe." - Archana Ram
