TOWER23 Hotel

"Located in the youthful Pacific Beach neighborhood, this modern boutique hotel splits the difference between shabby-chic and ultra-glamorous, while offering plenty to keep you entertained and a prime location by the beach. Check it out—as long as you're okay with a bit of a party vibe. It’s a fun, laid-back hotel with style. And, really, you must see the sunset from the second-floor deck." - Archana Ram, Beth Demmon

"Just steps from Pacific Beach Park, Tower23 Hotel has embraced its stunning location to the fullest. Modern rooms and suites reflect inspiration from their natural surroundings. A palette of muted colors translates into a tranquil atmosphere, while teak furniture reinforces beach vibes. If you forget anything, sunscreen and baseball hats are available for purchase in the rooms. New-age features such as chromatherapy baths and electronic “Do Not Disturb” signs set the property apart. By day choose from a number of nearby recreational activities, including surfing, golfing, fishing, and jet skiing. Hotel staff can help you arrange more adventurous options such as a hot air balloon ride or a yacht charter. In the evening check out JRDN restaurant for its floor-to-ceiling glass beach lookout. This coveted sunset viewing location is best experienced with a cocktail in hand. Don’t leave too hastily, though; the restaurant serves equally memorable California cuisine in a laid-back setting."

"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

"On the itinerary for San Diego: dinner and drinks at the waterfront Tower23."

"Two months after closing for renovations, JRDN at Tower 23 from local hospitality group Eat.Drink.Sleep. is back in business with a new menu and refreshed digs. Among the changes to the indoor/outdoor beachfront restaurant, including updated furnishings and other enhancements on both sides of the kitchen, is the addition of a sleek glass-enclosed sushi station where its chefs are putting together an array of sushi, sashimi and raw bar dishes, from rolls to build-your-own poke bowls. Executive chef David Warner has also revamped the menu, blending seasonal California cuisine with the flavors of Japanese and Baja. The restructured lineup is designed to be shared family-style, with small shareable plates falling under the categories of “farm, land and water” and entree-sized options that include a multi-eater 40-ounce beef tomahawk steak that comes with flatbread, lettuce cups, sushi rice, pickles, and sauces. Beverages range from Japanese beers to sake and craft cocktails. Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the restaurant will launch brunch service starting March 24 that runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday." - Candice Woo