HotelChatter

Inside the hotel, guests are presented with a pleasing decor that's definitely chic but at the same time comfortable and actually attainable for your own living quarters.

Initially, we felt almost as if we needed a background in interior design or art and architecture to appreciate the hotel's funky and sometimes quirky decor, such as the trio of ceramic seagulls on the wall just before the elevator bank  or the gothic-inspired candle light fixtures in the lobby. One guest staying there for the first time called to our attention the wall of fez caps and strings of seashells in the JSix restaurant.

Yet being San Diego, the marine life themes throughout the hotel were more familiar and understandable to us. We were, however, thrown a suprise when we inquired about the design and found out that many of the hotel's accents came from a nearby furniture store, Z Gallerie. And sure enough the next day on our shopping trip, the very lamps on our nightstands were on full display in the front window of Z Gallerie. (See pic below.)

The Southwest corner of the hotel offered amazing views of PetCo Park (it's right next door) and the bumping nightlife of the hotel made it feasible to never leave the hotel, especially during baseball season. That is, unless you want to go the new restaurant across the way, Stingaree, which drew a crowd of no less than 100 people outside desperate to get in.

Because the hotel's Jbar is so successful, security is required on the weekend in full force. This means, two guards at the elevator bank inside the hotel. One at the entrance for hotel guests to the JBar and a few more at the non-guest entrance. This is a good sign for Solamar since it means people want to be there at any costs but can be intimidating and slightly annoying for hotel guests to have to keep presenting their room key all the time.

Other cool things about the Hotel Solamar: free overnight shoeshines, funky bathrobes--one in zebra print, the other in leopard print (We confess, we bought one in the zebra print), free wireless, flat-screen TVs, a wine-tasting hour in the lobby, pet friendly and Yoga-enthusiast friendly (they offer in-room yoga accessories to accompany the 24-7 OM Away from Home TV channel.)

Not so cool things: tiny tiny fitness center, $25 valet parking (there are other options nearby that will cost half that price but during peak baseball season forget about even finding a space within 10 blocks), and any room facing the JBar on a weekend night. The area can be loud if you want to get to sleep early.

One final thing about the Solamar. Since its such a cool spot, why can't the logo be a little more hip? It reminds us of a place in Fort Lauderdale that gets heavy traffic only during Spring Break. And given the amazing design quality within the hotel, a new logo just might be in order.

Overall, Solamar gives guests a different hotel experience than what they are used to without forcing them to leave their comfort zone, which is probably their secret to success.

Related Stories:
· NY Times Checks Out Kimpton San Diego [HotelChatter]
· Solamar the Seer Set to Open [HotelChatter]
· Hotel Solamar Reviews [TripAdvisor]

Tags: Hotels

by juliana