W San Diego

Guest review by NYGal, visited July 2007

From NYGal: My fiance and I had just returned from a 6 day stay on a friend's boat (where we got engaged) and we were psyched to be able to sleep on solid ground for the next 4 days. We'd never stayed at the "W" but it was recommended by friends and it's definitely our style.

To start, the friendly, welcoming gentleman who was going to park our car greeted us by opening our car door, welcoming us to the W and grabbing our heavy baggage out of the trunk -- no problem. There were plenty of these guys outside the hotel all wearing black shirts and pants and a bandana holding their salt water soaked locks. Couldn't complain whether dropping off or picking up the car, great.

When we walked in I was so psyched. My initial thought on the decor was I felt like we walked into a hip, high fashion hotel without being nose in the air. High ceilings, wide open airy, and naturally sunlit room with tall windows to the outside. Small bar at the far end with maybe one or two people sitting there -- perfect. Plenty of organized well spaced and comfortable seating with comfy colorful pillows. Whether chilling out waiting for friends or getting a pre-dinner drink this is awesome.

Our hotel room was a bit far down the hallway and the view was nothing special but the room was nice. Bright, colorful, airy, clean. Bed was comfortable, the pillows were way too soft so I requested firmer ones the next day and they weren't that much better. This didn't take away from my experience though. Only thing I would have requested was a magazine with all of the local restaurants and hot spots in it. Bathroom had all these free Bliss products, shampoo, conditioner, body scrub you name it!

I called the spa to request a last minute manicure because after 6 days on a boat and a nice sparkly new ring, my nails were NOT looking good and we were meeting friends for dinner. They were fully booked but happy to oblige and I got an appointment for an hour later with "the best" and they said "she's very quick, she'll have you in and out!" Great, I thought, perfect.

I got there and it was very quiet, it seemed like they were closed. The friendly girl escorted me to this open area with a comfy couch and asked if she could get me a glass of wine. Magic to my ears. I will say it and I hate to say it -- was the worst manicure I'd ever had (and I get one every week). The girl seemed like she'd never filed a nail in her life, and sloooow. Pretty gal but she was not a manicurist. It was a very overpriced manicure that I could have done better myself for free but the wine was good and the spa area was really nice.

The gentleman by the check in got us reservations in a snap wherever we wanted to go which was nice. The maid service impeccable, great. The room service was not quick, waited about an hour and a half but the food was good and the guy who delivered it was really nice.

The beach bar upstairs is awesome and we went back night after night after going out to dinner, loved it! Bartenders very friendly, talkative, efficient. You can walk around as everyone does looking awesome, barefoot in the sand on top of a building. No nose in the air- cool people only. Plenty of space for those who don't want to be in the sand and plenty of outdoor lounge seating, loved it. Friends loved it too. We tried to go to other bars are kept returning to the hotel for the scene right in our very own hotel bar. Goes all night by the way for those party people :)

I was happy we were relatively near a beach because the pool was incredibly small, not a pool scene kinda place so if you're looking to lay out, don't plan on doing it at the hotel. Eight lounge chairs...total. Great service by the pool though. Really pretty gal, short shorts and a cowboy hat -- very San Diego chic. Great drinks, no food.

Being from NY and seeing and chilling at the W's here is great, San Diego W was an awesome experience and I'd recommend it to friends. Very cool place, simple, sophisticated yet fun and lively decor.

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