San Diego is very well known for its beaches, the warm climate, the perfect sunsets, and the seafood restaurants. San Diego is also famous for the San Diego Zoo! You might even remember San Diego from the movie Madagascar - the animated movie in which the zoo animals get washed up on to the beautiful San Diego beaches. Point being, it is an amazing place to vacation with so many fun things to do for free to boot! So, is there anything that could make this happy and happening city better? Yes – themed hotels! We, at Trip101, love hotels with themes, especially when those themes are so unique and so extravagant. So, to add a little more fun to your San Diego holiday, here is a list of some of the best and most exciting themed hotels in San Diego, California.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 07, 2024.
1. The Westgate Hotel (from USD 279)
Featuring a Palace of Versailles theme with handcrafted European-style furniture, tapestries, decors, and Baccarat crystal chandeliers, The Westgate Hotel offers guests French elegance right in the heart of San Diego. Besides the stylish theme, guests can also enjoy top-notch facilities and amenities like an outdoor heated pool, a business center, a full-service spa, a fitness center, and a restaurant. The hotel’s central location in the downtown area makes it easy for guests to access everything San Diego has to offer.
The Westgate Hotel
Address: 1055 2nd Avenue
8.06 km (5.1 mi) from SeaWorld San Diego
2. Fairmont Grand Del Mar (from USD 594)
Make the most out of your San Diego trip by staying at Fairmont Grand Del Mar. This luxurious hotel features wide open spaces with great amenities like a golf course, heated pools, spas, tennis courts, fitness centers, and even scenic trails for hiking. The hotel also boasts a Michelin-star restaurant where you can just unwind and enjoy the sceneries while savoring some of the best dishes in town.
Accommodation-wise, Fairmont Grand Del Mar features 249 luxurious rooms and suites. While the regular rooms are equally chic and comfortable, the suites take it to a whole new level with great amenities like tubs, large balconies and terraces, and spectacular views of the beautiful surroundings.
Fairmont Grand Del Mar
Address: 5300 Grand Del Mar Court
19.58 km (12.2 mi) from SeaWorld San Diego
3. La Valencia Hotel (from USD 509)
La Valencia Hotel is a historical hotel that’s been providing top-notch accommodations since 1926. The Pink Lady, as it’s sometimes called due to the pinkish exterior and Mediterranean-style architecture, is located along the beautiful coastlines of La Jolla. This means that guests can enjoy a panoramic view of the cove and the great Pacific.
It’s more than just its architectural beauty and its scenic views as this iconic hotel is filled with great amenities such as hot tubs, an outdoor heated pool, a poolside bar, a restaurant, a fitness center, and so much more.
La Valencia Hotel
Address: 1132 Prospect Street
10.42 km (6.5 mi) from SeaWorld San Diego
4. Horton Grand Hotel (from USD 618)
Horton Grand Hotel is a comfortable accommodation option located in the very heart of San Diego. This iconic hotel perfectly blends the elegance of Victorian architectural designs and decors and the comfort of a modern urban hotel. Rooms and suites, for instance, are impeccably designed with handcrafted antique furniture and marble-framed fireplaces but they are also packed with modern amenities like free WiFi access, flat-screen TVs, and coffeemakers.
The hotel is also perfect for visitors who want to explore everything about San Diego as it’s conveniently located in the downtown area close to many attractions.
Horton Grand Hotel
Address: 311 Island Avenue
8.54 km (5.4 mi) from SeaWorld San Diego
5. Andaz San Diego - a Concept by Hyatt (from USD 179)
Andaz is a concept hotel by Hyatt located in the heart of the city. The theme in this hotel tends towards the contemporary and modern art. You can see it everywhere – from the paint on the wall to the interior layout, from the hotel room to the gymnasium. It all screams modern art! The rooms are super chic, very well decorated and definitely spacious. The rooftop has a bar-cum-restaurant which overlooks the San Deigo downtown area.
Andaz San Diego - a concept by Hyatt
Address: 600 F Street
8.49 km (5.3 mi) from SeaWorld San Diego
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6. Hard Rock Hotel San Diego (from USD 407)
Like any other Hard Rock Hotel, this Hard Rock in San Deigo is totally based on the rock and roll theme. With rock and roll memorabilia adorning the walls of every room in the hotel, you’re going to love the punk rock vibe. The bedrooms are spacious with such lush decor that you will never want to leave. And if you think it isn’t enough ‘rock and roll’ for you, just head to the bar and have a look!
Hard Rock Hotel San Diego
Address: 207 5th Avenue
8.87 km (5.6 mi) from SeaWorld San Diego
7. Pendry San Diego (from USD 1045)
Are you a total water baby? Do you just love the ocean? If you’re nodding in agreement, then you’re going to love the ocean-inspired color scheme of the hotel. Set in the heart of the historic Gaslamp Quarter, you will literally feel like you’re living on the ocean. The bar and banquet halls are so fabulously done, they both deserve a few pictures. The rooms are chic with a splash of color, which is where modern meets minimalism. Also, this is a pet-friendly hotel!
Pendry San Diego
Address: 550 J Street
8.75 km (5.5 mi) from SeaWorld San Diego
8. Hotel Republic San Diego, Autograph Collection (from USD 269)
The Hotel Republic San Diego has a very rustic yet retro theme going around, and we love it. The rooms are really spacious with cozy beds, and that’s always a good thing. You’ll always see a dash of retro in every corner, especially when you go down to eat the breakfast buffet! Even if you don’t think of this as one of the many themed hotels in San Diego, you’ll still love the place.
Hotel Republic San Diego, Autograph Collection
Address: 421 West B Street
7.63 km (4.8 mi) from SeaWorld San Diego
9. Staypineapple at Hotel Z (from USD 735)
Reasonable rates, especially for the Gaslamp Quarter area.
Complimentary water bar, coffee, and bikes. Dog-friendly with thoughtful extras.
Conveniently situated near the convention center, restaurants, and nightlife.
Abundance of dining options within walking distance. Complimentary cookies and welcome drink.
As the logo suggests, this hotel really loves pineapples which is why the theme here is basically just that! That means you’re going to see a lot of bright and happy yellow tones all around the hotel and your themed hotel room in San Diego. You’ll also see many cute planters which look just like pineapples – talk about keeping with the theme! The rooms are spacious, vibrant and happy. This is a pet-friendly accommodation and a very popular one among travelers who travel with their pets.
Staypineapple, Hotel Z, Gaslamp San Diego
Address: 521 6th Ave
8.68 km (5.4 mi) from SeaWorld San Diego
10. Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa (from USD 899)
The Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa has a very modern and luxurious look, with a hint of Victorian-themed interiors. You’ll be able to spot chandeliers in every room, some really big and beautiful brass mirrors and of course, a fireplace. Think of this luxurious hotel as modern Victorian! The rooms are sleek and very spacious, which makes the place even better. And, there is a private golf course for you to really enjoy your stay. Definitely one of the most luxurious themed hotels in San Diego!
Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa
Address: 5921 Valencia Circle
25.51 km (15.9 mi) from SeaWorld San Diego
11. Cosmopolitan Hotel (from USD 149)
This hotel is a famous and authentically accurate Victorian-themed accommodation in San Deigo. Yet, this is not another modern-meet-Victorian-style hotel. This is a typical Victorian hotel! As soon as you walk in, you’ll understand exactly what we mean. The Victorian-style rooms are so chic yet so simple, it is almost like you have been transported back into the era. Depending on the room you get, you might even get an authentic claw foot bathtub or a special fireplace.
Cosmopolitan Hotel
Address: 2660 Calhoun Street
3.05 km (1.9 mi) from SeaWorld San Diego
12. The Keating Hotel by Pininfarina (from USD 139)
This boutique hotel is set in a Romanesque revival-style property, so if you’re an art history buff or you’re into architecture then you’re going to love your stay here. Keeping with the revival style, you’ll notice the property has wide arches, very thick columns, a lot of decorative pilasters and some pointed towers. The whole hotel is very modern – every room looks like a modern art piece decorated in shades of red and blue. Definitely one of the best-themed hotels in San Diego for a history enthusiast.
The Keating Hotel by Pininfarina
Address: 432 F Street
8.35 km (5.2 mi) from SeaWorld San Diego
Who doesn't love a themed hotel?
If you ask me, I would love to stay in an authentic and accurately designed Victorian-themed hotel. I would even love to stay in the ocean-inspired one. Or maybe in a fantasy-themed hotel in San Diego even? Actually, we think all these themed hotels in San Diego are really cool and interesting. Which one was your favourite?
Frequently asked questions about best themed hotels in San Diego, California
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