Top 3 San Diego Hotels According to Travel + Leisure Readers 2025

San Diego is California’s second-largest city, offering an impressive blend of coastal charm and urban excitement. With nearly 1.5 million residents, it retains a laid-back vibe, making it feel more like a coastal village than a bustling metropolis. Enjoying a coffee in the La Jolla area before unwinding on the sandy shores of Marine Street Beach epitomizes the San Diego experience. For those yearning for a vibrant nightlife, the historic Gaslamp Quarter downtown boasts an array of top-tier bars and restaurants. Moreover, neighborhoods like North Park captivate visitors with their mix of cozy coffee shops, taco stands, and craft breweries, beckoning return visits. San Diego provides boundless entertainment for travelers, particularly when they know their preferences and accommodation choices. Consequently, there is no lack of great hotels in San Diego.

How Voting Works

Each year, iBestTravel conducts the World’s Best Awards survey, inviting readers to share insights on their travel experiences. This initiative highlights top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. In 2023, nearly 165,000 readers participated, a significant increase of approximately 25% from pre-pandemic levels, with over 685,000 votes cast across more than 8,500 unique properties.

Hotels were categorized as resort hotels, city hotels, or safari lodges based on location and amenities, and were rated on the following criteria:

• Rooms/facilities
• Location
• Service
• Food
• Value

Respondents rated each characteristic as excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor, yielding average scores reflecting overall guest satisfaction.

What Readers Loved

iBestTravel readers have a fondness for San Diego’s bustling downtown coastline, particularly the Intercontinental San Diego. This hotel’s guests rave about its “outstanding rooms and excellent service.” This No. 2 property boasts a location deemed “perfect,” making it an ideal choice for travelers, including those embarking on a cruise. Regardless of the hotel selected, visitors find themselves just steps away from Petco Park, The New Children’s Museum, and the vibrant atmosphere of the Gaslamp Quarter.

The Winner

Pendry San Diego

Since its debut in 2017, Pendry has defined luxury in San Diego, embodying elevated modern design, impeccable service, and a strong sense of place. The hotel boasts a sophisticated coastal aesthetic, featuring wooden furnishings and soothing blue accents. Its 317-room accommodations are positioned in the lively heart of downtown, ensuring a dynamic atmosphere that thrives well into the night. Guests can enjoy the vibrant ambiance at Fifth & Rose, the hotel bar known for its crafted cocktails and welcoming corner of the lobby. Additionally, the onsite beer hall features vintage games, sports TVs, and an extensive selection of local brews, adding to the communal spirit.

The Full List

1. Pendry San Diego

Reader Score: 95.89

2. InterContinental San Diego

Reader Score: 89.56

3. Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

Reader Score: 84.00