InterContinental San Diego, an IHG Hotel

"The InterContinental offers a lot within walking distance. By foot, Little Italy is 15 minutes away and the Gaslamp Quarter is about 20. By car, Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo are less than 10 minutes. It may not have beach access, but the harbor's right at the hotel doors, perfect for sunset strolls, a visit to the USS Midway, and the Waterfront Park. Just don't mind the cruise terminal. In a destination like San Diego, the view is everything. So it makes sense that the InterContinental capitalizes on its harbor location with floor-to-ceiling windows (in rooms and even in the fitness center) and a fourth floor pool overlooking the water. That means plenty of prime sunset vantage points, too. This is a waterfront hotel for traditional, no-frills travelers." - Archana Ram, Beth Demmon

"Why did this hotel catch your attention?In a destination like San Diego, the view is everything. So it makes sense that the InterContinental capitalizes on its harbor location with floor-to-ceiling windows (in rooms and even in the fitness center) and a fourth floor pool overlooking the water. That means plenty of prime sunset vantage points, too. The vibe is classy-relaxed SoCal but don't expect much in the way of avant-garde design or decor. What's the backstory?Hey there, sports fans! The hotel occupies part of historic Lane Field, the former home of the Pacific Coast League's San Diego Padres where Jackie Robinson once played (the MLB team now plays at nearby Petco Park). Part of a $217 million bayfront project, the InterContinental shares the former ball field area with Marriott SpringHill Suites-Residence Inn. Tell us all about the accommodations. Any tips on what to book?All 400 rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, a nice touch considering the furnishings leave a little to be desired in terms of style or edge. Rooms come with robes and slippers, mini bars, marble bathrooms, and other standard amenities. Is there a charge for Wi-Fi?The $30 daily amenity fee includes basic Wi-Fi, bottled water, a $25 food credit to the onsite Vistal restaurant, 20 percent off electric bike rentals, and a few other perks. Drinking and dining—what are we looking at?The hotel's food-drink trifecta spans Vistal (Baja-inspired seafood with some meat dishes crafted by lauded local chef Amy DiBiase); Garibaldi (an outdoor "speakeasy" with some Italian plates); and Layover (an aviation-themed rooftop lounge). From this hotel, you're also a quick ride to the restaurant hub of Little Italy, but Brian Malarkey's glamorous ode to Asian street food, Anime, is just down the street and not to be missed. And the service?The beauty of chain hotels is they're usually pretty well-oiled machines. Staffers are friendly, attentive, and get the job done. What type of travelers will you find here?Families, couples, and travelers seeking traditional comforts. What about the neighborhood? Does the hotel fit in, make itself part of the scene?The InterContinental offers a lot within walking distance. By foot, Little Italy is 15 minutes away and the Gaslamp Quarter is about 20. By car, Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo are less than 10 minutes. It may not have beach access, but the harbor's right at the hotel doors, perfect for sunset strolls, a visit to the USS Midway, and the Waterfront Park. Just don't mind the cruise terminal. Is there anything you'd change?More stylish room furnishings, but the views help make up for it. The pool area is a bit small. Bottom line: Worth it? Why?Yes. This is a waterfront hotel for traditional, no-frills travelers." - Archana Ram

"San Diego’s newest speakeasy, which opens at the InterContinental Hotel on Thursday, March 12, pretty much turns the whole concept on its head. Speakeasies are typically small and enclosed, and focused squarely on cocktails, but Garibaldi features 120 seats, a bayfront patio bar, and a full dining experience. Guests with reservations, who will check in by whispering their party’s name and a password into a diving helmet located somewhere in the hotel’s lobby, will be guided to a winding hallway that leads to Garibaldi’s outdoor bar and its indoor dining room, which were formerly used as private event space for Vistal, the InterContinental’s anchor restaurant. Garibaldi’s design, from furniture to art, is inspired by the bright orange fish that’s frequently spotted along the California coast but the food is directly descended from its namesake, Italian founding father Giuseppe Garibaldi. Garibaldi spent nearly 30 years in Sardinia, prompting executive chef Amy DiBiase to do a deep dive into the regional cuisine of the Italian island. Leading a new culinary team that includes Matt Richman (Cucina Enoteca) and Ashley Kato (Morning Glory), DiBiase created a Cal-Italian menu that includes Southern Italian cheeses and local seafood, from fried smelt to crab and fennel salad. The chef, who is known for her prowess with pasta, is introducing classic Sardinian and Sicilian pasta shapes including culurgiones, a traditional dumpling stuffed with potato and pecorino. A bust of Garibaldi sits behind the bar, where food and beverage director Jeff Josenhans is aging negronis in custom-made clay amphoras. Josenhans, who founded the cocktail program at the U.S. Grant Hotel, created a drink list that mainly centers around Italian amaro, drawing from the hotel’s own herb garden for an Old Fashioned infused with myrtle and riffing on Dante’s signature Campari and orange juice-based Garibaldi by offering an optional egg white for extra fluff. Garibaldi will be open from 5:30 p.m. to midnight Wednesday through Friday and 3 p.m. to midnight Saturday and Sunday." - Candice Woo