Palihotel San Diego

I booked this hotel for four nights while attending a conference in San Diego but ended up checking out after just one night. My room had two tiny windows that faced the inner part of the building, with no natural daylight—it felt dark, claustrophobic, and disorienting. I was told all their suites are like this. I was offered a regular room instead, but it was so small my suitcase didn’t even fit properly. There was no closet—just a tray of overpriced snacks and drinks. The sink was right next to the bed, and the shower was incredibly cramped. A bottle of water was $13 with no complimentary water provided. Saturday night was especially rough due to loud club music that kept me awake. The 1913-era elevator barely functions, and the stair layout is confusing. The rooftop was closed the entire time I was there due to private events, which was disappointing. While the location is central, the surrounding area is dirty and club-heavy. I had hoped to grab a late-night bite at the hotel’s French restaurant, but the bar counter was so dirty I chose to go elsewhere. On a positive note, the room decor was stylish, and the staff were friendly and tried their best given the building’s many shortcomings. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to make the stay bearable.

My boyfriend and I stayed here for 4 nights for $1,000. The room was claustrophobic, did not have space to both store luggage and stand, the fridge was full of drinks so there was no room for leftovers, bathroom door had no lock, bathroom had no vent or way to open the windows so we had to vent the bathroom into the room, no toilet paper holder, no windows in the room, and the portable AC was in a huge box suspended 3 feet in the air and constantly made a noise that prevented us from sleeping. The windows are poor noise insulators to the point where we wondered if they were open. The elevators are hard to open by yourself, we ended up helping other people get inside every time we used them. The blanket on the end of my bed seemed unwashed with splotches of something that looked like food. Finally on the third night, after failing to fall asleep after several hours, we had enough and asked for a different room under the assumption that the AC was broken since it wasn't even cooling the room down anymore, and got moved to a room that actually had windows and standing space. The room was still small but honestly I was amazed by how much less claustrophobic it was. I spent the whole trip wishing I paid for the Hilton or Marriot just so I could stand comfortably and was honestly sad that I was given such a small room when the hotel had so many other empty rooms. The experience was more annoying than anything else, but it definitely negatively impacted the quality of my vacation which is disappointing. I'll leave pictures of the tiny room to demonstrate what I mean when I say it was claustrophobic. I am a petite woman and still had to squeeze past the AC box to get into bed. Plus pictures of the dirty blanket, bathroom, and other room. The hotel's style is cute, but with no amenities it's not worth the price or alleged 4-star hotel label.

Me and my boyfriend have been downtown a few times and decided to try out a different hotel and I’m glad we did. This hotel was so cute and different and just so fun. The workers were all very nice and welcoming, the bar/restaurant down stairs had good bloody Mary’s & the roof top bar was so nice and relaxing. The rooms are not big yes.., but it was only for the night and it was still super cute and cozy! Forsure coming back here next time we are in town!😊 Oh and snacks in the room (extra fee of course) but I did try a few and the oat milk chocolate latte was so refreshing!🤤

I stayed here for my birthday over the weekend. Everything was absolutely amazing. It was the perfect distance from everything right right smack dab in the middle of the city. Also, the style the staff was actually really friendly. And they had that amazing style and grace No one bothered us.We had a peaceful chill time on the rooftop, and we got to see the whole city. i just wanted to thank them

Very nice hotel with very clean and cute rooms. However the rooms are VERY small, and are definitely not suitable for more than one person with luggage. Good price and great location so would probably stay here again if I were alone, but likely would not if I were with my partner again. It also gets quite loud at night, but earplugs are provided in the vanity kit. The elevator is fun and unique but also kind of annoying, especially since the stairs are in no way convenient to use as they only go down one floor at a time.

Such a cute, boutique hotel with retro vibes. It feels high end, but also “I’m right at home.” They gave me a dining credit and a free drink voucher for the bar! The staff is very friendly and accommodating. I’ll definitely be back!

The rooms were very clean, quaint and nicely updated. Once it became dark though the constant club music all night made it very difficult to sleep, even with the earplugs. I would probably only recommend staying here during the week when the club seen hasn’t started yet (Friday and Saturday nights) as it was unbearably loud. I just wish this cute hotel was a couple streets off Gaslamp so it was easier to sleep.

My partner and I stayed for 2 nights. The location is as expected it’s in downtown with lots of good choices for food and very close to the beach. However we were very disappointed to find out that during our stay we couldn’t enjoy the rooftop Bar the hotel has after being told one of the nights we stayed it wasn’t going to be reserved. It was the whole reason why we decided to book this hotel. The bartender working in the lobby bar at night had great service through and every drink we ordered came out tasting great.

Great place to stay if you are single or a couple! It is in the Gaslamp district but on the edge. It is a 15min walk from the Amtrak station or the convention center. This historic hotel has been redone and styled very nicely. Not recommended for families as the room was nicely styled and furnished but tiny. In one spot it's hard to squeeze by to get to the bed. I would recommend the move the main night stand to the right side of the bed so you don't have to squeeze by the armoire. The staff is all very nice and accommodating. If you would like ice, you have to request it and they will bring an ice bucket to your room. I was there during a heat wave and this was not great. I did get a room with a great view of the city. The room has a small fridge but it is filled with hotel drinks. The water in the room is $13 so avoid! They do have a nice nespresso machine in the room to make coffee. The best was the lavender tea- yum! I loved the style of the bathroom but again it was small. The drainage was not the best. They have a French dinner on the first floor that has a happy hour and a rooftop bar. Nearby are lots of great places to eat- Prince street pizza has great NY pizza, Tacos el Gordo is very popular for their adobada taco. There is also a very nice by expensive paris bakery. Overall I enjoyed my stay even with the old fashioned elevator and would consider staying again if on my own. I would not come here with my family though.

First off shout out to the staff at this location. Everyone from the valet (Tucker and Alicia) to the front desk ladies (Ryan and Isabelle). We were greeted and made to feel welcome from the moment we got out of the car. There is a story behind this stay. Over 10 years ago we stopped by to check out this location but the rooms were too small for a family of 5. Fast forward and we are seeing Maxwell in concert and decide not to drive back home but to stay in San Diego. My husband always wanted to stay here so I fulfilled that wish. Originally the hotel was owned by Ramada now it is owned by Pali Group. If you've ever been to Paris, this is the vibe you get when you stay at this hotel. They have original elevators from when the building was built, and the interior design is reminiscent to what you can find when you stay in a boutique hotel in Paris. They have a French bistro attached to the hotel as well as a rooftop area. (So sad we didn't get to see it). Room was cleaned and well stocked with wine, beer, spirits, apple juice and Ginger beer. They also provide a nespreso machine for morning coffee or tea. (You have to try the lavender tea it was delicious). They also have an assortment of snacks. Just a side note you are in the heart of the gaslamp so be prepared. There is an 18 year and older night club a few doors down as well as a comedy club. The line gets pretty long for the club, but I will say where our room was located we did not get a lot of noise. (We did notice that the hotel provides ear plugs) I would definitely stay here again. Next time we have to try the attached bistro, because we were told they make excellent hamburgers....

I had high hopes for this stay, but several issues made it a frustrating experience, especially disappointing for a birthday trip. First, the shower didn't drain properly and began to overflow, forcing me to shower in 3-minute increments. I mentioned it to the front desk at checkout and was met with a disinterested "Is that it?" followed by a half-hearted apology without even making eye contact. Also, my room was next to the elevator, so it was noisy all night. The next morning, I discovered earplugs tucked in a toiletry box under washcloths. A quick heads-up from the front desk at check-in would've gone a long way. Speaking of communicating with the front desk, that didn't go smoothly either. When checking out, they told me they didn't have my credit card on file despite already charging it, which I confirmed on my bank statement. I was told they need to run it again, and I could "call back if I got charged twice." After I pushed back and asked them to double-check, they found the charge. It's not the most confidence-inspiring system. Valet service was another low point. Despite texting ahead (to the correct number), they had no record of my request, and retrieving my car took over 30 minutes. Also, while I wasn't expecting over-the-top treatment for my birthday, a simple acknowledgment would've gone a long way, especially since my ID was checked during check-in. Overall, it felt like basic customer care was lacking across the board. The place definitely has a cute aesthetic, but beyond the surface, there's not much to back it up. Note: I already shared this feedback in the email survey they sent me, but it's been weeks, and I haven't heard a peep, so now I feel like I should let y'all know. Maybe the survey went to the same place as the valet text ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

My husband surprised me with a staycation and booked a room at this little cute boutique hotel! Interesting fact: This hotel is so old that the elevators were considered the fastest elevators in Southern California back in 1913. We stayed in the King Suite and were lucky enough to get an upgrade with a city view. While the room was smaller than I expected, it was more than enough room for 2 people plus lots of luggage. If you have time to spare, it's worth checking out the rooftop because the view is stunning. Unfortunately the bar wasn't open due to the time of year but you can order drinks from Saint James and bring them up with you. If I ever need to stay downtown again, I'm definitely booking a stay here!

Quaint boutique hotel on sixth downtown. It's oozing with old school charm and, as such, creeks a little and has occasional basement smells and heck - 95% chance it's haunted. Love it. We got the king suite and it's was super clean, nice and roomy and very comfortable. It also had a great view of the city. There's a small but very well-kept rooftop with great 360 views and a bar. Service was friendly and prompt and you even get a free drink at Saint James Restaurant next door. Bonus points for the lovely freebies they gave my better half for her birthday. Fun stuff.

Recently stayed here for a work event. This hotel is super cute and the staff is super friendly, however if I decide to stay here again, I'm probably gonna have to make sure someone stays here with me. It's a historic hotel built in 1912. It was "renovated" when it reopened as the Palihotel, but a lot of the building remained as is, which helps keeps its charm. For example, the elevator was one of those old school gated elevators. There's definitely charm in this hotel. If you decide to park here, it will be $60 to valet and it takes about 20 minutes to get your car.

Had a great stay here for one night! Hotel is so cute and cozy. The attendant at the front desk gave us a brief history of the building which was really cool. For it being such an old building, it had a really fresh feel. I loved all of the decor. What a little boutique gem! We arrived late in the evening and check in was seamless. I stayed in a king size room and found it to be the perfect size for one person. If I was with someone else, might have felt like a squeeze. However, the room was so cozy. The bathroom, which was just the toilet and the shower was on the small side, but the water gets SO hot here, I had one of the best hot showers of my life. The sink was located on the outside of the bathroom, which took a bit of adjusting at first, but ultimately I didn't mind. The room had a coffee machine, TV, safe, minibar, and included some little toiletries. Bed was SO comfy and so were the pillows. Aside from the overall size of the room feeling a little tight, I loved it. Unfortunately my remote control was broken so working the TV was a bit of a challenge. Not sure if I miseed it, but I would have loved to have had one of those suitcase racks/holders. There wasn't really a good place to put my suitcase that wasn't on the floor. It also was a little bit of a nuisance to hear maintenance people drilling on the shared wall of my room in the morning. Valet was also a bit of a mess as they only had one attendant. Overall, I thought this hotel was SO cute and I absolutely recommend staying here if you are a fan of architecture, I loved all of the little details and felt like they did a fantastic job adding lots of life and color to such an old building.

Stayed here just for a night when I was in town helping out for an event. What a cute spot! The architecture of this building is absolutely beautiful. They keep it locked at night, and you have to be buzzed in to get into the lobby, so even though it was located downtown, I truly appreciated that extra layer of feeling secure at night. Upon checking in, the woman worked told us a little bit about the history of the building which was built in 1912. The floors and walls are all the original from when the building opened, which I thought was incredible that they preserved them. But by far the coolest thing about this boutique hotel is the elevator, which is from 1912! You literally have to push open a door and then push a gate to open it, which is pretty amazing. Because it is the original elevator, it does take a little bit to get to each floor. It may be an older building but they did a great job updating it so it felt modern and cool but still honoring the history of the building. My room was at the end of the hallway on the fourth floor, but I felt like they did a great job with the space. It was definitely a smaller room, but I didn't care, it was just me. I believe I was in a queen bed, but I didn't mind. The tv worked great and they also had some snacks available for purchase inside the room, which also had a mini fridge stocked with some drink options (alcoholic and nonalcoholic). The bed was pretty comfy, which was great! Only thing was my lock on my door didn't work, which I would have preferred because I do like to sleep with that locked, especially as a woman traveling alone. They do have a diner downstairs that is attached and she also mentioned there is a rooftop restaurant as well. Didn't get a chance to go to either but I did walk through the diner the next day and it's adorable! Super cute hotel and I'd definitely recommend if you're staying in this area and want a unique experience!

It was cute little stay there, located in the heart of downtown, walking distances pretty much anywhere. Great options of restaurants and coffee shops, bars. The hotel itself has a very unique style of old school French. But rooms are very tiny, so as shower was too. Cool option for a quick stay, but no more then 2 nights

What a gem! I love this hotel! The staff is amazing! I love the decor too! There is only valet parking so prepare for that. The valet is very nice and they are quick. The restaurant on-site is is super cute and has a daily happy hour on the first floor. The lounge one the top floor is so peaceful and the view is almost hypnotic! You can see the city, Coronado Bridge, the bay, and the ocean! The night audit girl is so happy and just wonderful. She literally malted my bad mood from the hassle from our rental car place and got me into a way better mood. The GM here is super cool too! He stood there and spoke with my husband and me for while. He has such a cool background with military and hospitality! He and my husband spoke military and I related to the hospitality part. I WILL be back to this hotel for sure! I love it here!

My boyfriend and I had high hopes for this hotel but were VERY disappointed with our stay. First off, the elevators in this building are old, tiny and honestly terrifying. Every time we stepped in we felt claustrophobic and unsafe. The doors were also a hassle to get open which is very inconvenient for those with luggage. When we got to our room, we immediately felt the squishy wet carpet beneath us. It stayed damp for the three days of our stay. When we called the front desk to report it they brushed us off with no offer to help. To make things worse the AC was very loud and kept making weird noises all day and night. This made it difficult to get any sleep so we turned it off and dealt with the heat. Valet parking? $65 a night. And to top it off we got charged a random "tourist fee" of $56 which was NOT mentioned during booking. Do yourself a favor and book somewhere else!

Wait til you get on the old school elevator. Place is super cute from the start. A very chic Parisian vibe. They even have a French restaurant next door with drink voucher. Staff is very friendly and accommodating. The elevator shaft takes you to the 1900s.

Excellent budget stay. It is quirky. The elevator is old and quirky. They've updated everything well. It's pretty and very instagrammable. The servers at the restaurant are slow but food and drinks are good. If you're on a budget stay here for sure. It's also right in the middle of all the places we wanted to go: Callie, Youngblood, Noble Experiment, Lola 55, Goldchild, False Idol. We did take an uber to Herb & Wood. I highly recommend all of these places.

SUPERB PROPERTY! I began my stay in the Gaslamp at a different property that was not even close to meeting basic expectations and frankly unsecure. The Pali welcomed us with such class and natural hospitality, we don't remember everyone's name but want to call out Shay at the St. James Diner, Isabel at the front desk and Rosie in Housekeeping. They were beyond lovely and welcoming. THANKS TO THE WHOLE TEAM- WE WILL BE BACK!!

Super cute boutique hotel. Service was amazing. Small rooms but clean and cozy. Only thing to keep in mind is that the elevators are small and very very "old school where you have to pull a very heavy gate where if you're not careful you can seriously hurt your fingers!! Other than that, great place!

Beautiful boutique hotel In the mid of the Gaslamp district. The surrounding area is not the prettiest. There were a lot of unhoused folks at every corner and no parking so Valet only at $58 a day is very pricey. The worse part was having to wait a long time to get your car back. Sometimes the valet doesn't even remember where it was parked. The hotel is charming inside but the old skool elevator almost broke my fingers several times. Also it was very slow. Pricey to stay here and the room and bathroom was cute but tiny. Our AC barely works so it was humid throughout the night which made it hard to sleep comfortably. For the price the value and quality was not there. Great location if you want to be right in the middle of Gaslamp.

My one night stay at the Palihotel was great. There is a trendy and welcoming ambiance about the hotel that embraces the history of the building itself. They are very attentive to client's concerns (if any) and are very customer centric. The views on the rooftop are great for relaxing and sipping on a cocktail/ morning coffee. My advice for parking would be street parking nearby or the parking structure on market st for 15$/day. The elevator may take time but can be overlooked. Also the hotel is a block or two from the going out scene.

Used their promo code for free parking, they charged me for it anyways ($60/day). When asked about the charge, they said they'd have a manager call me to fix it but nobody ever did. Restaurant was pretty good.

Disappointed at my stay. No one was at front desk. Phone was ringing while I was waiting and no one was picking it up. I had to go to valet and let them know I was checking in. Mind you it was not even late. I checked in before 6pm. There was supposed to be a welcome drink and it was not offered to us. Had to call front desk for a robe. I'm a regular at st James and I love the restaurant and decided to have a 2 day stay at Pali thinking that service will be the same. The elevator at the 10th floor even when we opened the gate wasn't opening. Not very happy about this

Stayed 2 nights here while on a work trip to San Diego. This hotel is just so lovely. i feel like i am in paris staying here. the design is stellar- the restaurant, bar, and atmosphere is fabulous. I will be back!

The Pali hotel was one of the nicest hotels we went to as far as style. It was quaint. It had a old world atmosphere. The elevator was built in 1913 and at the time it was the fastest elevator in the world. Not so much right now but it's still charming. You can eat Swedish fish while you wait for the elevator. And I ate more than I ever have. There's a wonderful restaurant downstairs. We had the most amazing French meal of steak and mussels with frites. The service was wonderful throughout the hotel and the restaurant.

If you like the gaslamp district and all of the commotion and screaming homeless people.... Then the area will work for you. The building is exactly described. It has very old elevators that are so hard to work with if you have luggage or anything in your hands because there's a door and a gate you have to hold open. My room was right next to the slamming elevator gate. The room was small but charming and the bed was super comfy. I loved the way the whole hotel looked. I just didn't expect the area to be so crazy. I had to park 5 min away because valet would have been 300.00 for a four night stay! And that's before tipping. No way. There was one male staff member with a K name who was absolutely delightful but everyone else was pretty dismissive and unfriendly. I called the desk to inquire about more towels and was put on hold for 4 mins and then hung up on. When I called back she asked to put me on hold and I politely said "I was just on hold and it hung up on me." Her response was "yeah..... can you hold?" I just hung up. I wish I could remember the workers name with the K. Maybe kearan? I don't know but he was absolutely lovely.

This hotel is so cute it has a vintage feel and cute decor . The elevator is more then 100 years old u have to manually open the elevator door it's pretty cool . They have a restaurant near the lobby that has really good food . We got a drink ticket when we checked in our room . The room is small and cozy with that vintage chic feel so so cute . They had an espresso coffee machine that I enjoyed every morning it was delicious. The restroom was huge and elegant. This hotel even has a beautiful rooftop the views up there are amazing. The parking is $65 a night to park your car but we parked ours in a garage near by called "park it on market it" . They only charge $20 a night for overnight cars . We pulled up dropped off our luggage and parked our car and walked to the Gaslamp .The parking garage was not far like a 2 min walk . Overall we really enjoyed our stay here everything was clean and the customer service was on point . We would definitely stay here again .

This cute little hotel is vintage, but for me, that makes it whimsical. The cost is amazingly budget friendly for it's prime downtown location for a last minute booking during the week. And by prime I mean you can see and hear petco park from the cute little rooftop situation they have. Since the Padres have been playing this week, downtown has been much more active than it typically is in the beginning of the week. Having dinner on the rooftop while fans cheer on their favorite team was nice. The room was very cozy, with a lovely view. My only complaint would be the century+ old elevator that boasts how it was once the fastest, these days the minute ride up and down 10/11 floors was a bit jarring, especially since it's old school to the point of still having a sliding metal door that you have to manipulate in addition to another door that you have to push open before the elevator starts moving again. Back to the room, I didn't have a delux room nor did i have a suite but I sure had a full wet bar in the fridge lol. I have booked suites, delux rooms etc. in other hotels and have never seen anything like this. Plenty of wine, beer, seltzer (alcholic and non) a bottle of champagne (that is extremely overpriced) and some shooters of alcohol. Additionally there is also a very full basket of chips, popcorn, candy bars and other snacks. All for a fee of course, but not terribly priced (only the bottle of rose wine and champagne were wildly expensive). Because I am a very social person, I spent quite a bit of time working from the bar. If you are the type who likes to hang out at the hotel bar, this one is actually much busier than other hotels in the area. There is a big hotel right across the street and another major branded hotel around the corner, I did not see nearly the same amount of traffic in those restaurants that I saw in this hotel. I certainly wasn't the only person working on the road and the lobby is well designed for those of us who do. I appreciated everything about my stay and will bring my husband back so that can he can experience it as well.

Charming... but not quite in the way you'd hope The aesthetic of the hotel was, admittedly, quite charming, like stepping into a vintage postcard. However, the charm ended at the décor. The room was so tiny I felt like I was starring in a remake of Honey, I Shrunk the Guests. The air conditioning had its own personality--sounded like a phone buzzing on silent, but just unpredictable enough to keep me awake, not to mention the hallways smelled like... something old. I still can't pinpoint what. No early check-in, no late check-out--this hotel is on a strict schedule, even if you're not. And the pillows? I folded mine in half, and still felt like I was balancing on a lumpy cloud with a vendetta. Would I stay again? Only if I was competing in a survival challenge. Do yourself a favor and swipe right on a different hotel.

The boyfriend and I were going to a concert and wanted to do a little staycation downtown. You know, stay out late downtown, bar hop, and pretend we're 22 years old again! The Palihotel had an unbeatable location, was walking distance to our concert venue, and was priced right, so I booked a night and we checked in. First impressions walking in the door were WOW! I loved the style of the furniture and the decor. It was very stylized but didn't feel kitchy or cheap. Check-in was a breeze and we made out way up to our room in the old style elevator. Now, when I say old style, I mean it. You manually open the large, heavy door to reveal a gate that you then slide across before entering. Once inside, watching through the gate as you move up and down between rooms is a trip! I know I'm going on and on about an elevator, but it really added to the ambiance and I loved it! Our room was small but perfect for just the two of us for a very short stay. The bathroom finishes were beautiful and everything looked brand new, clean, and was so comfortable. All of the staff we interacted with were very nice. We would absolutely come back for another staycation here and I'd recommend it to my out-of-town friends and family as well!

Our second time/ two years in a row staying at the Palihotel San Diego. The front desk staff are always friendly and do everything they can to accommodate our needs. The rooms are small but have everything you need. You can't beat the location. And this year's stay was even better because their rooftop bar is now open!

Palihotel San Diego is a welcome addition to gaslamp quarter/downtown San Diego from Palisociety. As per usual Palisociety standards, the decor is perfection. The design team did an impressive job with updating the historic Hotel James to create a charming atmosphere with plenty of character. The attached restaurant provides upscale French bistro fare with nice ambiance and excellent staff. Hotel staff were individually great but a little too few of them present, especially during busier times at the hotel to provide more expeditious assistance to guests. The elevators are great the first time you experience them as the idea of riding in the original elevators preserved beautifully since 1912 was nice...including the manual cage to open/close that you don't typically see these days anymore. However, they are glacially slow moving and it take quite a while to grab a ride. Furthermore, the elevators are quite small, resulting in either getting packed in with other guests trying to catch a lift or having to pass it up and wait again. The rooms are quite small but again well appointed and beautifully decorated. Bed is pretty comfortable. The walls are thin and the single pane window was not even completely shut (but was locked in place/immobile) resulting in a lot of outside noise pollution during the night given the hotels central location within gas lamp...lots of police sirens, partying etc. not ideal if you are traveling with young kids or just trying to get some sleep yourself. Bathroom also very small with sink/vanity outside the bathroom in the living space. Overall, this hotel is the perfect hotel for the right travelers who will appreciate staying there. It is cute, quaint, historic, and designed as expected in accordance with Palisociety standards. That said, there are some issues as noted above that may be problematic for some.

Loved this hotel! Highlights for me included the old school elevator, the free gummy bears in the lobby, and having two sets of sinks in the suite style room! Overall a cute boutique hotel right in the bustling Gaslamp district!

The Palihotel is beautiful and charming with a great location at the heart of the Gaslamp. The attached bar, the St. James, had a great bartender (Nikki) and great drinks. Probably the most laughable thing about this "4-star hotel experience" is the insane wait for the $58/night valet. At that price, I'm expecting swift service at the very least, but often we had to wait 30 minutes for our car to be pulled up. On Sunday, it seemed they only had one valet scrambling to help all the checking out guests get their cars. The lobby had many frustrated people waiting and waiting and waiting. We stayed in a King room (non-accessible) and again it was almost laughable how small the room was. I understand this is a boutique hotel, but I should have room to walk forward anywhere in the room. To access the bathroom, we had to walk sideways between the bed and mounted TV casing (pictured) to do so. The AC/fan system was incredibly confusing to use, and the shower indicators for hot and cold water were reversed (when you turn the knob to "hot," the water was cold and vice versa). Our room faced Sixth Street where the noise of the Moxy hotel across the street permeated the room until about 2 am when the bars closed down. I know the location is part of the draw, but investing in better soundproofing for the front-facing rooms would have been a smart use of the hotel's renovation. Overall if you are looking for something beautiful and in a good location, this is it. But due to the problems listed above, think twice before booking.

Stayed for 1 night. I love the old building feel, without the haunted feeling haha they have the old elevators as the main vein to get to the upper floors, unless you don't mind climbing up the stairs. It's not too bad once you get used to the gate slamming a little. All jokes aside, I really loved all the heavy accents and tiles. Truly beautiful hotel. The staff were nice and helpful. It's in a great location to go clubbing.

I really wanted to like this hotel. Unfortunately it was one horrible thing after another. Firstly they advertise that they have parking and when you get there it's valet. The employee checking people is was very sweet but the computer moved VERY slow. The elevators were cute but felt like a death trap. The gate used to secure the elevator was difficult to maneuver and VERY loud (I would hate to be placed in a room next to the elevators as the walls are super thin). There was no trash cans in the room other than the one in the bathroom. The room had two sinks whose faucets were wobbly and looked like they could break. It was very musty in the room and the room had 2 air conditioners, 1 never worked and 1 broke sometime during the night before I checked out and leaked all over the room - it's not fun to place your feet down on soggy wet carpet in the morning. There was no view, out any window. There was also some kind of make up or paint damage to the wall. There is a mini fridge in the room that is unusable. They fill it with drinks they are selling & it is so small there is no way to maneuver the drinks to get food or leftovers in there. Three staff members apologized for the state of the room but no one offered to fix anything. One "went to check" but there wasn't any resolution other than I had to keep the bedroom door shut to maintain a cool sleeping area. It was not worth the price I paid.

The Gaslamps newest hotel! It's a remodel but has everything you need. Definitely worth checking out if you're looking for fun hotel in the middle of San Diego's night life.

Stayed here using some credit card points and unfortunately would not stay again. I believe the king bed was $240 for a night. 4 days prior to our reservation I emailed the hotel asking about the possibility of doing anything special for an anniversary and never got a response. They were able to accommodate early check in which was nice. Parking is a public lot right next door ($$)or $60 valet we opted for that. The guys running valet seemed to be working the other nearby hotels as well and it took over 30 minutes to get the car. When we asked for them to break a $100 bill on check out day (so we could tip them) they responded with "or you could just not break it and tip $100"... the decor is cute but rooms are incredibly small and claustrophobic, the toilet and shower are tiny and the vanity/sink is detached and in the front of the room. The old school elevators are incredibly heavy, pinched me when I had to pull the gate back while simultaneously propping open the door. Even the workers said it's awful and they have gotten hit in the back by them multiple times because of how difficult it is to get your bags in and open/keep open. I feel awful for the cleaning team! The French diner attached to the hotel was the best part with a lovely waitress that was so sweet!

2/5. I, personally, do not recommend this hotel unless you're willing to pay for all of the hidden fees that they don't tell you about upfront. Specifically $188 worth, so the $200 "Hold" is not a hold, it's more of a quick cash grab for them when you're already out the door. So what was originally advertised as a $154 stay turned into a total of $342 stay for 2 nights, if you're willing to spend it then go ahead but it seems to be very misleading and unfortunate. I get it, it's downtown San Diego, it's gonna cost money, but be upfront about what you're going to charge when people check in. Don't place $200 "holds" on cards for, "just in case there's any damages." purposes. But the room was nice, it had a cool vintage feel to it but that was only when we were able to get on the old elevator from the 1920's that took forever to catch a ride on, and if the elevator gets to busy good luck climbing the eight flights of stairs to your room like I did lol. It's just best to get rid of the elevator at this point.

I felt inclined to leave a review, because of the negative ones I read. I found it quite lovely! The staff was super nice, the room was cute and the location was very convenient. First, you should know it is a city. Cities are loud, I did not find this hotel any louder than any other city I've stayed in. Second, it is an older hotel. You can tell that by the photos, but I also took the time to compare room sizes and knew the standard would be too small for my preferences. So, I booked a larger room - The Grand King - and it was spacious and cute and comfy and I was into it. Third, the elevator is very cool. It can be slow, but I think I waited maybe... 4 minutes at most? And that was one time. I took the elevator probably... a dozen times? I think my only gripe is the AC. While there was a remote, it didn't seem to actually do what it says? It beeps... it lights up... the unit lights up... but it didn't get much cooler. I didn't go to the front desk because it really didn't bother me enough, but it was my only annoyance. I also didn't know I'd be charged a resort fee... and didn't honestly feel like there were any resort type amenities. Seemed a bit of a money grab.... But I booked with a third party app and will let them take the blame. Overall, I really enjoyed it! Great overall stay in an older boutique hotel and lots to do nearby!

Despite all the negative reviews, I had a great stay at this hotel. Yes, the valet parking is expensive and the elevator is slow. I don't find either of these things so important that they affected my stay. The hotel was clean, the staff was nice, the rooftop bar is great and the location is more than ideal for a weekend in San Diego. I would definitely recommend staying here and I would personally stay here again.

Nice hotel in a great area, very centric. I stayed for a couple of nights. Very nice atmosphere but unfortunately the TV didn't work; as soon as I noticed I let the front desk know and they told me no one could help me at the moment and same thing with the internet. Honestly I would have expected a better answer or a little more willingness to help.

I enjoyed the staying at Palihotel, the receptionist is so sweet. They have a bar that is only opened on certain days. The only con for me, was the room I got has no windows to see the view outside (street). The interior is beautiful, vintage and feminine

Absolutely charming and beautiful historic hotel... Love love love love loved staying here for the night. Many people are incapable of appreciating the age of the building and how far it's come. Very much renovated with luxury in mind. I Can tell that who owns this hotel has passion for this place. It takes blood, sweat and tears to turn this place into the beauty she is now, I can imagine. I love these types of hotels, and prefer them to the chain hotels. We want to bring our kids back for the night! Great location and walkable distance from everything. Thank you to the kind staff and owner!

Beautiful hotel. Fantastic rooftop view and bar. Free drink ticket upon check in- if you asked for it. The employees in general- valet, front desk, certain French restaurant employees were unfriendly. The rooftop bartender was very friendly- he was the exception. Moments after I entered my room- someone swiped their key and entered my room. I screamed- they left quickly. Not a positive or safe start. Part of the charm of this boutique hotel is its authentic orginal decor- including the elevators. But the elevators are so small- there are only two. And run as slow as if they are the original elevators. They did not feel safe and guests were always waiting in line to use them. The valet sign said $58- which sadly is the going rate in the area. But beware- we were charged more than that amount. The windows in the rooms do not close. If you have a street side room you will hear the activity of the busy street all night. The area surrounding the hotel is very busy with unhoused people. We really wanted to love this place. We do not plan on staying here again.

I am giving this hotel 3 stars as it's new hotel and a work on progress. I stayed here because they are Delta partners and I received about 2000 frequent flyer miles for a very good price. I basically needed a place to sleep for the night. The hotel is super clean and easy for sleep But they offer no extras. The refrigerator is stocked with stuff you need to buy. You also need to buy water. No Coffee with the stay either. At least give guests something.. I don't really need sugary gummies in the lobby.

I am giving this review a two only because the staff was so sweet. This hotel was built in 1912. It is a lovely hotel, however when we stayed there (7/9-7/14), there were many things that were all wrong!!! I really love old buildings and wanted so hard to love this hotel. The room my daughter and I stayed in was small. the bathroom sink is in the bedroom. The TV is on the side wall and hard to watch (also, kept freezing up). The fridge is jammed with stuff and you are unable to use it for leftovers, or anything! Everything cost extra including parking, which is $58 a day for valet! The elevators are archaic and I was stuck in the elevator for about 10 minute, luckily with one of the housemen who called someone. There otherwise was no way to report the stuck elevator! When I told the front desk, they apologized, but nothing was offered. The elevator was also loud, due to a cage you open to get to the door to exit. Every time someone got off the elevator in the night I was rudely awakened due to the loud crash of the cage door! The air conditioner in our room wasn't working when we arrived and days later it was fixed, but it had to stay on to work. So the choice was either freeze, or sweat. Again, no compensation offered! The rooftop lounge was not open. Don't waist your money! We paid $3,000 for no amenities or safety. I have stayed in third world countries with better rooms!!!

stayed at this hotel for a week on a business trip. It is literally the worst hotel I have ever stayed at. The 1912 elevators are dangerous and unreliable (prepare for long waits and the slowest ride) The staff are shockingly apathetic, probably worn out from all the complaints. My work colleague's room smelled of smoke. I asked for a late check out time and was inpolitely refused. (We are fully booked so we need you checked out by 11 am) - I stayed at this nasty hotel for a week, and I have a late flight out of San Diego -they can't give me one extra hour ? Dont eat at the restaurant, there is better food all around. There are many better hotels all around the area, don't settle for Palihotel

Loved the overall vibe at this hotel. So cute and very clean!! I recommend this to anyone who wants to stay in the heart on DT San Diego near the Gaslamp. Parking is a bit inconvenient and you have to make sure you call way in advance for your car to get pulled up for you. And sometimes they will move it back if you do not come down quick enough. But, overall, such a great experience and I loved staying here!

No, just no. They advertise this hotel as a 4 star property which is laughable. One of the elevators was broken with only 1 working so had to wait 15-20 mins just to find out that the elevator is full capacity and still couldn't take it. When you do take the elevator it is extremely dangerous, it hit me multiple times while trying to drag my luggage in while holding it open. No help from the staff either. The room is extremely small even for 1 person, the shower was leaking, the ac was broken, no window, the room smelled like a musty dungeon. I am a small person and barely could turn around in the bathroom. I ended up staying somewhere else the next 2 nights because it was THAT awful. Then I find out that they charged my credit card $80.32 cents the next day after checkout fraudulently which they have no record of. Now I have to figure that out and dispute it with my credit card, the hotel was no help over the phone. This was the worst $250 I ever spent.

I LOVED THIS HOTEL. Do not let the "3 stars" steer you away from staying here!!! PLEASE. I'd also like to share that this remodeled hotel is fairly new.. (which is why I also think it hasn't became a 4 star yet) Any bad reviews about the elevators obviously didn't appreciate the character it gave the hotel. I absolutely loved the vibes from this place. It was clean, the staff was incredibly nice, the bar was awesome, and the breakfast was delicious. Palisociety has an incredible eye for design and I would 110% stay here again. We got the king deluxe suite which comes with a full size pull out couch and the space was perfect. I saw they have a location in San Francisco as well, I will definitely have to check it out.

Hotel itself was great - old school decor, room was clean, and mini bar was stocked with great selection of spirits and snacks. Location however is sketchy.

My room was probably the smallest hotel room I've ever had in my life. It was well appointed aesthetically, but that's about it. The windows looked out directly at a wall and a little dirty landing that had a dirty towel strewn on it. The bathroom was so tiny, that only one person could fit in it at a time. I tried to take a bath and the water came out tepid. There was a small coffee maker in the room, but no tea. Only one of the two ancient elevators were working when we were there and it took forever for the elevator to come and when it did, you had open up an ancient and very heavy gate to get in so if you were carrying any luggage with you, it was quite a balancing act. I bruised my arm on it twice. I tried to go to sleep at 11 PM but the noise and music from the street were so loud it was impossible to sleep until I guess they have noise restrictions at around midnight when the music and chaos cut off.