The Sofia Hotel

I LOVE the Sofia Hotel in downtown San Diego. It's an easy walk from the cruise ship terminal, the train depot, the light rail, and many other locations. One of its many strengths would be all the "little" things they provide---a bag of lavender on bed pillows, a great in-room coffee maker, penny candy at the front desk along with newspapers and more. Amy, one of the hotel leaders, is incredible, responsive, and informative. John, an assistant manger, has a long tenure of the hotel and can share things like the current salad restaurant on the main floor used to be a bus station! This time he gave me a tour of the newly removed seventh floor rooms. They are magical! Photos will convince you of such, but experiencing them will convince you even more. Attention to detail and cost have certainly not been spared on this renovation project. Mind you, I still love the non-renovated rooms, especially the junior suites. All of the day time front desk staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful--especially long tenure Mariana! Thanks, sensational Sofia staff for providing such a magnificent stay in San Diego!!

I enjoyed a lovely stay at the Sofia Hotel. I was in San Diego for a work trip. The location was convenient to our office, many downtown amenities, and the Padres stadium. Their service was spectacular. They got me checked in early, my sink was clogged and they fixed it, they changed out our sheets and replenished towels and coffee, and provided complementary late check out. All of their staff said hi when you walked by them. Their gym got the job done. The rooms were comfy and the water pressure and showers were great. The rooms were very tidy and clean. They had a reasonable rate. I highly recommend and will come back for my next business trip.

The front desk team was really friendly and welcoming, which we appreciated—but unfortunately, that’s where the positives ended. For how expensive this hotel is, our experience was seriously disappointing. While we were out for the day, a large amount of cash was stolen from our bag. The only people with access to the room during that time were housekeeping, which makes it pretty clear where this may have happened. What’s worse is that after looking through other reviews, it’s clear this isn’t the first time something like this has happened at this hotel. That’s incredibly unsettling. We reported it right away and were told the manager would be calling us—yet no one ever followed up. That kind of response (or lack of one) just adds to the frustration and leaves you feeling completely unheard and unprotected as a guest. We travel often and always try to give places the benefit of the doubt, but this felt like a huge violation of trust. You should be able to leave your belongings behind in your hotel room without worrying about them being stolen. Sadly, we won’t be staying here again and I’ll definitely be warning friends and family about this place. It’s just not worth the risk.

Absolutely PHENOMENAL stay in the new upgraded suites! I have stayed at the Sofia countless times since 2010 and this was easily one of the BEST experiences at the hotel. My lady and my son truly enjoyed the restful visit with all the great new features in the suites (including the super cozy beds), and touring around the city we love most. Team members all throughout the hotel always treat us so kindly with each interaction. They make us feel so very welcome. Special thanks to John and Andrea for always extending such great hospitality. Thank you for another wonderful stay! We shall return!

Excellent service! The room was exactly what I was looking for - very comfy beds and easy to get to from where I needed travel. Also very close to the airport. The only downside I would say is that I had the temp set to 67 and it was really humid and warm. I could hear it kick on sometimes, but most of the time it was just really humid. The other downside was that room service cleaned the rooms really late. I would stop by my room at about 3/4pm and it was either not cleaned or still in the process of being cleaned so I had to wait. Room service always did an excellent job! But I've never stayed at a hotel before that cleaned the rooms that late in the afternoon. Even in hotels with this many floors.

The Sofia Hotel was clean and conveniently located, which we appreciated. However, there were several downsides to our stay. There’s no restaurant on-site, which wasn’t a major issue overall, but after a long day of driving and being at the beach, we would have preferred the option to dine in without having to leave the hotel again. The A/C was extremely loud—it made it difficult to get a good night's sleep. The bathroom door offered almost no privacy, as it was partially see-through. There were no complimentary waters in the room, which felt like a small but noticeable miss. Also, we booked what was described as a suite, but there was no door separating the bedroom from the sofa bed. Our daughter could see directly into the bedroom, which defeated the purpose of booking a suite for added space and privacy. Overall, it was a decent stay for the location and cleanliness.

Comfortable beds. Unlimited purified water and coffee. Rooms are small but perfect for 1 or 2 people. Larger rooms can accommodate 4 comfortably. Compare the price to what this hotel offers in comparison to other hotels is a 10 out of 10.

My stay at The Sofia Hotel has come with mixed thoughts. And because of the lack of response from management, I'm going through with this review until and unless someone actually responds to me. I checked in during Comic Con week on Wednesday. I arrived around 11am but I was given a room right away which was awesome. Taylor checked me in and although she was super friendly and sweet, she was also a bit clueless on basic amenities and options from the hotel. This is 100% on the training or management. I asked about wi-fi, she said she didn't know how guests connect. I noticed a comic con shuttle guide, she said she didn't even know there was a shuttle. Why isn't management informing the front desk about these things, especially during the time when San Diego sees the most traffic every year? And just to add onto that - later on I was returning to my room and asked another gentleman at the front desk a few things, and he stared at me as if I was speaking another language. He pointed to the other front desk attendant and said "he can help you". So why are you sitting at the front desk? When I first arrived to my room on the fourth floor, things seemed decent. Until I noticed all the surfaces had a heavy layer of dust that hasn't been touched in weeks. When I hopped in the shower, there was hair all over the bottles and on the walls. This made me start digging some more and I found the bed full of hairs and stains and dirt. The curtains were also absolutely filthy and the fridge wasn't keeping anything cold. I immediately went to complain and yet another gentleman working was kind enough to move me to a renovated room on the 7th floor right away. I was shocked that rooms were available given the event but happy to be moved so fast. This room was definitely new. Clean, brighter, vibrant, and comfortable. The shower was a bit weak but the fridge actually worked and everything else was great. HOWEVER - every time I left and returned to my room, there was a new problem. For 3 days a cleaning cart was left right outside my room door. The elevators constantly had trash kept around them and on top of the trash can - never to be cleaned. I asked at least 4 different front desk attendants at various times for the manager's contact but I was always given an excuse. I sent an email upon my return which was 5 days ago and I still haven't heard back.

Overall great experience. Our room had good view of the city and the staff was friendly. The bed and bathroom were clean and tidy. The shower door was not manufactured to seal so water would leak out when shower.

Do not stay here! A few months ago I stayed at this hotel. However, housekeeping stole items from our room. I went to the front desk and the gal got defensive. When I asked to speak to a manager, she said nobody was available. Finally a manager came up to the room took notes and said they would get back to me and assured me that one of their employees could not have possibly taken anything. We never heard back from management. They did not make it right. There is no accountability if your items get stolen.

Staff and management are extremely disrespectful and dismissive. They claim to be ADA friendly on their website yet refused to allow a disabled person to use their restrooms. Not only that, but they claimed that the bathrooms needed "servicing" when a disabled person dressed in Native American clothing needed the bathroom, yet they let other people use it without question. They also changed their story when confronted about this to say that restrooms in their public lobby was for paying guests only, even though they were not asking anyone else if they were guests.

Nice hotel, small rooms, loud AC unit. Bed was like a rock. Be very very careful of extra fees. I booked through Price Line and was charged a $22 per day resort fee, then the resort charged me another $16.95 Amenities Fee. Now is you booking directly with the hotel they would charge you the 22$ a day fee, but not the $16.95 amenities fee. So they are double dipping if you book with a travel site. That should be illegal. Plus, an outrageous $40 per day to park in a public parking lot next to the hotel. There was also a historic fee on top of everything per night. These fees as quick. I will never stay at this hotel again, even if it was the last hotel room in San Diego.

Note- We stayed here for Comic-Con week, and it wasn't our preferred choice, as SDCC is typically a random assignment. Overall we didn't spend much time in the room anyway, but I wouldn't return to stay here during another visit to San Diego. Pros- Has the essentials: bed, toilet, shower, air conditioning, hair dryer. Bonus points for including a microwave, and mini fridge. Convenient location to the Gaslamp Quarter and about a 10-15min walk to the convention center. Staff is very nice, friendly, and available at the front desk. Small candy/water/fruit provided at the front desk. Starbucks, Chipotle, and TenderGreens food options right next door. Refillable water stations so we didn't have to buy water. Cons- Price not worth the value of the room ($265/night + $40/night parking + tax/fees). Rooms are tiny, walls are thin and dimly lit. The queen 2 person room might have been the smallest hotel room I've ever stayed in. Small bathroom with no space to put personal toiletries or belongings. The mirror/sink/vanity is on the outside of the bathroom (personally not a fan, and washing my hands/face or brushing my teeth over carpet gives me the ick). No restaurant, bar or food available inside/at the hotel. Location is right on the edge of the not so nice part of Gaslamp in San Diego, feels a little unsafe at night.

Quaint, lovely boutique hotel in the Gaslamp District of San Diego. It has a really unique charm to it, being in a historic building, and it's easy walking distance to the Convention Center. Great rates and super friendly staff round out the experience. This was my second time staying here while in town for a conference, and I would definitely stay again!

STAY AWAY, SO FRUSTRATED!!!!! Take pictures of your car before Valeting it. I stayed the weekend to see Sublime at Bayfest and the hotels Valet Service damaged my car. The hotel is not helping in any way and the Valet Service is not taking any responsibility for the damaged to my vehicle. Instead, they have submitted my claim to virtual claim service that is voicemail box. When I look up that address the Virtual company it shows a residential address in Rancho Cucamonga. According to the Valet, the have check-in photos of my vehicle but will not release them. It sounds like everyone is covering their butts. The whole experience sucks.

The hotel itself is beautiful. The lobby is very welcoming and the front desk staff and bell hop were all extremely pleasant. They gave me a free room upgrade based on my VIP status with Expedia. The elevators are tiny and older. It is a good thing there are only 7 floors, so you don't have to wait long. The hallways are dim and give off a horror movie vibe. Once in the room, it was beautiful as well. It had a living room, vanity outside the bathroom, a rain shower and a large very comfortable bed. Some of the lights in the room didn't work and the coffee provided in the room was not good, but otherwise a great room. The area around the hotel is a little sketchy. There were a ton of homeless people and I wouldn't suggest walking around at night. It is a few blocks from bars/restaurants/CVS, etc. I would recommend this place if you had a car or Uber to where you need to go.

Very Historic, good deal and last minute check in. Can't beat that. Pretty cool, I'll be back!

Upon entering the hotel at 10:00pm, I immediately noticed the stained carpet in the entryway. Sadly, the hotel's first impression left much to be desired. Understandably this hotel is an older one the the area. The rooms are in a urban setting so expect smaller than average rooms. The room had both a desk chair and a sitting chair, which the latter seemed like an afterthought as it contributes to making the room feel more cramped. A "city view" is literally of an alleyway and some buildings, even from the third floor. Upon walking to our room, I could hear the sound of running water from the hallway. Funny, I realized it was someone's sink upon opening our own room door. Just goes to show how little sound proofing each room may have. There were stray hairs in the bathroom calling into question the thoroughness of the housekeeping staff. The walls are paper thin as evidenced by the various noises we heard from next door throughout the night. Bring your earplugs! Was going to give this 3 stars but upon checking out there was a slew of fees, including a "guest services" fee. Hey, if you're going to do honest business then fully disclose your fees upfront.

Booked a room w/ Two queen beds months before arriving. Got there, only got one double sized bed. FYI u have to pay $40 to park overnight. Called the Manager as soon as we found out it was one double bed. Manager saw that I paid for two queen beds when I made the reservations on Priceline but for some reason it got messed up. But they didn't have any avail. So we got two double beds instead of two queen beds I paid for. Stayed one night, got up to shower to find 3 public hairs. Two in the shower. One by the bathroom door. So it shows the shower was never cleaned. Which made it this experience even worse was when we checked and I asked for the manager to give feedback, the younger lady that helped us at the front desk called the manager on the phone and was laughing while speaking to him. As if this while thing was a joke. She was incredibly unprofessional. The manager came out and said I would get a refund of the $40 per night u have to pay to park at this hotel. We will not be back.

Stayed here for 1 night, and compared to the Hardrock, this hotel is trash. Valet is pretty much in the street and will run you $50. But if you want to self park, it will cost you $40. Wow, what a difference. There's no bell service. You have to bring your own luggage to the room yourself. I am physically in a wheelchair so this is very challenging with luggage, and I didn't get anyone to offer help. Came into the lobby, and there were 3 ladies at the desk 1 on the phone, and the other 2 just looked fake busy. Waited for about 5 mins to be greeted by the lady who was on the phone. Asked the ladies about Valet, and they know nothing, was told to ask valet. Finally got the key, and I guess this is an old hotel because the elevator was so small that I could barely roll my manual wheelchair in without hitting my knuckles. So if u have a bulky electric wheelchair, dnt stay here. We requested an accessible room, so the room was pretty big. No problem with the room other than the windows are drafty, the walls are thin, and you can hear all the commotion outside. The location is horrible. Literally next door, theres bail bonds and jail. Conveniently, there's a Starbucks right outside the hotel, but I wouldn't roam this area at night if I wanted to go for a little stroll in the area or club hop. Wouldn't recommend or return to this hotel

A nice hotel with a great location in the middle of the city so you can really walk to Seaport Village, little Italy, gas lamp. The people working at the desk were friendly and made it easy. When we returned late at night and there was no parking spots left, we called and they immediately sent an attendant to help open a spot for us. Not great for views from the room but they were comfortable and just fine. I'd return especially for the great location.

Caesar helped me with parking and was so informative, professional, and polite. He really helped me this morning with all the information that I needed on the parking and was very informative and professional.

Enjoyed our stay! Upon checkin we were recognized as booking party VIP and provided all the perks in our reservation, one was a room upgrade. Hotel is in a quiet area. Overall, I liked staying here and didn't think the rooms were small based on what another review said. The bathroom is small, however.

We are in Sofia hotel right now for 2 night .i hate their services they don't care if need anything if you want to to waist your money and put money in the trash the Sofia hotel is the best choice

First let me say that if there was a half star option with Yelp this would be a 4.5 star review. I was in town for the San Diego Half Marathon and was lucky to find this boutique hotel in an amazing area for a solid price. I was greeted by the friendly front office person when I checked in. She was incredibly helpful in helping me navigate where I may want to go during my time in San Diego. In general was greeted anytime I came back into the hotel. The hotel it self has somewhat of a more upscale feel in the lobby, and if you take the stairs to the second floor there are some cool signed broadway show posters decorating the walls. Just was very unique. The room was quaint with a really nice bed, tv, desk, and shower. As a solo traveler it was perfect. For some it could be perceived as a bit small but it absolutely got me what I needed. The location is perfect walking distance to the Gaslamp area. You have plenty of bars, restaurants, and entertainment (Petco Park) within a 5-15 minute walk. Felt totally safe. Also a very quick Uber to Coronado. Parking is 40 dollars a day in a shared lot with the city. The price seems in line with most other hotels in the area. Unfortunately, paying to park is the way of the world these days lol. The only thing stopping me from a five star review is their in house restaurant/bar was closed, due to the ongoing pandemic. While there are plenty of options close by that are open I personally enjoy having something onsite. Also as I completed a half marathon the day of and after it would have been nice to not need to leave my hotel for one meal lol. In fairness though there were a few other businesses in the vicinity also still closed for similar reasons. I certainly hope it is not a permanent closure as at a minimum just having the little bar open would be awesome. I would absolutely stay here again in a heartbeat.

Very nice quaint room, well located to downtown San Diego . I recommend the hotel to all my friends and family.

Perfect location if you're about to embark in the Gaslamp and harbor. We got in early during Memorial Day weekend, and the staff was able to check us in early without hassle - thank you! Very cute boutique hotel. Yes, the queen room is a bit small but we didn't mind at all. It was clean and decently price. The Sofia Hotel doesn't have all the bells and whistles but it was perfect for my stay and centrally located. The staff made our stay extra special. Paid $43 bucks for parking in their back lot. I didn't have issues with parking. Will be back!

Parts of the stay were nice- the small lobby is beautiful; but Honestly - for 300+/night, I at least figured there would be complimentary bottled water in the room (I mean, allegedly that's part of what the resort fee is supposed to address. Right?) and that the room would have more than 10" to walk around the bed. Smallest hotel room I've ever been in, no bathtub - just shower. Parking of 40/night was a voucher for the public lot next door. Meh. The toilet paper holder wouldn't stay connected and there is NO room service nor a restaurant any longer "not since Covid". I was told "it's says so on our website, you can do door dash or Chipotle across the street. uhmmmmm....Some of us book thru other website services. My bad, yo. Won't happen again. The massage was lovely. Again, tiniest room but she did a great job. Wouldn't stay here again for that amount.

Nice place, nice employees. Clean, offered complimentary GS cookies at the front desk. Didn't like that the ice machine was not available on all floors, should have more elevators available, they fit maybe 4 guest at a time. Check out is at 11am but you're paid parking is covered till 1pm, gave us time to walk around a little Longer. It's a historic building and they offer daily tours in the morning. Overall it was a comfortable stay.

The staff are nice but the room was very small and the restaurant was closed. The bathroom kind of felt like an accident waiting to happen with the slick tile floor and no safety bars. Also the air conditioning in the hotel only seemed to work in the lobby and in the rooms.

We stayed here about 3-4 years ago. We finally had guts to get out to have a mini getaway and we liked this hotel the last time, so figured will stay here again. The price is great due to the pandemic. Last time, I didn't notice so many furnitures are so outdated. Outdated is one thing, but the sofa is peeling...it makes me feel like sitting there is so uncomfortable. And they still have the antique ihome alarm/stereo. I had the same one like 10-12 years ago lol the updates should be done ways before the pandemic. Well, right now with the uncertainty, I guess they will never update their stuffs... Good thing is the location of this hotel is close to the heart of the gas lamp and has a lot of places to eat around. But that's about it!

Okay, I have to give my honest review of this hotel. First of all, I believe her name is Kioana, but she was super helpful and as an individual rating, she gets 6 out of 5 stars from me. She was incredible attentive and helpful and made my stay as pleasant as possible. After saying that, my stay here was incredibly inconvenient. First of all, downtown San Diego is super expensive. The Sofia hotel is located in a great location down town within walking distance to all the major attractions. There are convenient stores and a Ralph's grocery story within 5 minute walking distance and there are a few chain restaurants like Chipotle, Panera bread, and Starbucks very close by. Also, compared to other hotels nearby, this place is more affordable (like spending $200 a night compared to $300 a night for the weekend). Knowing that, understands that like any other major city, downtown has a lot of homeless around, and the Sofia hotel is no different. Anytime I left the hotel I was greeted by someone asking me for a dollar. The lobby has very nice decor, very vintage and cozy. I first stayed on the 5th floor. They have a water purifier so you can refill your water bottles which is super awesome and the water tasted fine. The hallways smells kind of weird, kind of like moldy carpet, but the room I was in was very clean and did not smell. The room was small but had everything I needed. The only complaint was the shower door did not close completely so after I showered I saw a lot of water on the bathroom floor (it will get worse BTW). My major problem here is the noise from other rooms. So I came to San Diego for a conference. After attending my conference I came to my room with my neighbor BLASTING the music so loud I could hear it from 100 feet in the hallway. It only got louder as I went to my room. I know it's downtown San Diego and people come here for different reasons but there was no way I could sleep with a rowdy party next door to me when I can easily hear their entire conversation and music. Like, it was so loud it was as if I was in the same room as them. It was loud, like you were in a club loud. I went downstairs and asked for a room change which was done. The only problem was they moved me next to another super noisy neighbor. This guy was so drunk that he passed out with his TV on max volume. I could hear the TV so clearly that I had to tell the front desk if they could ask him to turn it down. I took a shower (about 15 minutes) and notice there was no change with the volume. I then went down and asked them to move me again. Remember, this is the SECOND time I have asked to be move because of a noise complaint. I even had a worker come to the room with me so they could hear the noise as evidence that my complaint was warranted. Just so you know, the second noise complaint was around 11pm, nobody could sleep through this and the employees all seemed super annoyed about my request. What's funny is both rooms I was in were in the corners of the hallway. They knew they had to move me TWICE, which means that I had 3 rooms during my 2 days stay here. Why couldn't you put me in a room with an empty neighbor at that point. Also, in both floors I was on, the majority of the hallways were quiet, the only noise came at the CORNER ROOMS which they kept putting me in. Each room was okay, but after each room, they kept getting worse and worse. The first room was the nicest. The shower door didn't close completely and water leaked to the bathroom floor but that was manageable. The second room they put me in DIDN't even have a shower door LOL. The third room also didn't have a shower door, and all the furniture was older and smaller. So each room got worse and worse. Overall, this place is more affordable compared to other locations around the area but honestly, It was a TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE. The rooms are NOT sound proof. Like not even a little. The hallways smell bad. The rooms are okay but weirdly designed, like please put shower curtains in the room. I don't want to shower and try to use the toilet and have the floor super wet. I really really really wanted to like this place. The front desk worker Kioana was super nice, she remembered my name, and always greeted me nicely, but the inconvenience here and me having to move to 3 different rooms ruined my experience in San Diego. If you read this, please spend the extra money and stay at a different place. ***ALSO, THEY HAVE 2 ELEVATORS BUT 1 ELEVATOR IS BROKE, my stay was Halloween weekend 2022, hope it's fixed by. Ow. FROM REVIEWS I HAVE READ, THIS ELEVATOR HAS BEEN BROKEN FOR A WHILE.....LIKE, CAN YOU FIX IT BY NOW!???? ***THE WI-FI is Free but also slow ***The A/C works fine...Came here during the Fall but like my room cold

The hotel is located in the heart of San Diego. Close to everything. The staff was super friendly. The rooms were quite spacious and very, very comfortable. John, The manager went out of his way to accommodate us and let me keep a couple suits there for a day. We will be back.

First of all thank you Mariana from the from desk for being so kind! Also thank you Amy from management for being so accommodating. I live up north and there was a chance we would get snowed in and they were so understanding and helpful that I don't want to stay in any other hotel now when I visit San Diego! I got a suit the room was a lot smaller than I expected. The rooms were super clean. House keeping responds and delivered quick! Parking is $40 a night but it is walking distance to gaslamp so it works out. Seriously all the girls at the front desk were so sweet!!

I stayed at the Sophia Hotel for my stay in SD. The location is great, with east freeway access, and plenty of shops and restaurants in close proximity. Parking is right behind the hotel at $40/night. My room was clean but small. Daily housekeeping did a great job. I docked a star because my TV never worked and when I went to print out an email, their computer didn't have internet access.

Hands down the best experience I've ever had. First off I want to say extra special thank you to Kiara and Keonira (Hawaiian name I forget how to spell) Kiara went out of her way to communicate with me information about my reservation. She actually called me back when she said she was going to. She followed up with me to make sure my reservation was up to date. She was lovely and an absolutely joy to talk to. My experience was fantastic. The hotel was so cute and very chic. I would absolutely come back here. It's close to down town and a 15 min walk from the pier, we took the birds and it was a lot of fun. They made checking in and out very fast and a great experience. As for kieonira ( again, apologies for the spelling) thank you so much for going out of your way to help me. You were so sweet and kind. Thank you. I love the fact that the staff is like a small family, it's more personable. It's easy to to communicate things to the staff and I can't wait to come back here. Only positive things to stay. The rooms are also really nice.

Not only is this hotel old and run down, they have zero help for bags. I arrived pushing a toddler in a stroller and a handicap mother on oxygen. No help. They also charge $21 a night to use their wife and get housekeeping. When asked for help w our bags downstairs upon leaving, two girls, Martha and Paulina, brought the cart up, but refused to help us!!! Wtf are we paying the extra $21 for ?! Do not stay here unless you are desperate.

Came to this hotel years ago and remembered liking it so was happy to come back for a visit to SD Unfortunately the place seems so run down now. The hallways feel haunted, the rooms are a lot tinier than I remembered (obviously that didn't change, but something to note) and the dark and dingy rooms/hallways just makes me think they're masking poor cleaning. You can also hear conversations of people in rooms next to you, not fun. Parking seems like a common complaint here on Yelp. $40 per night for UNCOVERED, public parking. A racket. This isn't the worst hotel in the world but I'll never be coming back after witnessing the sharp decline in quality

Couldn't sleep. AC extremely loud. Thermostats were locked and wouldn't go lower than 65. Motion detectors is a poor system. Valet is $38/night and the LAZ parking lots nearby are $40 (no in/out) so you might as well valet (with in/out privileges). We put our stuff in the room and quickly head out - only spent about 15 minutes in the room initially and didn't really touch the AC so we didn't realize how noisy it would become later on. We came back around midnight and were in bed soon thereafter. The AC compressor made a constant grinding/motor noise. It was as if there was a gas powered backup generator in the room. We couldn't sleep past 3:30am. Also, the temp is restricted and cannot be set any lower than 65 degrees. That probably wouldn't have been a problem, except that when you get in bed the motion sensors on the thermostats will think nobody's present and reset the temp to 70 or something. Therefore, every so often, I simply threw one of the decorative throw pillows over toward the thermostat so it would trigger the motion sensor. At 3:30am the temp was set at 65, but the room was still 69 degrees. I considered changing rooms, but at 3:30am it was just not practical. After tossing around for a few hours, we decided to leave around 6:30am. On the way out I mentioned to the desk staff that the AC was very noisy and needed attention. I urged him to forward this report to the manager so nobody gets placed in that room until the issue was resolved. The gentlemen waived some sort of $16 service fee. We did enjoy the 2 complimentary bottles of water (per night's stay?) and the coffee and cookies. Unfortunately, the property is showing (and sounding) its age and this visit did not meet our expectations.

Check in states 4pm (extremely late compared to many other hotels) they did not have any clean rooms so they were not able to get me a room until 5pm. I arrived at 10am no early check ins available. And the valet was terrible they lost my car . They could not find it for more than 30mins , come to find out the driver left ours keys inside the car the night before. During checkout they were going to give us someone's else truck! And restaurant in hotel has been closed since Covid. hotel does not have anything to offer! Valet parking is $50 and self parking is $40 ! 4pm check in is false advertisement! Hotel did not offer to give us any accommodation or reduce our price . Valet not trustworthy ! Hotel should reconsider using that company. We saw two car crash no big damages so valet did not tell owner of the car we watch the whole thing . If my car got hit in valet I would want to know !

GEM. WHAT A GEM... a gem amidst giants. This place had olden days, brick character on the exterior, which is absolutely appreciated when everything that is being built around it is shiny, modern, glass windowy (not a word, but true description). PARKING: If you're staying here, just valet. It's the easiest option for $38 a night. Other wise you can drive around and try to find parking. THE HOTEL: BEA.U.TI.FUL. Has tons of character on both inside and exterior. Downstairs you'll find a restaurant, a bar, and a Coffee Bean. The decor when you walk in is bougie Great Gatsby(ish) (another made up word, sorry). The hallways are extra warm so be prepared. THE ROOM: Once you get to your room...STUNNING. the room is not large, but has everything you need. Windows are still original. "It's just right" in the words of Goldilocks. CHECKING IN/OUT: quick and easy. Maybe a 5 minute process, if that. Mention your Yelp check in and get 2 free luggage tags, which i plan to use once I've customized them. The lady behind the desk was informative and pleasant. She made recommendations for breakfast, which we followed and loved (HERB AND EATERY) in Little Italy. LOCATION: couldn't have picked a better spot. 12 minute walk to the pier, 6 minute walk to the Gas Lamp District. CHECK THIS PLACE OUT. REALLY IS IDEAL.

During a recent trip to San Diego; we had a chance to stay at the Sofia Hotel. We have not stayed at the hotel in a few years and it was very nice to go back to a familiar and comfortable hotel for our stay. Under Covid, the hotel does not offer Valet Parking but does have a nearby lot and offers a discounted rate when you pay through the hotel vs paying at the meter. Our check-in was fast and pleasant and the elevators were limited to one party per car which is ideal as the hotel offers a pair of smaller elevators and we were quickly on our floor. The decoration was a nice mix of modern and classic and we always enjoy seeing the artwork which depicts the history of the buildings and surrounding area. Our room had a spacious front room with a desk, chair, television, and ample space. The room also featured a sink and coffee area with a microwave and fridge which came in handy as the Currant Restaurant was closed so we kept a supply of cold drinks on hand. The bathroom had a very spacious and modern shower which had a large shower head and a new-wave drain that used a special tile system vs a traditional drain to clear the water. The bedroom was very comfortable and we had a safe, television, and ample closet space to go with a very comfortable bed. We settled into the front room to watch television while we ate as we picked up dinner prior to our arrival. The television was not able to get a signal and after a few attempts; we had to call down to the Front Desk for help. Within a few minutes, we had a masked staff member in the room discovered the HDMI connection was loose and had the signal back in no time. The television offered a wide range of stations and we had a very relaxing evening and noted the hotel offered a Hydration Station on the floor to get all the water we needed. The local Convenience store on the corner had closed and the closest one was a few blocks away. The weather was considerably cooler than what we had at home and it was almost chilly in shorts and a shirt walking to the store. It did allow me to pass by several new restaurants and shops and it was nice to see people returning to spaced seating at restaurants and some were also taking part in a masked walking tour. We had a very pleasant sleep and enjoyed our in-room coffee while we got ready and watched the morning news shows. Our checkout was very fast and pleasant and the staff was as usual very friendly and efficient. While certain offerings of the hotel were not available due to the restrictions; we still had a very nice stay and wished we had more time but sadly this was a fast trip over to cover an event before returning home. The hotel has a great location as it is very near the Convention Center as well as numerous dining and shopping locations and easy access to the highway so guests can easily make their way to and from the hotel and the numerous attractions in the area. While our stay was short; as travel options start to increase; we look forward to a future stay and do not plan to let such a large gap between stays happen again.

4.5 Stars. This is a historic boutique hotel and the rooms are smaller compared to newer hotels. If you've stayed in older hotels in NYC or SF the rooms are a comparable size. I recommend getting a king size room as my friends room was larger than my queen with loads more counter space. The staff was great (thank you Scott for getting me a better room after I saw my friends king size room) and checking in and out was easy. Valet parking was 50$ a night which is the same as the Marriott and Hilton hotels in the Gaslamp. I would stay again for SDCC or any other event at the convention center. If I was going to stay in my room more or if I shared a room with family I might think about a suite or a hotel with larger rooms.

Stains in the bed and in the pull out bed. Sheets and Mattress cover was clearly not changed or cleaned for a while judging be the stains on them stains on the ceiling. We got back from a night on the town pulled the sheets back on the bed to go to sleep only to find what looked like a bio hazard and when asking the front desk for help Steve was dismissive and said the only thing that could be done was to bring us sheets so we could re make the beds out selves. For 300$ a night I did not expect this at all.

If you are traveling with someone and are sharing a bed, be prepared to be sleeping on top of each other. The website says queen beds but don't be fooled they are doubles. They are also the most uncomfortable beds ever! This is coming from a couple who are on the smaller side, weight and height. Also, expect hidden fees. You think you prepay but surprise there is all of a sudden an amenities fee. 25ish a day. What amenities do you ask you are paying for, not sure since we couldn't find anything but a gym. I could have gone up the street to use the gym for cheaper than that fee. The hotel has a good vibe but I would not stay here unless you get your own bed and are prepared to pay an amenity fee for no amenities.

Dirty. Noticed gross stains on the bedsheets and mattress. Sure the front desk offered new sheets.. but wouldn't change them for us when we asked. A clean room is the bare minimum you expect when you pay for a room. Very disappointed. The manager did address and rectify the issue the following morning.

Only stayed here 2 nights. So, not a lot to check out. Plus, it appears they were dealing with construction issues or remodeling or whatever. Cute little pricey hotel in S.D. Very kind, personable, and helpful service. Pricey. But typical over priced S.D pricey. No valet. Not sure why. But parking was behind the building. Tiny little rooms. Yet, clean and appears they did their best to bring a modern contemporary l to this John hanncock feel. Lol. No complaints here. Clean. Good service. Located minutes of walking distance to restaurants. Beware, lots of homeless camps , if you do decide to walk. Parking is a bit pricey....again, you are in S.D. Basic standard service you expect at a hotel. No bar. No restaurant....however, you do have decent WiFi. Would I stay here again? Nah. Content with the hotel tho? Yeah.

Clean and modern building. Friendly staff and Starbucks on the same block. Elevators come fast.

Experienced the worst customer service at this hotel. I was told there was not a manager on site at 5pm on a Saturday. Front desk attendants were not interested with my issue with my reservation through Booking.com, so I lost out on a room and was not reimbursed. A huge disappointment to say the least.

This is a nice and comfortable hotel with a lot of history. The staff was great and the room was perfect. The bed was comfortable and there is a fridge, microwave and safe for use. There is also a gym on property. Parking lot is located next door. It is also within walking distance to the Gaslamp, Civic Center and restaurants.

Highly recommend! My husband and I booked for a last minute anniversary getaway. I was going to book through a .com site but decided to call the hotel directly which was a better choice. John, the hotel manager, is amazing! Super kind and made our stay a blessing in disguise! He booked the perfect room at an affordable price. The hotel itself is perfect and the room had a city view and exceeded our expectations. It was clean, spacious and up to date. No complaints! The staff at the front desk provided the best customer service ever. Helena is professional, sweet and helpful. She went above and beyond to make us feel welcomed. Raven (cool name by the way!) was always smiling and greeting us as we walked by. John keep up the good work your excellent management skills are reflected in your staff and the beautiful Sofia Hotel! We will definitely be booking again!

I've slept on better mattresses camping. Literally 2 tiny pillows supplied. I expected more for the price I paid.

The cleaning staff and car attendants provided amazing service. The front desk staff was also courteous with the exception of an older member of the evening shift. When we parked in the lot behind the Sofia the first night of our stay, there was not a lot attendant available and the lot was full. We went inside to ask how we should go about parking and the night attendant was extremely rude in his response to our question. He told us a that a lot attendant could help us park but we let him know that there was no lot attendant while we were out there. The rude front desk attendant then snapped back and said, "I already told you that there's a lot attendant that will help you." When a second front desk staff heard our conversation, his colleague then walked us out to help show us where we were allowed to park in the lot. The experience with the above mentioned staff member as well as the cramped elevators left a bad taste in my mouth in what would've otherwise been a decent hotel to stay at for TwitchCon at the San Diego Convention Center

I had a really bad experience with the front desk " Alexandria" . She is not very friendly & she is a liar. I asked for a king size bed close to the elevator, when I got to the room it was only a queen size bed. When I called the front desk why I only have a queen size bed when I paid for a king size bed l, her colleague told me that she I agreed to it. I told her that that is a lie. She did not tell me anything. When I talk to her asking her to switch the room , she said, I can't accommodate you. I told her let me speak to your supervisor then she said let me see what I can do. She switch the room but the key she gave is not working. She had a long face when I told her the key is not working. She is not helpful at all. She shouldn't be working as a front desk.

I have always come across the Sofia Hotel on my weekends in San Diego and I am so happy to have stayed here. It's a nice boutique hotel. The lobby is fairly small, but nicely decorated and check in was efficient and quick. There are two elevators so it may take a while until the elevator comes to your floor. The room is on the smaller end, but it does the job. The bed was comfortable and I slept well. What was weird was the sink was on the outside of the bathroom. A big downer for me was the parking. For valet enter on Front Street. There is also self parking at the rear of the hotel. Location is convenient to the Westfield shopping area and not far from Gaslamp. Overall, I'd stay here again

I had a testy toddler who refused to sleep, we all know the type. I took her up and down the stairs in a futile attempt to tire her out. My ordeal led us to the lobby where I continued to subdue the toddler beast. Throughout the entire ordeal Emily was super understanding and helpful. Despite San Diego's finest patrolling the lobby twice I was allowed to stay alluding to this place is safe... My toddler was allowed to burn her energy out in the lobby while provided with the utmost understanding and courtesy. This place is our favorite place to stay downtown. Thanks Emily for being an excellent hostess and accomdaitng us during that time. My wife and I have always loved the Sofia and this bit of courtesy reinforces why.

Work sent me to San Diego and I stayed here for 5 nights. It was literally my home away from home. And it sure felt like home. Thank you to all the staff that help clean up after me, you should definitely get a raise. The experience was excellent. The front seat staff was overall friendly and kind and greeted me and my coworker every morning as we left and every evening as we returned. Everything was clean and comfortable and was perfect for a single person. Nice desk to study on, comfy bed, nice mirrors, only issue I had was the hot water in the shower was not as hot as I would had liked it. The Hotel is easy accessible to many places like the harbour and restaurants. All 5 nights went well. Since it's in the down town area only issue is all the hobos yelling at night over marijuana or whatever drugs they fighting over. The walls or window was thin and I was on the forth floor so I can hear them outside. But for the most part I slept right through it all. Overall an excellent experience, I don't see why I wouldn't come back to stay here if I ever plan to come back to San Diego.