Centrally located in the eclectic and kinetic Gaslamp Quarter, Hyatt Hotel’s newest Andaz San Diego location (formerly the Ivy Hotel), which opened this past February, is already making its mark. The newest Andaz hotel in the burgeoning brand’s global family, now with properties in London, West Hollywood and New York City, Andaz San Diego’s recipe for winning over the hearts, minds and reservations of those traveling to the region is brilliant simplicity: offer exceedingly warm, friendly and uncomplicated service amid a distinctive design aesthetic. From my vantage point having recently stayed and played at Andaz San Diego, it is well on its way.

Stay
The distinctive experience begins with a streamlined and refreshingly personable check in process. I actually opted to use the hotel’s convenient Web check-in service, having received an email prompting me to do so the day I was to arrive. This process was extremely quick and easy, and I highly recommend it.

Upon arrival to the hotel, guests are greeted by a host (who interestingly serves as front office, concierge, and bell attendant) who, in the spirit of true hospitality, offers up a tasty herbed bread stick along with a complimentary cup of espresso or glass of wine – a choice of chardonnay or a petit syrah on my date. The host then uniquely uses a handheld device register guests and provide keys without delay. As you head to the elevators, be sure to take in the lobby’s ambiance – a melange of sophisticated neutral-colored fabrics and rustic leather textures punctuated with brilliantly colored pop art pieces – a whimsical design element carried throughout the property.

Andaz San Diego boasts 159 spacious rooms as well as 13 deluxe suites and 4 specialty suites – one of which providing direct access to a private poolside cabana. The room interiors have a contemporary, residential feel with a unisex decor and design sensibility.

The sophisticated hotel rooms feature double, queen, or king beds within approximately 315 square feet of space, each decorated with rich woods, tiles, and fine linens. My room, like all others at the property, featured a functional work space, in-room safe, hairdryer, make up mirror, terry bathrobe, large plasma/LCD television, iPod docking station, tea and coffee maker, a mini-bar stocked with non-alcoholic beverages and snacks (some complimentary), wireless Internet, and unlimited local phone calls.

As mentioned, there are also 17 spectacular suites available. The Andaz Cabana Suite offers fully 750 square feet of luxury where you can go from the rooftop pool and private cabana straight down the spiral staircase and onto the patio. The Andaz Sweet Suite is a one-bedroom suite that spans 800 square feet with an optional second bedroom that can be added as an adjoining room. This suite, which overlooks the downtown San Diego cityscape, offers a decadent living space filled with couture furnishings, contemporary designs, a lavish soaking tub, and a shower that can accommodate many. There is also a living area with sectional sofa, a table with seating for up to eight people, a fully stocked wet bar, functional workspace, and a 50″ plasma television. At a whopping 1,275 square feet, the largest the Andaz Star Suite has, among other premium features, king-sized bunk beds and a fully stocked wet bar along with a separate living space, workspace area, fully stocked wet bar and a 50″ plasma television.

Other hotel amenities include 10,000 square feet of flexible meeting and function space for events, wedding, and other special occasions. Other features include free laptop use in the lounge, a 24-hour fitness center offering state-of-the-art Life Fitness Equipment each with a small integrated LCD monitor, a retail shop, and Cadillac Escalade service. The hotel’s 24-hour in-room dining came in quite handy for my “late night” cheeseburger craving, and I noted how well everything was cooked and presented even through the order was placed well past midnight.

***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above may have been provided at no cost and/or arranged to accommodate this review, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way as per the disclosure policy on our “Legal” page***