San Diego Smart Splurges

Every surface in the David Rockwell-designed hotel (no longer related to the Setai Miami) begs to be touched, whether it’s textured wallpapers, massive ebony columns, or sheets of smooth, dark Moroccan burl wood in the spa. The 22 condo suites, available for rent and purchase, come with Italian kitchens and terraces that look out on the Gaslamp Quarter and, on clear days, Mexico. The spa, restaurant, and pool deck – equipped with an underwater stereo system – will all leave outsiders wanting in.

La Valencia's location alone is nothing short of spectacular: nestled cliffside in the upscale La Jolla neighborhood, the hotel's distinctive gold-domed tower is a prime spot for gazing at stunning sea views and coastal mountain vistas. Opened in 1926, La Valencia evokes a timeless sense of class, recalling the days when moneyed elite and Hollywood luminaries such as Charlie Chaplin and Groucho Marx were among its avid devotees. Modern-day visitors will be just as captivated by La Valencia, however, after walking through the palm-shaded front patio and into the hotel's lobby, where magnificent floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the Pacific. The 117 rooms are all designed with a sumptuous European flair, though some may find them a bit dated. Standard rooms and suites range in size, but are all spacious, and furnished with queen or king beds, floral headboards, gold chandeliers, fringed curtains, and marble bathrooms. The newer, sun-filled ocean villas are the size of one- or two-bedroom apartments, and are lavishly appointed with beamed ceilings, marble floors, hand-painted Mexican tiles, and fireplaces.

After a $75 million renovation, this full-service downtown hideaway attracts the beau monde with its rooftop pool and four-level nightclub. Its attention to detail is what really makes it spectacular: Columns are cloaked in leather, pop-art rugs are on all the floors, and every nook in the lobby is decorated like a stylish lounge. Don’t bring the kids: The guest bathrooms are separated from the bedrooms with a giant window.

This historic landmark evokes an Old World grandeur and ambiance unlike anywhere else in San Diego. For decades, presidents and movie stars alike have vacationed here, and it's not hard to see why: the famous red-roofed resort sits on the Coronado peninsula's oceanfront, its three expansive buildings occupying over 30 landscaped acres. The restored architecture and opulent decor is stunning, with a timeless air and nostalgic nod to decades gone by. Recent renovations (in 2007) have updated all rooms which vary in size and style, but the best, in our opinion, are found in the original Victorian building that dates from 1879. It's here that you'll find rooms with courtyard views – it's a large and beautiful space of manicured lawns, gardens, and colorful, fragrant flowers – as well as chambers with balconies that open up to breathtaking ocean vistas. The new Beach Village at the Del (a kind of hotel within a hotel) offers ultra-luxurious seaside cottages with its own private pool, restaurant and bar, exclusive to Beach Village guests.

Über exclusive and worth every cent, the 35 sleek rooms  and suites here were designed by Pininfarina, the Italian design company behind Ferrari and Maserati. Judging from their abundant use of glossy red paint and leather, they didn’t stray too far from their roots. All 35 rooms   have top-of-the-line Bang & Olufsen A/V systems, Frette linens, and espresso machines; the elevator, which relies on a century-old steam engine , feels like the inside of a car motor.

New rides, more restaurants, and spruced up shows make this classic attraction better than ever. Few know about the Dolphin Interactive Program, where, for an extra fee ($150, plus park admission), guests can suit up and join these amazing mammals in the tank.

Located on the 10th floor of La Valencia Hotel, the Sky Room serves distinctive French cuisine...more

Jutting out over the ocean, Island Prime serves dangerously good cocktails (try the pomegranate...more