To get an understanding of the style and ambiance of Gaslamp Plaza Suites, you need to know a bit about its San Diego History. The 11-story building was the first skyscraper in San Diego when it was first built in 1913. Dedicated to business use, for the next fourteen years the San Diego Trust & Savings Bank occupied its street level. By the 1950s the 125 office spaces were primarily occupied by doctors, lawyers, importers, jewelers, and photographers. Eventually its primary tenants were jewelers, and it became known as the Jewelers’ Exchange. The elegant building housed the offices of gemologists and jewelers, wholesalers and retailers, buyers and sellers, and importers and exporters.
In 1988, the building, noted for its sophisticated architecture and grandeur was transformed into a 64-suite European-style boutique hotel. Gaslamp Plaza Suites has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places, and as such, the restoration has retained the elegance of its original marble walls and corridors, brass elevators, coffered ceilings with chandeliers, and etched glass windows and doors. Every room in the hotel reflects its original Victorian charm. This hotel is for the traveler who appreciates the sophistication of a historic hotel suite in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter.
Gaslamp Plaza Rooms and Suites
All accommodations at Gaslamp Plaza Suites are individually styled suites. Lower floor mini-suites have taupe walls and muted patterned carpet, double bed, living area with a sofa and flat-screen TV, table and two chairs, and a kitchenette. The color scheme is in shades of blue and tan. Higher floor mini-suites are luxuriously styled with white and tan striped wallpaper, black and tan ornately patterned carpet, shimmery window coverings, and the same furnishings as the lower floor suites plus a writer’s desk and chair. Furniture in all hotel suites is traditional European.
Lower floor one-bedroom corner suites have a living room with sofa, two chairs, flat-screen TV, and bay window with window seat. There is also a small table with two chairs, kitchenette, and a writing desk and chair. The bedroom has a double bed, side tables, a bay window with window seat, flat-screen TV and dresser. The décor is in shades of blue and tan like lower floor mini-suites. One bedroom corner deluxe suites have the same luxurious black and tan décor as other upper floor suites, and the same furnishings as lower floor one-bedroom corner suites, plus two high-back comfy living room chairs, and minus the living room window seat.
“Small” is the operative word in the small studio; it may be uncomfortable for more than one person. It features a double bed and overhead track lighting on the wall (no room for side tables), a small window, a full-length mirror, dresser with a flat-screen TV above it, and a single chair. The décor is similar to other lower floor suites in blues and tans. The studio king has two bedside tables, a bay window with window seat, a table and two chairs, and dresser with flat-screen TV mounted above it; the décor is similar to upper floor suites with luxurious black and tans. Studios are the only suites without kitchenettes.
The one-bedroom double double suites have décor similar to the higher floor mini-suites with heavy fabrics and bold patterns in a color scheme that is primarily black, taupe, and beige. The bedroom features two double beds separated by a single side table, dresser, wall-mounted flat-screen TV, and table and chairs. Living rooms have a sofa, two high back chairs, and flat-screen TV; a kitchenette is between the two rooms.
Updated bathrooms in all suites have bathtubs with tile showers, gold floral wallpaper, hexagon tile flooring, and complimentary spa products. Other suite amenities include a mini fridge, microwave oven, coffeemaker, dinnerware, and silverware in the kitchenette, iron and board, and hair dryer. Some suites are ADA accessible
Note: As with many historic urban hotels in the neighborhood, some guests express concern over street noise, a common side effect of an enviable location.
Gaslamp Plaza Suites Hotel Amenities
Gaslamp Plaza Suites amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi and complimentary continental breakfast on the hotel’s rooftop. There is an additional daily room charge for in-room Wi-Fi. If your appetite exceeds a continental breakfast, consider having a morning juice or coffee on the rooftop to take advantage of the panoramic cityscape. For a list of restaurants offering full breakfasts and brunches near the hotel, check the front desk; they even provide discounts to some of them. You can enjoy valet parking with unlimited in/out for a daily fee that is comparable to San Diego parking garages and lots sans the in/out perk. A 15-person executive conference room is also available. The hotel has an ATM on-site as well.
The Melting Pot
Downtown’s favorite fondue restaurant is located on the ground level of Gaslamp Plaza Suites. They provide multi-course fondue dining in a casually upscale and fun ambiance. Whether it’s a group of friends you’ve gathered together, a special family occasion, or a romantic dinner for two, they have you covered. Diners can choose cheese fondues, salads with housemade dressings, fondue-style entrées – your choice of three items, decadent chocolate fondue desserts, or a combination of four courses. Pair your meal with an extensive list of wines – including four-course flights, specialty cocktails, or craft beer.
Vin De Syrah
When you’re ready venture down the rabbit hole, finding the entrance to Vin De Syrah is your starting point. The spirit and wine parlor on the hotel’s subterranean level has been likened to an Alice in Wonderland experience. There is a video feed of people searching for the entrance that plays on a monitor above the bar for the entertainment of the patrons who’ve already mastered it. You can thank San Diego’s Michael Soriano, the same award-winning designer of Raglan Public in Ocean Beach, Queenstown Public House in Little Italy, and the boutique Pearl Hotel in Point Loma, among others.
Vin De Syrah was an Editor’s Choice and Fan Favorite for fun things to do in San Diego by SanDiego.com.
They serve cocktails, unique beers, and of course an array of wines with small bites, artisan cheeses, and desserts. Friday and Saturday nights they offer wine pairings by candlelight at a 12-foot tasting table. Sundays feature sangria pitchers and happy hour all night. They have in-house musical entertainment by Rouge, eclectic DJs, and relaxing live jazz. Check their website to see what’s happening during your stay.
Gaslamp Plaza Suites San Diego Neighborhood
There is plenty to see and do in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. You’ll discover the rich architectural history and interesting boutiques, lounges, outside patios, and hotels simply walking around the neighborhood. There are plenty of cultural opportunities from performances at the House of Blues to Copley Symphony Hall. You’re also within walking distance of the San Diego Convention Center on Harbor Drive.
Westfield Horton Plaza is a block down E Street from Gaslamp Plaza Suites where you can enjoy a day of shopping and entertainment. Balboa Theatre, a historic venue for live musical performances and plays, and Lyceum Theatre, Home to the San Diego Repertory and Amigos Del Repertory are in Horton Plaza. There is also a comedy club, movie theater, and full grocery store.
If you get hungry while exploring the Gaslamp Quarter, you’ll have an eclectic mix of restaurants to enjoy. Café 21 is a block from Gaslamp Plaza Suites at 5th Avenue and F Street and is the place for Middle Eastern eats. It’s a good choice for either brunch or dinner. Have a classic breakfast or take advantage of the opportunity to try the Azerbaijani Steak Kabob Platter for dinner – steak kabobs, lamb sausage, kufta, and marinated chicken with avocado pesto, beet hummus, black eyed pea hummus, and a rice pilaf.
Two blocks farther down 5th Avenue at Market Street is Searsucker, owned by celebrity chef Brian Malarkey. The restaurant encourages friends to gather and hang out together eating, drinking, listening to music, and having an all-around good time in a relaxed atmosphere created for a social dining experience. No turn and burn here. The menu offers a fresh take on American classics with small plates for sharing and savory entrées like New York strip chimichurri and béarnaise, or scallops with Israeli couscous, almonds, and citrus vinaigrette.
Gaslamp Plaza Suites Promotions
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Gaslamp Plaza Suites TripAdvisor Reviews.
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