The Keating Hotel is San Diego’s first luxury boutique hotel. Built in 1890 by the same architects of the Hotel del Coronado, the five-story Romanesque Revival building went through many transitions over the years from office building to bank to hotel. The original design featured San Diego’s first elevator (which is still operational), steam heat, and spacious floor plans. In 2007, there was a complete redesign by the Italian design house Pininfarina, the world renowned designers of Ferrari, Maserati, and Alpha Romeo automobiles. This was their first foray into designing luxury hotels.
The Pininfarina signature design is Italian sleek. At The Keating Hotel, that means the removal of interior walls in stanzas (guest rooms) and suites to create an open concept loft in each. Resin-sealed cement flooring, exposed brick perimeter walls, blackout shades in lieu of draperies, abundant stainless steel, a blue and grey color scheme for rooms, and a black, white, and Ferrari red color scheme for common spaces all support the clean Italian design. The lobby went through another redesign under the guidance of restaurateur and hotelier Gordon Ramsay on an episode of his show Hotel Hell, in which he also redesigned the Victory Suite.
Who says luxury and green living don’t go together? The Keating Hotel is committed to bringing the most luxurious and sophisticated experience possible to their guests, and at the same time being mindful of the environment. A few of the many steps this hotel takes toward environmental stewardship are using energy saving laundry facilities, providing paperless guest folios, and using LED lighting and eco-safe cleaning products.
Keating Hotel Rooms
There are 35 distinctive rooms in The Keating Hotel that are expressed in two styles of stanzas, Deluxe Stanza with an atrium view and Stanza Vista – a room with a view of the Gaslamp Quarter. Stanzas feature either a Tempur-Pedic California King bed or two extra-long twin beds with Frette Italian Egyptian cotton fine linens and goose down pillows and duvets. Luxurious glass-walled bathrooms include walk-in rain showers by Dornbracht.
All stanzas and suites reflect a sexy chic design theme and contemporary Italian décor. Stanzas and suites have soundproofed windows and white noise machines. Standard amenities for both include mood lighting, dramatic pull-out closets, universal charging outlets, complimentary Wi-Fi, a Bang & Olufsen HD entertainment system, iPod docking station, customizable minibar, Lavazza Italian espresso coffee machines, custom designed robes and slippers, Kerstin Florian botanical luxury spa products, yoga mats, complimentary flip-flops with a map of the area printed on them, and nightly turndown service. In-room dining, laundry, valet, and personal concierge services also are available.
The hotel’s five styles of suites include the standard Chic Loft Suite and four specialty suites, Fresca Spa, Imperiale, Victory, and Macallan. All suites have the same Tempur-Pedic California King beds dressed with the same Frette Italian Egyptian cotton fine linens and goose down pillows and duvets as the stanzas. Enhanced amenities set each suite apart.
If it is a Zen mind or a romantic getaway you’re after, Fresca Spa Suite has its own private atrium that features a steam shower and whirlpool Jacuzzi. An outdoor massage is also available upon request. For social butterflies, the swanky Imperiale Suite may be more to your liking. The one-bedroom corner suite features a social space with wet bar, lounge window seating with views of the Gaslamp Quarter, and an exclusive Alpha Morphosis Jaccuzzi designed by Pininfarina.
The one-bedroom Victory Suite was designed by Gordon Ramsay during filming of his show Hotel Hell. Its design is a departure from the sleek modern lines of the other stanzas and suites, but retains their blue and grey color scheme. It features a seated dining area, stylish grey sofas, lush area rugs, sweeping city views, and has been personally accessorized by Ramsay.
The sophisticated one-bedroom Macallan Suite is the best suited for the whiskey connoisseur, and can come with a personal bartender pouring from a private collection of Macallen Scotch Whiskey, and a professional poker dealer. The décor, which is decidedly masculine right down to the classic Playboy covers that adorn the walls, is done in neutrals and chic cement floors are replaced with gleaming, warm wood flooring. An exclusive copper-wrapped Alpha Morphosis Jaccuzzi designed by Pininfarina sits at one end of the social area.
Keating Hotel Amenities
At The Keating, amenities translates to high-end room extras that you won’t find anywhere else, and all the little touches that the staff and your personal concierge provide. You won’t find a fitness center or pool at this hotel; there is no nightclub or restaurant, but the room amenities and level of service are unsurpassed. Laptop Lounge offers complimentary business services; just ask your concierge. There is unlimited in and out valet parking, complimentary bikes, and the hotel is pet-friendly. An array of in-room spa services including massage, body treatments, and skin care are available to guests as well. Your concierge provides over-the-top personalized service and is your point-of-contact for the best places to eat and drink, and the best activities suited specifically to your taste.
Keating Hotel San Diego Neighborhood
The Keating Hotel is located in a lively section of the Gaslamp Quarter between Hard Rock Café and Coyote Ugly. The hotel is less than a block from the popular Westfield Horton Plaza where you will find the most interesting shops; even if you don’t plan to buy anything, it is fun to just walk around and window-shop this colorful outdoor mall. Stroll down 4th Avenue to Martin Luther King Promenade, then head back to the hotel up 5th Avenue; this is the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter, and you won’t want to miss a thing. Besides the historic buildings with outstanding architecture, bars, eateries, and shops, there are also plenty of cultural opportunities from performances at the House of Blues to the Spreckels Theater to Copley Symphony Hall. You’re also in proximity to the San Diego Convention Center and Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres.
You could have a great vacation without ever leaving the Gaslamp Quarter, but why limit yourself? Seaport Village, Sunset Cliffs, La Jolla Cove, the San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park, Coronado Island, Mission and Pacific Beaches, Mount Soledad; the list goes on and on. There is so much to do and see in America’s Finest City.
Keating Hotel Promotions
The Keating Hotel has a variety of guest packages tailored to whatever you’re in the mood for. Past packages have included the Bed & Breakfast package presented in conjunction with Café 21, perfect for a couple on a romantic retreat. The Girls’ Night Out package features overnight accommodation in the Gordon Ramsay designed Victory Suite, with VIP car service and VIP access to a local club. The Boys Will Be Boys package includes overnight accommodation in The Macallan Suite and similar activities. Amore Mio is the hotel’s ultimate romance package. Dolce Vita is a signature spa package, and Viva Italia is a high-end romance package with overnight accommodation in The Macallan Suite. Check out the package details for all The Keating Hotel’s special offerings.