As one of the hotels near Gaslamp Quarter, Palihotel San Diego has always caught my eye for its boutique charm, Instagrammable aesthetic, and walkable proximity to restaurants, Petco Park, and all that downtown San Diego has to offer. After a busy few weeks at work, I treated myself to a quick, one-night staycation just before Thanksgiving, and wanted to share my full review of the hotel, its amenities, and on-site dining.

I paid for the entire stay (including parking) by myself, so this is not sponsored in any way. Keep reading for my full thoughts, whether or not its worth the stay, and my tips to make the best of your San Diego getaway.

palihotel san diego review

location and neighborhood

You cannot beat the location of Palihotel San Diego. It’s located in the northern area of Gaslamp Quarter, and you’re within a 5-15 minute walk of all downtown has to offer, including Petco Park and the Gaslamp sign. I love that you’re about 3-4 blocks from the true heart of Gaslamp, because you’re a little farther from the noise and crowds, so you don’t feel like you’re in the middle of a circus. That adds to the chill, elevated vibe of Palihotel - it felt like a calm reprieve from the party scene, but you’re not so far that it’s a trek to get back to it.

I’d consider the neighborhood to be pretty safe. You may see a few people loitering, but not to the extent that you feel unsafe. The streets are also relatively clean. You’re across the street from another hotel (Moxy) and what sets Palihotel apart to me is that the main lobby is locked and requires your key after hours; this made me feel safer and is a detail I appreciated.

parking

You can valet on-site for $65. It’s steep, but on par for hotel valet in San Diego. I chose to valet since I was staying overnight and didn’t want to risk a garage, and the valet service was fast, friendly, and safe.

If you don’t want to valet, you have the option of street parking or parking in a nearby garage. Park it On Market is the closest option and is the garage I use for all of my day trips. It’s cheap, easy to navigate, and there’s never any loitering to worry about. I recommend against parking at the Horton Pacific garage because the spaces are super tiny (my car is small and it’s still tricky). Another budget-friendly option I like is 6th and K, though it is the first to sell-out during Petco Park events and a few blocks away from Palihotel.

accommodations and rooms

If you’re looking for a boutique hotels for a San Diego weekend or getaway stay, the rooms at Palihotel San Diego are gorgeous. The decor is on the preppy side (true to their French inspiration), but still cozy. They exclusively use Bellino Fine Linens for their linens and robe, and I found the bed to be comfortable. This is also one of the few hotels I’ve stayed at where I didn’t have to mess with the thermostat - I was perfectly comfortable all evening and the next day. Each room also has a SMEG fridge, mini bar (separate cost for the snacks), and Nespresso coffee machine, though I didn’t use any of it.

I saw a few other reviews online that said the rooms were small. I found my Queen room to be a fair size; there was a big window that gave me lots of natural light, which helped the room feel bigger, but I was able to move around freely without feeling like I had to maneuver around furniture.

If anything, I’d say the bathroom counter was on the smaller side. There was room for my toiletry bag and makeup bag, but I could see it getting cramped if you were trying to share space with someone else. That being said, there is a cabinet near the bed and two nightstands, so you can always store your stuff elsewhere. The water pressure for the shower was nice, and I liked that they offer Diptyque essentials - none of the generic stuff that wreaks havoc on your hair and skin.

My only complaint is that when I arrived to my room, the window in the shower was open (no screen, just open). It wasn’t big enough for anyone to sneak in, and overlooked a rooftop, so I wasn’t worried about it from a safety perspective, but my stay was in November and I didn’t want the cold air to get me sick overnight. When I asked for help (it was jammed open), the front desk attendant told the engineer that I was a solo traveler and needed help. I didn’t like this because it felt like a privacy breach, but I will say that the engineer was extremely helpful and caring. He fixed the issue quickly, and genuinely wanted to make sure that I felt safe and gave me his contact card should anything else come up. So while I didn’t like that the attendant said I was alone, the engineer took it as a reason to go the extra step and look after me a little more.

amenities

You get a lot of standard amenities with Palihotel that you can expect from most hotels nowadays (Wi-Fi, mini bar, smoke-free property), but there are a few extra amenities that makes this boutique hotel shine and sets Palihotel above the others:

Rooftop available from 9am-9pm
Diptyque toiletries
Pet friendly (additional fee)
Nespresso coffee machine and SMEG mini fridge
Bellino robe (can also be purchased if you want to take it home)
Mini candy bar in the lobby
Bigger tables for hanging out on some of the floors
24-hour guest services

Palihotel pays attention to the details, so you can also hear a vibe-y playlist rather than generic background music. This elevates everything and makes you feel like you’re truly on a San Diego weekend getaway, rather than staying at a random hotel. The decor is elevated French, and I’d consider it to be one of the most aesthetic hotels in downtown San Diego.

Oftentimes, what sets a hotel apart to me is the little touches that show they go above and beyond to ensure you enjoy your stay, and for that reason, Palihotel is one of the coolest hotels in San Diego.

offers

Sometimes boutique hotels are expensive, but Palihotel has a few year-round offers to help offset the cost and make your stay more enjoyable. Whether it’s staying 3+ nights and saving 15%, getting a dining credit for their on-site restaurant, or grouping valet parking into your day rate, Palihotel does reward loyalty and I recommend checking out their offer to save.

I did the valet package and not getting that surprise $65 fee after checkout was really nice - I knew my total cost up-front, and was able to enjoy my trip and budget better as a result.

PS: it’s a gamble, but you can get a discounted rate if you book for that night (last-minute opening). You’ll also save more if you book well in advance (3+ weeks) - this is a trick I do for all hotels that I stay at. Just because I have a blog and write reviews doesn’t mean I’m getting anything comped haha.

restored 1912 elevator

One of the most unique aspects of Palihotel San Diego is their old-school restored elevator. Think Titanic with the birdcage metalwork and double-doors - it really was so charming to experience. However, while the elevator isn’t slow, it’s not the most practical to deal with, especially on your own. I used it twice, and then opted for the stairs for the rest of my stay. Little kids will have to be careful to not smash their fingers, but I think they’d enjoy “helping” and experiencing it.

palihotel rooftop

The best part of Palihotel San Diego is the rooftop, hands down. You get gorgeous, near panoramic views the city - from watching planes descend towards the airport, to a tiny glimpse of Petco Park and the Coronado bridge, you can people watch, see the sunset, and chill. The roof has plenty of seating, plus umbrellas for shade if you’re hanging out during the day. I loved the rooftop. The on-site restaurant offers a smaller menu plus drinks, but you’re not obligated to buy anything to experience the rooftop.

As a local, I’m always looking for the best spot to watch the sunset, and if you’re not looking to spend money on drinks or just want somewhere more private and laidback, the Palihotel rooftop can’t be beat. I was traveling alone, but kept thinking that I’d love to bring my parents to hang out for a quiet reprieve from the vibrancy of downtown, or my boyfriend for a downtown San Diego hotel stay.

Open 9am to 9pm daily.

on-site dining

Palihotel San Diego offers one restaurant, Saint James French Diner, which is open for breakfast, lunch, happy hour, and dinner, plus brunch on the weekends. I chose to eat there for Happy Hour and while the menu is small, I’d say it’s one of the best value meals if you want to eat rather than drink. I ordered the Burger Americaine with fries, and it was really, really good. My total ended up being less than $20, so if even if you’re not staying at the hotel but want a nicer sit-down meal later in the day but before dinner, I highly recommend it.

As a San Diego local, I now recommend their happy hour to friends who are going downtown for a night out as it’s a great place to eat for cheap prior to a full night of drinking, especially if you are on a budget.

I did get a little side-eye from the waiter for not ordering an alcoholic drink and keeping my tab relatively small (just the burger, fries, and water), but it’s exactly what I wanted so I didn’t pay much attention to it.

If you’re traveling with kids or picky eaters, the burger will definitely hit the spot (maybe get the sauce on the side) and it’s big enough that two little kids could probably split it. The restaurant vibe is a little more upscale than other nearby restaurants (The Melt, Chocolate Cafe, etc.) but I think that is par for the course with boutique hotels.

is palihotel san diego worth it?

Overall, it’s a great budget-friendly option if you’re looking for a boutique hotel in downtown San Diego. I think the biggest selling point is the rooftop; it’s open to all ages and free to enjoy all day/ evening, whereas other San Diego rooftops are restaurants, bars, or clubs that require a purchase and come with a suggested time limit. My stay was short, but in the future, I could see myself spending a few hours reading or watching the sunset.

The rooms are tiny, but not unbearable, and the bed was comfy. The room was clean, and staff was helpful. As far as noise goes, the hotel doors themselves are loud, but I found my room to be fairly quiet. It overlooked the downtown streets, and I didn’t hear much, but I could see it being a little rowdy after a baseball game.

Pricing in downtown San Diego is naturally at a premium, but I was able to save a little by booking in advance and I recommend that if you can. Parking is a little steep ($65) but the peace of mind that comes with knowing my car is in a secure spot overnight was worth it to me.

for a weekend stay

Highly recommend PaliHotel for a weekend stay. You’re right in the heart of Gaslamp, so you’re within a 5-15 minute walking distance of everything - restaurants, bars, Petco Park, and more.

for couples

I saw a few reviews online that said the room was too small for couples, but I disagree. The bathroom sink area is a little small, but the room itself would definitely accommodate a weekend getaway for couples. I saw a few couples enjoying the sunset on the rooftop, too, as it’s a little more private than some of the other rooftop bars. If I brought my boyfriend downtown, I’d stay here for the roof view plus the proximity to all of our favorite Gaslamp San Diego spots.

for solo travelers

I was a solo traveler for my stay, and oftentimes I do travel solo, so I am extremely picky when it comes to where I stay. I mentioned the little safety hiccup above (front desk attendant telling the engineer I was alone), and while I didn’t love that, I never felt unsafe here. I’d stay here alone again, and found Palihotel to have a family-friendly, small town charm about it. I took the stairs often, and never felt sketched out. The hallways are well-lit, and the other guests were friendly and respectful. The hotel lobby remains locked after hours, so you can also rest easy knowing there aren’t random people wandering around the hotel, hallways, or roof.

for families

Overall, I tend to recommend chain hotels or AirBNBs for families because there are more amenities and it’s overall more convenient for families, especially kids that need to be entertained. The vibe at Palihotel was a little more chill and I think I was one of the youngest guests there during my stay (it was right before Thanksgiving though, so not necessarily school-break time). I’m not sure if they offer cribs for babies; I don’t think the rooms are big enough to add a rollway/ trundle bed, so if you have a larger family I do recommend staying elsewhere. However, the bathroom has a shower/ tub combo which is helpful.

I did see a family with an infant and they struggled a little to get used to navigating the stroller and old-school elevator, but they brought a pack-and-play and said they were enjoying their stay. If you have older kids, I think they’d love the aesthetic of Palihotel and the roof.

palihotel San Diego pros and cons

Pros:

Gorgeous decor
Definitely Instagrammable
Attentive, thoughtful staff available 24-hours
The main lobby door requires a key after-hours, keeping the hotel safer
Rooftop views!
Safe, clean, and overall quiet (especially in a party downtown area)
Walkable to everywhere you want to go
Boutique hotel details, like the candy bar in the lobby
Complimentary Diptyque toiletries in the bathroom (way nicer than the random stuff you get in chains)
Comfy bed
My room faced the downtown street and had incredible natural light in the morning
Pet friendly
Nespresso coffee machine and SMEG fridge in the room

Cons:

Rooms are a little small (primarily the bathroom sink area)
Valet parking is a little pricey at $65 a night (but on par for other hotels in the area)
The 1912 elevator is a lovely touch, but a little impractical - I ended up taking the stairs instead
Doors to the rooms are loud when they close, but I wasn’t woken up by anyone coming/ going during my stay

Palihotel San Diego Review