The Sofia Hotel in San Diego, CA

Great hotel and location. Very easy to get to many locations, four or five blocks from the Sante Fe train station. Room we had (corner king suite) was recently renovated and was very comfortable, clean and quiet. Price we paid was very fair for downtown! A pick up Starbucks location is right off of the lobby and soon to have a restaurant, but an SD restaurants are plentiful.

The location and parking were terrible. There's supposedly a discount for the parking but I was not informed when I asked the front desk. The room was nice and appeared clean. Although, a proper door on the bathroom would have been good. If you have a car, I'd recommend staying somewhere with actual parking as it's over $40 per 10 hours.

Very nice, well located historic hotel with ambience and charm. Easy walk to the Gaslamp District and not terribly far from the waterfront either. The newly renovated rooms are tastefully decorated with all digital controls for lighting. Suitable for solo travelers and couples who don’t require a pool or hot tub during their stay.

When we arrived in the hotel we found the reception staff not very helpful or pleasant. They didn't tell us how to find our room or ask if we needed assistance with anything. The room was small and very warm and although it had air conditioning it was extremely loud so we were unable to leave it on at night. The ensuite was very small with the sink actually situated in the bedroom so once you had used the bathroom you had to come out to wash your hands. The room was serviced every day but I did put the sign on the door to request this. Cleanliness was satisfactory but not spotless. They had put a fridge and a microwave along with coffee machine in the room. However, it was missing the ability to make tea which visitors from UK would appreciate more than coffee. Finally, on check out we weren't asked if we had enjoyed our stay and I felt the receptionist, Martha, was too busy talking and joking with Caesar to concentrate on us, the guests. Don't think we would stay again

I’ve always heard that San Diego is a state of mind 🌴—shaped by its dynamic topography, breezy warm weather ☀️, and friendly locals. That’s why it was always on my bucket list, and I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate my birthday 🎉 than by finally experiencing this city’s charm. We chose to stay at an iconic landmark: The Sofia Hotel 🏨. Originally opened as the Pickwick Terminal Hotel, it made history as one of the first hotels with private bathrooms (a rare luxury at the time). Inspired by Gothic Revival architecture, its New York–style façade still stands out in the heart of downtown. Back in the day, it was home to The Piccadilly Lounge, a lively gathering place for travelers. That spirit of hospitality is still alive today. From the moment we arrived, the Sofia’s character shone through, from the welcoming statue guiding you to the entrance to Scott’s warm and efficient check-in 🙌. Each floor showcases the hotel’s rich story through lighted scripted boxes, and then suddenly you’re swept into modern comfort with beautifully upgraded rooms. Thoughtful details like customizable lighting 💡, plush bedding 🛏️, and freshly remodeled VIP Suites make it feel like your own apartment. Housekeeping also did a pristine job, keeping everything spotless ✨ and sharp throughout our stay. Add in the Nespresso machine (with decaf capsules too! ☕), and you’re instantly woken up into the San Diego mood. And to top it all off, I was surprised with a special warm welcome—my room was cheerfully decorated to celebrate my birthday 🎂, making the experience even more unforgettable. The amenities go beyond the room. Guests can enjoy a private namaste yoga studio 🧘 with on-demand classes, a well-equipped fitness center 💪 to balance out all the delicious treats along the way, and business rooms with reliable high-speed Wi-Fi 💻—perfect for travelers mixing work and leisure. Sweet touches make every stay memorable: complimentary treats at the front desk (my wife couldn’t resist the Jolly Ranchers 🍬), refreshing drinks like hibiscus tea 🌺 and horchata 🥛, plus hydration stations with purified water on every floor 🚰. To dive deeper into San Diego’s culture, the hotel offers free walking tours of the Gaslamp Quarter with Pamela, a true local who shares fascinating stories you won’t find in any guidebook 📖. For exploring on your own, complimentary bikes 🚴 make it easy to cruise through the city’s gems, like the Spanish-Mexican-inspired Balboa Park 🌸. But what truly makes the Sofia Hotel unforgettable is its team 💖. Paulina, Mariana, Alexandra, Mia, Scott, Ian, and John (the general manager himself): you embody the finest spirit of the finest city in the U.S., with warmth, energy, and genuine care. Gracias, obrigado, grazie, danke 🙏… however I say it, we are deeply thankful. You made my transition into my 4th level of life the smoothest and most joyful way possible. The Sofia Hotel isn’t just a place to stay, it’s part of San Diego’s history, personality, and soul ❤️. Celebrating my birthday here was the perfect way to recharge and step into this new stage of life, fully loaded with the best vibes this city and its people have to offer.