W San Diego

10/22/2007 Posted by calteg

The "W" has all of the amenities you would expect from a hip urban hotel...amazing customer service, fantastic attention to detail (the floormats in the elevators are changed throughout the day to read "good morning/afternoon/evening")...you really do get what you pay for...with a few caveats: 1) The windows are ridiculously thin. Bear in mind the lobby turns into a party on Friday and Saturday nights, and many of the revelers linger outside after midnight. I could hear every word of their conversations and I was on the sixteenth floor! After spending millions of dollars on the hotel, would it have kiled you to buy double paned windows? 2) The hotel "pool' (and I used the word loosely) is just slightly larger than a hot tub. It literally has space for 6 people around it. Granted, the Bay is just 3 blocks away, but for a beach-themed hotel, the pool was quite a let down. 3) No coffee? There wasn't a coffee maker to be found in the entire place. You can't walk around a motel 6 without falling over coffee makers! I'll admit, these are minor quibbles, but they did detract from the overall experience a bit. Great ambiance, great customer service, would definitely still recommend this hotel.

Pros: swank, hip, great location, bend-over-backwards customer service

Cons: expensive, lacking in basic amenities, loud at times

09/24/2007 Posted by beautifulday78

I have never been disappointed by any W Hotel around the world. I don't care if they are faking it -- but they know how to take care of their dog-loving guests. Nearly every detail is taken care of from water bowls & treats near the taxi stand outside to the comfy dog beds and goodie bags given to the dogs. The best part is that every staff member from the front desk to the housekeepers all genuinely appear to love dogs and always have a friendly smile or petting session for your dogs. The dog-friendly part is just the cream on top. All Ws are beautiful. Modern, clean and always an inspiration for fans of contemporary design. Pay the little extra money -- it is definitely worth it!

Pros: Location, Staff, Pet-Friendly, Beautiful, Clean, Great Food

Cons: Can't think of any

09/18/2007 Posted by jdcrim510

The "W" is a brick and mortor paradox for me. I like the fact that is considered "hip" and "trendy". The San Diego location, just like its NYC and San Francisco brethren, includes an in-house bar that is considered a see and be-seen place by even the locals. The restaurant is quite good, and the downstairs cocktail lounge is great for meeting up before heading out or meeting back up after a night out and deconstructing the evening with friends. Moreover, the rooms are amusingly and tastefully appointed (big flat screen TV with a DVD player, very comfy Heavenly-brand bed, and top-notch toiletries from their own "Bliss" line). My problem with the "W" is this: they nickel and dime you. To wit: in spite of spending over $300 per day for my room, they do not provide free internet. In fact, they charge roughly $13 per day for it. In this day and age, with an upscale clientele that tends towards 30 and 40-somethings, I view the free and ready access to internet service similar to that of a working phone or basic cable. Even when I am staying in a hotel for pleasure, I might want to googlemap directions or read yelp or citysearch reviews. So, c'mon "W' or Starwood lodging- get with it. Other examples- hotel parking is $22 per day, but parking in a lot across the street was $7. In fact, street parking- which is relatively plentiful in this part of town is free. They also charged me a delivery fee to bring a FedEx package up to my room. Look, I am by no means a cheapskate- but all of these little surcharges, fees, tariffs, levies, fines, and gratuities feels like death by a thousand cuts. Oh- and for Chrissakes, W, I like the free cucumber-lemon-basil ice water that you dispense to guests in your lobby, but why must I travel outside of the hotel itself and a dozen paces outside of your front door for a $2 cup of coffee? How logistically challenging would it be for you to put a couple of big urns of free coffee out by your lobby bar in the morning?

11/16/2006 Posted by mielazucar

The W in San Diego will meet all expectations. It is modern, beautiful, and the employees work extra hard to ensure your comfort. Just don't forget that even if you are a hotel guest, you need reservations for a cabana on the swanky rooftop sand deck.

Pros: guest service

Cons: becomes a noisy nightclub , so if you're not into that, better go elsewhere...

10/18/2006 Posted by ewingnc17

My girlfriend and I had a good weekend stay there despite an initial chilly welcome and a run-in with a rude bell hop. Otherwise, service from the bar and restaurant waitstaff was excellent. Definately try the fry bread and green beans tempura from Rice. It was also cool to have a party every night in the lobby that you can go to. The room was small but comfy and cozy. You're paying for the fixtures but there fixtures you won't find at any other hotel. Would go there again next time in SD.

Pros: hip bar, nice decor, service

Cons: surly bellhop, no coffeeshop, valet only parking

10/13/2006 Posted by jandandy

my husband and I wanted to share some time with our grandkids and they suggested the W. I thought that it was going to be way too hip for us, but one we got into the hotel, it was like they were expecting us, they handled our every need, and made sure we didn't want for anything. I highly recommend!

10/13/2006 Posted by awois9

I LOOOOOVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEE W San Diego! I feel its one of the best hotels in San Diego. The Decor, the people, the atmospher...everything. If your local or not, and you want to find a place to have fun and relax, WSD is the place to be, once you walk in the front door, w style absorbs you, from the welcome desk to the cute little Beach Ball Pillow on the heavenly bed to the Beach on the rooftop of their superb Rice Resturant. W San Diego is my home away from home and I hope you have as much fun as I do everytime I go! Cheers!

Pros: Everything ...Especially their whatever whenever service

Cons: nothing

10/13/2006 Posted by louie1

My boyfriend recently got back from overseas and I wanted to do somthing special for him. I called the hotel and Whatever Whenever helped me to set up one of their cool corner rooms with chocolate dipped strawberries champagne and a Taboo Kit. If you are ever at the hotel with somone you love ask for the kit...Your sure to have ALOT of fun though out the night. RICE is the perfect resturant, the wait staff was very attentive, everyone was caring and willing to help...nothing fake. as a matter of fact, we are looking at spending our honeymoon at the W San Diego. If you want a romantic place where people wait on you hand and foot, try them, I loved it and so did my boyfriend

Pros: The Welcome desk, Concierge and Whatever Whenever Departments

08/30/2006 Posted by dodger61

W is still the best. Perfect all round! Beach Bar is sooooo great. The staff are fabulous, helpful and friendly. When in San Diego it is the palce to stay!