Hotel La Jolla, Curio Collection by Hilton Review: Who Stays Here & Why

Hotel La Jolla, Curio Collection by Hilton, is one of the often-overlooked La Jolla hotels, but it recently underwent an impressive multimillion-dollar renovation. The boutique property typically offers good value, especially since it’s a short walk to one of San Diego’s best beaches.

The renovation focuses on an upscale, modern beach vibe in homage to the hotel’s beach community location. The reinvention also introduced Sea & Sky, the hotel’s sea-to-table penthouse-level restaurant on the 11th floor.

The hotel’s quieter residential location off to one side of a major intersection has its benefits, as freeway access for sightseeing is easier from here than from La Jolla’s popular Village neighborhood. It’s also just blocks back from the beach, so it’s a great all-around option. With its recent upgrade, boutique vibe, and great location, Hotel La Jolla now makes it onto the list of one of my favorite hotels in San Diego.

Why Stay in La Jolla Shores?

La Jolla Shores is a quieter residential neighborhood, so there is less hustle and bustle, although tourists head to the beach here in summer.

A gas station, Starbucks, and Subway are available next door to the hotel, but most people walk into the La Jolla Shores business district, which starts on Avenida de la Playa, a 5-minute walk from the hotel lobby. Here, you’ll find some of La Jolla’s best restaurants, cute surf shops, water sports rentals, and more. Birch Aquarium is just up the street, about a 5-minute drive from the hotel.

The 52 freeway begins at the intersection of Torrey Pines Road and La Jolla Shores Drive, where Hotel La Jolla is located. This small freeway leads to the I-5, our main coastal artery, and the I-15 further inland, which takes you to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, wine tasting in Temecula, and elsewhere.

The bottom line is that from here, it can take another 5-8 minutes or so of drive time to get into the Village of La Jolla, our downtown area, depending on how many traffic lights you hit. Some people prefer to avoid this by staying in the La Jolla Shores area.

See also: Guide to La Jolla Shores

Hotel La Jolla Rooms and Suites

With its latest renovation, guest rooms have been upgraded with stylish high-end furnishings and textiles, 55″ TVs, and the addition of large work desks and modern dressers. The bathrooms have also been modernized to fit in with the new aesthetic.

Each of the 110 guest rooms and suites at Hotel La Jolla has furnished balconies or patios overlooking the ocean or city.

Deluxe Rooms and Deluxe Ocean View Rooms

Options include king rooms and double queen rooms and they range between 385–415 square feet. In addition to the amenities listed above, these rooms have a workspace, a chair, and an ottoman.

These two room categories are identical, except that the Deluxe Ocean View offers a panoramic view of the La Jolla Shores neighborhood and the Pacific Ocean beyond.

We’ve stayed in this room type, and it’s typically priced only slightly higher than non-view rooms.

One-Bedroom King Suites

These two-room suites are 850 square feet with three furnished balconies, 1.5 bathrooms, and a sofa bed in the living room. It’s an excellent arrangement for families who need more space as there are separate living spaces. Guests can also enjoy the use of an in-room wet bar and a large work desk.

Sea & Sky Restaurant

Sea & Sky opened in May 2024 as the latest reimagining of Hotel La Jolla’s 11th-floor dining space. Executive Chef Anthony Wells, a James Beard nominee for Best Chef, California and former head of San Diego’s Juniper & Ivy, leads the kitchen with a menu focused on regional seafood and seasonal California ingredients.

The redesigned space features retractable floor-to-ceiling windows that open to ocean breezes, plus an enclosed show kitchen. Sea & Sky serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, with weekend brunch. Reservations are recommended for sunset.

Outdoor Pool and Hiatus Lounge

A more casual lounge, Hiatus, serves cocktails adjacent to the outdoor swimming pool in the late afternoon through the evening. However, it may close during inclement weather.

Other Amenities

The hotel has a nice pool with lounge chairs and soft seating, as well as firepits. A fitness center is available for guest use. However, I’d highly recommend a jog on the beach instead.

Why People Choose Hotel La Jolla vs. Other LJ Hotels

When people are deciding where to stay in La Jolla, Hotel La Jolla comes up in certain situations. These include:

• Hilton Honors members looking to earn or redeem points at a hotel closer to the beach or the Village area.
• Travelers who want easy freeway and beach access and don’t mind being near a busier intersection.
• People who want to stay within walking distance of La Jolla Shores Beach but at a lower price point than the beachfront La Jolla Shores Hotel and La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club during peak season.
• People who want to stay in this neighborhood but in the newest rooms.
• Those who want a higher-up panoramic view of La Jolla (it’s the tallest hotel we have).
• Boutique hotel lovers, as it is a moderately-priced, solid boutique hotel in La Jolla with ocean views.

Book Hotel La Jolla, Curio Collection by Hilton

I believe that the best way to book this hotel is by using the Hilton Honors discount. Then, you can manage the reservation through the app and use the Digital Key.

• 7955 La Jolla Shores Dr, La Jolla, CA 92037
• 858-551-3600