InterContinental San Diego is a newer waterfront hotel in downtown offers guests casual luxury in an awesome location. Even residents enjoy the five dining outlets (and a Starbucks), but a highlight and rarity in San Diego is the Club InterContinental level that comes with suites and Executive rooms. Of course, service throughout is synonymous with the brand and the 400 guest rooms offer panoramic bay and city views through floor-to-ceiling windows.
Here’s everything you need to know about the hotel InterContinental San Diego before you book.
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InterContinental San Diego Reservations: Save with IHG Rewards
IHG Rewards members receive a slight discount off of best available rates on InterContinental hotels.
WHAT I LOVE
- Location across the street from the Embarcadero
- Walking to Little Italy, Seaport Village, and more
- Club InterContinental access
- Every room has a nice city or water view
- An onsite Starbucks
- The rooftop outdoor pool with bay views
GOOD TO KNOW
- The hotel had some opening hiccups that have seemingly been resolved
- Readers report it’s not quite as luxe as others in the brand
- San Diego International Airport is less than 10 minutes away
- $30 daily amenity fee plus tax includes basic WI-FI, bottled water, a one-time $25 Vistal food credit, fitness center access, local and domestic calls, business lounge use, 20% off electric bike rentals, and more.
ALSO FEATURED IN
OTHER DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO HOTELS
InterContinental Rooms and Suites with Views
The 400 guest rooms include 24 spacious suites, as well as a selection of standard and executive rooms. You can choose between a king or two queen beds, and some rooms have city views, but the best of them offer water views. You can even see Coronado and the famous Coronado Bridge from some accommodations.
All rooms offer large, floor-to-ceiling windows, plush beds, and linen, as well as robes and slippers. As well as a minibar and coffee machine, TV, air conditioning, and black-out curtains. The hotel also offers a range of accessible rooms, for hearing-impaired and guests with mobility issues. To arrange these, be sure to call ahead of time.
Suites
These boast glass walls with breathtaking bay views, separate bedrooms and living areas, wet bars, bathtubs, and elegant furnishings. Sizes range from 840 – 2450 square feet.
EXECUTIVE ROOMS (CLUB ROOMS)
Along with stunning scenes out of massive windows, executive rooms offer all the benefits of Club InterContinental lounge access and provide luxurious comfort. They’re 380 square feet in size and located on the top floors, boasting spectacular San Diego Bay and city views.
STANDARD ROOMS
Perfect for the simpler traveler, these rooms contain either one king bed or two queens. They also have walk-in showers or bathtubs, a working desk, Keurig coffee makers, and a chaise lounge. Room sizes are 380 square feet.
Club InterContinental
Downtown San Diego needs more club level rooms, and InterContinental has brought them. I’m a huge fan of Club InterContinental offerings.
The InterContinental San Diego club lounge offers Club level guests a quiet, luxe retreat to work and relax in. Members also get complimentary breakfast, beer and wine all day, cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres, as well as snacks and soup in the afternoon.
See also: Luxury Hotel Review: InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown
InterContinental Hotel, San Diego Dining And Drinks
The food at San Diego’s InterContinental hotel is quite remarkable. With a selection of dining options and top chefs on the team, it’s easy to see why the hotel is praised for its cuisine. Of course, room service is also available.
InterContinental San Diego brought on two beloved local chefs, Chef Paul McCabe and Chef Amy DiBiase.
In addition to helping shape the signature restaurant, Chef Paul McCabe oversees the hotel’s comprehensive food and beverage program, including banquets serving 95,000 square feet of event space.
McCabe has garnered esteemed industry awards and recognition over the years, including being named as a “rising star of American cuisine” by the James Beard Foundation.
San Diego celebrity chef, Amy DiBiase, will manage all aspects of the hotel’s signature restaurant, 4th-floor pool bar, and in-room dining. In the kitchen, DiBiase is known for putting a California twist on Italian and French cuisine and plans to bring a fresh take on some of her signature dishes.
Vistal
Vistal Bar & Restaurant is the popular spot for guests to enjoy a meal while staying here. It’s a spacious, welcoming space, offering a seafood-focused menu and waterfront views. Guests can also enjoy a buffet-style brunch over the weekends.
Layover – Rooftop Bar
Ideal for pre-dinner drinks, Layover is the InterContinental San Diego’s open-air lounge. It’s aptly named for the airfields that guests can view from the outdoor lounge area. There are firepits scattered among the outdoor seating, and the bar can seat 15.
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse
An upscale American-style steakhouse, Del Frisco’s Double Eagle is on the pricey side of things, but well worth it for a spoil. A good glass of red wine, paired with a finely-crafted steak, overlooking the bay, is what most would consider heaven.
Starbucks Coffee
Coffee-enthusiasts will find delight in a cup at the hotel’s onsite Starbucks. Order your favorite flavored latte to start your day off perfectly.
Other InterContinental San Diego Hotel Amenities
Besides the magnificent rooms and fantastic dining options, the hotel also offers a gym, pool, and business center.
Rooftop Pool Deck
Overlooking the bay, the rooftop pool deck offers guests the chance to laze next to the swimming pool, dip into the water, and enjoy the sun without ever leaving the premises. Poolside cabanas are available for rent here. Bay breezes cool off the space on extra hot days.
TIP: USE THE POOL FOR THE DAY
Day passes to the InterContinental San Diego pool can be purchased through ResortPass.
Fitness Center
The hotel boasts an expansive health and wellness center, equipped with a personalized video wall and stunning outdoor yoga terrace.
There is a collection of cardio, weights, and strength training equipment, and the video wall provides on-demand fitness classes.
Family-Friendly Amenities
The hotel is great for a family vacation. Kids are welcomed and catered for, and the pool is a favored spot with younger guests.
Vistal is incredibly family-friendly, offering meals that the kids will love. The pull-out sofas in the rooms will ensure a comfy night’s sleep for small children. You can also arrange kid-sized slippers, gowns, and eye masks with the staff to make sure everyone is comfy.
Events
The San Diego InterContinental hotel provides 95,000 square feet of event space, perfect for conference meetings and signature events.
The inhouse team is available for event planning and making sure meetings run smoothly and efficiently.
Pet Policy
Pets are welcome to join while you’re staying at InterContinental San Diego. If you plan on bringing a pet, be sure to alert the hotel before you arrive. The hotel pet policy allows one 70 lb dog or two dogs totaling 70 lbs per room.
Guests must sign a pet policy agreement upon arrival. The pet fee is $100 per stay plus a deposit of $250 that is refunded after check-out if there is no damage to the room.
InterContinental San Diego Parking
Onsite parking is available. Right now, it’s only self-parking as valet parking is temporarily unavailable (as it is at many other hotels). The cost is $38/day. Electric vehicle charging stations are also available.
The Great Location in Downtown San Diego
One of the major perks of InterContinental San Diego is its location which can be explored mostly on foot.
Attractions
InterContinental San Diego is located right across the street from the downtown waterfront Embarcadero entertainment area. Walk to its main attractions like the Maritime Museum of San Diego (14 minutes) and the USS Midway Museum (7 minutes), and Seaport Village (12 minutes).
It’s also not hard to reach popular attractions like the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, and Old Town San Diego (can also take the trolley green line in 24 minutes) in under 10 minutes by car, The concierge team can arrange an itinerary for you. Walk to the San Diego Convention Center in just over 20 minutes along the water.
Dining and Nightlife
But that’s not all. You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to dining outside of the restaurant. Walk over to Little Italy San Diego restaurants (15 minutes). Grab share plates at Kettner Exchange that range from kale salad to bao. Or, opt for housemade pasta at family-owned Barbusa. Bring back a mortadella sandwich from Mona Lisa and a bottle of Italian wine to nosh on in your guest room.
The brand new Portside Pier across the street from the hotel is home to five Brigantine restaurants with multiple menu offerings from Mexican at Miguel’s Cocina to fresh seafood at Ketch. In another direction, cocktails and nightlife in the Gaslamp Quarter can be reached in about 22 minutes by foot (or an easy Uber).
Logistics
As you can see, the hotel lends itself well to visitors who would like to skip a car rental. This way you can avoid pricey hotel parking fees (they are high at any downtown hotel) and circling aimlessly for elusive metered street parking.
You can take an Uber from the airport in just 7 minutes. The cruise ship terminal is across the street. Santa Fe Depot, where you can catch the trolley or Amtrak is behind the hotel. The ferry to Coronado and many San Diego bay tours also depart from the docks in front of InterContinental San Diego.
InterContinental San Diego Reservations
Whether it’s the views, the food, or the impeccable service you’re after, waterfront InterContinental San Diego promises a memorable stay in the city. Make your reservations to enjoy the best this hotel has to offer, as well as enjoying activities near San Diego Bay.
The best way to book InterContinental San Diego is through IHG.com. Sign up for IHG rewards and receive a slight discount off of the best available rate.
