Review: Andaz San Diego

Review: Andaz San Diego

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I’ve been meaning to visit the Andaz San Diego for a while now, since it’s the one Andaz hotel in North America I’ve yet to visit. I love San Diego and I love Andaz, so when I found a reasonable fare to San Diego and time in my schedule, I booked it.

Andaz is a funny brand. Their three other properties in the US are in West Hollywood, New York 5th Avenue, and New York Wall Street. My first stay at each of those three hotels was subpar in some way (at least at the beginning), but in the meantime I’ve grown to love the brand as all my subsequent stays have been excellent.

My rate was originally $249 per night, since the hotel was sold out, and it was the “guaranteed Diamond rate.” For a sold out hotel that’s not a bad rate, but as my stay approached I kept checking back and noticed the rate dropped – first to $229, then to $209, and then to a AAA rate (including breakfast) of $193. So over my two-night stay I saved around $150 (factoring in the reduction in taxes due to the lower rate) just by checking back and constantly rebooking my stay. It’s just another reason to never book a pre-paid rate, since the flexible rate might just end up being lower.

I took a cab from San Diego Airport, which took about 15 minutes and cost about $15.

In the lobby I was greeted by one of the “hosts.” As is typical at Andaz hotels, there’s no formal front desk, but rather “hosts” that roam around with tablets helping guests check-in.


Lobby


Lobby

I’m the least “hip” person out there so usually I kind of expect a pretentious attitude at these styles of hotels, but there was none to be found. I was addressed by my last name several times throughout the interaction and informed of Diamond benefits (including that I could have complimentary breakfast either in my room or the restaurant). The host explained my room would be ready in about 30 minutes (I was checking in at around noon), which I was perfectly fine with. He invited me to go up to the rooftop to hang out and use the Wi-Fi if I wanted, which I did.

The rooftop is probably the highlight of the hotel… sort of. It has plenty of areas to “lounge” and also a really cool pool. Unfortunately it’s populated by the douchey, type-A, So-Cal crowd, which makes it almost unbearable. I’m not just talking about average Southern Californians, but rather girls who are absolutely convinced Katy Perry’s “California Girls” song is written about them. I think I’ve met my overhearing “Oh my God, I’m like so hungover, but last night was AY-MAZE-ING” quota for the year. Anyway, that’s a function of the location and not the hotel as such, so take it with a grain of salt.


Rooftop


Rooftop bar


Rooftop pool

After spending about 45 minutes on the rooftop I went back to the lobby. The agent remembered my name and said my room was now ready, so made the keys for me.

I was assigned room 421, which was as far as I could tell a standard room. I was traveling alone so didn’t mind not receiving an upgrade, especially since the hotel did seem to be full.


Hallway

The room was fairly small though well appointed.


Room 421

In addition to a king size bed the room featured a modern couch and workstation.


Couch and desk

The bathroom featured one of those fancy showers that should require a manual. Interestingly it had a glass wall on both sides, so you could see into the bathroom and into the bedroom. No problem if you’re traveling alone or with a spouse, though be sure you also close the blinds or else someone from the building across the street could look straight into your shower.


Sink


Shower


Toilet

There was also a minibar, and as is always the case at Andaz hotels, the soft drinks and some of the snacks were free. Typically all the snacks are free, though in fairness the Andaz San Diego has a much more extensive snack selection than any other Andaz I’ve visited. Unfortunately the “Booty Parlor” intimacy kit and vibrator that were with the snacks weren’t free. 😉


Free minibar items


Minibar


Minibar

As far as the features of the room goes, one area they could improve on is outlets. There weren’t any near the desk. While it worked out fine because I had my longer cords with me, it’s ridiculous that there aren’t more outlets near the desk, especially given that the hotel was only recently rebranded.

On the plus side, I really liked the blackout curtains they have. I had taken a 6AM flight from Tampa and pulled an all nighter the night before, so I was happy to be able to get some “real” sleep during the day.


View from my room

Speaking of keeping the outside world out – while the blackout curtains were great, there was a ton of outside noise. The Andaz not only has its own nightclub, Ivy, but there’s also another bar right across the street, called Double Deuce. The noise was so loud from around 11PM till 2AM that I literally couldn’t sleep. I don’t know if the sound insulation sucks or if the bar was just that loud, though for anyone that is a light sleeper, this could be a serious issue.

Another highlight of the hotel was the breakfast. The first morning I ordered an omelet and fruit plate via room service. It was delivered within 20 minutes and was delicious. The omelet had veggies and cheddar cheese, and was served with potatoes and two slices of multi-grain toast.


Room service breakfast


Fruit plate

The second morning I had breakfast in the restaurant, Quarter Kitchen. I got there just before it closed at 11AM so it was fairly empty, though the service was still good. What I found interesting is that the omelet cost $15 via room service, while it cost $10 in the restaurant. While I realize there’s a premium for room service, a $5 difference, plus a $3 delivery charge, plus the forced 20% gratuity seems pretty substantial. That being said I thought $15 was reasonable to begin with, so the $10 charged was especially reasonable for a hotel restaurant, for those that aren’t Diamond members or might be locals.


Quarter Kitchen


Quarter Kitchen


Quater Kitchen

One night I also ordered dinner via room service because I caught a cold while traveling, which was also good.


Room service dinner

On the whole I’d definitely return to the Andaz San Diego. Having tried all the Andaz hotels in the US, I can officially say that I love them all. I’d return in a heartbeat, though I’d be sure to take a nap during the day in anticipation of being up until 2AM due to the nightclub at the hotel and bar across the street.

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  1. Ariana Guest

    You actually missed one property: Andaz Napa

  2. JeffISU Guest

    Realize it's an old review but thanks for the detail about noise both from Ivy and the one across the street. Found similar comments on trip advisor. Decided to book at the Grand Hyatt instead as we'll have our two small kids with us.

  3. Jennifer Guest

    Looks like we'll be getting another Andaz, on Maui!

    http://travel.usatoday.com/hotels/post/2011/10/former-renaissance-wailea-beach-andaz-hotel-hawaii/554222/1?csp=34travel

  4. David Member

    Currently a $129 rate on travelzoo.com for this hotel...pretty good rate. Oct 1-Dec 29, Sun-Thurs

  5. chitownflyer Guest

    The Ivy nightclub is a highlight of the hotel, so expect noise Wednesday thru Saturday until 2:00 am. It is great for New Year's Eve. I would like to stay at this hotel. They also have a hotel car Escalade, guests can be driven around SAN in a limited radius.

  6. lucky OMAAT

    @ steve64 -- ROFL! Whoops, I wrote this while sick.

    @ Nat -- Flourless chocolate cake with ice cream. It was indeed great (unlike my cold).

  7. Nat Guest

    The "also good" thing made me read that sentence twice also. What was that dessert? Looks great!

  8. steve64 Guest

    "...I caught a cold while traveling, which was also good."

    Personally, if I'm going to catch a cold, I'd prefer it to happen while at home ;)

    I love SAN, it's a close weekend trip for me, but I've never tried Andaz. Have thought many times about trying this location, but too many places I've read about the nightclub noise. 10 years ago, that would've been a plus !!

  9. Andy Bluebear Guest

    "The noise was so loud from around 11PM till 2AM"

    Dang I forgot how early Americans call it a night...

  10. Courtney O'Banion Guest

    Andaz hotels look very class and upbeat. However, I am not sure if the location of this hotel in San Diego was strategized very intelligently. If guests are not able to sleep at 2 a.m. they are going to lose business, even if they are wonderful and nice. However, as a college student I can sleep through anything so this does not effect me at all and would love to stay at a place like Andaz.

  11. lucky OMAAT

    @ JetAway -- Sorry, it wasn't really directed at you that way, so my apologies if it came across as that. I was just trying to anticipate what I'm sure others are just waiting to write. ;)

    In this case the reason I didn't have much of an issue with it is that I was expecting it. I had read tons about the noise on FlyerTalk, so I guess I did a good job of managing my expectations in that sense.

  12. JetAway Guest

    @lucky-I think you took my comment the wrong way,. I meant you were probably trying to be polite but issues such as street noise and the "party" crowd wouldn't make it a nice stay for me.

  13. lucky OMAAT

    @ JetAway -- Tried to make it sound like a nice place? Hah, I had a nice stay! Or am I going to get crap for my comped stay at this place and massive suite upgrade I got on account of being a blogger? :D

    It was The Ivy Hotel before it was rebranded.

  14. lucky OMAAT

    @ James -- Can't say I have, though I'll give another Hyatt a shot the next time I'm in town and report back.

  15. JetAway Guest

    I know you tried to make it sound like a nice place to stay but it really doesn't seem like one. What was it called before re-branding?

  16. NYBanker Guest

    Room service is a tough business. Labor costs run much higher than any other food service operation.

    Figure it takes each waiter 20 minutes round trip to make a delivery...limiting him/her to 3 deliveries per hour. If the weather is bad, they get a lot more orders...if it's good, fewer. Also, the order patterns vary based on type of customer, which might vary based on what types of events are in town.

    For waiters, there's...

    Room service is a tough business. Labor costs run much higher than any other food service operation.

    Figure it takes each waiter 20 minutes round trip to make a delivery...limiting him/her to 3 deliveries per hour. If the weather is bad, they get a lot more orders...if it's good, fewer. Also, the order patterns vary based on type of customer, which might vary based on what types of events are in town.

    For waiters, there's also a lot of waiting around...good hotels are forced to overstaff, lest they not be able to fill the orders in a reasonable time.

    While it is profitable (at most hotels), they aren't making the exorbitant profits that their prices suggest.

  17. lucky OMAAT

    @ Calvin -- Only the soft drinks and some of the snacks were free. Not the alcohol, unfortunately.

  18. Calvin New Member

    Free champange in the minibar. That's nice...

  19. James Guest

    Hey for comparison's sake, have you tried the other San Diego Hyatts?

  20. Ed Guest

    This line: "I’d return in a heartbeat, though I’d be sure to take a nap during the day in anticipation of being up until 2AM due to the nightclub at the hotel and bar across the street."

    is an absolute deal killer for me. There is NO WAY I would eve stay in a hotel that did not offer a good night's sleep.

    Seriously, who cares about all of that other hotel fluff if they can't deliver the SINGLE ONE thing that is their mission: a good night's sleep?

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Ariana Guest

You actually missed one property: Andaz Napa

0
JeffISU Guest

Realize it's an old review but thanks for the detail about noise both from Ivy and the one across the street. Found similar comments on trip advisor. Decided to book at the Grand Hyatt instead as we'll have our two small kids with us.

0
Jennifer Guest

Looks like we'll be getting another Andaz, on Maui! http://travel.usatoday.com/hotels/post/2011/10/former-renaissance-wailea-beach-andaz-hotel-hawaii/554222/1?csp=34travel

0
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