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Travel + Leisure Readers' 3 Favorite San Diego Hotels of 2025
The city's hotel scene is just as varied, with properties ranging from a maximalist jewel box in North Park to a modern hideaway that occupies a 1920s-era YMCA building. In this year's World's Best Awards, T+L readers showed a clear preference for the energy and convenience of downtown. Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe—to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 180,000 T+L readers completed the 2025 survey. A total of more than 657,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.). Hotels were classified as either resort hotel, city hotel, inn, or safari lodge based on their location and amenities, and they were specifically rated on the criteria below: Rooms/facilities Location Service Food Value For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses.
This year's most-loved San Diego hotels are concentrated in two popular neighborhoods: the Gaslamp Quarter and the Marina District. The former appeals for its charming Victorian architecture and robust bar scene while the latter offers proximity to such family-friendly attractions as the New Children's Museum, South Embarcadero Esplanade, and several waterfront parks.
Situated in the heart of the Gaslamp, the No. 2 Andaz San Diego won over World's Best Awards voters on several levels, especially its location. 'Near plenty of nightlife, great amenities, and clean, stylish rooms,' shared one reader of the 159-room property. Baseball fans have a short walk to Petco Park, the San Diego's Padres home stadium, while culture buffs can catch a performance at the nearby Balboa Theatre. As for that nightlife? Guests of the hotel are spoiled for choice, with options that include several excellent modern speakeasies (Noble Experiment, Youngblood, Prohibition Lounge) and taprooms (Ales Tales, Nason's Beer Hall) in addition to the hotel's own rooftop bar.
Over by the waterfront, the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina (No. 3 for the second year in a row) provides a convenient home base for travelers looking to take advantage of the city's coastline and all-ages entertainment. Right across the street, guests will find the New Children's Museum, where interactive art exhibits stoke creativity and curiosity in young minds. The Embarcadero serves as a scenic place to stroll or catch live music at the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, but it's also a hub for aquatic fun, whether you prefer to get out on the water with paddleboarding or simply enjoy the views from a boat deck.
Pendry San Diego Interior of a guest room at the Pendry San Diego.
Chosen as the No. 1 San Diego hotel each year since the debut of this category in 2022, this 317-room stunner continues to impress T+L readers with the caliber of its accommodations, dining, and hospitality. 'Fun, energizing location within the Gaslamp Quarter,' wrote one voter. 'Love the hotel amenities and restaurants. Personalized service cannot be beat.' Complementing all of the action in the city, the in-house programming ranges from whiskey tastings at Fifth & Rose, the Pendry's swanky cocktail bar, to coastal discovery hikes with local guides. When it's time to hit the reset button, the third-floor Spa Pendry excels in traditional treatments (salt-stone massages, hydrating facials), with a few 'California-style' enhancements, including CBD therapy and products infused with local ingredients like seaweed oil.
Fun, energizing location within the Gaslamp Quarter.
— T+L Reader
1. Pendry San Diego
Reader Score: 88.42
2. Andaz San Diego
Reader Score: 86.53
3. Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina Reader Score: 86.36
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