When I first moved to San Diego about six years ago, the first place my new friends took me to was Beach - as in Beach Bar at the W Hotel, not the large swaths of sand next to the ocean often crowded with tourists and mounds of seaweed come summertime.
Filled with pretty people sipping drinks and teetering in their heels on the heated, sandy floor, Beach, along with the W's Living Room and Veranda bars, was the go-to spot for fun, flirtation, and possibly a phone number.
Since the opening of the W, San Diego has seen a healthy crop of boutique hotels arrive on the scene each with their own take on luxury and frivolity. Despite the new "it" crowd of competition bobbing in and out of the limelight, the W remains the leader in lifestyle innovation.
This chic 'n' subtle Starwood hotel continues to offer high-end hospitality accommodations and amenities to guests, and acts as a luxe night-spot for San Diego locals. And don't be fooled by the hotel's current boards of renovation, the W will be back, and better than ever, this June with a newly renovated space that perfects the Southern California vibe.
If you're looking to drink at a local Beach this summer, the W still offers sand and cocktails without the worry of the recent San Diego beach alcohol ban.
San Diego on the Inside
Southern California is a little bit different; it's sunny but not humid, urban as well as outdoorsy, and simultaneously casual and sophisticated. While W Hotels tend to be known for their modern design and muted palettes, the San Diego renovation reflects the uniqueness of the local culture by transforming the hotel into a one-of-a-kind W experience. Thom Filicia (of Queer Eye fame) and his design firm TFI have envisioned brighter hotel spaces with ocean-inspired designs and decorative surfboard installations.
Evening party-goers won't need to worry about the hotel getting too bright however; the large Living Room lounge renovation will include more space for night-time parties complete with an elevated DJ booth and private indoor cabanas. Stop by the revamped Veranda Bar for a cocktail on your way from the Living Room to the Beach and silently give thanks that it doesn't matter what floor of the party you're on, you will always be able to find a stylish bar.
While evenings at the W will always mean cocktails and music, special events may include pop-up champagne bars (did I hear someone mention Veuve Cliquot?) and special guest DJs with celebrity sightings. Don't forget, too, that drinking always sits easier on a full stomach... Rice restaurant serves elegant dishes with locally-sourced ingredients, and is open whether you're craving morning-after breakfast or start-of-the-evening dinner.
Mix it Up
Like any stylish hotel, W has a dilemma: how do you cater to local clientele that want to lounge in luxury surroundings while pleasing the guest who wants to relax and sleep? The elegant dining of Rice, the pampering at Away Spa, and the party at the W bars are draws for both the locals and the traveling crowds, but state-of-the-art conference rooms and meeting areas mean a steady stream of corporate clients as well. Throw some special events into the mix - the wedding that was the result of numbers exchanged over cocktails in the Living Room can't possibly be held anywhere else - and you have different groups of people all looking to W to make their experience memorable.
Often, a member of the high-end business crowd is the same person who is happy sipping drinks in the Living Room after work, but W takes care to meet the needs of both the professionals and the partiers by creating separate spaces for each. Of course the real secret is privacy - thick walls and a discreet building layout means hotel guests aren't bothered by noisy construction as the W works on its renovation. Whether you're a weary traveler looking for a good night's sleep on the weekend, or a reveler wondering about the naughtier possibilities of soundproofing, the W caters to everyone.
Opening Night
Prepare for the new San Diego W Hotel in early June when it hosts a large kick-off party to celebrate the complete revamp of the nightlife scene, from the Living Room to the Veranda and Beach bars and the new WET pool lounge.
While the details of the event are still under wraps, the W is hoping to hold the party both inside the hotel and out, as a way to invite all of San Diego to the celebration. Local skate and surfboard culture will be represented, not only in the redesign of the hotel interior but also as a part of the festivities. The W's renovations have brought it back to what the boutique hotel was meant to be - an experience unique to a particular location that remains a destination for both travelers and local revelers.
W Twist on Health and Happy Hour
Take the edge off your workday with the new Wonderlush happy hour, featuring complimentary nibbles, half-off all bites, $6 WoW wine of the week, $6 spring fling cocktails and $4 draft beers. Monday – Friday, 4-7 pm, in the new Living Room bar or Magnet lounge.
W San Diego and Lululemon present a new way to unwind with Vino & Vinyasa. Enjoy a complimentary yoga class at the all-new poolside Veranda lounge then reach new heights as you slip upstairs for a glass of complimentary wine while you watch the sunset on Beach. Every Thursday from 6 – 8pm, June 19 through July 31.
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