In the past few years downtown San Diego has become obsessed with boutique hotels.
These luxury hotels in San Diego have transformed our perception of relaxation for visitors and recreation for locals. While we’ve yet to hear any complaints about ever-rising rooftop nightlife, there is a known disconnect growing between modern guests and modern design. Sharp lines and sterling hues captivate our gaze, but as these contemporary design trends evolve further away from organic inspiration, the harder it is for guests to rest with natural ease.
Blending sophisticated architecture with nature inspired design and a hyper-local eye on San Diego culture, the new Hotel Indigo introduces an elevated era of boutique hospitality.
Aquatic Transmission
Ears ring with the soothing sound of cascading water from a soft fountain wall that rests on rocks and separates a lobby lounge from the open-air Phi Bar and Bistro. Carpet swirls of seafoam green and blue create an oceanic atmosphere below, while dangling glass globes of light shimmer like the stars above. From the white reef tables to inviting seashell chaises and the aquamarine palette, walking through the lobby guests feel afloat in a gentle wave washing against the San Diego coastline.
It’s not by chance that this hotel resembles the San Diego shore in both vibe and vision. Hotel Indigo San Diego is the flagship property for the new Hotel Indigo brand – an upscale boutique brand that delivers an inviting guest experience that reflects the local community. Hotel Indigo is owned and managed by IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), the world’s largest hotel group by number of rooms. Hotel Indigo San Diego is the brand’s first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified hotel and the first LEED certified hotel in San Diego.
Intelligent Inspired Design
At the core of Hotel Indigo is the intelligent design driven by the Fibonacci sequence and the Golden Mean ratio (or Phi), a universal constant found throughout nature and art. In using the mathematical principle as an organic muse, the Hotel Indigo design radiates with effortless balance and beauty. In place of sharp edges and ultra-mod angles, signature curved walls and soft lines represent the Indigo brand.
The brand’s Interpret Indigo design platform enables the hotel’s interior and exterior to reflect the community’s character and geography. A stunning reflection of San Diego’s coastal culture, Hotel Indigo features locally-inspired artwork by San Diego artists throughout the public areas and guest rooms.
The hotel’s East Village exterior is home to “Indigo Waters” – local Lisa Schirmer’s 40-foot wall sculpture that mimics the Pacific Ocean’s waves and ripples on the western façade of the hotel between the 9th and 12th floors. Lisa created indigo with 33-hand painted and enameled blue and purple glass panels arranged vertically in Fibonacci sequence. The sculpture soars 40 feet high by 18 feet wide and weighs over 3,000 lbs.
Inside Indigo are hundreds of large-scale photographic murals created by San Diego photographer Ian Cummings. Ranging from aquatic imagery to native plants, the locally-inspired photos were artistically applied to create photographic murals that now appear around every curvilinear corner.
New Green Rooftop in Town
No downtown hotel is complete without a unique rooftop lounge, and Hotel Indigo is no exception. Hotel Indigo reinvents the rooftop scene with a Green Roof, but we’re not talking about décor. The first sustainably-built hotel in San Diego and one of the only 7 LEED-certified hotels in California, Hotel Indigo proves that blue is the new green with many unique amenities, such as the Green Roofs, located on the 9th and 12th floors, planted with drought-tolerant, low maintenance species such as gazania, stone crop and silver carpet, to help reduce air conditioning costs and filter storm water runoff. On the 9th floor, such herbs as basil, spearmint, rosemary and cilantro are grown and used in menu items at Phi Bar and Bistro.
In keeping with the brand’s commitment to the environment, sustainable green building and development practices were incorporated into the design, construction and operation of Hotel Indigo San Diego. More unique green highlights include:
- Phi Terrace deck is the world's first installation of MoistureShield composite decking, which is made from recycled polyethylene plastic and recycled wood fibers (i.e., grocery bags, milk jugs, byproduct from furniture/cabinetry making, etc.).
- Reserved parking spaces and discounts are available for guests who drive low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles.
- On-site recycling program: Recycle containers are in guest rooms; Adoption of eco-friendly food and beverage containers, either paper or recycled corn plastic; Recycled glass used in the fire pits on 9th floor Phi Terrace.
Indigo Accommodations and Amenities
The fresh and inviting Hotel Indigo San Diego stretches 12 stories high and features 210 guest rooms and 5 suites with oversized beds, hard-surface flooring and spa-inspired showers with Aveda products. Some of the many on-site amenities include the Phi Bar and Bistro that serves savory fare based on local, in-season ingredients, as well as the 9th floor terrace with a reflection pool, fire pits and a view of the downtown skyline and a direct view into PETCO Park. Don’t expect a nightlife scene – Phi Terrace is perfect for happy hour or relaxing drinks paired with a beautiful view.
The fitness studio, outdoor meditation deck and business center are available to guests 24-hours a day, with complimentary wireless Internet in public spaces and guest rooms. Hotel Indigo can also accommodate meetings with up to 6,200 sq. ft. of boardroom space available.
Insider Tip: Hotel Indigo San Diego boasts generous pet-friendly policies and is now the proud parent of resident dog Sandie, a Labrador mix adopted from the San Diego Humane Society. There are no additional charges or deposits required for dogs, and starting this fall Hotel Indigo will host a “Canine Cocktails” charitable happy hour every Tuesday from 6:30-9:30pm for guests, locals and pet pooches. Find more San Diego events.
Discover more of the best San Diego boutique hotels.
Discover San Diego Hotels