Kimpton Alma

San Diego, California

Virgin rating

Pool Bar
Lobby Lounge
Deluxe King
Deluxe Guestroom with Two Double Beds
Lobby Lounge
Pool Lounge
Skyline King Room
Premier One Bedroom Suite
Pool Bar
Lobby Lounge
Deluxe King
Deluxe Guestroom with Two Double Beds
Lobby Lounge
Pool Lounge
Skyline King Room
Premier One Bedroom Suite

The hotel

We love the chill out spaces at this chic hotel. Firstly there’s the Palomar’s lobby living room where you’ll find the evening drinks reception and morning hot drinks. You should also try the soulful Mexican street food at Curadero, the hotel’s flagship restaurant — the cocktails are good here too. At the outdoor rooftop pool and lounge there’s more cocktails, plus a pool menu and great views of downtown. Talking of downtown, if you want to stroll out, you’re near the shop and restaurants of the Victorian Gaslamp District and an easy walk to the waterfront.

Amenities

  • Bicycle Rental
  • Bar
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Internet Access
  • Laundry Service
  • Restaurant
  • Room Service
  • Spa
  • Swimming Pool
  • Valet parking

Where is it

Near the Gaslamp district, a hub of dining, drinking and entertainment spots, and within a walk of the Financial District. It is also surrounded by theatres, galleries, museums, and live music venues, and is 2 blocks from Westfield Horton Plaza, a 5 tier open-air shopping mall.

Hotel information

211 rooms. All rooms have a flat-screen TV, WiFi*, alarm clock, honour bar* (with gourmet and organic treats, restocked on request), glass rainforest shower, yoga mat, hairdryer, iron and board and bathrobes. Fridges* and microwaves on request*. Deluxe Rooms have 1 queen-size or 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Deluxe Rooms with Two Double Beds have large windows, and 2 double beds, sleeping maximum 3 adults.

Premier Rooms with One King Bed have 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Skyline View Rooms with One Queen or King Bed are on floors 16-20, and have large windows, partial San Diego or pool deck view, and 1 queen-size or 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Skyline Corner Studio Balcony Rooms with King Bed have a corner location giving wider views of San Diego, a balcony, and 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Curadero (vibrant Mexican street food and cocktails, daily breakfast, weekend brunch, lunch, dinner and happy hour). Level Four Pool Deck and Lounge (summertime bar serving light bites, cocktails, and music). Arriba Room (hang-out lounge above Curadero, with vintage arcade games, foosball and pool tables) Evening wine hour. Morning coffee and tea service. Heated rooftop infinity pool. 24-hour fitness centre. In-room spa services*. Kimpton-bespoke bikes (first come, first served). WiFi*. ‘Forgot It? We’ve Got It’ service (essential travel items, from chargers to straighteners). 24-hour room service*. Concierge service. Laundry/dry cleaning service*. Valet parking $53 plus tax per night (payable locally, subject to change. Discounts for hybrid cars).

This hotel has a resort fee of $30 plus tax per room, per day (payable locally, subject to change)

Resort fee includes: - Hotel Bird Scooter access + $5 credit per stay - $10 daily food & beverage credit to be used in The Café or The Desmond restaurant - Two aluminum bottled waters (recyclable & reusable) in your room upon arrival - PressReader Access - Upgraded Wi-Fi speed throughout the hotel’s guest rooms and public spaces for up to 5 devices (Normally a $14.99 charge) - Business printing services & package handling (please see the Do You Offer Business Printing Services & Package Handling FAQ for more details). Resort fee, tax and inclusions are subject to change - please see hotel check-in for current inclusions available to you upon arrival.  

*Denotes local charge

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (262)
  • Very good (53)
  • Average (27)
  • Poor (11)
  • Terrible (9)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Great Stay

Dec 13, 2024 Max F

The hotel has an amazing front desk staff, Lena the manager was super kind and helpful while checking me in. She even gave a bunch of ideas on what to do during downtime! Upon arriving to my room it was clean and it even had a special note along with a few goodies. I will return on my next business trip.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Excellent. Recommended

Dec 13, 2024 Fernando G

Paula In the Front desk was the best. She really helped us get the best of our stay, and her kindness was out of this world. I really enjoyed my stay, and hopefully, I'll be able to stay a few more nights in the future. Great room, great amenities.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Definitely coming back!

Dec 12, 2024 Jet456048

Absolutely loved my experience at Alma San Diego! Beautiful hotel and great location. And friendly employees. Special shout out to our cafe server Monette! Personable, caring and thoughtful. All her recommendations were delicious. Monette was knowledgeable and likable. And also Josh, checked us in, Made us feel valued, care for and went above… Read more
Absolutely loved my experience at Alma San Diego! Beautiful hotel and great location. And friendly employees. Special shout out to our cafe server Monette! Personable, caring and thoughtful. All her recommendations were delicious. Monette was knowledgeable and likable. And also Josh, checked us in, Made us feel valued, care for and went above and beyond. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating So so Hotel

Dec 9, 2024 Richpol110 London, United Kingdom

Pretty noisey hotel. I was allocated a “12” room which is above five feet away from a service door that staff seem to think needs slammed every time they go in or out. Room is pretty basic. No iron or iron board but a useless streamer. No kettle in the room but I did see coffee in the foyer early in the morning. Despite the website saying there… Read more
Pretty noisey hotel. I was allocated a “12” room which is above five feet away from a service door that staff seem to think needs slammed every time they go in or out. Room is pretty basic. No iron or iron board but a useless streamer. No kettle in the room but I did see coffee in the foyer early in the morning. Despite the website saying there is room service, there is not. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating No reason to believe anything on their website

Nov 1, 2024 Essephreak Austin, Texas

Deleting and reposting this review, which is the only way TripAdvisor allows you to edit. Why am I editing? Because the website says that room service is available, but it is not. Front desk blames “the transition to Marriott,” but surely in 2024 it is easy to update a website with accurate information, rather than retaining was is essentially… Read more
Deleting and reposting this review, which is the only way TripAdvisor allows you to edit. Why am I editing? Because the website says that room service is available, but it is not. Front desk blames “the transition to Marriott,” but surely in 2024 it is easy to update a website with accurate information, rather than retaining was is essentially false adverising. Staff is friendly. Premium King room was clean and quiet, with a nice view, but lacked anywhere comfortable to sit and relax or work - just a bench-style sofa and an umcomfortable desk chair with a wood frame rather than a cushion in the back. Bed was comfy and climate control was good. If your itinerary has you coming and going via Uber or the like, the location is okay, I guess, but the fairly sketchy street scene immediately adjacent to the hotel make walking anywhere - even the CVS a half block away, much less the Starbuck’s two blocks away - pretty unpleasant. If you are driving be prepared to pay through the nose for valet parking or local alternatives. One more fairly minor irritant: they provide no ice bucket and no ice machine to get your own ice - you have to call guest services, then wait 15 minutes or more (this happened on multiple occasions) for it to arrive. Read less