The Pearl Hotel San Diego

An action-packed weekend escape to visit friends and family, and to soak up the San Diego sun and surf. I wanted to stay somewhere central and low-key, with all the creature comforts for my last night in San Diego.

I stayed in Pearl’s Classic room and felt instantly at home. My room was tastefully curated with thoughtful use of space, desert-friendly tones and cute touches like indoor plants, woven rugs, hanging lantern lamps and vintage pieces that come together for an overall mid-century feel. 

I later learned that the in-room artwork is a nod to the hotel’s name, and celebrates the Ama girls – female Japanese free divers that harvest oysters whilst holding their breath for extended periods of time.

My room also offered free Netflix, complimentary wifi and a writing desk – making it perfect for anyone that needed to work-from-hotel.

After taking a bath, donning a custom-designed Finery linen bathrobe and lathering up in luxurious MoonCloth amenities, I drew the blackout curtains and slept like a baby… My king size bed was super comfy!

First existing as a 1960’s roadside motel, the boutique Pearl Hotel was renovated and relaunched in winter 2020 by Cassetta Group. The 23 rooms surround an oyster-shaped pool, complete with floaties and hammocks for lounging around in the afternoon sunshine. 

Stepping into the glowing glass pendant lit lobby, I was warmly greeted by the receptionist and asked if I would like a cup of tea. All communications with the hotel are via text message, which I found to be a lovely service – much more personal than the standard hotel telephone switchboard set up. 

The communal spaces include the popular poolside restaurant Charles + Dinorah, named after the original hotel owners (I heard Dinorah’s daughter now lives in Maui and is a regular at the hotel, visiting every few months). Interaction with both guests and locals is encouraged by Happy Hour (all day on Tuesday and 4-6 pm Wednesday – Saturday) and Wednesday Dive-In Movie Night on the projector screen. You can enjoy a dinner and movie date night at the restaurant looking out over the pool (be sure to try the oysters and chicken karaage)!

Whilst there’s not too much on the street The Pearl is set on (surrounded mostly by chain hotels and residential buildings), the complimentary bikes and easily accessible ubers make it a short trip to the restaurants, shops and bars of Downtown, a ten-minute drive to the airport, marina and beaches. 

The night I checked in was relatively quiet with guests, however, the young, friendly staff made me feel right at home. I was greeted the next morning by the General Manager Anthony, who offered me a great coffee and took me on a tour of the property.

When my friends who lived in San Diego heard I was staying at The Pearl, they said they had been keen to take a peep at the restaurant which they’d heard was a local gem. They weren’t disappointed when they popped over for a pre-dinner cocktail by the pool.