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Check out our stay at the Palihotel San Diego!
Table of Contents
A stylish boutique hotel in the heart of the Gaslamp, featuring a vibrant rooftop with panoramic views of San Diego.
The Palihotel San Diego at a Glance
Rooms
122
Location
Gaslamp, San Diego California
Address
830 Sixth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
Airport
San Diego International Airport (3.5 miles)
Check-In
3:00 PM
Check-Out
11:00 AM
Parking
Valet parking is available for $64 per vehicle / per day
Onsite Restaurant
Saint James French Diner
Happy Hour
3PM – 6PM Daily
The History of the Palihotel San Diego
Originally opened in 1913 as the Saint James Hotel, this historic landmark once held the title of San Diego’s tallest building. Twin elevators, the fastest in the world at the time, took you up to a rooftop terrace with sweeping city views. While it no longer holds the record for tallest building, the hotel remains a cherished piece of San Diego’s history. In the spring of 2023, it entered a new era, reopening its doors as The Palihotel, blending its rich past with a new, modern look.
About Palisociety
Founded by Avi Brosh in 2007, Palisociety redefines hospitality through unique, immersive experiences. Their mission is to create one-of-a-kind stays that makes travel so memorable and transformative. Every Palisociety hotel is designed with a highly customized approach to branding, aesthetics, and operations, ensuring no two properties feel the same.
Saint James French Diner
The Saint James French Diner offers a delightful fusion of American diner classics and French bistro-inspired dishes. Drawing inspiration from the vibrant food halls of Southern France, the menu is simple yet hearty, perfect for every occasion.
Be sure to check out the Weekly Happenings Menu for fun, rotating specials that keep things fresh and exciting!
Saint James French Diner Hours:
Breakfast
Monday – Friday, 7 AM – 11 AM
Lunch
Monday – Friday, 11 AM – 3 PM
Dinner
Daily, 5 PM – 9 PM
Brunch
Saturday & Sunday, 10 AM – 3 PM
Saint James French Diner Happy Hour
Happy Hour is served daily from 3pm to 6pm featuring a selection of refreshing beverages including Stella Artois, wines by the glass, and a Cocktail of the Day.
But come for their half-priced burgers with French-inspired twists. The Burger Parisienne is topped with cheese and caramelized onions that is plated on a rich bordelaise sauce. Or the Roadside Double, featuring swiss cheese, caramelized onions, and a hit of dijon mustard. For those craving a classic, the Burger Americane is also available.
About Our Stay at The Palihotel San Diego
Our Stay at a Glance
Dates
March 17 – March 18
Type
Couple’s Overnight Staycation
Room
Queen
What We Loved About The Palihotel San Diego
The Lobby
Walking into the lobby felt like stepping into a rich, colorful embrace. Deep, saturated hues surrounded me, and with every glance revealed something new. A quirky little animal statue here, an art piece tucked into a corner there. The room invited you to slow down and take it all in.
Warm Welcome
At the welcome table, a bowl of watermelon sours and a plate of little cookies sat beside pitchers of iced tea and lemon water. Let’s just say I became well-aquainted with those watermelon sours; they were borderline addictive. Every time I walked by, I would grab another one, like a kid sneaking candy from the kitchen, telling myself ‘just one more’ every single time.
After check-in, the front desk attendant walked us to the twin elevators, sharing a bit of the hotel’s history along the way. She even handed us a free drink voucher for the on-site restaurant, which felt like an unexpected bonus. We appreciated the genuine little moment of hospitality.
The Rooftop
The rooftop deck was easily my favorite part. I’ve spotted the iconic Saint James sign plenty of times while wandering downtown San Diego. But seeing it up close? It felt like I had access to a hidden side of the city most locals don’t even get a chance to see. The views of the skyline were exciting, and we spent time picking out familiar landmarks like the Coronado Bridge, the Convention Center, and even a little sliver of Petco Park framed between two buildings.
I could imagine settling in on the lounge couches and having a great conversation well into the evening. As the sun set, string lights flickered on, making the whole space feel even cozier. Just one word of advice: bring a light jacket or sweater. That rooftop breeze can get surprisingly chilly!
What We Loved About Our Room
We stayed in the Queen Room, and much like the lobby, our room was filled with little surprises. A stack of Palihotel postcards sat waiting to be discovered, and a retro teal phone rested on the bedside table. Tyler and I debated whether we could actually call our cell phones from it, but we never actually tried- some mysteries are best left unsolved.
The Smeg mini fridge was another fun touch, stocked with colorful drinks and delicious snacks that looked too good to ignore. We made a mental note to raid it later in the night (spoiler: we did).
So I’m one of those finicky sleepers. I need the room to be cold like a crisp Autumn’s day, but also need to be wrapped in an excessive number of blankets. It’s a contradiction but it works. One of my low-key fears in hotel rooms is the dreaded not-enough-blanket situation. But our room had a perfectly weighted blanket, with just enough of an open weave to keep the air flowing. A small detail, but a necessary one.
The Bathroom
But my favorite part? The bathroom. The blue striped tile paired with warm wood and gold hardware immediately had me filing ideas away for my own future bathroom… You know, for that next lifetime when California real estate doesn’t cost a small fortune and your first-born child. The shower gel had this subtly sweet scent, like farmer’s market peaches you would get in the middle of summer.
The room itself was compact, but it had everything we needed. And really, when you’re staying in the heart of downtown San Diego, how much time are you actually spending in your room anyway?
What We Loved About the Saint James Diner
Half-Priced Burger
One of the first things I put on our must-try list? Happy hour at Saint James Diner, specifically their half-priced burgers. A good burger is already a win, but a great burger at half the price? Yes please!
I went for the Burger Parisienne which included caramelized onions, melted cheddar cheese, and a rich bordelaise sauce on a soft, seeded bun. The first bite took me straight back to my days serving at a tavern in upstate New York, where we had a “French Onion Dip Burger” that still brings me nostalgia. This one hit all the same notes- savory, melty, and packed with flavor- except now I don’t have to fly across the country to satisfy the craving.
Tyler got the Roadside Double, stacked with garlicky Dijonnaise, Swiss Cheese, and caramelized onions, all balanced with the right bite of acidity. These were the kinds of burgers where your conversations fall quiet for a couple of minutes while you indulge.
Happy Hour Drinks
To wash them down, Tyler grabbed a Stella Artois, while I went for the cocktail of the day, which was fitting for Saint Patrick’s Day. The cocktail tasted of bold whiskey and vermouth concoction with a twist of orange. I have no idea how they decide on the cocktail of the day, but I’m not questioning it!
On top of all that, we used our free drink voucher and even scored a little extra discount for staying at the hotel!
Breakfast Beverages
The next morning, I grabbed a Cereal Milk Latte, which was just as fun as it sounds. Honestly, I’m not sure what I loved more: the latte itself or the cute branded cup it came in. Either way, it was the perfect way to wrap up our stay.
Some Things to Think About
The Elevator
Don’t get me wrong- I absolutely appreciate it when a bit of history is incorporated into a hotel’s design. But I will say, every time I used the elevator, I was just a little paranoid about catching my fingers in those old-fashioned gated doors. We packed light with backpacks, but I can imagine that juggling a rolling suitcase while fighting the elevator doors might be a bit of a struggle. And if you’re the impatient type like me, just know the elevators can take their sweet time. I found myself opting for the stairs more than once- but hey, at least I got my steps in!
The Location
So this hotel sits smack dab in the middle of Gaslamp Quarter, meaning you’re surrounded by San Diego’s most energetic nightlife scene. It’s an urban hotel, so don’t expect countryside-level quiet. We stayed on a Monday night, and even then, I could faintly hear the echoes of someone’s late-night adventures. It wasn’t disruptive enough to keep me awake, but if you’re someone who needs absolute silence to sleep, it’s worth keeping in mind.
Off-Season Hours
One final thing- why do we always seem to stay at hotels when part of the experience is closed? At our last stay at The Pearl Hotel, it was the restaurant; this time, the rooftop bar was closed! After doing a little investigating, I found out it only operates on weekends during the off-season and ramps up after Memorial Day. So, if you’re planning a visit and have rooftop drinks in mind, timing is key. Hopefully, we’ll get a chance to come back and experience it for ourselves!
Special Shoutout
Special shout-out and thank you to all the staff at both the Palihotel San Diego and Saint James French Diner. Everyone made us feel so welcomed to be there! From the friendly front desk team who shared bits of the hotel’s history to the restaurant staff who made sure our dining experience was top-notch, every interaction felt warm and genuine.