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 (185)
  • Very good (41)
  • Average (18)
  • Poor (8)
  • Terrible (5)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Cozy, Comfortable and classy

Apr 26, 2024 Stacy L

My stay was complete with a great room, beautiful views from my balcony, and amazing breakfast at the Cafe. Noah at the Front Desk checked us in and even remembered our names as we'd pass by in the lobby to ask us how we were doing. So much to do in San Diego and this hotel is located in the heart of it all!
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Underwhelming experience

Apr 25, 2024 caramelfilipina Seattle, Washington

The hotel's location in the Gaslamp Quarter, while central, presents challenges due to the visible presence of homelessness, public drug use, and other disruptive behaviors. Additionally, the room layout, though modern, lacks functionality. During my recent conference stay, I found it difficult to find suitable space for working on a computer. The… Read more
The hotel's location in the Gaslamp Quarter, while central, presents challenges due to the visible presence of homelessness, public drug use, and other disruptive behaviors. Additionally, the room layout, though modern, lacks functionality. During my recent conference stay, I found it difficult to find suitable space for working on a computer. The bathroom's sliding glass door offers minimal privacy when sharing the room, and the absence of nightstands beside the bed was inconvenient. Furthermore, the cleanliness of the room was subpar, with noticeable residue on the bathroom wall and a stained towel provided as "clean." The dining experience was disappointing, with mediocre food quality and high prices, including $10 for a side of two eggs at breakfast. The hotel's lack of amenities, such as an ice bucket, and inadequate lighting further detracted from the overall experience. Considering these factors, I would not choose to stay at this establishment again in the future. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Alma Kimpton Very Special

Apr 23, 2024 bdette2013 San Diego, California

Sophie, Josh & Amanda are so gracious & friendly!!! We got a lovely fruit plate & a bottle of red wine with a greeting card for our 20th Wedding Anniversary! They made us feel very special. Amanda who served us at The Cafe is very efficient, made us felt welcome! The room is very unique, full of artwork. It is different from all the other… Read more
Sophie, Josh & Amanda are so gracious & friendly!!! We got a lovely fruit plate & a bottle of red wine with a greeting card for our 20th Wedding Anniversary! They made us feel very special. Amanda who served us at The Cafe is very efficient, made us felt welcome! The room is very unique, full of artwork. It is different from all the other hotels we've visited. Thanks so much everyone. Staff are great as well! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Never again

Apr 23, 2024 Alexis P

Where do I begin? First it falsely claims to have crib, but it does not. It has a pack n play, which is not a crib. If it that was a crib, it would be sold as a crip not a pack n play. Second, we are IHG platinum members and didn't get offered the welcome drink that everyone else was offered. Lastly, there was no food or bar options open at 3pm… Read more
Where do I begin? First it falsely claims to have crib, but it does not. It has a pack n play, which is not a crib. If it that was a crib, it would be sold as a crip not a pack n play. Second, we are IHG platinum members and didn't get offered the welcome drink that everyone else was offered. Lastly, there was no food or bar options open at 3pm when we checked in. This was at the pool and in the hotel lobby, no food or drink available. Stay somewhere else! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Not good...

Apr 22, 2024 Marcos S

My first mistake was booking it because I thought the Kimpton brand meant it would live up to a certain standard. Wrong. The rooms look like something out of Eastern Europe circa the mid-80s. It's basically a hostel/dormitory for airline personnel and young hipsters. If you're looking for a clean, luxury hotel, this isn't it. My room was tiny and… Read more
My first mistake was booking it because I thought the Kimpton brand meant it would live up to a certain standard. Wrong. The rooms look like something out of Eastern Europe circa the mid-80s. It's basically a hostel/dormitory for airline personnel and young hipsters. If you're looking for a clean, luxury hotel, this isn't it. My room was tiny and sad-looking. I found a contact lens in the sink...and I don't wear contacts. The following day the room was similarly not cleaned well. Staff were nice, but in the end they didn't deliver a good product which is what I and you are paying for. Read less