US Grant Hotel, San Diego, United
States by Sarah
Bromley
Location:
The US Grant Hotel, owned by Starwood Hotels, is located in the heart of
the sophisticated city of San Diego, combining the best of the cities past
and the energy of Downtown San Diego. The hotel is furnished with nine
foot high carved ceilings paying homage to its colourful past yet is combined
with modern elegance. The Celebration Fine Art Gallery is the largest gallery
in downtown San Diego and is perfectly positioned in the hotel lobby, displaying
many works of the brightest luminaries in today’s art world. Across the
street you have the colourful Horton Plaza and the historic Gaslamp Quarter
which is bursting with the cities finest restaurants, retails shops, theatres
and art galleries. The beautiful natural harbour is also just a few blocks
away, where you can soak up the surrounding inland mountains and view San
Diego’s dazzling cityscape of urban revitalization.
History:
Built in 1910 by Ulysses S. Grant Jr, and originally named for his father
former president Ulysses S Grant. Although it’s Edwardian stature may not
be old in comparison to various European grand hotels, but for California
it is old, wise and full of old tales. Throughout the years, it has
hosted many from history books such as Charles Lindbergh, Albert Einstein
and president and Mrs Eisenhower. Since Starwood Hotels brought the establishment
in 2003, it has undergone a $52 million renovation, trying to keep original
features and building components whilst complementing the nine decade legacy
of the building, creating a timeless masterpiece. In artwork alone, the
project team commissioned more than $6.5 million worth of custom designed
pieces. Renovation included the three ball rooms: the Crystal Ballroom,
the President Ballroom and the Celestial Ballrom.
Rooms
and Suites: Each guestroom integrates commissioned French art, like
a custom Yves Clement drip-painting, into historic wall finishes while
complimenting the totally palate with artist designed custom crafted furnishings,
giving each room a cultural yet light and contemporary feel. Original Native
American art adorns the bedroom foyer and bathroom, while plasma screens
and WiFi are tastefully integrated into the room features. 270 guest accommodations
include over 47 suite options including 3 Presidentials, rightfully designed
as the hotel has played host to 13 United States Presidents. The 11th floor
Presidential Penthouse Suite is the ultimate choice. Providing panoramic
views of San Diego’s skyline, San Diego Bay, and the Coronado Bay Bridge,
it offers an unparalleled glimpse of the city’s unique character.
Restaurants
and Bars: The hotel’s Grant Grill restaurant has an interesting
history, commemorated by a brass plaque at the door. The room admitted
men only, until 1960s when a group of 6 lawyers booked a reservation under
the first name of Sydney. When the group arrived, restaurant staff realised
the Sydney was one of the firm’s female partners and has since then been
serving innovative cuisine for both for men and women to enjoy. Not surprisingly,
the décor has a distinctly masculine feel, with rich, dark woods
and leather. The menu offers a selection of Californian native regional
cuisine, a fusion of local seasonally grown and market fresh produce, and
grilled specialities complemented by regional wineries and local breweries.
Sport
and Spa: Spa Velia is an award-winning day spa a few blocks from
the hotel but they provide in-room spa services for guests of the
US Grant Hotel. The Spa Veila offers an intimate, old world boutique spa
destination for the ultimate luxurious pampering experience. The spa has
a feeling of entering a secret medieval lair, with its earthly tunnel-like
hallways and waterfall sounds, lulling you instantly into a state of relaxation.
The spacious co-ed Aromatic Steam rooms are outfitted with refreshing cold-plunge
showers and the spacious Veila Swiss Showers are designed to fully massage
and relax either before or after treatments. You can share the spa experience
in the Couple’s suites where two therapists work in tandem for you and
your chosen guest.
Address Details: The US Grant, San Diego
326 Broadway
San Diego,
California 92101
United States
Location:
The US Grant Hotel, owned by Starwood Hotels, is located in the heart of
the sophisticated city of San Diego, combining the best of the cities past
and the energy of Downtown San Diego. The hotel is furnished with nine
foot high carved ceilings paying homage to its colourful past yet is combined
with modern elegance. The Celebration Fine Art Gallery is the largest gallery
in downtown San Diego and is perfectly positioned in the hotel lobby, displaying
many works of the brightest luminaries in today’s art world. Across the
street you have the colourful Horton Plaza and the historic Gaslamp Quarter
which is bursting with the cities finest restaurants, retails shops, theatres
and art galleries. The beautiful natural harbour is also just a few blocks
away, where you can soak up the surrounding inland mountains and view San
Diego’s dazzling cityscape of urban revitalization.
History:
Built in 1910 by Ulysses S. Grant Jr, and originally named for his father
former president Ulysses S Grant. Although it’s Edwardian stature may not
be old in comparison to various European grand hotels, but for California
it is old, wise and full of old tales. Throughout the years, it has
hosted many from history books such as Charles Lindbergh, Albert Einstein
and president and Mrs Eisenhower. Since Starwood Hotels brought the establishment
in 2003, it has undergone a $52 million renovation, trying to keep original
features and building components whilst complementing the nine decade legacy
of the building, creating a timeless masterpiece. In artwork alone, the
project team commissioned more than $6.5 million worth of custom designed
pieces. Renovation included the three ball rooms: the Crystal Ballroom,
the President Ballroom and the Celestial Ballrom.
Rooms
and Suites: Each guestroom integrates commissioned French art, like
a custom Yves Clement drip-painting, into historic wall finishes while
complimenting the totally palate with artist designed custom crafted furnishings,
giving each room a cultural yet light and contemporary feel. Original Native
American art adorns the bedroom foyer and bathroom, while plasma screens
and WiFi are tastefully integrated into the room features. 270 guest accommodations
include over 47 suite options including 3 Presidentials, rightfully designed
as the hotel has played host to 13 United States Presidents. The 11th floor
Presidential Penthouse Suite is the ultimate choice. Providing panoramic
views of San Diego’s skyline, San Diego Bay, and the Coronado Bay Bridge,
it offers an unparalleled glimpse of the city’s unique character.
Restaurants
and Bars: The hotel’s Grant Grill restaurant has an interesting
history, commemorated by a brass plaque at the door. The room admitted
men only, until 1960s when a group of 6 lawyers booked a reservation under
the first name of Sydney. When the group arrived, restaurant staff realised
the Sydney was one of the firm’s female partners and has since then been
serving innovative cuisine for both for men and women to enjoy. Not surprisingly,
the décor has a distinctly masculine feel, with rich, dark woods
and leather. The menu offers a selection of Californian native regional
cuisine, a fusion of local seasonally grown and market fresh produce, and
grilled specialities complemented by regional wineries and local breweries.
Sport
and Spa: Spa Velia is an award-winning day spa a few blocks from
the hotel but they provide in-room spa services for guests of the
US Grant Hotel. The Spa Veila offers an intimate, old world boutique spa
destination for the ultimate luxurious pampering experience. The spa has
a feeling of entering a secret medieval lair, with its earthly tunnel-like
hallways and waterfall sounds, lulling you instantly into a state of relaxation.
The spacious co-ed Aromatic Steam rooms are outfitted with refreshing cold-plunge
showers and the spacious Veila Swiss Showers are designed to fully massage
and relax either before or after treatments. You can share the spa experience
in the Couple’s suites where two therapists work in tandem for you and
your chosen guest.