The US Grant is a historical hotel located in the Gaslamp Quarter of downtown San Diego. Upon opening her doors in 1910, the US Grant Hotel once hosted California’s high-society as one of the most luxurious hotels of the time.
With over a century of history, the US Grant Hotel was home to a speakeasy during the Prohibition of the 1920’s and, in the 1930’s, the largest radio towers on the West Coast were installed on her roof.
She has hosted presidents and celebrities, been a hallmark of women’s rights, and served as an eternal light during the city’s hungrier and darker days.
Today, the US Grant still exudes timeless class and luxury while offering modern amenities for hotel guests.
The Hotel
The US Grant Hotel is now operated by Starwood Hotels and Resorts as a part of their Luxury Collection. It is 11 stories high and has 270 guest rooms.
A recent renovation returned the original carriage entrance to Fourth Avenue and re-opened for the first time in four decades. Complete with restored travertine floor in vibrant gold and black tiles, it was crowned with a priceless, 1930’s crystal chandelier.
The entire hotel is absolutely gorgeous and overflowing with history!
The Presidential Suite
I was invited to stay the night in one of the US Grant’s Presidential Suites. As someone born and raised in Southern California, you don’t often stay at the local hotels, so this was an incredible treat for me!
The hotel’s three presidential suites have been tailored to Secret Service standards for accommodating presidential visits. Famous guests have included Albert Einstein, Charles Lindbergh, Woodrow Wilson and 12 additional United States Presidents.
Needless to say, I immediately felt the VIP treatment upon opening the door to my GIANT hotel room. The two-story suite featured a foyer with balcony that overlooked a large living area with formal dining room.
To the right, I entered my room where I immediately threw myself onto the big bed and nuzzled my nose into the softest sheets ever!
Everything in the suite was beautiful, including the incredible balcony view and spacious bathroom.
Dining
The US Grant’s history also includes the opening of the Grant Grill in the 1950’s. In the 1950s and ‘60s, the Grant Grill was the place to power lunch. Lawyers, bankers and newspaper editors frequented the sanctified room, which was guaranteed to be free of ladies until 3:00 p.m.
In 1969, a group of local female attorneys notoriously, and successfully, staged a “sit-in” at the Grant Grill. The rest, is history. You can still see the original brass plaque along with the story outside of the restaurant.
Today, you can visit Grant Grill and feel surrounded by history as you indulge in authentic Californian cuisine paired with regional wines and beers and hand-crafted cocktails.
The US Grant Hotel is an iconic San Diego establishment overflowing with history and glamour. Whether you book a stay, dine at Grant Grill or, at the very least, pop your head in to admire her beauty, be sure to add the US Grant Hotel to your San Diego itinerary!
More Information
Hotel: The US Grant Hotel
Location: Downtown San Diego, California
Accommodation: Luxury, Historic
Price Range: $$$
Special thanks to The US Grant for hosting me as their guest. As always, the content & opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
I lived in San Diego for a few years down the street from this place and although I never stayed there, I always wandered in the hotel to do a little exploring on my own. It’s so classically beautiful I was just drawn to it. So cool you got to stay in The Presidential Suite!!!
I just discovered your blog and I love it! I can’t wait to check out more on the middle east because we lived in Qatar for 3 years. Thanks for the tips on San Diego–we’re considering a trip to California next summer 🙂