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October 21, 2009

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WHERE'S JOHNNY JET?                    San Diego Hotels
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SOFIA HOTEL
I stayed at two hotels while I was there. The first two nights were at The Sofia Hotel, from whom I received an email 10 days before arriving, offering to make a reservation and check out their spa. They even provided a map of San Diego with things to do. Not only is it a great way to up-sell their products, but it helps guests plan their trip better.



CHECK-IN
The staff is friendly … from the valet guys to the front desk crew. The hotel is clean, historic (it used to be the Pickwick Hotel) and pet-friendly -- they have dog treats at the front desk.

ROOMS
It’s an old building so the rooms are small but clean, well designed, built solid and are quiet. They have everything you could want: a mini-fridge, microwave, safe, soft towels, blackout curtains and flat screen TV.

SOFIA HOTEL: LOCATION
The hotel is situated on the outskirts of the Gas Lamp but it’s walking distance to a ton of restaurants and bars, all just three to five blocks away. Horton Plaza, the shopping Mecca of San Diego, is three blocks, the Convention Center and Petco Park are seven blocks. The only downside is the it’s right next to the Greyhound bus station and you know what kind of crowd this seems to attract. Other points of interest like The San Diego Zoo, Seaport Village, Sea World, Old Town and The Embarcadero are all a close drive. Rack rates begin at $124. Sofia Hotel, 150 West Broadway, San Diego, CA; Tel: 619-234-9200.

SE HOTEL
The other hotel I stayed at was the Se, located on 5th street and five long city blocks from the convention center. Se opened in December 2008 and was supposed to be called the Setai but they realized they had such a good product they didn’t need to be associated with the Miami hotel. So they created their own brand. From the moment you walk through the huge, funky front door, you realize you are in for a design treat.

ASIAN STYLE
There are 184 guest rooms (including 20 condo residences) at this hip, trendy spot. Checking in, I felt like I was in a stylish Asian hotel with hot American girls working there. There’s no framed art on the walls; instead each wall is a work of art. They got their design concept from 20 different countries.

DINING
There’s one happening restaurant and two bars – one out by the popular outdoor pool. When I went to use the loo I though uh-oh, I just got steered into the ladies room! But it turned out to be a unisex bathroom, which is always a little uncomfortable for me, but it’s really something to see and is said to have cost $500,000 alone.

SE ROOM
The rooms are huge with 15-foot ceilings. I was in a suite because when I checked in, all the other rooms were full thanks to the NBTA convention. This means I had two of everything instead of one: two flat screen TVs, two cordless phones and two bathrooms. The pillows were soft and long but the comforter was way too heavy for my liking (Natalie would have loved it, though). The curtains took me a while to figure out but that’s what I get for leaving the Do Not Disturb sign on the door; the maid couldn’t come in and do a turn down service and tidy up. The bathroom door is frosted glass so the room didn’t get pitch black. The windows weren’t very soundproof and the planes buzzing over the city in the morning woke me up … fortunately, I love airports. Internet cost just $9.95 a day and my Sprint wireless card had a weak signal so I was forced to log on. Parking is $36. Rates begin at $179.

SE SPA
If you already have a reservation at another hotel or live in San Diego, you will at least want to visit the Se to check out the decor and get a spa treatment. I had a massage, which was pretty much perfect. The Se offers a unique concept. Guests wait in a beautiful co-ed room with hot tea or cucumber/orange water and bowls of chocolate almonds until your therapist fetches you. They take you to your own private room where you get changed and have your own closet -- there are no locker rooms. Each has a high-pressure shower (with two showerhead options) and it doubles as a steam room. Unfortunately, the steam doesn’t get too hot – and I heard that same complaint from another guest so they need to get that fixed. But the microfiber sheets from Comphy are like silk and I want them for my bed. My masseuse was a talented therapist who asked if the pressure was good and it was nice and firm – just the way I like it. Se, 1047 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA. Tel: 619-515-3000.

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Pictures From

The Trip

 

Sofia Hotel

 

Front Desk

 

Dog Friendly

 

Small, Comfy Rooms

 

Clean Bathrooms

 

Well Designed

 

Clever Menus

 

5th Street

 

Se Front Door

 

Se Lobby

 

Check-In

 

No Framed Artwork

 

Se Suite

 

Se Bedroom

 

Se Tub

 

Se Pool

 

Se Spa

 

Se Massage

 

Se Masseuse

 

HOUSEKEEPING

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