by Angela Fairhurst
Downtown San Diego has a new hotspot, the InterContinental San Diego. The hotel is the epicenter of the new BRIC mixed-use complex at BRoadway and PacifIC in front the scenic San Diego Bay waterfront.
THE HOTEL
Opened in late 2018, the 19-story luxury hotel is reminiscent of Asian hotels, where the reception areas are frequently located on higher floors to take advantage of superior views. There is natural light emanating through the floor-to-ceiling windows in the public areas, guest rooms and meeting spaces. To echo the surrounding warmth of the seas, the hotel is designed in blues, grays and neutrals.
THE ROOMS
There are 400 well-appointed guest rooms, including 24 spacious panoramic suites.
King Room
The bathrooms have some especially appreciated features. The main mirror doubles as a night light with the push of a discrete button and automatically lights upon approach. In the shower were wall-mounted and handheld shower heads, with the on-off handle on the wall opposite of the shower heads to avoid getting wet when turning on the water.
DINING
Vistal is the hotel’s signature restaurant with San Diego veteran chef Amy DiBiase at the helm, cooking with the freshest local ingredients and catch of the day blending Southern California regional flavors with influences from the Pacific Islands, Mediterranean fishing villages and Baja Peninsula. The restaurant has two water-view dining rooms, private terrace and 29-seat bar making it a neighborhood hotspot.
Alongside Vistal is Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse. With a separate entrance from the hotel, guests enter the two-story restaurant to view a marble staircase alongside 7,000 wine bottles in a temperature-controlled glass wall. Utilizing the waterfront location, the restaurant takes advantage of the view with floor-to-ceiling windows and a mix of indoor/outdoor space, banquet seating, crystal chandeliers, two bars and five private dining rooms. Indulge in hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood and an award-winning wine list.
EXTRAS
Club InterContinental enhances guests’ stays with concierge services such as complimentary breakfast, a full bar with premium spirits, dinner and event reservations.
The InterContinental San Diego has a café and pool bar. The pool and sun deck sit just outside that area with unobstructed bay and sunset vistas.
On the fourth floor, there is a 3,300 square-foot health and wellness center featuring a yoga terrace and video wall.
