Residence Inn San Diego Downtown/Gaslamp Quarter

Residence Inn hotels are generally known for their generic decor, but the Residence Inn San Diego Downtown/Gaslamp Quarter is more stylish than most of its sister properties, with a colorful lobby and well-equipped suites and studios. Freebies -- including Internet access and a buffet breakfast -- help make this property a good value.The 240 studios and one-bedroom suites come with 32-inch flat-screen TVs, and fully equipped kitchens with pots, pans, a dishwasher, microwave, and stovetop (but no oven). The carpets are a little busy, and the bathrooms are no-frills, but dark wood furniture and blue-and-white decor help make the rooms feel relatively tasteful.Bar Vie, located in the hotel lobby, is a casual spot with modern decor, colorful couches, and interesting signature cocktails, but it is generally deserted (it's hard to compete with the numerous bars in this hip area). Adjacent is the business center, a spacious open area with a couple of computers and a long table with sockets to plug in laptops.The fitness room has a nice view of the street and of the pool. The heated pool is a little small, but it has beach chairs, umbrellas and a barbecue area.

The historical Gaslamp Quarter, located between 4th and 6th Avenues, and between Broadway to the north and Harbor Drive to the south, is a hip, young neighborhood that's home to some of Downtown San Diego's best restaurants, shopping, nightlife, and art galleries. It's also where some of the city's most popular outdoor celebrations -- Mardi Gras, St. Patrick's Day, and the Street Scene music festival -- take place.6-minute drive to Balboa Park7-minute drive to the Maritime Museum of San Diego8-minute walk to Petco Park (home of the San Diego Padres)9-minute walk to the San Diego Convention Center11-minute drive to the San Diego Zoo11-minute drive to the San Diego International Airport12-minute drive to Sea World12-minute drive to Coronado Beach12-minute drive to Old Town

The Residence Inn has 240 spacious studios and one-bedroom suites, ranging in size from 400 square feet to 600 square feet. Most of the rooms have sofa beds in the living area and all come with a full kitchen featuring a microwave, stovetop, dishwasher, and fridge, making them convenient for families.Despite the location blocks from the Convention Center, there is no work space available in the rooms other than the tiny dining table.Technology is up-to-date, and rooms come with Wi-Fi and wired Internet access (free throughout the property), and 32-inch flat screen TVs -- though no iPod docks or safes. (There is a safe at the front desk, however.)All rooms include:32-inch flat-screen TV with premium movie channels and cable access, including CNN, ESPN and HBORadioKitchen with full-size appliances (fridge, stovetop, microwave, pots, pans -- but no oven)Free wired and Wi-Fi Internet accessIron and ironing boardCoffeemakerRoom types:Studio: 400 to 450 square feet; king or queen bed; living area; dining area with a table for two; shower/tub combo; some have a sofa bedOne-bedroom Suite: 500 to 600 square feet; king or queen bed and a sofa bed in a separate living area; two TVs

The hotel has most of the amenities you’d expect to find in a mid-range chain, like a fitness center and a pool, but there's not much more than that. The gym is quite nice, though, with views of the street and the pool, and modern machines.Valet parking is steep ($35 per day when we visited), but it’s the normal price you pay in the area, which is full of restaurants and shops and gets packed at night, making it hard to find a parking spot. However, there are cheaper public garages in the area with self-parking available.Fitness center with modern machines24-hour business centerHeated rooftop pool with barbecue areaGrocery shopping serviceValet parking for $35 per dayCoin-operated laundry serviceSafe at front deskWelcome gift for kidsPets allowed for a $100 non-refundable sanitation feeATM1,334 square feet of meeting space

Bar Vie is a full bar off the lobby serving a light American menu. It is normally empty, but the outdoor area is a good spot to enjoy one of their signature cocktails or reasonably priced comfort food.Free buffet breakfast