The US Grant Hotel - San Diego, California - Historic Luxury Hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter

Since 1910, the expansive US Grant Hotel has been a San Diego icon. It was designed by Harrison Albright to replace the luxurious 1870 Horton House, which had been renamed in 1895 by the daughter-in-law of Ulysses S. Grant, the 19th U.S. President.

The hotel was expanded by Baron Long in 1927 and again by Christopher Sickels in 1985, adding meeting space, a glittering Grand Lobby with crystal chandeliers and silk carpets, and the inspired Grand Ballroom. Over the years, illustrious guests have included Albert Einstein and First Lady Mamie Eisenhower, among others.

The Gaslamp District grew up around the hotel, placing it at the heart of San Diego's shopping, dining and entertainment scene. In 2006, the US Grant became part of the Starwood Hotels & Resorts' Luxury Collection, retaining its palatial elegance while gaining contemporary upgrades in the most recent makeover.

Today, the US Grant Hotel offers 223 studio-style guest rooms and 47 suites, each of them featuring nine-foot-high ceilings. The walls are finished with crown molding and hung with specially commissioned French and Native American art. Classic Empire-style furnishings, original drip-painting headboards by Yves Clement, and 300-thread-count Italian linens are just a few of the upscale touches found in each unit.

Eight different types of accommodations are available, ranging from Superior Rooms with 300~450 square feet of interior space to the 1,300-square-foot Presidential Penthouse Suite, which was once a radio station on the 11th floor. Deluxe Rooms feature imported carpets, contemporary art, and state-of-the-art electronics in 400~500 square feet of space, while Grand Deluxe Rooms on the top floor are 100 square feet larger and have their own private whirlpool bathes.

The one-bedroom Legacy and Landmark Suites cover from 400 to 750 square feet, and the Signature Suites offer separate sleeping, living, and dining areas, 10'x10' walk-in marble showers, and two king-sized beds in a 770-square-foot area. There is also a 900-square-foot Event Planner Suite available, specially equipped to meet the needs of key personnel for both meeting space and privacy.

Offering contemporary Californian cuisine, the Art Deco-style Grant Grill and its Grant Grill Lounge have become popular spots for power breakfasts, business lunches, and impressive dinners. Meanwhile, the hotel's grand Lobby Lounge provides and elegant and opulent setting for pre-dinner cocktails and late-night drinks until 2am.

Among the hotel's many on-site features are a full-service fitness center, the Celebration Fine Art gallery, and a luxury boutique called Luggage Liaison. A special spa concierge assists guests in arranging for body treatments and facials, in-room dining is available 24/7, complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access is offered in the lobby, and newspapers from all over the world are provided by NewpaperDirect.

When the hotel was remodeled in 1956 and again 50 years later, emphasis was placed on creating a premier location for banquets, conferences, and gala events. There are 22 meeting areas and more than 33,000-square-feet of function space available, including intimate gathering places as well as the fabled Presidential Ballroom, the lavish Celestial Ballroom, and the timeless Crystal Ballroom.

The US Grant Hotel is located at 326 Broadway, San Diego, California 92101. From San Diego International Airport, take Harbor Drive to Broadway and turn left. Continue on Broadway for ten blocks to Third Avenue and turn right. The hotel entrance and valet parking are on the right.