Fodor's Expert Review The Sofia Hotel
150 W. Broadway, San Diego, California, 92101, United States, San Diego, California, USA See on Map Fodor's Choice
Set on the edge of the Gaslamp Quarter, not far from the opera and symphony, the Sofia Hotel is housed in a historic 1926 gothic-revival building. With chic rooms, a serene spa, and a bustling brasserie, the boutique property is a sophisticated option in Downtown San Diego.
room
The Sofia’s elegant modern guestrooms have a soothing vibe, with soft neutral hues, dark wood furniture, comfortable beds, and large paned windows original to the building. Spacious VIP Suites feature jetted tubs, seating areas, and upscale touches such as decorative wallpaper and fine artwork.
YOU SHOULD KNOW The standard rooms are on the small side but still luxurious.
bathroom
A dark wood vanity with a contemporary vessel sink and lighted mirror are just outside the small, stylish bathroom with a tiled walk-in shower.
lobby
The elegant lobby makes the most of its sophisticated historic digs, with painted moldings, wallpaper, tufted rolled-arm sofas and seating in shimmery grays and purples, and oversize light fixtures.
spa
Sofia Spa offers a full range of services, including facials, massages, and body skincare treatments.
gym
The hotel’s 24-hour fitness center includes cardio equipment, strength-training machines, and free weights.
Guests can schedule a yoga sesh with a personal trainer at the hotel’s yoga studio.
dining
With curved arches, tufted banquettes, baroque chandeliers, and a black-and-white harlequin tile floor, Currant Brasserie has a chic bistro setting. The menu melds French and California flavors, with inventive dishes like duck confit tacos and classic options like steak frites. Outdoor sidewalk seating is perfect for people watching.
drinking
Currant’s bar has an afternoon happy hour with drink and apps specials.
LOCATION
Getting Around
From the Sofia, it’s an 8-minute walk to San Diego’s historic Santa Fe Train Depot, where you’ll find Amtrak and the Coaster, a commuter train that services coastal communities to the north. The Santa Fe trolley hub connects to all three trolley lines. The Green Line is the most tourist-friendly, servicing the Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, Old Town, and the world-class Fashion Valley shopping center. Interstate 5, a major north-south freeway, is about a mile from the hotel; follow C Street east and turn left on 11th Avenue to reach the on-ramp. The I-5 connects to other highways that cover the sprawling region.
Restaurants
Just steps from the hotel, Tender Greens (1-minute walk) has seasonal, farm-to-table food and offers a build-your-own-plate option (pick a protein, a veggie, and a side), as well as salads, soups, and sandwiches. The classy Dobson’s Bar & Restaurant (2-minute walk) is famous for its mussel bisque, but the rest of the menu is great, too, with French-inflected dishes such as escargots, charcuterie, and cheese, and elegant entrees like roasted Texas quail and bistro chicken.
WHY WE LIKE IT
Set in a beautiful historic building, The Sofia Hotel offers sophisticated style and a convenient location just steps from the Gaslamp’s many restaurants and bars and close to the symphony and opera. With a spa, a yoga studio, and a chic French bistro with sidewalk seating, the hotel makes for a stylish urban escapein Downtown San Diego.
QUICK FACTS
Fodor’s Awards
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