Hotel Palomar: San Diego Kimpton

Kimpton Hotels strike the right note between hip and family friendly. This chain of boutique hotels offers great value, with free bikes and coffee in the morning.

Unfortunately, the Hotel Palomar in San Diego was not up to the brand standard. There were only 2 bicycles for guest use, and both times we tried to use them, they were out.

Our room was slightly shabby, with stained cushions and scuffed, dusty floors. But the morning coffee was delicious and in the evening, there is free wine.

The fitness center was so cramped that there was no place to roll out a mat – the hula hoops would likely not get much use.

The Palomar does have a beautiful pool, with comfy lounges and a child-friendly zero entry. On the expansive pool deck, there are free yoga classes one day a week.

We ate at the nearby Jsix restaurant, in another Kimpton property, the Hotel Solamar. This hotel reminded me of the Kimpton in Portland, OR, with wine, craft beer AND cocktails at its evening happy hour; not sure how many bicycles that hotel has.

But the seasonal American restaurant was wonderful. We were greeted with sparkling wine and an amuse bouche, then had excellent salads and delicious fish and pasta.