SkiAdcock

Opening Feb '19. Cat 6. Hotel website:

https://www.marriott.com/hotels/trav...rtfolio-hotel/

"The Guild Hotel is a juxtaposition in iconic heritage and modern design. The century-old YMCA building mingles ornate archways and original tilework with contemporary art and inspiring amenities. Every detail is thoughtfully curated for an authentic urban experience—right in the heart of San Diego’s downtown revival. Our 162 guest rooms, including a rooftop penthouse, feature smart TVs, signature-scent bath amenities, and complimentary WiFi. Want to indulge your palate? Enjoy rustic artisan plates in Luca’s courtyard restaurant. Ready to explore? Fine dining, craft breweries, stadiums, theaters, galleries, and music venues are all just minutes away in the historic Gaslamp Quarter."

CCIE_Flyer

Any idea when it will become bookable? I have been contemplating a trip to SD in June, but it would be to attend an event, and hotels are insane that week (perhaps they always are there, somehow have never been yet).

Thanks!

SkiAdcock

Probably bookable closer to opening in Feb.

Cheers.

lockman21

Has anyone stayed here yet? Looking for some insight on a potential stay in SD.

bigshooter

Staying there tonight, will report back tomorrow

bigshooter

So I had exactly 8 hours in this fairly small 1 month old property. Overall great location (about 5 blocks from Little Italy) and no hassle around the area from street people. I believe this is normally blown out of proportion by reviews, but thought I'd let everyone know they won't be hassled.

I stayed in what I believe was the Master junior suite on the second floor. Not much to say except I found the layout to be good for a fairly small space, bathroom was nice, only issue is there's at least 4 or 5 windows that need shades closed if you plan to bathe or walk around el natural. Might not be an issue if you're on a higher floor.

I stopped by the lobby bar which had an ok beer and pretty good liquor selection. The menu for Luca looked pretty good and I almost decided on a couple small plates for dinner, but wanted to get out and walk around for a bit. Will try it out next time I'm there for work. Also no time to try out the gym, I probably should have done that instead of drinking beers.

Staff was very friendly during the brief time I was there.

Jailer

I am here for my second stay and while not for everyone, I quite like this almost 100 year old converted Armed Services YMCA. Much of the old Y-bones are evident. For example, what appears to be the old basketball court is now a ballroom with a running track above circumnavigating the space. The pool is gone and, ironically, the hotel gym space is small without a lot of equipment.

On my first brief trip I took the available room for an early check in instead of waiting for an upgrade. At maybe 200 square feet it was akin to a SRO room in NYC, except the down the hall bathroom is replaced with in-room conveniences. The small space was actually pretty likable, but it would be grim for two people.

Now back and in an expanded corner king with Mrs. Jailer, one has to balance the cool city and brick vibe and historic repurposing with little closet space and no safe and no fridge. It is minimalist and I haven’t yet figured out where to hang wet towels. Lighting is quite good.

Drink coupons are provided to elites and breakfast in a heated outdoor courtyard was, on my first visit, generous and well plated. There is seating in the lobby as well. No lounge, although there is a wine and beer reception for elites in the late afternoon which if I get to and is worth commenting on...I will.

Jailer

A couple of annotations to my above post:

There is a safe in one of the nightstands and drawers are integrated under the bed, I suppose if we hadn’t carried our minimal luggage the porter would have given us the room design tour. I still don’t like the solution for wet towels, but a first-world problem to be sure.

Went once to the wine reception, which is every day from 3-4. A bottle of a decent red and white with a few better quality cheeses and meats plus some fruit and crackers. Not bad.

In the month or two since my first stay there is more, rather than less, confusion regarding the elite breakfast. At check-in was told the coupons were for two breakfasts, at the restaurant only one breakfast per coupon, which was a little awkward and necessitated a jaunt over to reception for more coupons. Also, where originally the coupons were good for anything on the limited menu, now only the two eggs and meat plus coffee: a bit tiresome for a multi-night stay. And yes, the manager will come over and approve something that is, honestly, a dollar or two extra, but having to negotiate is vexing to me as I find it anti-hospitable. Really, it makes life easier if the coupon is, say, redeemable for the $14 standard fare or worth, say, $12 towards anything else. That way I don’t have to argue or read about somebody on this thread getting treated differently. My take away is that management concluded that they were being over generous to elites and that now there is some confusion amongst line staff how to implement.

I’d likely stay again, although downtown San Diego is awash with both Hiltons and Marriotts.

ENOTTY

Anyone know when they added a destination fee (currently at $30+tax/day)?

I don’t recall seeing it when I booked the stay back in December, nor is it mentioned on the confirmation email I received back then. I only know about it now because it was mentioned in the reminder email they sent a week before the stay.

Marriott Bonvoy Lurker II

Hi ENOTTY,

We would like to look into this if you could forward a copy of your reservation confirmation email to below address.

[email protected]

Best Regards,

Christina Z
Specialist, Social Media
Marriott International

Jailer

No destination fee assessed on my five night stay that ended in mid-January.

ENOTTY

Many thanks to Christina Z (above) who put me in touch with the hotel. The hotel said that the destination fee started to be applied on 17 JAN 2020. Reservations made before this date would be exempt. The policy was honored on check-in.

uxb

I’m presently staying here with the destination fee. It’s $30, but you get a lot of bang for the buck. It includes self-parking at the car park around the corner and a daily $25 F&B voucher. Already, unlike a certain Le Meridien property in downtown Chicago, the fee is justified.

Still, there are other features including 2 tickets to the SD Museum of Art, comp coffee, comp local and domestic calls, comp Wi-Fi, a 24/7 fitness centre and comp bike rentals. There are some caveats, the big one being full in/out self parking privileges are $15/daily. They will grant you one exit pass, but I’m not sure if they do that daily. I found a spot on the street, and used my handicapped placard, so I didn’t use the car park. However, the destination fee seems to offer a great value (for the moment).

That aside… no upgrade, but I was greeted with a bottle of Evian and a bag of chocolate covered pretzels. I quoted the above post because I was also greeted by a naked couple across the way from me, so I sat with a bag of popcorn I brought with me from Chicago. Great show, but yeah… pull your shades down if you’re planning to have sex, but that should’ve been obvious advice. *shrug*

My room is big, but sparse. Aside from toiletries, all of the typical amenities of a hotel room are on demand including the mini fridge and alarm clock. What a relief to be in a room without something bright that’s flashing the wrong time.

I’d stay here again even if there weren’t a sex show across the way.

uxb

One more tip, if you are staying at this property on a corporate or government rate, then you are NOT assessed the destination fee. This also means you don’t get any of its perks, so expect surprise charges for everything even if you don’t use certain benefits. I got charged for parking even though I parked on the street. *shrug*

ysbyvr

Do they remove the destination fee from the bill? I've booked one of these rates, and it still shows a $35/night destination fee in the total cost.