Alma San Diego Downtown, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

I stayed here at the end of 2025 and feel I should speak up so other guests watch their valuables. We came back from Seaworld and found $700 cash missing from my backpack. The pocket was hanging open, with the remaining $300 visible, though there had originally been $1,000 inside. Maybe I was careless, or maybe staff training needs more attention. There were some pluses: check-in at 10pm was easy, and the restaurant on the first floor had a good rating. As part of Marriot selections, the hotel seems to be trying its best. Still, lots of homeless people by the entrance made me feel unsafe as a girl. We parked across from the hotel overnight for half the price of valet.

Susi gave us a warm welcome, and Bradley provided excellent service at the cafe. The food and drinks there were delicious, and the valets were friendly too. We enjoyed this beautiful boutique hotel in downtown San Diego, with stylish, comfortable rooms, a big bathroom, great beds, and robes we loved. It’s convenient for Balboa Theater, House of Blues, restaurants, and attractions. The rooftop pool was cool.

We enjoyed the pool area and the communal spaces upstairs, and the hotel restaurant had good breakfast options. But they were understaffed, and even though we ordered right away, breakfast for two took over an hour. The immediate area isn’t great, though the hotel is close to Gas Lamp and has easy access to most of SD, with a trolly stop on the same block. We booked through Chase Edit, and check-in was confusing around the benefits. The staff member said a prepaid reservation meant my Bonvoy Titanium status didn’t qualify for benefits or upgrades. After going back and forth, she said she could give us a one-category upgrade because we booked through Chase. That “upgrade” was on the second floor overlooking an AC unit. On the second night, I paid extra for a higher-floor room, and the view was worth it. At checkout, I was told the $100 property credit could only be used at the bar or restaurant, not toward a room upgrade. The hotel has a lot of potential, but our stay was disappointing.

The rooftop pool and deck are spacious and lovely, and there’s a nice cafe and bar in the lobby. I loved the beautiful modern finishes, the inviting, relaxed lobby, and the well-appointed, up-to-date rooms. Fantastic hotel. I’ll choose it again whenever I’m back in San Diego.