Best San Diego Family Hotels, by Age Group

Omni San Diego Hotel (tel. 619-231-6664; 675 L St.)

There’s no better place to take baseball fans of any age than this downtown hotel—in fact, I’ve taken nephews and nieces (ranging in age from 8 through 28) through the hotel even when we weren’t staying there. The clean lined high-rise is next door to Petco Park, the San Diego Padres’ home field, and the hotel has a sky bridge that will take guests directly into the park on game days. Scattered on various floors throughout the property are baseball artifacts like Joe DiMaggio’s spikes, a rare “lemon peel” baseball (one of the first baseballs ever made), and a collection of early Major League uniforms.

Look for Web site deals that include a bag of kids’ goodies at check-in, milk and cookies in the evening, or a baseball package with game tickets and a box of Cracker Jacks. This hotel holds a special place in my heart because of its truly premium service: Several years back, my daughter left behind a beloved stuffed animal. I was sure the housekeepers had thrown it in the wash with the jumble of linens, but when I called after discovering our mistake, the manager herself tracked down the toy, which she then shipped overnight to my relieved child. www.omnihotels.com

• The Omni San Diego Hotel is the perfect place for a visiting baseball fan.
• Allan Ferguson

For Teenagers and Older

Hard Rock Hotel San Diego (tel. 866-751-7625; 207 Fifth Ave.)

At the very heart of the Gaslamp Quarter, this chic new hotel pulses with youth and vigor. Photographs of music legends adorn the public walls, along with framed notes scribbled on napkins and hotel stationary by rock gods like Bruce Springsteen and John Lennon. As you might expect from the Hard Rock brand, there is no shortage of musical entertainment: Woodstock, a 9,000-square-foot outdoor venue, is the site of regular live concerts featuring some of the hottest regional and national acts.

Standard “studio” rooms are edgy and modern, and offer flatscreen TVs with streaming music videos, alarm clocks with MP3 plug-ins and a copy of Rolling Stone magazine. Seventeen unique “rock star suites” are decorated with modern style and offer spa-worthy bathrooms and wide decks with views across the harbor or into the Gaslamp. One suite was decorated personally by members of the Black Eyed Peas and features eclectic artwork and Fergie-licious furnishings. www.hardrockhotelsd.com

• A look at the Black Eyed Peas Suite at the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego.
• Courtesy of the Hard Rock Hotel

Hotel Solamar (tel. 877-230-0300; 435 Sixth Ave.)

This hip Kimpton property in the artsy East Village neighborhood of downtown (walking distance from both the Gaslamp Quarter and Petco Park) will appeal to teenagers who appreciate style and design. Throughout the otherwise modern, edgy space you’ll find subtle nods to the San Diego beach scene, with shells as artwork, tropical ceiling fans, and a cabana in the lobby.

More than 200 stylish guestrooms boast free WiFi, complimentary yoga accessories and access to the Yoga channel via large flatscreen TVs. Décor is bold and straightforward, with luxurious fabrics in shades of coffee and aqua; funky glass accents; and richly textured oversized headboards. Bathrooms are equipped with upscale vanities and basin sinks, and many suites offer chin-deep soaking tubs. A fourth-floor rooftop pool is accented with three fire pits, moody lighting, and a premium sound system.

Editor’s note: The zebra-patterned bathrobes at Hotel Solamar are luxuriously soft, and the manager-hosted evening wine reception is a nice treat for adults after a long day of sightseeing. Also, don’t miss the hotel’s excellent restaurant, Jsix.