Unwind at Point Loma’s Monsaraz Hotel
To stay at the Monsaraz Hotel is to revel in the place where California began. Take a pause to breathe in the scent of fresh ocean air, hear the calls of seagulls overhead, feel the hum of the harbor gearing up for the day all while you sip on a fresh cup of coffee or a sweet port wine.
There’s no shortage of incredible hotels dotted along the San Diego coastline, however, when a hotel combines historical architecture with modern, artistic renovations, it can turn an “incredible” vacation into a breathtaking one.
The Monsaraz Hotel is just that - combining Point Loma’s rocky bluffs and serene waters with the local community’s Portuguese heritage to result in a vibrant vacation experience.
At the Monsaraz, you will find stunning views of the Point Loma Hills and the modern San Diego skyline. The hotel is just steps away from the local Fisherman’s Landing and about one hundred yards away from the bayfront. The peaceful, waterfront location reflects the charming essence of San Diego without all the congestion from downtown.
The Hotel’s Launch
The Monsaraz is part of Hilton’s Tapestry Collection, which comprises several modern upscale hotels around the world. The hotel is Point Loma Village’s first new hotel in over a decade. The project initially began when San Diego-based management company RAR Hospitality first acquired The Dolphin Motel and surrounding properties in 2016. Since then, the entire site has been redeveloped into what has now become a beautiful hotel with a full-service restaurant, bar, courtyard, fitness center, and more.
The hotel opened May 2021 and has become a hot spot for both incoming travelers and San Diego locals. The Monseraz’s convenient location at Point Loma Village gives you quick access to plenty of shops and activities and is only one mile from San Diego International Airport.
Luxury Rooms
As soon as you enter the Monsaraz, you’re greeted with high ceilings, stylish mid-century furniture, and vibrant Azulejo tiles. These tiles, which are an intrinsic design element in Portugal are infused all throughout the reception area, restaurant, courtyard and guestrooms. Be sure to utilize the fabulously plush robes and slippers provided for you while you are there. These were one of our favorite parts of our stay, really made those private relaxing moments in the room feel like a treat!
This boutique hotel thoughtfully combines old and modern world touches in its 92 guest rooms and three suites. The spacious rooms are available with either double queen and king bed options. Bookings can also be specified to select rooms with a gorgeous bayside view. The refined, coastal interior design features a modern 55-inch TV, coffee maker, WiFi, and workspace with sleek aquamarine touches and artwork that would be at home equally in Point Loma as well as Portugal.
The Amenities
Westerly Public House
An exciting addition to The Monsaraz is Westerly Public House, their rustic 60-seat Cali-Aussie fusion restaurant. This coastal establishment features delicious meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner that tastefully combine cuisine from both California’s Venice Beach and Australia’s Bondi Beach.
The spacious central dining area features a fun, inviting bar crafted from repurposed surfboards and it extends out into the courtyard where you will find plenty of open air seating, tiled fireplaces, couches and even a community table. This is a great space for not only dinner but also to enjoy a more casual happy hour or to lounge with your friends and enjoy the DJ on a Saturday evening or for Sunday Brunch.
San Diego Chef Jesse Paul curated the menu focusing on delightful sea-side flavors and fresh, local produce. His passion for distinctive flavors and zero-waste cooking results in memorable dishes that utilize the best ingredients that San Diego has to offer. Their tasteful beer and wine menus also feature various locally crafted, hand-selected beverages to complement the restaurant’s locally sourced fare.
Click here to read our full review of the Westerly Public House.
Dark Horse Coffee & The Hideaway
When you’re finished lounging at Westerly Public House, be sure to grab a hand-crafted latte made with Dark Horse Coffee. This local roaster partnered with Westerly Public House to bring fantastic San Diego-based coffee to hotel guests and restaurant patrons alike. Keeping the focus on ethical and sustainable produce, Dark Horse works extremely close with their farmers and provides fair trade coffee from all over the world. Try out some of their signature drinks, like their espresso-based beverage called “The Champ,” or their locally sourced Cold Brew with a splash of homemade vanilla bean syrup.
Coffee isn’t the only after-dinner option for you and your guests. If you want to keep the party going, grab your favorite cocktail or bottle of wine and head upstairs to the secret “Hideaway” on the third floor. This private and relaxing space features pristine views of the San Diego Bay and downtown skyline, as well as the refreshing ocean breeze. It’s could also be an excellent option for wedding parties, where they can book a block of rooms and come out to The Hideaway at night for some rooftop cocktails and relaxation.
We actually utilized The Hideaway during our stay for an afternoon coffee escape. Its such a great place to take a pause and enjoy the golden sunshine on the wharf below.
Courtyard
You can’t talk about The Monsaraz without mentioning their eye-catching 4,000 square foot courtyard. The open-air event space features colorful decor and a vibrant live plant wall, which is pleasing to the eye and, most importantly, great for pictures. The courtyard overlooks Shelter Island and Downtown San Diego, making it great for a romantic evening lounge or a larger gathering of friends and family. Local California artist Janie Rochfort even installed a vibrant custom mural to keep with the community feel.
While several of the weekly gatherings have been postponed due to COVID-19, the space was designed to accommodate all types of events, from exercise and cooking classes to fireside cocktails and evening chats. Keep an eye out on their weekly event calendar to see what activities are coming up.
Get in Touch
This memorable vacation destination is the perfect place to unwind if you’re looking to capture the feeling of being abroad. Since its opening, The Monsaraz has had incredible reception from the local community, and we’re excited to see what they do next.