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I like to make at least one weekend getaway in the summer, with my husband and pups, and it’s usually somewhere in San Diego. Last year, we stayed in Coronado Island, so this year we chose to book a stay in downtown San Diego.

LOCATION

Hotel Republic offers a pet-friendly retreat in San Diego's Columbia District, a serene neighborhood next to Little Italy and close to the New Waterfront Park. With comfortable accommodations and a pet-friendly environment, Hotel Republic is the perfect choice for travelers with furry companions.

GETTING THERE

Finding the hotel downtown was easy and the valet was located right in front of the hotel. There is no self-parking so be prepared to pay a hefty parking fee of $60.00. I read some reviews that there are nearby parking garages for a fraction of the price, but I still chose to use the valet service. I had my two dogs with me and walking around with luggage and pups isn’t easy.

CHECK IN

We arrived shortly after check in time at 4 PM and the staff were very friendly and attentive. We received two key cards and a welcome sheet with information about their Destination Fee and their dining options. More on this next.

DESTINATION FEE

This was the first time I’ve stayed at a hotel that charges their guests a Destination Fee. I’m used to seeing Resort Fees which offer an array of amenities like tennis courts, swimming pools, beach lounge chairs, etc. But a Destination Fee was something new to me.

Basically this mandatory fee was $25 per night plus tax and could be used for a food and beverage credit, morning yoga, internet access, and two bike rentals. The amenities being offered weren’t really anything special and the $25 per night (credits don’t roll over) for food or drinks don’t get you much these days.

However, there was one perk with this destination fee that I thought was fantastic. If you are a Bonvoy Gold, Platinum, Titanium, or Ambassador Elite member, you can enjoy any drink at their Topside Terrace between 4-5 PM. I definitely took advantage of this perk. If I wasn’t a Gold member of the loyalty program, I think this Destination Fee would have definitely been a significant turn off for me as a traveler.

BEDROOM

I booked the Classic Double room which was a guest room that had two double beds. When I entered the room, to the left, there were three convenient large wooden hooks. This is where I hung the pup’s leashes and where the yoga mat was. The entrance’s hallway had a large coat closet and inside was a digital safe, iron, and ironing board.

The beds unfortunately were not the best of quality. The mattress didn’t hurt my back, but I found myself tossing and turning in the middle of the night. Marriott usually does a great job with their pillows, but the pillows in this room were disappointing. All my pillows were flat and I didn’t have options between a firm or soft pillow.

There was a nightstand in between the two beds and on each side there were outlets so that multiple devices could be charged at once. There were two outlets that appeared to be USB ports, but they looked damaged so we didn’t use them.

Across from the beds, there was a console table accompanied by a flat screen TV that offered a variety of cable channels for entertainment. Nestled within the console table was a convenient mini fridge and a Keurig machine, perfect for enjoying a quick beverage.

The console table extended outward into a functional desk, allowing the space to be effectively utilized as a mini workstation for those who needed to get some work done or simply prefer a dedicated area for personal items.

My favorite part of the room was definitely the bench space that sits beautifully below the window, providing a cozy nook for enjoying the view. The dogs also loved this inviting spot, and we all spent a considerable amount of time here together when we were unwinding and relaxing in the room.

BATHROOM

The bathroom was a bright and clean space with an inviting atmosphere. They provided a selection of small toiletries, including a bar of soap, body lotion, cotton balls, Q-tips, and cleansing towelettes. To enhance comfort, there were plenty of towels available, and also an abundance of hooks to neatly hang our towels after use.

I appreciated the addition of the magnifying mirror and the extra roll of toilet paper, as these small details can make a significant difference during a stay. The shampoo, conditioner, and body wash provided were from a brand called Gilchrist & Soames, known for their quality.

I found the products to have a neutral scent, which I personally enjoy and prefer over overpowering fragrances. However, I did notice that the water pressure in the shower was somewhat weak, which was a bit disappointing, especially since I generally prefer a stronger flow. 

TOPSIDE TERRACE KITCHEN & BAR

Since we didn’t want our $25 credit to go to waste, we decided to dine at their in-house restaurant, which is also conveniently pet friendly. The terrace offered an amazing view of downtown San Diego, providing a perfect backdrop for our meal, and it was so nice to have the pups enjoy the pleasant evening with us while relaxing together.

The service we received was exceptionally great, and we both enjoyed our entrees. I ordered the Chicken Bacon Flatbread, while my husband opted for the Seared Togarashi Tuna Tostada.

There was a slight misunderstanding with our order, which turned out to be no big deal at all, but our server surprised us with a lovely dessert to make up for the mix-up, which added a wonderful touch to our dining experience.

PET-FRIENDLINESS

The fee for pets at this hotel is set at $100 per room, and they welcome up to two pets during your stay. Unfortunately, we did not receive any special treatment or amenities for our pups, as our room was booked using my Marriott Bonvoy points. However, it's worth noting that they do offer a variety of fun pet amenities and perks if you choose to book their special Pup & Paws Package, which can enhance your experience while traveling with your furry baby.

There wasn’t a dedicated pet relief area on the premises of the hotel, but there were plenty of suitable areas where I was able to walk the pups around the property. It was a bit challenging to find patches of grass nearby, so if your pup is a bit picky about their relief options and prefers softer surfaces, definitely keep this factor in mind when planning your stay.

FINAL THOUGHTS

We had a comfortable stay during our visit and really appreciated that they were exceptionally pet friendly, making it a delightful experience for all of us. The surrounding area is very pet friendly as well. We walked just across the street and enjoyed delicious donuts at Donut Bar & Bakery, bringing our pups along for the outing. After that, we strolled around the vibrant Little Italy and loved exploring the local Farmer’s Market. One evening, we had dinner at Malibu Farm Seaport Village, which is also dog-friendly, allowing us to relax and enjoy our meals with Zooey and Captain.

I really don’t have any complaints about my recent stay, but I just wished the bed and pillows were a little more comfy for a more restful night. It would have been nice to enjoy some of the additional perks that are specifically offered in the Pup & Paws Package, but unfortunately, there isn’t an option to select this package when booking with points.

HOTEL REPUBLIC SAN DIEGO
421 West B Street, San Diego, California 92101 (map)

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