Park Manor Suites

This eight-story property was built as a full-service luxury hotel in 1926 and sits on a prime corner overlooking Balboa Park. Although dated, guest rooms are huge (the smallest rooms are 550 sq. ft.) and comfortable, featuring full kitchens, dining rooms, living rooms, and bedrooms with a separate dressing area. No two rooms are alike, and some feature period-perfect Chinoiserie; some have glassed-in terraces (request one when you book). The overall feeling is that of a prewar East Coast apartment building, complete with steam heat and lavish moldings. Park Manor Suites does have its weaknesses, particularly bathrooms that have mostly original fixtures and could use some renovation. There's a restaurant on the ground floor (with piano bar), and lunch is served weekdays in the penthouse banquet room (the view is spectacular). On Friday evenings, the penthouse bar becomes the launching pad for the gay party scene, drawing big crowds.

Facilities:
Restaurant; bar; access to nearby health club ($5); room service

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.