Hillcrest and the entire uptown area are sorely lacking accommodations, unfortunately, as there are a number of great restaurants and bars in these neighborhoods. This sturdy brick hostelry, however, has been housing guests since 1926, and it's still your best Uptown option, just a block from Balboa Park. The oversized rooms (ranging from 524 to 1,100 sq. ft.) are now part of the Shell Hospitality timeshare group (but still available by the night) and are outfitted for guests staying multiple days or weeks. All have full kitchens with electric stovetops, fridges, and tableware along with separate dining areas, plus Sealy Posturpedic beds (fortunately, only a few are glammed up to fit in with Hillcrest's flamboyant side with gilded bedframes set against purple walls). The rooms also feature electronic blackout shades, and updated entertainment systems. Larger units have separate bedrooms and walk-in closets. Painted moldings, floral stencils, long couches with glass coffee tables, and wall-hung Formica dining tables make the units feel like urbane city apartments rather than simple hotel rooms. A 2014 renovation of some rooms and public areas freshened the exterior and updated the plumbing. The restaurant is closed, but breakfast is served (for a fee) in the rooftop dining room and there are plenty of dining options all around.