Italian Design, SoHo Style, California Chic

The tagline—Italian design, SoHo style, California chic—is taken directly from The Keating’s website, and it rings true. The hotel is a fine example of the Italian art of fusing modern design elements with historic 1890s architecture. The rooms boast open spaces and state-of-the-art features that can only be called irresistibly sexy—in the best Ferrari “handle these curves” type of way.

And the sexiness extends to the Keating’s decadent color scheme. It’s very red. But not just any old red—Ferrari Red, to be exact. Pininfarina, the design group that crafts Ferrari and Maserati, took their signature design aesthetic and applied it to this hotel—creating a sleek and sensual space with a decidedly masculine, high-performance feel—the kind of place you would expect to be managed by a super-suave Italian man. So it comes as a bit of a surprise when you meet the general manager, Sandra Vivas, a petite woman whose love and pride for this property is evident in our video.

With 35 luxurious “stanzas” (their Italian name for guest rooms), the Keating’s furniture is ergonomic, chic, and designed by Pininfarina. The SoHo element is evident from the expansive ceilings and exposed brick walls. The loft-style rooms are cleverly separated into warm and wet zones (i.e. bedrooms and bathrooms) without those old-fashioned dividers otherwise known as walls to block the great views many of the rooms offer.

The staff is very friendly from the moment you walk in, and they will do everything possible to make your stay memorable. Guys, this is a perfect place to go if you want to pop the question, because Sandra and her team are committed to creating lasting memories and will go out of their way to make every detail perfect.

The staff’s dedication to providing “home away from home” attention includes inspired suggestions for activities and restaurants. But you may not want to leave the hotel, especially if you plan to indulge in one of the carefully crafted signature experiences below:

• La Bella Vita – includes champagne or wine, dinner for two in-suite, breakfast in bed, and a couples massage
• Rev Me Up – peel away from the curb in your rented Ferrari, and return to the hotel to enjoy dinner and a couples massage
• Serenity Now – daily massage, dinner, and breakfast in bed—relaxation awaits
• Under the Influence of SWAY – includes VIP cocktail service with a personal hostess, VIP access to Sway Lounge for up to five guests, late-night pizza delivery and even a first-aid kit to help you recover
• Sit, Stay, Sleep – the perfect package for you and your four-legged friend—includes a pet bed and dishes, complimentary walking service, and organic pet food

For those who want a little more pampering, in-room spa services are available, with a focus on bodywork and massage. Club Di Vino can arrange a tasting for you if you’d like to relax with some wine before your massage.

If you want a bite to eat you won’t have to wander far. The Merk is the Keating’s restaurant, and Executive Chef Brian Rutherford is a local with laid-back Southern California charm who combines quality ingredients and interesting flavor combinations to create unique experiences for his guests. Their signature dish is Linguini Romano created tableside in a wheel of Parmesan cheese with smoked salt. You can top that off with a dessert pizza smothered in Nutella, strawberries, and get this… bacon!

Speaking of unique pizzas, Keating also has its own pizzeria, Krust, which makes some pretty fine pizza. Chef Rutherford’s pride was evident—he gave us the rundown on the ingredients on the artisanal pizzas as the oven fires blazed in the background and we munched on a thin-crust wonder that would give any New York pizzeria a run for its money.

All in all, the Keating is a fantastic choice for fine food and modern accommodations when visiting San Diego. If you value great service, a friendly staff, impeccable design and a “Jetset atmosphere,” the Keating is the perfect hotel for your stay in San Diego.

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Keating Hotel
Address: 432 F Street, San Diego, California 92101
Reservations: 1-619-814-5700
Room Rates from $204—$656 and may be subject to change

The Merk Restaurant and Krust Pizzeria
820 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
Reservations: 1-619-814-6375