There are a lot of excellent reasons why travelers specifically search for hotels in San Diego with kitchens. Not only does a kitchen or kitchenette provide extra storage space for snacks and the ability to feed picky kids quickly, but they also make traveling with special diets a whole lot easier.
In fact, many people I work with need the ability to prepare their own meals, whether it’s a life-threatening allergy or a baby used to homemade food.
And, sometimes, no matter how much you may look forward to a relaxing vacation, you may not want to eat out all the time. Preparing favorite recipes can often save money that you can then use for entrance into our popular attractions.
Another bonus is that these accommodations can feel like a comfortable home away from home since many are multi-room suites with separate living, dining, and bedroom areas.
I’ve tried to include photos of the actual kitchens where possible. This inevitably leaves out other important property selling points like sparkling swimming pools or views. But, if you’re looking for the best San Diego hotels with kitchens, then you probably want to see the kitchen.
Tip: Even the best San Diego hotels with cooking facilities may not have everything you need to make that special dish. We’re in an environment that is changing rapidly, and many hotels have removed high-touch items from rooms, including a lot of utensils. If you require a special gadget, call ahead to see if it’s in the room or consider bringing it.
1. Beach Village at The Del
Neighborhood: Coronado Island
Hotel Class: Luxury
Why Go: Beach Village at The Del is one of the best luxury hotels in San Diego and a private enclave at beachfront Hotel del Coronado. You’ll get gated access to this special section of the property, a private entrance to your suite or villa, access to the exclusive Windsor Beach Club, private concierge services, and the ability to use other amenities on the main resort.
You’ll also enjoy a full slate of nearby Coronado restaurants for those times when you don’t want to cook. There are only 72 units, so book sooner rather than later, especially if you want a two- or three-bedroom suite.
Kitchen/Kitchenette Details: The kitchen facilities in the Beach Village aren’t large, but they’re definitely high-end. When you reserve one of the larger suites (one, two, or three bedrooms), you’ll get a small gourmet kitchen with a Wolf cooktop and a Sub Zero refrigerator along with dishes, utensils, glassware, pots and pans, and everything else you need to make a gourmet meal.
The larger suites also have a quality dining table that seats four and all rooms and suites have a private furnished balcony or terrace you can dine on, too. While the junior suites, cottages rooms, and villa rooms are spacious, these only include mini-refrigerators and coffee makers.
This is on pause until further notice, but during normal times you could book a Hotel del Coronado chef to prepare a multi-course dinner tailored to your tastes that you can enjoy in the privacy of your suite.
Reservations: I can book you into Beach Village at The Del with the following Virtuoso amenities:
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability (room upgrades are not possible in Beach Village)
- Daily breakfast credit of $40 per person for two guests per bedroom
- $100 USD equivalent Food & Beverage credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
- Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
2. Four Seasons Residence Club San Diego, Aviara
Neighborhood: North San Diego/Carlsbad
Hotel Class: Luxury
Why Go: Select Four Seasons Aviara if you want space, a full kitchen, and five-star service synonymous with the brand.
This Four Seasons is near LEGOLAND California, the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch, and Carlsbad beaches. It’s also adjacent to the renowned Aviara Golf Course if you want to grab a tee time. Otherwise, the quiet residential-style resort has all you need, including the Driftwood Spa, Kids Club 760 (unstaffed), several delicious restaurants, two pools and jacuzzis, and a slate of weekly activities.
You’ll find that this Four Seasons property can be a good value for what you get (really), especially when looking for kid-friendly San Diego hotels.
Kitchen/Kitchenette Details: Four Seasons Aviara is in a hotel class by itself. The one- and two-bedroom villas are truly homes away from home, thanks to the full kitchens with Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, including an oven with a cooktop, toaster, blender, kettle, pots, and pans.
These villa kitchens have plenty of counter space and a breakfast bar with two leather stools. You’ll even enjoy a full complement of tableware, flatware, glassware, crockery, kitchen accessories, and linens for up to eight people.
Enjoy your meals on an elegant wooden table that seats six, and place your vintages in the small wine rack. If you don’t have the implements you need, your concierge will find them for you and even have your kitchen stocked with food before arrival. On nights when you want to stay in but don’t want to cook, you can opt for in-villa dining (otherwise known as room service).
Superior King Rooms have what the resort calls a small kitchenette, but it’s not a place where you can fully cook a meal. You’ll get a small refrigerator that’s larger than a mini-fridge, microwave, toaster, blender, coffeemaker, dishware, and cutlery. The Four Seasons staff does the clean-up for you. The larger two-bedroom accommodations have a kitchenette in addition to the open-concept kitchen.
Reservations: I can book you in with Four Seasons Preferred Partner benefits that include:
- $75 Daily breakfast credit
- One-time resort credit: $100 for Superior King Guest Rooms, $200 for One Bedroom Villas, $300 for Two Bedroom Villas
- Upgrade of one category, based on availability at time of check-in (excluding signature suites, villas, and private residences)
- Complimentary basic Internet in all guest rooms; complimentary premium Internet in all suites
- Welcome note at check-in acknowledging you and your travel agency and the amenities that are being extended
3. Omni La Costa Resort & Spa (Villas Only)
Neighborhood: Carlsbad
Hotel Class: Moderate
Why Go: This is one of the kitchen hotels in San Diego, California, heated toward couples and families who want a San Diego resort vacation with a great spa, sports like golf and tennis, multiple swimming pools, a kids’ club, and other activities.
You’ll find that there are standard hotel rooms and suites on the main resort and a section of villas. The latter are the accommodations with kitchens.
Kitchen/Kitchenette Details: The villas are classified into Villa Bedrooms (no kitchens), Villa Studios, Junior Villa Suites, and Villa Suites.
Villa Bedrooms only have mini-fridges and coffeemakers with premium coffee.
Villa Studios and Junior Villa Suites provide guests with what the resort calls petit kitchens fully stocked with glassware, tableware, silverware, and cooking utensils along with pots and pans. Petite kitchens also feature a two-burner stove, refrigerator, microwave, and dishwasher.
Villa Suites (one, two, and three bedrooms) come with gourmet-level kitchens with full-size stainless steel Viking appliances.
Reservations: Omni runs its own deals, so it’s worth checking direct pricing, but I’m finding that most people are booking it through Hotels.com.
4. La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club
Neighborhood: La Jolla
Hotel Class: Moderate
Why Go: If you’re looking for beachfront San Diego hotels with kitchens, La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club is by far one of your best options. It’s popular for long stays and multigenerational trips because guests like the laid-back vibe and private beach attended by staff.
Popular also are the nightly beach barbecues and the onsite Marine Room restaurant for fine dining. Activities include a summer kids’ club, tennis, a pitch-and-putt golf course, a playground, and more.
You also won’t pay a resort fee or for parking, which is nice! Book a room, suite, or two-bedroom suite. Check the descriptions because even some rooms have kitchenettes.
Kitchen/Kitchenette Details: The kitchens and kitchenettes are slightly different here as you’ll find primary white appliances and stoves with gas burners. All have full-size appliances, with kitchenettes having small counter space. Additional conveniences include a blender, toaster, cookware, dishes, and utensils.
Reservations: This property only has 99 guest rooms and suites. Combine this with loyal guests who return annual (and have done so for decades), and you may find it’s sold out, or a 7-night minimum stay during peak season. Book well in advance, either direct or through Hotels.com.
5. Pantai Inn La Jolla
Neighborhood: La Jolla
Hotel Class: Moderate
Why Go: This urban boutique hotel with Balinese-inspired decor has a great location, immediately across the street from the ocean and only five minutes by foot from La Jolla Cove to the north and a few minutes to the Children’s Pool to the south.
It’s for people who want the comforts of home in a boutique hotel that is constantly ranked one of La Jolla’s best hotels. There’s no onsite restaurant, but you can walk up to the shops and highly-rated restaurants in La Jolla.
Book one of the cottages or suites that face the ocean for prime ocean breezes. This beautiful property has only 30 units, so you will need to reserve well in advance.
Kitchen/Kitchenette Details: Kitchens are small in size, more like kitchenettes with limited counter space, yet you’ll enjoy full stoves with cooktops and ovens, a microwave, a full-size refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, coffeemaker, and a full complement of cookware, dishes, and utensils. Some of the smaller rooms only offer a mini-fridge and a microwave.
Reservations:
6. Residence Inn San Diego Downtown/Bayfront
Neighborhood: Downtown San Diego
Hotel class: Moderate
Why Go: This really isn’t your average Renaissance Inn. Residence Inn San Diego Downtown/Bayfront is fairly new and in a prime location across the street from the Embarcadero where USS Midway Museum and Coronado Ferry are located. Plus, it’s an easy walk to Seaport Village, San Diego Convention Center, Waterfront Park, and even Little Italy in the north.
Kitchen/Kitchenette Details: Smaller rooms only have a small full-size stainless steel refrigerator, dishwasher, coffee maker, a two-burner cooktop, toaster, and a microwave, but no oven. Larger one- and two-bedroom suites have a small breakfast bar adjacent to the kitchen.
All rooms have a limited amount of stainless steel cookware, dishware, and utensils for four or six, dish cleaning supplies that the front desk will readily replace, and minimal cooking utensils to make basic meals.
Reservations: Use the Marriott Bonvoy discount to book.
7. Homewood Suites San Diego Downtown/Bayside Hotel
Neighborhood: San Diego Airport
Hotel class: Moderate
Why Go: The Homewood Suites by Hilton San Diego Bayside gives travelers a centrally located California all-suites hotel with enough room for everyone to spread out their gear. This hotel is great for those who want to spend time at local attractions like the Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, and Balboa Park or want to take in a baseball game at Petco Park. Homewood Suites Bayside also has an informal manager’s reception several nights a week where you can get light bites and refreshments.
Kitchen/Kitchenette Details: Although the property advertises that all of its hotel rooms have full kitchens, you won’t find Homewood Suites kitchens as luxurious as other San Diego, CA hotels.
Guests will get a microwave, cooktop stove, dishwasher, a small assortment of pots and pans, minimal serving dishes, glassware, and eating and preparation utensils. You’ll also get a full-size, albeit small, refrigerator. Appliances are name brands but not high-end units. Each room also has a breakfast bar for two that can double as a workspace.
Reservations: Book using the Hilton Honors rate.
8. The Beach Cottages
Neighborhood: Pacific Beach
Hotel Class: Budget
Why Go: Stay here if you want a beach hotel that is usually less expensive than others and to experience the surf and bohemian vibe of Pacific Beach.
The Beach Cottages offer no-frills accommodations near popular area sights like the Pacific Beach Boardwalk and Belmont Park amusement park. Not to mention that you can walk to a host of casual restaurants, bars, and funky local shops. A lot of people book in here for extended stays.
Kitchen/Kitchenette Details: All studios, apartments, and suites have fully-equipped kitchens, but don’t expect anything fancy. Rooms are slightly dated, and some guests describe the appliances as utilitarian.
While you’ll get a refrigerator, microwave, stove and oven, and minimal pots, pans, silverware, glassware, and dishes, reviews suggest that you may want to bring some of your own along with napkins, paper towels, dish soap, and dishwasher detergent.
However, the staff at this family-owned hotel are happy to find guests additional items for meal preparation, if needed. One perk of staying here is that you’re not too far from big-name grocery stores.
Reservations:
9. TownePlace Suites by Marriott San Diego Airport/Liberty Station
Neighborhood: Airport
Hotel Class: Moderate
Why Go: If you’re looking for a California suites hotel for extended stays or short stays that provides proximity to popular San Diego, CA attractions, yet you don’t need many hotel amenities, TownePlace Suites is for you.
While it’s a top San Diego Airport hotel just off Harbor Drive, it’s a 20-minute or more walk from the terminals (most travelers take Uber). But, this property features large rooms with an open concept plan. Because its location easily connects to major streets and highways, you’ll be able to quickly get to SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego Zoo, and other popular attractions.
TownePlace Suites is pet-friendly and has a small pool, a small fitness center for your workouts, coin laundry facilities, and a complimentary hot breakfast. The surrounding area has walking trails that lead all the way around San Diego Bay to Seaport Village, and the popular Liberty Station public market and lifestyle complex is about 15-minutes by foot.
Kitchen/Kitchenette Details: Kitchens here are small yet give you everything you need to cook simple dinners, including full-size name-brand refrigerators, microwaves and dishwashers, dish cleaning supplies, pots, pans and serving dishes, silverware, dishes, and glasses for four, utensils, and a pantry area for food supplies.
Guests also enjoy a cooktop with either two or four burners, depending on the size of the room. A breakfast bar that seats two separates the kitchen from the living area in the two-bedroom suite.
Reservations: Join Marriott Bonvoy to access discounts and the best prices.
10. Grande Colonial Hotel
Neighborhood: La Jolla
Hotel Class: Moderate
Why Go: Graced with a fantastic location on Prospect Street in the San Diego neighborhood of La Jolla, the Grande Colonial Hotel gives visitors a touch of early 20th-century elegance and European glamor.
The boutique hotel is in the La Jolla shopping district and within walking distance to nearby restaurants and the famous La Jolla seals. The property is home to one of San Diego’s best restaurants, NINE-TEN. Grande Colonial hotel offers little extras like health and wellness services in your hotel room, making for a relaxing vacation.
The building is over 100 years old, so the accommodations vary from one another, which is why there are so many different types.
Kitchen/Kitchenette Details: Kitchenettes come with a two-burner cooktop, mini-fridge, microwave, dishwasher, and Keurig coffeemaker, along with limited dishware and cooking utensils. Kitchenettes can be found in the junior suites and studios in the vacation rentals section of the hotel.
The Tudor One Bedroom Suite and Garden Two Bedroom Suites have full kitchens.
Reservations: I can book you in with Travel Leader Select benefits that include:
- 100 USD Food & Beverage credit
- Complimentary full breakfast for two daily (excludes alcohol)
- The property will offer early check-in and late checkout upon availability
- The property will offer an upgrade at the time of check-in (subject to availability)
- Basic Wi-Fi
11. Grand Pacific Palisades Resort
Neighborhood: Carlsbad
Hotel Class: Moderate
Why Go: Grand Pacific Palisades Resort, located on a cliff above The Flower Fields, this San Diego, CA hotel makes it easy for guests to enjoy their vacation with a host of fun amenities that include an Olympic-size swimming pool with cabanas, an outdoor pool with a splash pad, a large, state-of-the-art fitness center, video and game room and lots of weekly resort activities.
The complimentary shuttle takes guests to local restaurants and the Ocean Pearl Spa and visit Legoland or Sea Life Aquarium via the resort’s private entrances.
Kitchen/Kitchenette Details: Families seeking a resort experience with a true full kitchen will find it here. Even the one-bedroom condo suites have a generous kitchen area with full-size, stainless steel GE appliances, including a full-size fridge, stove and oven, dishwasher, and microwave.
The two-and three-bedroom units have U-shaped kitchens, with configurations varying among suites. You’ll also enjoy a coffee maker and an exceptional selection of dishes, glasses, cookware, and utensils that even includes items that you can use with the resort’s outdoor barbecue grills.
Reservations:
12. Coronado Beach Resort
Neighborhood: Coronado Island
Hotel Class: Moderate
Why Go: Coronado Beach, one of the best beaches in the United States per the Travel Channel, is steps away when you stay at Coronado Beach Resort. These are vacation rentals that are individually owned but that anyone can book into. The facility does feel like a small hotel with a front desk, jacuzzi, fitness room, and game area.
The resort also has sand toys, shovels, and pails. What’s more, the island has a great selection of restaurants on and off the beach when you don’t feel like cooking in your hotel kitchen. And guests have access to the pools and amenities at Loews Coronado Bay Resort (albeit a 4-mile drive away).
Kitchenette Details: Whether it’s a studio, one- or two-bedroom condo, you’ll find aluminum pots and pans, a coffee maker, microwave, full-size refrigerator, two-burner hot plate, and a toaster in their kitchenettes.
13. Humphrey’s Half Moon Inn
Neighborhood: San Diego Bay
Hotel Class: Moderate
Why Go: Humphrey’s Half Moon Inn feels a little like staying on a private island because you’ll see San Diego Bay on both sides of the resort. This casual property is located on secluded Shelter Island near the airport, making for a wonderful and scenic location near the best San Diego attractions that won’t break the bank.
Guests love the tropical pool, private marina, and live entertainment. The resort is also a venue for concerts with the summertime Humprey’s Concerts by the Bay. Big names have played here, too, like Stevie Wonder and Steeley Dan.
Kitchen/Kitchenette Details: Suites offer in-room kitchens that run on the smaller side, more like kitchenettes, with a full-size fridge, microwave, a stovetop with two burners, and a breakfast bar. Larger suites have a dining table adjacent to the kitchen.
Reservations:
14. Bahia Resort Hotel
Neighborhood: Mission Bay
Hotel Class: Moderate/Budget
Why Go: Few San Diego hotels have a better location than the Bahia Resort Hotel located on Mission Bay and within a reasonable walking distance to Mission Beach. This property is great for travelers seeking a a more wallet-friendly resort experience along with lots of kids’ activities.
Guests may use the spa at the sister property, Catamaran Resort Hotel across the bay, and they love the resident rescued sea lions. Of course, there are multiple dining outlets and an outdoor swimming pool in addition to a bay beach.
Kitchen/Kitchenette Details: Studio rooms have a small kitchenette with a compact refrigerator, microwave, toaster, sink, and a Keurig coffee maker. Depending on the suite, you’ll either get a kitchenette or a kitchen with full-size appliances, plus a cooktop and an oven. All rooms with eating facilities have a small breakfast bar for two.
Reservations:
15. Marriott Vacation Club Pulse
Neighborhood: Downtown San Diego
Hotel Class: Moderate
Why Go: Marriott Vacation Club Pulse is a great option for families looking for San Diego hotels with kitchenettes and anyone in search of a comfortable base for longer stays.
You’ll find several hotel room options here that allow you to spread out with all your gear. The property has an indoor pool and an on-site restaurant, plus it’s close to popular Gaslamp Quarter restaurants and shops.
Kitchenette Details: This is a popular hotel choice for large families. The two bedroom suite sleeps up to ten people, for example.
The suites here only have basic kitchenettes with a mini-fridge, microwave oven, dishwasher, utensils, dishes, and a coffeemaker that is helpful for basic meals and snacks.
Reservations: Book the Marriott Bonvoy rate for the best discounts.
FAQs About San Diego Hotels with Kitchens
How Well Do Instacart and Other Grocery Delivery Services Work?
Instacart is a very popular service that can deliver groceries to many places throughout San Diego, CA, in just a few hours.
You’ll want to check your hotel’s delivery policy. Some hotels will allow delivery services to go straight to your room, while you may need to meet others in the lobby. Some hotels may accept deliveries on your behalf so you may not need to be present.
Either way, you can get what you need delivered if you want.