Hotel St. James

1 May

image hotel exterior frontview 1 Hotel St. JamesRecently Alan and I made a trip to San Diego, California. While there we were fortunate enough to stay at the St. James Hotel which is in the middle of the Gas lamp Quarter. We found this hotel on Priceline and managed to get a pretty sweet room rate of only $119 a night. Upon arrival at the hotel, we were a little confused as to where to park the car, but never fear, if you have a car, they offer valet parking for only $20 extra a night. In the gas lamp quarter, we learned that this is a must or else you spend all your time trying to park.

Once in the hotel we were pleasantly surprised. The Hotel St. James is currently owned by Ramada, however; from the interior you would never know. The lobby is all 1920 swanky turn of the century, think old French ads, crystal chandeliers, warm colored walls, and lacquered black chairs. Needless to say for the price we paid, we were in awe.

Upon learning that our room was on the eighth floor we headed to the elevators, this led to our next surprise. The elevators are the old-fashioned kind; you open a door, pull aside a metal gate and step inside. Not going to lie, first time you ride of these is little nerve-racking. Apparently, in 1913 the Hotel St. James had the fastest elevators in the world. They still go the same speed, which by today’s standards is pretty slow. It’s amazing how far we’ve come in elevator technology. The hotel rooms are pretty standard, a nice queen sized bed, a TV, a small window with nice views and a teeny-tiny bathroom. No complaints on the room, however let me just say the shower tends to randomly change temperature and the walls are very thin. Please for the sake of your neighbors keep your sex at a reasonable sound level! If you get a chance stay here, it is definitely a fun experience.


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Author: Alan (35 Articles)

Alan currently lives in Tempe, Arizona and is a photographer and graphic designer. Follow him on Twitter.

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