SAN DIEGO — Brewery X was busy Saturday night, with various sporting events playing on the big TV and revelers chomping on dishes with playful names like “Hot Chick” sandwiches and “Walter White” pizza.
The restaurant opened this summer and is located in the hotel lobby. Sheraton San Diego Oceanfront Hotelintentionally adding energy and traffic to the hotel’s main thoroughfares and gathering points.
It's a new sight for the 50-year-old, 1,053-room hotel, which is at the end of a $100 million renovation, the largest in its history.
Purchased by KSL Resorts in late 2019, the renovations spanned every part of the hotel, from redesigning guest rooms to adding four food and beverage concepts and three swimming pools.
It also means rethinking the lobby as a public space for working or gathering. It added a space for guests to work and eat, called a “community table,” as well as soundproof booths to provide privacy during calls and Zooms.
Remodeled cabana by the pool. Photo Credit: Sheraton San Diego Hotel
Sheraton's Transformation
Sheraton hotel renovations in line with pre-pandemic decisions Upgraded look and feel Parent company Marriott International acquires hotels in Sheraton Hotels & Resorts portfolio Acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts 2016.
The Sheraton Hotel has a history of over 80 years and is one of Marriott's most well-known hotels.
“Revitalizing Sheraton has been a top priority for our company from the moment we completed the Starwood merger in late 2016,” the late arne sorensonThe then-CEO of Marriott International said in 2018 when Marriott revealed its plans for the brand.
After purchasing the Sheraton San Diego, KSL worked to renovate and implement much of Marriott's vision, which included transforming the lobby into a gathering and work space, akin to a public plaza. The Sheraton San Diego Hotel takes this very seriously.
Located on Harbor Island, the property overlooks the California coast, downtown San Diego and the two marinas right outside the door, which facilitates admiring the sailboats and yachts against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean at the community table. Guests can enjoy espresso coffee and breakfast at the lobby coffee bar. they can start from There are two restaurants on both sides of the spaceBrewery
“You can have a meeting, have lunch and then go back to your room,” said Sarah Newcomer, the hotel's director of sales and marketing.
The lobby used to have dark wood, large columns and few places to sit, she said. Now, the space is bright and airy, with plenty of seating areas and alcoves.
“It's definitely a place where people work and gather, which is what we want,” Newcomer said.
Brewery X Restaurant. Photo Credit: Sheraton San Diego Hotel
Local foodie spot
Upgrading food and beverages is also part of the Sheraton brand vision, and the San Diego hotel is going all out on that front.
Newcomer said the idea behind the four new stores was to “freshen things up, make them more lively, make them more of a gathering place for our guests and locals.”
“We bring the best of San Diego to our guests,” she said. “San Diego has all these niche communities and different types of cuisines.”
Strada is a tribute to Little Italy, the closest downtown neighborhood. The poolside Sunglow is a cabana bar serving California cuisine. the aforementioned Brewery It's based in Anaheim, but its owners met while living in San Diego, where its brewmaster started brewing beer.
Rumorosa's menu is inspired by San Diego's proximity to the Mexican state of Baja California: its focus on Mexican wines is unique, and it offers select dishes during its Valle happy hour on weekdays.
Rooms at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel are inspired by the marina and the coast, evoking coastal breezes, pastel colors and skies. Photo Credit: Sheraton San Diego Hotel
modern coastal vibe
Newcomer said the redesign made the guest rooms brighter and brighter than before. The bathroom was also gutted and replaced with new flooring, fixtures and vanities.
The older rooms have a very nautical style, with bold blue and red decorations that reflect San Diego's military coastal culture.
Today's color palette is still inspired by the marina and coast, with artwork reflecting sailboats and the sea, which can be seen from the balconies – one in each room.
But Newcomer said the effect was “softer and more modern”, evoking “coastal breezes, pastel colors and skies”.
