The Granger Hotel, San Diego - Design Hotels
Recently unveiled in San Diego, the Granger Hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter pays tribute to the city’s heritage and the building's history, while providing a unique, contemporary retreat exclusively for its guests and their friends. As the city’s first hotel of its kind and a proud member of Design Hotels, the Granger blends original architectural features from 1904 with contemporary art and a carefully curated assortment of vintage and custom furnishings. Guests enjoy an exclusive, playful urban getaway shared only with fellow travelers.
In the heart of downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter stands an impressive Romanesque structure with arched windows and a beautifully carved stone entrance. Commissioned by Ralph Granger, a notable banker and influential local figure, this building was designed by the esteemed architect William Quayle in 1904. Throughout the years, it has hosted some of San Diego's most significant—and eccentric—inhabitants, including the Merchant’s National Bank, a predecessor to what is now Bank of America; Joseph Jessop, one of the city’s key jewelers; and Dr. Harry Wegeforth, founder of the renowned San Diego Zoo, who supervised various animals that resided in the building until the zoo was completed. Today, this historic architectural treasure has been reimagined as the Granger Hotel, which proudly holds the title of San Diego’s only fully private hotel for guests, providing an exclusive urban retreat that thoughtfully honors the city’s rich past and vibrant present.
“A profound passion compels us to redefine boutique hospitality in San Diego—our hometown," say brothers Alvin and Kevin Mansour, the hotel’s Originals. “Our vision springs from a desire to merge the intimacy of personalized service with distinct design, catering to modern travelers who seek more than a mere place to rest. Inspired by our location's rich heritage, every aspect of the hotel reflects the cultural intricacies of the area. From carefully chosen local artworks to artisan-crafted furniture, each space narrates a story—one that invites guests to delve into the local history."
To bring the Granger Hotel to life, the Mansour brothers collaborated closely with Erika Baker, the lead designer and in-house creative director for Oram Hotels. She curated an elegant blend of vintage and custom pieces along with art. In the lobby, guests are welcomed by a vintage painting by Philip North and two custom murals crafted in partnership with local muralist Taylor Wilson. A ceiling mural showcases an abstract elephant and lion, while a textured plaster mural stretches over 50 feet, imparting a sense of flow throughout the space. The original 12-foot-tall windows fill the lobby with natural light, enhancing the hotel's color scheme of blush, chartreuse, and cerulean. These vibrant hues, alongside rich textures like velvet and animal-print upholstery, contrast beautifully with organic stones, handcrafted tiles, marbles, and lime wash, creating an ambiance that is both sophisticated and delightfully playful.
The sultry design, which draws inspiration from the 1920s to the 1970s, carries into the 96 guest rooms, including four corner suites. Wide, dimly lit hallways lined with the building’s original 120-year-old doors (retrofitted for safety and sound) lead into loft-style rooms featuring bespoke built-ins and custom rattan armoires, vintage books, uniquely curated artworks, and original tin ceilings and windows. Baker personally created many of the artworks, blending watercolors, maps, and collage techniques to beautifully complement the hand-selected vintage items, such as pottery and bedside lamps. The light and minimal bathrooms showcase colorful Italian marble mosaic flooring and come stocked with custom Le Labo amenities.
For breakfast, guests enjoy traditional American comfort food, artisanal pastries, and seasonal fruits at the lobby café 5th & Lox. The Parlor Room, a cozy lounge in the lobby, elegantly pays homage to the neighborhood’s history as a place of adult indulgence. Specialty espresso drinks are available in the morning, while in the evening, handcrafted cocktails devised by the world-class bar team from Granger Hotel’s sister property, The Guild Hotel, are served at a Cristallo-glass bar, all framed by a striking historical nude painting by M. Negus. Throughout the Granger Hotel, guests can find a cozy atmosphere where they can truly feel at home.
Photography courtesy of Design Hotels
Nestled in the vibrant heart of the historic Gaslamp Quarter, the Granger Hotel is steps away from some of San Diego's most renowned restaurants, bars, and theaters. Highlights include Tacos El Gordo for Tijuana-style tacos and Noble Experiment, a speakeasy known for its creative cocktails and Prohibition-era vibe. Other nearby attractions include the House of Blues, Balboa Theater, Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, and Gaslamp’s artisanal market. Hotel guests also have access to Aqua V, a local gym celebrated for its modern amenities, cutting-edge equipment, group classes, personal training, and a rooftop pool.
