Description: I arrived into the historic
Santa Fe Train Station after a long, lovely ride down the California coast on
Amtrak's Coastal Starlight & Pacific Surfliner.
The Bristol Hotel is located conveniently in midtown, just a few blocks walk from the train station, and directly across the street from the local Greyhound station. Even though I came in on a busy Sunday night, there was still some street parking, as well as the hotel's valet underground garage for guest cars.
My first impressions of the hotel were of the warm reception by the staff, and the modern boutique style in bright primary colors and palms. I actually enjoyed the time I spent waiting in the spacious lobby for my friends.
Once up in my room I was pleased to find generous size beds, and space to move around them, too. The bath was a bit small, but newly renovated in the EURO Hotel granite & chrome decor with great water pressure and massage showerhead. Love that plush white terry robe.
Other extras included: IT connection with keyboard workstation on a roomy desk, voicemail, webTV, salon style hairdryers, in-room coffee (byo tea bags...) and minibar. Spa quality bath products, but this was one area I found a bit scant: no conditioner, lotion, or shower cap, and just one small shampoo bottle and soap.
Since the Hotel is just a few blocks away from the lively GasLamp Quarter and the live jazz music coming from the street lured me out for the evening, I didn't try either the room service or the Bristol's own lounge and restaurant.
During the day one can hop on
conveniently located two blocks from the Bristol's front door and be off to just about any part of the county. We took the line to Tijuana for a day jaunt.
My stay at the Bristol was a refreshing way to begin my vacation and get in a little nightlife before heading up to LaJolla.
Oh, a few other notables:
I give the Bristol a thumbs up for families:
The Hotel's website often features special rates.
Children under sixteen stay for free, and the Bristol has joined the ranks of fashionable
PET FRIENDLY hotels. Both lobby and elevators sported quite the parade of chic pups!
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