Fodor's Expert Review Grande Colonial

This white-wedding-cake-style hotel in the heart of La Jolla Village has ocean views and charming European details that include chandeliers, mahogany railings, a wooden elevator, crystal doorknobs, and French doors. The hotel was built in 1913 and expanded and redesigned in the mid-1920s; newer additions feature larger suites, all with full kitchens and fireplaces and stocked with luxury bath products and snack baskets. Without compromising the integrity of the past, rooms have been modernized in a tasteful palette of royal blue and muted yellow; request a corner room with large windows framing the ocean. While most guests request the historic main building, all four areas of the property pay tribute to the swanky 1920s Beverly Hills vibe. Step back in time by cruising La Jolla in the hotel's courtesy London cab, or stroll the hallways lined with black-and-white portraits of La Jolla's past. The hotel's restaurant, Nine-Ten, run by chef Jason Knibb, is well liked by locals for its fresh, seasonal California cuisine. A small $20 resort fee includes hospitality extras like use of bicycles, a Chromebook, access to a neighboring fitness center, beach gear, local transportation, and complementary coffee-to-go.