The "W" has all of the amenities you would expect from a hip urban hotel...amazing customer service, fantastic attention to detail (the floormats in the elevators are changed throughout the day to read "good morning/afternoon/evening")...you really do get what you pay for...with a few caveats:

1) The windows are ridiculously thin. Bear in mind the lobby turns into a party on Friday and Saturday nights, and many of the revelers linger outside after midnight. I could hear every word of their conversations and I was on the sixteenth floor! After spending millions of dollars on the hotel, would it have kiled you to buy double paned windows?

2) The hotel "pool' (and I used the word loosely) is just slightly larger than a hot tub. It literally has space for 6 people around it. Granted, the Bay is just 3 blocks away, but for a beach-themed hotel, the pool was quite a let down.

3) No coffee? There wasn't a coffee maker to be found in the entire place. You can't walk around a motel 6 without falling over coffee makers!

I'll admit, these are minor quibbles, but they did detract from the overall experience a bit. Great ambiance, great customer service, would definitely still recommend this hotel.

I have never been disappointed by any W Hotel around the world. I don't care if they are faking it -- but they know how to take care of their dog-loving guests. Nearly every detail is taken care of from water bowls & treats near the taxi stand outside to the comfy dog beds and goodie bags given to the dogs. The best part is that every staff member from the front desk to the housekeepers all genuinely appear to love dogs and always have a friendly smile or petting session for your dogs. The dog-friendly part is just the cream on top. All Ws are beautiful. Modern, clean and always an inspiration for fans of contemporary design. Pay the little extra money -- it is definitely worth it!

The "W" is a brick and mortor paradox for me. I like the fact that is considered "hip" and "trendy". The San Diego location, just like its NYC and San Francisco brethren, includes an in-house bar that is considered a see and be-seen place by even the locals. The restaurant is quite good, and the downstairs cocktail lounge is great for meeting up before heading out or meeting back up after a night out and deconstructing the evening with friends. Moreover, the rooms are amusingly and tastefully appointed (big flat screen TV with a DVD player, very comfy Heavenly-brand bed, and top-notch toiletries from their own "Bliss" line).

My problem with the "W" is this: they nickel and dime you. To wit: in spite of spending over $300 per day for my room, they do not provide free internet. In fact, they charge roughly $13 per day for it. In this day and age, with an upscale clientele that tends towards 30 and 40-somethings, I view the free and ready access to internet service similar to that of a working phone or basic cable. Even when I am staying in a hotel for pleasure, I might want to googlemap directions or read yelp or citysearch reviews. So, c'mon "W' or Starwood lodging- get with it. Other examples- hotel parking is $22 per day, but parking in a lot across the street was $7. In fact, street parking- which is relatively plentiful in this part of town is free. They also charged me a delivery fee to bring a FedEx package up to my room. Look, I am by no means a cheapskate- but all of these little surcharges, fees, tariffs, levies, fines, and gratuities feels like death by a thousand cuts.

Oh- and for Chrissakes, W, I like the free cucumber-lemon-basil ice water that you dispense to guests in your lobby, but why must I travel outside of the hotel itself and a dozen paces outside of your front door for a $2 cup of coffee? How logistically challenging would it be for you to put a couple of big urns of free coffee out by your lobby bar in the morning?

Stunning hotel in downtown San Diego. Great service, fabulous rooms, even with a fun rooftop beach bar (sand and all). It was youthful luxury at its best. ...

I stayed at the W for 4 nights and found it to be an extremely poor value. It is a hip hotel and is decorated beautifully, but the rooms are incredibly small with grundgy city ...