Rating:
Price:

Popular with actors appearing at the Old Globe Theatre in neighboring Balboa Park, this eight-story hotel was built as a full-service luxury hotel in 1926 on a prime corner overlooking the park. One of the original investors was the family of child actor Jackie Coogan. The Hollywood connection continued -- the hotel became a popular stopping-off point for celebrities headed for Mexican vacations in the 1920s and 1930s. Although dated, guest rooms are huge and very comfortable, featuring full kitchens, dining rooms, living rooms, and bedrooms with a separate dressing area. A few have glassed-in terraces; request one when you book. The overall feeling is that of a prewar East Coast apartment building, complete with steam heat and lavish moldings. Park Manor Suites does have its weaknesses, particularly bathrooms that have mostly original fixtures and could use some renovation. But prices are quite reasonable for Hillcrest; there's an old-world restaurant on the ground floor, laundry service is also available, and a simple continental breakfast buffet is served in the penthouse banquet room (the view is spectacular). The penthouse bar becomes a bustling social scene on Friday evenings, drawing a horde -- the single elevator gets a real workout that night.

© 2005, Wiley Publishing, Inc.