AC Hotel by Marriott

Steps from Petco Park and surrounded by the restaurants and venues that define downtown, AC Hotel by Marriott San Diego Downtown Gaslamp Quarter is a modern, design-forward option for groups who want to stay in the middle of the action. The address on Fifth Avenue puts you in the Gaslamp District, where most plans start with “meet downstairs” and end with a short walk back to the hotel. Rooftop features are the headline here, including a heated rooftop pool and an on-property rooftop bar reserved for hotel guests.

Inside, the experience is streamlined and urban. Guest rooms lean clean and contemporary, with a limited set of suite-style layouts for travelers who want more space to spread out. A convenience store on-site helps groups restock quickly, while the fitness center and business center cover the basics for work-heavy itineraries and quick turnarounds.

Upstairs, the rooftop is the natural gathering point. It works well for a casual welcome drink, a post-event regroup, or an informal celebration after a conference session or game. Down in the lobby, the AC Lounge is geared toward small plates and cocktails, and AC Kitchen serves a European-inspired breakfast for purchase, which is helpful when the group wants an easy first stop without coordinating transportation.

Because meeting space is intentionally small, this property tends to fit groups who are using the city as their venue. Conference attendees, sales teams, and leadership pods like the location and the rooftop options for off-the-clock time. Wedding groups often book here for guest lodging and nightlife access rather than for ceremony or reception space. Sports fans and tournament families also pick it for the walkable access to downtown hotspots and the stadium.

Engine helps when the group coordination becomes the hard part. Dedicated trip managers can organize the room block, keep the rooming list updated, handle changes, and consolidate billing so one person is not juggling confirmations, payments, and last-minute swaps.

Key hotel features and amenities

• Heated rooftop pool with city views

• Rooftop bar for registered hotel guests

• Lobby lounge serving cocktails and small plates

• On-site breakfast restaurant (breakfast is available for purchase)

• Complimentary Wi-Fi in guest rooms and common areas

• 24-hour fitness center

• Business center for quick print and computer needs

• Convenience store for snacks and essentials

• Mobile Key support for faster room access

• Smoke-free property

• Valet parking only (daily fee applies)

• Pet-free policy (service animals accommodated per standard guidelines)

Points of interest and attractions within a 2 to 3 mile radius

• Petco Park, roughly a short walk away

• San Diego Convention Center, generally under a mile

• Seaport Village, around 1 to 1.5 miles depending on route

• The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, close to the bayfront

• USS Midway Museum, typically within 2 miles

• Waterfront Park, usually within 2 miles

• Little Italy, often about 1.5 to 2 miles from Gaslamp

• The New Children’s Museum, around a mile

• Balboa Park, commonly within 3 miles by car or trolley connection

• San Diego Zoo, near the edge of a 3-mile radius depending on the route

Features of interest to group travelers

• Rooftop spaces that support casual meetups without booking a separate venue

• One small meeting room suited to tight working sessions, interviews, or a planning huddle

• Valet-only parking setup, important for groups arriving by car and coordinating drop-offs

• Central location that reduces rideshare needs for downtown dinners, nightlife, and stadium events

• On-site food and drink options that make it easier to keep everyone on the same schedule

• A room mix that can accommodate leaders in suite-style layouts while keeping most guests nearby

• Engine trip managers to coordinate the block, manage rooming lists, and simplify group billing