Sheraton Hotel & Marina

The Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina is not a typical city hotel; it is a sprawling, waterfront campus built to capture the essence of its unique location. This property is one of the largest in all of San Diego, with 1,053 guest rooms, but its most defining characteristic is its physical structure. The hotel is composed of two distinct, high-rise towers—the Marina Tower and the Bay Tower—that are separated by a main driveway and connected by a pedestrian sky bridge, giving the entire complex the feel of a self-contained coastal village.

Its location on Harbor Island is a primary differentiator. Instead of being in the dense, urban grid of the Gaslamp Quarter, the hotel occupies a prime piece of land that juts out into the San Diego Bay. This setting provides two major advantages for groups: a resort-like, tranquil atmosphere and some of the most dramatic, unobstructed views of the downtown skyline, the Coronado bridge, and the active marina.

For event planners, this hotel is a powerhouse, offering one of the largest and most diverse event space portfolios in the city, with over 130,000 square feet of flexible function space. The sheer variety is what sets it apart. The venues are not just a collection of ballrooms; they are an integrated system of indoor and outdoor locations. Groups can host a general session for over 2,000 people in the 20,000-square-foot Pavilion Ballroom and then immediately break out for a cocktail reception on the adjacent 10,000-square-foot Bayview Lawn, all without leaving the immediate area.

The hotel features four major ballrooms, each with its own character. The Marina Tower contains the main San Diego Ballroom, while the Bay Tower offers the Harbor Island Ballroom. This dual-tower setup is a significant logistical asset, allowing two large groups to operate independently and simultaneously without crossover, or for one massive convention to take over the entire property. The outdoor spaces are a core part of the experience, from the waterfront Bayside Lawn to the intimate terrace of the Catalina Room, allowing planners to leverage the city’s famous climate.

The accommodation inventory of 1,053 rooms is also split between the two towers. The Marina Tower is the larger, more bustling hub, containing the main lobby, several restaurants, and the largest event spaces. The Bay Tower, by contrast, offers a quieter, more exclusive experience with its own lobby and pool. This division is highly valuable for group management, allowing planners to house VIPs and executives in the more secluded Bay Tower while keeping general attendees in the energetic Marina Tower, closer to the main conference flow.

A signature feature of the accommodations is that nearly every room, regardless of tower, features a private, furnished balcony or patio. This is a rare amenity for a convention hotel and allows attendees to step outside and take in the stunning views of the bay, the city skyline, or the property’s private marina.

The “marina” in the hotel’s name is not just a marketing term; it is a fully functioning marina that is part of the property, adding to the authentic, nautical ambiance. The amenity package reinforces the resort-like feel. The hotel has three distinct outdoor swimming pools, each with its own vibe, as well as a large, 24-hour fitness center, and even lighted tennis courts.

Dining is diverse and convenient. The flagship restaurant, Rumorosa, serves Baja-inspired California cuisine in a scenic setting. For more casual gatherings, Quinn’s Ale House offers a classic pub atmosphere with marina views. The property also features a quick-service market and a lobby bar. The hotel’s proximity to San Diego International Airport is another key advantage, as it is only a few minutes away and serviced by a complimentary shuttle, making arrivals and departures for large groups exceptionally simple.