The fifth-floor skydeck at Courtyard by Marriott San Diego/Little Italy, which contains a pool, fitness center and restrooms under construction, on Aug. 27, 2025. (Photo by Drew Sitton/Times of San Diego)
The largest hotel in Little Italy is set to finish a renovation project in mid-September.
The 23-story hotel with 334 guest rooms at 1646 Front St. has been open to guests since the renovation began six months ago, but amenities like the pool, ballroom and fitness center have been off-limits. A restaurant and bar in the lobby will come later.
When construction is complete – despite tariffs and material shortages – it will officially become a Courtyard by Marriott Hotel— making it one of the only branded hotels in Little Italy.
It is not quite the typical Courtyard hotel; it is full service, larger and has more meeting space. On average, a Courtyard hotel has less than 2,000 square feet of meeting space, but between its Amici Ballroom and Cardini Boardroom, the Little Italy location has more than 10,000 square feet of meeting space that could host everything from business gatherings to weddings.
“We’re more of a hybrid Courtyard,” said Linnet Bautista, director of sales and marketing. “Design wise, they’ve allowed us more liberties because of the size of it and also the neighborhood. We do want it to be a seamless transition to Little Italy. And so it’s a little bit more elevated.”
The popular walkable neighborhood has more boutique, and pricy, hospitality options. Courtyard Little Italy has a lower price point, with rooms starting at $146, meant to attract business travelers and tourists alike.
The hotel intends to attract locals too, especially with partnerships (and discounts) at local businesses. Want to try a fancy new restaurant and enjoy a few glasses of wine in Little Italy? Instead of Ubers both ways, drop a car in the garage, let the hotel book the restaurant and walk through the charming neighborhood – there isn’t that much of a difference in price. And leave after a continental breakfast the next morning.
“Our guests, not only do they just get opportunities for restaurants that are hard to get into, but we are also able to give them a discount as well,” said Alpha Barry, general manager.
The spiral staircase in the Fibonacci room, which leads to a bedroom on the top story of the Courtyard by Marriott San Diego/Little Italy, on Aug. 27, 2025. (Photo by Drew Sitton/Times of San Diego)
The opportunity to lead a renovation, his dream job, and live in San Diego, his dream location, has made the experience especially exciting for him.
Nobel Investment Group, of Atlanta, bought the hotel in the first quarter of this year. It officially became a Marriott on Jan. 29 and renovations quickly kicked off. From 2007 until this year, the hotel was a DoubleTree by Hilton. Before that, it was a Radisson since opening in 1990.
“Part of the work we’re doing here is really impacting Little Italy as a neighborhood, because we’re ripping up the sidewalk, bringing up the code, putting up new trees, new lighting, new artwork,” Barry said. “So the old DoubleTree needed some updating, and part of the owners’ wants and desires when they took this on, is to really elevate the hotel and impacting everybody as much as possible.”
Much of the exterior stayed the same in the renovation, with local artist Hanna Daly of Hanna’s Murals adding bright, art deco-inspired murals of the San Diego beach on the corners facing Union Street.
The fifth-floor sky deck is significantly different post-renovation. The fitness center doubled in size and gym-goers even have a view of downtown San Diego from the large windows. A restroom was added while the modest pool stayed the same.
Hanna Daly, of Hanna’s Murals, created an art deco-inspired abstract mural for the corners of the hotel, as seen on Aug. 27, 2025. (Photo by Drew Sitton/Times of San
Diego)
Inside, the color palette is more neutral with tans embodying the sand of San Diego beaches with hints of green. Swirling lines in the lobby symbolize the sea while windows bring in light from the sky.
San Diego’s heritage of sea, sand and sky was the theme of the renovation.
The hotel has four room types, all with views of the city or skyline. Most have Juliet balconies. The standard room has two queen beds or one king bed. Unlike most downtown hotels, they also have 21 suites which include sitting rooms.
In premium options, the Fibonacci rooms on the 22nd floor have a spiral staircase up to the bedroom on the very top floor. There are also massive 900-square-foot hospitality suites with conference tables and a kitchenette.
There’s no shortage of Marriott hotels in downtown San Diego. Two other Courtyards are even in the Gaslamp, not to mention there’s a Granger Hotel, AC Hotel, Alma, Westin, Moxy and a regular Marriott.
Inside a standard room with a king bed at the Courtyard by Marriott San Diego/Little Italy on Aug. 27, 2025. (Photo by Drew Sitton/Times of San Diego)
Expand the scope out and iconic properties like the US Grant, Guild Hotel and Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina emerge.
This Marriott’s location makes it unique.
“The reaction in one word is that it’s delight,” Bautista, of Oceanside, said. “This is my 28th hotel in my career. Never have I seen that reaction. And so it’s infectious.”
Its popularity already has been established. Barry said the hotel has sold out the last seven weekends.