La Jolla's Charming New Pantai Inn

[Elizabeth Hansen]

The Pantai Inn just opened in San Diego’s favorite coastal community and is offering travelers great deals on ocean view suites.

The inn will eventually expand to 44 suites, but at the moment – I was there two days ago – only 7 suites are available, and these are being offered at discounted rates as low as $299 a night including continental breakfast, wi-fi, and free parking.

This has got to be Southern California’s best hotel deal at the moment, and it’s great for traveling families because all suites include a full kitchen, a living room, and at least one separate bedroom - right across the street from the ocean.

Here are some tips, based on my tour of the new boutique hotel:

#106 would be best for 3G (three generation) family travel because it offers 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, a balcony (but only a partial ocean view and no fireplace).

#201 is my favorite because is has a full ocean view and a gas fireplace, and the master bedroom has a canopy bed, but I also really like…

#208 which has a spacious oceanfront patio, a gas fireplace, an especially nice kitchen, and a wall bed in the living room, plus a separate bedroom.

The Pantai Inn was originally the Shell Beach Motel - a random collection of studios, cottages, and bungalows built along the La Jolla Coastline between 1900 and 1930.

Historical significance kept the property from being razed. Instead, the new owners have completely re-done the interiors and added every imaginable high-tech gizmo and first-class furnishings, while preserving the property’s original charm. They are also adding Balinese art, artifacts, and furniture which fit right in with the waterfront location.

The hotel does not have a restaurant, but is within a block or two of dozens of dining and shopping options. It is also within sight of the Children’s Pool and steps from the La Jolla Cove.

Sales & Operation Manager Bernardo Zavala, formerly with La Jolla’s La Valencia and the Four Seasons Aviara, told me they expect to have 11 suites completed by the end of this month. Another 29 will be ready by next summer, with all 44 finished by the end of 2012.

La Jolla’s mild climate lures visitors year round – and the savvy ones will take advantage of the discounted rates at the Pantai Inn while they last.

 

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[Elizabeth Hansen]

Wow! Thanks for the kind words, Sam. You've made my day! Elizabeth

[Sam Scribe]

As someone who reads but does not write travel article, I wish every travel writer would do what you've just done: You gave us some real news, you quoted some rates (most travel writers seem unaware of the fact that the rest of us have to pay for these things), and then you explained precisely which rooms we should book, and why.