Cancel

Open app

Search

La Pensione Hotel

3.2 (296 reviews)
ModerateHotels
Open Open 24 hours

La Pensione Hotel Hotels Photos

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - La Pensione Hotel

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Entrance
Joshua P.

The only redeeming factor of this hotel is its location. Every staff we interacted with did not seem to care if we were there or not. Apart from that, it's dirty, it's dated, and there are stairs everywhere... So if you have any mobility issues - this is not the hotel for you. I would not stay here again. And I understand it's supposed to be some kind of a budget hotel, but it averages out with the other 3 star hotels in the area. It's a 2 star hotel at a 3 star price

Araceli R.

Loved our hotel ! I booked our first little Italy getaway and it didn't disappoint. Walking in we were greeted by Lindsay front desk she was so sweet , chill , cute and nice to my husband and us . We arrive a little early and allowed us to check in then and there . The location of this place is perfect for staying here . The room was nice and simple and the bed was so comfy . Thank you for making our stay so great .

Analiea M.

We stayed here a while back when I came to SD for the weekend and it was a cool and convenient little hotel. The ambiance of this lobby is absolutely beautiful. It definitely gives it that boutique hotel vibe. Parking is $35 a day. We paid for it because finding parking in that area is a nightmare and we didn't want anything happening to our car but be aware that the parking structure is extremely small. We got a room with a 'queen bed' but it was more like a double bed to me. The room itself was also extremely small. It was cool that we got the room with a little patio/balcony. One thing that was strange was the shower only had a half door. So as you can imagine the water would splash the floor. Other than all that this hotel is located right in the middle of little Italy and is right across the street from Coco Maya, Morning Glory and Parakeet Cafe. They are all within 1 min walking distance! That was very continent for us as we were able to try so many new spots in little Italy just by walking. That's amazing because as I said parking can be a nightmare and we had no worries about that.

Kim H.

This boutique hotel in the heart of Little Italy is an absolute gem. It's quaint, charming & perfectly situated right in the middle of all the action. The rooms are on the smaller side, but comfortable, thoughtfully designed, with great views of Little Italy & even glimpses of the harbor. A huge plus for me personally was the in-room fridge & the microwave conveniently located in the conference room on the first floor--perfect for guests like me who tend to eat in the room while others are asleep. Those little details made a big difference. What truly sets this hotel apart, though, is the stellar customer service. A special shout-out to Anneliese & Joe at the front desk--they were outstanding. Anneliese's lovely attitude, warm smile & welcoming energy made us feel like we were VIPs. She was incredibly patient & accommodating, even taking the time to show us three different rooms so we could choose the one that suited us best for our Anniversary stay. We ultimately chose the corner room & it was absolutely the right decision. With four full-length windows spanning both walls of the corner room, the view was extraordinary--perfectly capturing the charm & vibrant energy of Little Italy. It was the best of both worlds: the comfort & coziness of being indoors while soaking in the sights, movement & character of the surrounding city. Watching Little Italy come alive from the room was truly a highlight of our stay. Both Anneliese & Joe were also super informative, offering great recommendations for speakeasies, restaurants & local spots, which really elevated our experience in Little Italy. We ended up going to Herb & Wood, Morning Glory, Ironside, Huntress and Born & Raised. So, if you're looking for a cozy boutique hotel with heart, convenience & exceptional service, this place checks all the boxes. We would absolutely stay here again!

Hotel lobby
Guinnivere R.

We decided to take a break from the big dark. We flew to SAN in January and stayed here at La Pensione. It was perfect! It's right in the heart of Little Italy. The plaza is just across the street. Every day someone or a band was playing live music in the plaza. Lots of amazing restaurants all along the street. We ate at a different restaurant in the neighborhood every night and all of them were fabulous! There was even a farmers market right outside the door on Saturday. San Diego is awesome! The light rail was just a couple of blocks away from the hotel. It was fast and cheap. We took the light rail to Old Town one day, and Seaport Village another day. The hotel is a historic hotel but it's clean and comfortable. The staff were all friendly and helpful. We can't wait to go back!

Jason G.

Loved my stay here. Little boutique hotel on the corner of Little Italy. Perfect distance for walking to the night life. Staff and room were great. I would definitely stay there again.

Nice room
Aly A.

This is a cute Hotel located literally in the heart of Little Italy . You would walked out to all the restaurants everything is walking distance if u stay here . Gaslamp is I believe a few minutes driving from here . I really enjoyed Little Italy more than Gaslamp so this hotel was perfect for us . They offer a garage parking limited spaces with a fee . The fee was cheaper than Gaslamp Hotels . I believe $35 a night . Our room was clean and very cute the only thing missing was a coffee maker but ,you are walking distance to a coffee shop downstairs. Our room came with a surprise . We had a balcony the only room with a balcony facing Little Italy we loved it . We would definitely stay here again the location was perfect .

Hotel room.
Bruce C.

This hotel is in a great location in the middle of Little Italy and maybe a 15-minute walk to the Midway. Our room was clean and spacious. While it doesn't have the view that Manchester Grand Hyatt does, we didn't book the hotel for the view. I would happily stay here again, especially if I wanted to eat in Little Italy. The hotel is a 10 to 15 minute walk from the train station.

Me and my boyfriend stayed here for one night while visiting Little Italy. The room was very small and the bathroom sink was outside the bathroom next to the door, which was pretty weird. We paid 185 for one night plus 35 for parking. The location is great, but I think any more than one or two nights here would be uncomfortable considering the room size. Also, the one USB charging outlet was broken, so we had to charge our phone by connecting it to the TV, which took forever.

Smallest parking lot
Tawny V.

IMPORTANT; Parking is $30 a night. FIRST COME FIRST SERVE! The garage will not fit a full size SUV nor a Van. **Plan to come early, get a parking spot and plan to wait till about 1-3pm to check in.... I would suggest walking around the dock; visit the maritime museum, the Mee Shim art gallery or head to the park and of course enjoy lunch at one of the many delicious restaurants in the area I love planning most of my trips to the T, knowing that Little Italy, San Diego can be really busy I knew parking would be an issue. I had 3 hotels in mind; great location, good reviews and all boutique hotels. I went with La Pensione because the day I called I was told that there was parking for $30 a night across the street. Not told about first come first serve. We arrive at 5pm on a Saturday evening expecting a parking spot which was immediately denied. I explained to the young lady who checked us in that I was not told this and I expected a parking spot. She said Well it's on our website. I can't remember the last time I've booked directly through a website. I also mentioned if this was the case, I would've gladly paid another hotel $50 a night for valet with in and out privileges. Did she care?? Just gave us a map of other parking spots. Rm 312 - The rainfall shower has not been cleaned in a while; I mean the lime stone has caked up the shower so bad not all the nozzles weren't working nor even pointing straight. Also, the bathroom sink was clogged. There are some pros to most of the cons about this hotel, the A/C worked well and wasn't loud, the next day Brandon the Hotel desk clerk was kind enough to give us a parking pass early in the A.m and answered all my questions. The location is great...

Our room view lol
Albina S.

Great location in a middle of little Italy. Tiniest room size, too small for two people. Room was facing another building. They didn't offer every day cleaning service. No coffee maker or iron No extra lock for security on the door

See all

1 month ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 4
Oh no 0

18 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

2 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

29 days ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 5
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 1
Photo of Kim H.
156
159
3334

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Aly A.
960
595
14118

2 years ago

Helpful 20
Thanks 9
Love this 28
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 2
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Joe S.
10
53
18

11 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Tawny V.
2172
1274
11408

4 years ago

Helpful 7
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 1

3 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1
Photo of Albina S.
185
49
6078

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of KC C.
5
456
1810

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 1

10 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Syd G.
110
740
1907

5 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Teresa M.
47
81
100

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Heidi J.
18
30
56

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Paul S.
0
126
57

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 1

5 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Doug L.
276
10
2

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Vere C.
113
43
26

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 4
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 5
Thanks 0
Love this 5
Oh no 0
Photo of Mj S.
0
14
0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 8

La Pensione Hotel Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - La Pensione Hotel

What is the name/brand of the room toiletries?

The name/brand is "EST." The link to the website is www.worldamenities.com.

What is the deposit fee?

$30 that could be on your debit or credit and it would be refunded to you after your stay if there's no issue with your room.

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

Review Highlights - La Pensione Hotel

In the interim, we sat in the open air courtyard that the hotel shares with Caffe Italia and sipped coffees.

Mentioned in 9 reviews

Read more highlights

You might also consider

Staypineapple, Hotel Z, Gaslamp Quarter - Lobby area is small but there's a few seats

Staypineapple, Hotel Z, Gaslamp Quarter

(724 reviews)

$$

Gaslamp, East Village

When I plan short 2-3 day weekend "getaway" trips (especially during a holiday weekend), I search…read morefor budget friendly hotels since we typically don't stay in the hotel other than to sleep and shower. I am so happy I found this place via AARP! Located in the heart of the Gaslamp District, I had never heard of this hotel prior to searching. Upon checking in, the desk clerk was very friendly, efficient, and answered any questions that I had. As for the room, he put us up on the top (4th) floor. Room is the perfect size for two people. Very clean, warm, inviting, and has some really cute and convenient amenities such as a pineapple themed USB quad port at the desk, along with a Keurig machine (had I known that I'd have brought my own Starbucks K-cups)! The bed was nice and comfy with lots of soft but supportive pillows and two separate comforter blankets so you're not fighting for covers if you are sharing the bed with someone or your significant other. Bathroom is very modern and clean. A hairdryer is hanging in the bathroom as well. The only item missing was an iron and an ironing board; however, you can request that at the front desk. If you are looking for a hotel with a gym, laundry facilities on site, and a full breakfast buffet or continental breakfast, then this place is not for you; however, if those things don't matter to you {I typically look for those types of hotels during a longer stay) then this hotel is all you need. You also get other unexpected creature comforts such as Starbucks coffee in the lounge along with 4 different blends of water as well as these cute pineapple cookies in the afternoon. Based in Seattle, WA, I am so happy I found this chain as I will be on the lookout and consider staying in other cities. Parking is available in a garage connected to the hotel next door for a fee. Also, bikes are available in the lobby for getting around (not sure if gratis or for a fee). I definitely recommend staying here! One small recommendation for the hotel: provide rooms with a small microwave and mini fridge to reheat leftovers. It all worked out as I gave a homeless guy mine.

Honestly, I did not have the highest expectations for Hotel Z (A Staypineapple Hotel). I mean, even…read morethe name felt a little unserious to me and made me question how legit these accommodations would be. I've stayed in Gaslamp before, so my hope was that at a minimum this would be a safe and comfortable spot to rest my head. Honestly, they totally met my expectations and then some (not a lot, mind you, but some). The staff were super friendly, even offering my companion and I flowers for Women's History Month and the lobby amenities included a water station and complementary cookies (pineapple shaped, of course). The rooms weren't super spacious but it was enough for a night and they were clean and safe, which is the most important part. Note: there is no parking attached to the hotel! Your best bet is a public lot called Park it on Market about a block away. It's $21 to park overnight and you can book in advance (which I highly recommend because it can sell out).

Pendry San Diego

Pendry San Diego

(570 reviews)

$$$

Gaslamp

We had an outstanding stay at Pendry San Diego, and the experience was truly elevated by booking…read morethrough the American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts program. From check-in to departure, everything was seamless and handled with a high level of professionalism. The staff went above and beyond to make us feel welcomed and valued--service like this is hard to find nowadays. The property itself is beautiful, modern, and perfectly located. Every detail, from the rooms to the amenities, reflects quality and attention to detail. You can tell this is a hotel that takes pride in delivering a premium experience. The American Express benefits made a real difference--early check-in, late checkout, and added perks that made our stay even more comfortable and enjoyable. It's absolutely worth it. Overall, this was a top-tier experience. If you're considering staying here, don't think twice--this place delivers. We will definitely be coming back.

I checked in early in the morning (around 8AM) and they told me the room isn't ready. I come back…read moreat 4PM (the official check in time) and they told me there's no record of me checking in and the room isn't ready. I asked when it will be ready and they can't even give me a time frame, just that it'll be rushed. For a luxury hotel, this is irresponsible and I am tired. They offered nothing - not even some place to relax. Disappointing. Edit: Thank you Esme for helping me and giving a fuller explanation. The previous person, which I shall not specifically name, he didn't even contact me at all about the time frame despite him saying he would contact housekeeping. I see everyone else being able to get into the rooms. Translation - if you book through Chase Reserve you're second class citizen. The initial staff probably knows this and that's why he dismissed me so quickly. So annoying.

Omni San Diego Hotel at the Ballpark - Omni San Diego Hotel

Omni San Diego Hotel at the Ballpark

(1k reviews)

$$$

East Village

Stayed here for a week, worked a conference at the convention center…read more Convenience cannot be beat! Easy 5 minute walk to the convention center. Sky bridge access to Petco park. Our first room was small and the bed was basically down to the springs. It was horrible. However, front desk quickly fixed this and moved us to a new room with a newer mattress, which also happened to be slightly bigger. The beds are soft and springy so just be aware of that if you're used to firmer beds. They also gave us firmer pillows (non down) which was great. Bell hops are friendly! Valet was quick and easy, but super pricey at $70/night. Having a coffee shop, restaurant and bar onsite was great. Depending on the location of your room, it can be loud all night! We were facing the convention center and you can hear the trains go by, which was fine. But our first night (with the bad bed) was facing a parking lot and it was like a party was right outside our window till 2am. Overall, good stay. Remodel makes it look new, though tubs show wear.

Stayed here for a game, so let's get this started, BATTER UP!…read more Arrival, greeted by the amazing Cynthia at the front desk. She was knowledgeable and efficient, loved her. We then were directed to our room on the 14th floor. Skyline was great and you could see the Padres "Petco" stadium from the room which was awesome. Room- larger double bed (there were three of us) with a standard bathroom. Hated the bathroom sliding door, it left openings on both sides even when you tried to close it! Waters in the room which was nice. Coffee and fridge available. Seating area as well, nothing I can complain about (other than the restroom sliding door). Loved the art work in the room that is baseball themed, our room was two ladies playing with one sliding into home plate! There is a pool bar on the 6th floor that had a great view and it was large and nicely laid out for guests. The bar was a good size and service was exceptional. PROS: Connected to Petco Stadium, making it super easy to get into the stadium as it has its own entrance for Omni hotel guests. Elevators- quick and efficient (see one CON) Large Rooms Coffee on the first floor was great Super close to the Gaslamp Quarter, very walkable CONS: Bathroom Door- does not fully close as it is a slider, not great when you are using it and you know your brother is outside the room. Connection to Stadium- Yes, you have a separate entrance to the stadium, but it will back-up onto the escalator which makes for a very interesting experience when everyone is jumping off of it to not fall. Pool Bar: closes early during at times (Thursday it closed at 6pm) Parking- $70 a night, whoowee Elevators- after the game, expect a little wait, but truthfully it was not long at all. Bars/Restaurants- they do close at earlier times, so make sure that you are aware before planning for after the game

Hotel Indigo San Diego-Gaslamp Quarter - Corner room!

Hotel Indigo San Diego-Gaslamp Quarter

(1.1k reviews)

$$

East Village

Good value for the money. We wanted to stay close to the Gaslamp Quarter area and decided to book…read morethis hotel based on location and the price. The pros: walking distance to a lot of restaurants, cafes and Petco park. Pretty clean and the staff were friendly. Room was pretty comfortable and the bathroom had a large counter space area. The cons: needed some maintenance, sliding lobby door was very noisy. The handle of the refrigerator was broken in our room. We were initially booked on the 9th floor, the floor connecting to the rooftop bar. We had to ask to switch rooms/floors due to heavy foot traffic on the 9th floor and also due to the noise coming from the next door occupant. There are homeless folks walking around the area so just be aware. There were a few hiccups but overall a comfortable stay.

This was easily one of the worst hotel experiences I have had, and I do not say that lightly…read more I checked into Hotel Indigo and was immediately given a dirty room. It was not a minor issue. The room was clearly not cleaned. I went back to the front desk expecting a quick solution, only to be moved into a second room that was somehow worse than the first. At that point I had zero confidence in this hotel's cleanliness or standards. When I spoke with management, specifically Helena and Ashley, the experience went from bad to unbelievable. Helena responded with sarcasm and dismissiveness and actually laughed while I explained that both rooms were dirty. Being laughed at while raising legitimate concerns is completely unacceptable. She brushed the situation off and said she would pass it along to her director, which appeared to be nothing more than a deflection. There was no follow up, no effort to fix the issue, and no concern shown at all. I paid to stay in a hotel and was instead shuffled between dirty rooms while being treated disrespectfully by management. This was not just poor service. It was insulting. I am keeping records of everything and will be reaching out to legal counsel to address this situation properly. If you care about cleanliness, professionalism, or basic respect as a guest, I strongly advise avoiding this hotel. This experience was a complete failure from start to finish.

La Pensione Hotel - hotels - Updated May 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...