Jump to: Room choices | Hotel description | Map | Amenities | Reviews
Pacific Beach, a coastal San Diego neighborhood, is an unlikely place for a hideaway crafted from translucent glass with lines that are contemporary and clean. But that is what you will find at Tower23 Hotel, a chic retreat surrounded by serious surfers and sun-worshippers. Sporting a cool and unconventional façade, its name is derived from lifeguard tower 23, which is positioned near the hotel and serves as a beacon for beach goers. Select from an assortment of room and suite types - Spirit Pad, Sky Pad, Surf Pad, Sanctuary Suite and Sweet Suite - that bask in modernistic features with sleek furnishings and minimalist appointments, coupled with private balconies or patios. The amenities are also a bit out-of-the-box, with chromatherapy baths, step-in rain showers, mini-bars personalized to your liking, and Xbox entertainment centers.
Tower23 Hotel
4551 Ocean Blvd.
San Diego, California
92109
Nearest Airport: SAN
I've stayed at Tower23 multiple times, usually with my husband or friends. This was first time since the pandemic and the quality just feels very worn. I had several maintenance issues with my sink and a TV that didn't work and handyman stepped all over the furniture in his boots and left things kinda messy after. The proximity to ocean is what you pay for and it's still great. JRDN is a bit mediocre for the price - drinks especially need some work. (Welcome Mai Tai was best one.) Yellowtail sushi was great, but by second day, I didn't want to pay those high prices when way cheaper options are nearby (Nico for green seafood curry and Oscars for ceviche that is half the price of JRDN and just as good.) The TV/streaming tech and wifi are really bad. I had a summer cold, so I was in room more than I planned and was a bit miffed. I know from experience this place gets LOUD on weekends, so glad I booked after that. I didn't find the staff very friendly at check-in and I felt like a Karen complaining about my stopped up sink and lack of Wifi/working TV. I'm don't like being a squeaky wheel, but for the price I felt this hotel can do better with some quality control. Other than workman's boots all over furniture, this place was clean and felt safe.
Theresa D - New York, New York, United States
The photos look great, but they don't tell the whole story. We had just arrived from Los Angeles and were looking forward to a few relaxing days by the beach. One of the main reasons we chose this hotel was because it advertised itself as being directly on the beach. In reality, the hotel is separated from the beach by a busy public pathway, so it's not truly beachfront. We also found the surrounding area—including the hotel's outdoor spaces—to be dirty and run-down. It wasn't the relaxing atmosphere we had expected, and we didn't even feel comfortable spending time on the beach. I'm surprised this hotel receives such high ratings. In our experience, it seemed to cater more to a younger, party-oriented crowd than to adults looking for a peaceful getaway. Given the condition of the property and the location, we didn't feel it was worth the price. I wish we had known these details before booking, so I hope this review helps other travelers make a more informed decision. Next time, we'll do more thorough research before choosing a hotel.
n l
This is our regular PB vacation pad.V ery nice hotel with well trained staffing - valet parking - very clean. Tends to be geared more towards adults as there is no pool.On the upper end for costs but worth it!
Daniel H - Phoenix, Arizona
From the time I pulled up to valet to checkout the service was awesome. Everyone was professional, attentive and so kind. The area around the hotel has so many food options and we felt safe walking on the beach at night and walking on the Main road. Nat, Luica, Katrina, Austin, and Alicia were all absolutely awesome. The sushi in the restaurant was so delicious. The beds felt like I was sleeping on clouds. Having valet was so awesome and helpful. They get a 10/10 from me. We had a challenge with our room and they took care of it immediately. The views alone are worth the stay. If you’re considering staying do it. Have one experience and then you can decide for yourself. I stayed because my friend from San Diego said you have to stay there at least one time and now I’m hooked. Enjoy your stay.
ericag289 - Abingdon, Maryland
We have stayed at this hotel almost since it opened and I have never seen the transformation of a property like they have done recently. The staff is four seasons quality, extremely attentive, totally focused on the customer the cleanest, hotel and rooms we have stayed at in any property and the perfect location on the best beach in America!
al m
Read more reviews or write a review
© 2026 TripAdvisor LLC. All rights reserved
Excellent hotel and service... will not consider another hotel in San Diego. Staff is professional and top shelf.
-E. Hastings
Outstanding location facing the ocean in an old beach suburb of San Diego. Beautiful setting and clean contemporary design to establish a new standard for the city. Impeccable rooms atop a fine restaurant and service is hip, attentive and aware. I lose myself every time I stay. A highlight of my travels.
-G. Gustafson
Excellent customer service from start to finish... I will return soon!
-A. Herro