From the bright yellow polo uniforms worn by staff to complimentary cupcakes on arrival, San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter has a brand new hotel with plenty of pizzazz right in the heart of action – Hotel Z.
Located at 521 6th Ave., it opened in July thanks to Pineapple Hospitality Company, a hotel management company that acquired the property last year in the midst of redevelopment.
Formerly the Baltic Inn, a residential hotel designed for individuals with lower incomes, hotelier Michelle Barnet (president of Pineapple Hospitality Company) bought the property from a developer who had begun gutting the 28-year-old building to make it a chain hotel.
Wanting to add a boutique hotel in San Diego to Pineapple’s portfolio (adding to hotels in Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco), Barnet set out to create Hotel Z late last year. Now complete, the brand new four-story, 96-room hotel property is designed for easy access to all that San Diego has to offer – and a great night’s sleep.
Hotel Z offers its signature Pineapple Hospitality service and amenities, including The Naked Experience bedding, fast and free wireless internet, dog-friendly accommodations, daily coffee and cupcake reception, and complimentary Pineapple Cruiser bicycles for guest use.
Hotel Z General Manager Charlie Smith has been at the helm since its opening three months ago.
Smith brings 15 years hotel industry experience to the job. He started his career as a part-time front desk associate in Orange County. From there, he worked his way up from supervisor to operations manager to Assistant General Manger to finally General Manager.
Now he’s excited for the opportunity to introduce Hotel Z and the Pineapple Hospitality brand to a new market.
“We are that unique, quirky hotel that I don’t believe exists in the Gaslamp area,” Smith said.
As what makes the property so unique?
“So much!” Smith said. “Our complimentary beach cruisers to pineapple flavored cupcakes, to even having a stuffed husky named Fluffy greet every guest upon entering the room. We also offer a one-of-kind bedding experience called The Naked Experience.”
For those not in the know, The Naked Experience is highlighted by Pineapple Bedding – each bed has two twin comforters, so each guest can snuggle into their own comfort. Don’t worry, Pineapple Bedding is 100 percent fresh. If it touches your body, the hotel said you can trust it has been laundered just for you.
The Naked Experience also includes comfortable Simmons mattresses, big fluffy bath towels, and signature robes and slippers (slippers can be taken home free of charge).
Smith said Hotel Z is suited for all travelers.
“We want to be the hotel in the Gaslamp where travelers come to stay regardless of whether on business, here for a convention, on a family vacation or just planning a staycation and enjoying what the Gaslamp has to offer,” he said. “One thing that would make it a great staycation would be being able to walk to a Padres game – even if you are cheering for the other team.”
He said Southern Californians are able to enjoy and experience a city they’ve been to before in from a new perspective – especially when riding a beach cruiser.
“We look forward to people not familiar with Hotel Z to experience our piece of the pineapple – and the cupcakes are really good!” Smith said.
Hotel Z is Pineapple Hospitality’s second property in California, adding SoCal to their northern Pineapple Hospitality counterpart, Hotel California in San Francisco.
Hotel Z’s location in the Gaslamp provides easy walking and accessibility to a variety of San Diego attractions, including the San Diego Convention Center, Seaport Village, Petco Park, Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo, Belmont Park and the USS Midway, among others.
For more information about Hotel Z or to make reservations, visit www.HotelZSD.com.
