The Guild Hotel, San Diego, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

Alvin Mansour's Oram Hotels and Azul Hospitality Group
have announced the grand opening of The Guild, a 162-room Marriott Tribute Portfolio
property located in the heart of downtown San Diego. The Guild, housed in the historic,
century-old Army-Navy landmark building that has been a symbol of the city's storied past since
the 1920s, has been carefully restored and reimagined by Oram Hotels and designer Sormeh
Rienne into a design-driven, contemporary space that is layered with beauty, inspiration and an
unparalleled attention to detail that will elevate San Diego's hospitality landscape to new
heights.

HISTORY
The iconic Army-Navy YMCA building has stood as a beacon of history and renaissance in San
Diego since its 1920s era inception. During that period, as an increase in the number of military
bases in San Diego were being proposed, the need to provide the rising population of uniformed
men and women a place for community and recreation in the city also grew. The Italian
Renaissance-inspired building at 500 West Broadway would become that home as the
Army-Navy YMCA, hosting tens of thousands of guests within months of opening its doors.
Throughout its history, the Army-Navy YMCA building would provide services to over 125
million military personnel, making it the largest such organization in the world. In 2007, the site
was officially registered as a Historic Place by the U.S. Department of the Interior National Park
Service. This year, the building will be celebrating 95 years since its doors opened.

DESIGN
The property's iconic stature in the city's center informed its reincarnation by Sormeh Rienne,
who has realized Mansour's vision of a refined, experiential boutique hotel with a nod to some of
Europe's most renowned, independent properties; San Diego's casual but inspired sensibility;
and an inviting, inclusive atmosphere reminiscent of a bygone era of hospitality.
The contemporary interiors are juxtaposed with rich historic detail and subtle nods to the
Army-Navy background and the Italian-Renaissance bones that make it one of the most beautiful
properties in the city. The building's exterior detailing and façade have been meticulously
restored to their original beauty and guests are welcomed into the hotel's lobby via the original
grand stone staircase. The lobby reception area features an assortment of intimate seating areas
with plush, classic custom sofas and chairs in vibrant velvet tones of pink, deep red and blue
alongside The Guild Bar, a focal point of the space with its Brazilian leathered quartzite counter,
backbar with custom millwork detailing and well curated design and seating elements. The
lobby's hand-torched herringbone floor stretches through the space leaving a timeless yet
modern imprint. To the right upon entry, the reception desk is a hand-carved, fluted burgundy
wood structure that is tucked away amid floor to ceiling drapery for a dramatic, private
customer service experience.

The Guild's signature restaurant, Luca, is a Mediterranean-influenced, al fresco destination
serving breakfast, lunch and dinner to hotel guests and locals alike, courtesy of Executive Chef
Justin Vaiciunas. Located directly off the lobby across from The Guild Bar, Luca brings forth an
eye for creative, yet balanced flavor pairings and a design-forward, airy atmosphere nestled in
the center of the city's urban core. The restaurant's outdoor courtyard dining room features a
custom-designed outdoor fireplace, a black and white color palette, lush greenery and mirrors
that mimic the building's historic windows. Guests can also enjoy a separate greenery-filled
outdoor courtyard, Grace Garden, where an assortment of dining tables and lounge seating will
be offered from early morning until late evening. The Grace Garden features an abundant mix of
olive and evergreen trees, leafy plants and shrubs and a mix of intimate seating areas. At night,
the garden will alight with custom-designed lighting for an ethereal, unexpected retreat
surrounded by the city skyline and open-air views of the sky above.

The hotel's mix of six room types feature refined, minimal interiors with custom designed
furniture, art and carpeting in a soothing color palette of pale blue, grey and a soft army green,
as a direct reference to the property's origins. High ceilings bring an air of grandeur to each
space and many rooms boast abundant natural light with city and harbor views. Stearns &
Foster guest beds with Garnier-Thiebaut linens sit atop wood frames with leather headboards in
a warm butterscotch tone while rose gold lighting and accents add a rich, contemporary finish to
the space. Bathrooms are awash in clean white and stark black detail with Maison Margiela Paris
bath amenities, oversized mirrors, and rain showers. Each room also features a custom designed
piece of art highlighting historic San Diego artists and a piece of the property's history and story.
The Rooftop Garden Penthouse is a two-bedroom, two and a half bathroom pied a terre perched
on the building's top floor with private rooftop outdoor space, custom furnishings and luxury
design details and private elevator entry.

The YMCA's former basketball court with elevated running track has been transformed into a
grand, 3,500 square foot ballroom like no other, featuring original brick wall inlays, dramatic
floor-to-ceiling drapery and hardwood floors. The underground pool on the basement level has
been reimagined into The Society Ballroom, a one-of-a-kind event space in 3,800 square feet
with original design elements, luxurious details and a carpet that mimics the flow of water as a
nod to the space's illustrious past.
The Guild is a Tribute Portfolio property, sitting alongside a curated collection of independent
hotels within Marriott united by a common focus on design, creativity, community and a unique
sense of spirit.

Hotel website