Britt Scripps Inn

Britt Scripps (Victorian) Inn

By far the most elegant and romantic hotel in the Balboa Park / Hillcrest district of San Diego, the artfully restored 1887 inn with its Queen Anne turret and tricolor facade was built by attorney Eugene Britt. Refurbished in the past few years from an office building back into accommodations, the nine-room boutique hotel requires guests be 21 or older to stay there.  A mere block west of Balboa Park in Bankers Hill neighborhood filled with elegant homes that date back 100 years, Britt Scripps Inn has developed a reputation as a romantic place for couples seeking a getaway.

The prices have suprisingly gone down because of the economy and the huge inventory of hotel rooms opened in San Diego recently. The good news is that if you shop weekdays, you may find a room for a price lower than when the hotel first opened several years ago.

Ideal for a weekend trip or weekday visit and walking tours, you can wander over to Balboa Park approx. one block away and spend the entire day visiting museums with the the Passport to Balboa.

Each room is different but never bland. People are always amazed at the vivid original color palettes of Victorian homes, according to Gordon Hattersley III, who restored the property to its original flavor. Like a detective, he contracted a historical consultant and investigated old layers of paint, determining that the Victorians indulged in brilliant, rich color palettes. From his 2001 purchase of the property and 24 months of restoration, Hattersley added modern conveniences such as private bathrooms and insulation, injecting several million dollars in the renovation.

1000 count sheets and linens, high-speed, wireless Internet access, flat-screen televisions and multiline telephones don’t destroy the ambiance one bit, however. All have been added in a manner to blend tastefully with with the stand-out decor. Richard Gatling of Gatling Design in Solana Beach was contracted for the fine details that include modern touches in rooms named Renaissance, Governor and Gothic.  Furnishings are authentic to the period but are functional for guests to relax and enjoy.

A hand-carved white oak staircase that curves around an 1887 two-story stained-glass window is interior centerpiece that sets the stage for the rare 85-key Steinway Art Case piano dating to approx. 1883.

The house was officially designated Historic Site 52 by the city of San Diego in 1971 and though much of its original woodwork is gone, the giant camphor tree that shades the carriage house hotel room is believed to be one of the oldest in North America.

Complimentary breakfast in the morning and artisan cheese plates and wine at night are but two of the amenities that make this the right place to visit and optimum time stay at Britt Scripps Inn.