Penthouse Designer Hillcrest Retreat w/ Pool & Gym

A warm, light-filled one-bedroom, top floor penthouse steps from the rooftop pool in the heart of Hillcrest, curated by local designers. A dedicated desk workspace, full kitchen with a Nespresso machine, spacious full tub bathroom, and private balcony with Balboa Park views, plus a jacuzzi and full gym. Steps from Better Buzz Coffee, Whole Foods, and Hillcrest's best dining and nightlife. Minutes to Balboa Park, downtown, and beaches. Ideal for guests who value design, walkability, and comfort.

We built the living area piece by piece: a deep mustard corduroy sofa, layered vintage rugs, framed art and gallery posters, and a few hand-carved onyx objects from our design studio.

The bedroom is quiet, with a comfortable queen, warm linens, a hand-knotted rug, and morning light. You can work at the desk on high-speed WiFi. Cook a full dinner if you want; the kitchen holds what a longer stay needs. The bathroom has a wood vanity, vessel sink, and rain shower. Take your coffee out to the balcony and look over Hillcrest and the city.

The stone pieces here come from SAÉA, the design studio we run. We carve each one from natural onyx, so no two are alike.

The building is modern and keyless throughout, with ButterflyMX smartlocks on the apartment and the common spaces: rooftop pool, jacuzzi, and gym.

AMENITIES
Functional AC and heating adjustable at the wall thermostat. The Smart TV includes complementary Netflix plus suite of apps to access to HBO Max, Hulu, Prime Video, YouTube, and more. Full washer/dryer, steamer, stove and oven, microwave, complimentary tea, and a Nespresso machine with complimentary pods. Extra bedding available to keep your stay comfortable.

PARKING
Free street parking on 8th Avenue right next to the building entrance, or a flat $12/day at AirGarage on 6th & Robinson (2–3 min walk) that we can reserve for you in advance — just ask. For stays longer than two nights, we also offer discounted parking coupons for that space (this doesn't typically apply to discounted stays).

GUEST ACCESS
Guests have full, private keyless access to the entire apartment — bedroom, bathroom, living area, kitchen, and balcony. You'll also have access to shared building amenities: the rooftop pool and jacuzzi, gym, and a rooftop with a full outdoor dining table, grill, and lounge seating, with panoramic San Diego views stretching as far as Mexico. The building is secure at every entry point, with two elevators for step-free access throughout.

OTHER DETAILS
The building is secure, with coded access required for the lobby, elevator, and all shared amenities. Self check-in and free street parking nearby make for a seamless arrival. We also have a paid parking lot nearby that you may reserve in advance at an affordable daily rate of $12 per day and we offer discounted coupons for this lot for stays longer than 3 nights. Let us know if you prefer this option instead.

You're a 1-minute walk from Better Buzz Coffee, Whole Foods, Bank of America, and dining like Ramen Roma. Within 10–15 minutes on foot: the Hillcrest Farmers Market, Balboa Park, the Marston House, galleries like Studio Door, and Hillcrest nightlife.