The Keating Hotel
Design by Pininfarina, Powered by San Diego
The Keating Hotel by Pininfarina: San Diego to Italy in a few seconds flat. That’s performance.
In downtown’s heralded Gaslamp Quarter, with its robust dining, nightlife, and entertainment, San Diego real estate developer and luxury car enthusiast, Eddie Kaen, has converted a historic 1890 Romanesque Revival-style building into the 35-room, eight-suite boutique hotel, designed by Pininfarina, the Italian firm responsible for the classic lines of many legendary Maseratis and Ferraris.
Constructed in 1890 of granite and brick, the five-floor Keating, 432 F Street, is a tribute to Kansas native George J. Keating, who owned the local Smith & Keating farm. He had moved to San Diego four years earlier in 1886 with his wife, Fannie. After George’s death, she asked Reid Brothers to design and construct the five-story prime office building, including steam heat and a wire cage elevator. Reid & Reid also designed the great Hotel Del Coronado nearby.
Reopened in 2007, The Keating Hotel is just four miles from San Diego International Airport and close to the San Diego Convention Center, Petco Park, Seaport Village, Horton Plaza and Coronado Island. Guests attending the La Jolla Concours events April 7−9 will receive free valet services.
Pininfarina chose signature colors of black and white and racing Ferrari red for common spaces such as the lobby, meeting rooms and hallways. Light gray and cool blue tones contrast for the guestrooms, explains Adam Della Rocca, general manager of The Keating Hotel by Pininfarina for the hotel management company, RAR Hospitality.
Boutique amenities were added in select rooms, such as LaVazza espresso machines, Frette Egyptian cotton sheets, mood lighting, Bang & Olufsen HD entertainment systems, wifi internet access, in-room Alpha Morphosis Jacuzzi tubs and glass walk-in rainfall showers. Room minibars have customized cocktails, intimacy kits, cigars and more. In addition, guests enjoy 24-hour personal concierge service.
“The aesthetic, innovative approach of Pininfarina design blends with the historical details of the building, making the Keating a unique emotional experience,” says Paolo Pininfarina, chairman of Pininfarina and chairman and CEO of Pininfarina Extra.
The hotel was redesigned with sustainability as a goal. For instance, some of the original construction materials, such as wood and steel, were reused, saving many trees and materials.
The luxury stanzas and suites begin with the standard Deluxe including atrium views and either a California king or two extra-large twin beds. Alternatively, the Gaslamp City View Stanza has a California king-size bed or two extra-large twin beds with city views.
Inspired by the fine Scotch, the Macallan Suite has a copper-wrapped Pininfarina-designed Morpheus Jacuzzi tub, recalling the whisky stills, a seating area and mini bar with full-size bottles of vintage Macallan. And, inspired by 3-star Michelin Chef Gordon Ramsay, the Victory Suite includes a dining room, sofas, area rugs and hand-selected décor by the chef.
The Fresca Spa Suite has a California king-size bed, an atrium with a whirlpool Jacuzzi and alfresco steam shower. In-room spa treatments such as therapeutic body treatments and skincare services are available in this suite.
The Imperiale Suite has a California king-size bed, wet bar, lounge seating with Gaslamp Quarter views and a Pininfarina-designed Alpha Morphosis Jacuzzi. Finally, the Chic Loft Suite includes an oversized working desk, upgraded entertainment system, lounge window seating and a custom-designed shower by Dornbracht, the Ferrari of bathroom fittings.
In addition, 2,500 square-feet of meeting space will accommodate many events, meetings and large groups up to 150 guests.
Car events are already popular at The Keating by Pininfarina. “We have worked with high-end auto-makers to showcase their cars,” Della Rocca says. “Their cars have been featured in the valet spot in front of the hotel as a showcase and centerpiece for photos and red carpet entries.”
“The Keating team is dedicated to offering a unique experience by personalizing our service in response to our guests’ desires,” he adds. “The Keating experience could be customizing a guest’s favorite cocktail in the comfort of their own room or providing in-style transportation with a chauffeured Maserati service. These are the memorable moments of a Keating stay.”
For more information on The Keating by Pininfarina, see www.TheKeating.com, call (619) 814-5700. Facebook: facebook.com/KeatingHotel; Instagram: @KeatingHotel; and Twitter: @KeatingHotel.
