Room at Carté Hotel
A typical room at the Carté Hotel in Little Italy. Courtesy Hilton

A new 16-story, 246-room luxury lifestyle hotel by Hilton plans a July opening in the popular Little Italy neighborhood of downtown San Diego.

Carté Hotel is part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, which is aimed at travelers seeking unique local cuisine, drink, culture and experiences. The iconic Hotel del Coronado is part of the group.

The hotel’s restaurant, Watercolors, will serve sea-to-table cuisine in an intimate environment, while the separate tasting room, Fonte di Vino, will feature a sampling of wines from Southern California and Northern Mexico.

“We are honored and thrilled to share Carté Hotel’s special story and its connection to this incredible city,” said Henri Birmele, general manager. “In addition to creating a guest-focused, memorable experience, we’re looking forward to bringing dynamic culinary and social venues to the community and becoming an integral part of the cultured Little Italy neighborhood.”

Located at 401 West Ash Street, Carté Hotel offers over 8,500 square feet of event space, with seven on-site private event options, accommodating small to mid-size events. Additional amenities include a heated saltwater pool with comfortable cabana seating and rooftop views and a 28,000-square-foot fitness club.

Chris Jennewein is Editor & Publisher of Times of San Diego.