How would you like to stay in one of San Diego’s earliest Victorian mansions, and have a butler at your disposal 24/7? Sound cool? Well, you can absolutely do that when you stay at Britt Scripps Inn. This Bankers Hill Victorian mansion was built in the late 1880s, and at the time was the most expensive home ever built in San Diego. Amazingly, the home has only had four owners in all those years. Today, in the hands of owner Gordon B. Hattersley, III, the home remains resplendent in its Victorian charm, yet brought very modern with a $6 million overhaul. Each of the Inn’s nine stately guest rooms have been lavishly furnished with original period pieces, each room is very unique in its character, and the finest of soft goods have been obtained. Yet, you will enjoy 12 foot high ceilings, complimentary wi-fi, flat screen televisions, and a bed that will leave you comfortably in a fetal position until long after sunrise. When you do manage to scrape yourself from the 1,000 count sheets, rub the sleep from your eyes, and meander past the vintage signed 1883 Steinway piano, you will find that a most wonderful breakfast is about to be prepared for you by the Inn’s own chef. Now THIS is living! The Britt Scripps Inn in conveniently located within easy walking distance of San Diego’s famous Balboa Park, and only a mile away from the city’s bustling Gas-lamp District.

Another reason we love to stay at properties of this type is the intimate setting, and the opportunity to meet interesting people from all over the world. During the Inn’s 5:30 – 7:00 hors d’oeuvres, we were privileged to meet an attorney and his wife in town from the South, as well as a young couple where she was a producer on the television show, The Biggest Loser. The six of us had a wonderful visit before Carol and I had to whisk off to dinner. Note: click photograph(s) for a much larger view! We bring home many great memories of our stay at Britt Scripps Inn. The staff was most gracious, and impeccable in their service. The intricate, original hand-hewn redwood woodwork in the dining room, parlor, and especially the majestic stairway will remain long in my memory. The wall of antique stained glass lite by the morning sun was simply stunning, and I loved the massive Camphor tree that was planted in the side yard in 1887! It is seldom that you get a chance to enjoy such a historic mansion in such an intimate setting. In my opinion, you would be absolutely bonkers not to spend some time in this elegant estate hotel during your visit to the San Diego area. We loved our stay, and if we had ten thumbs we would give Britt Scripps Inn “ten thumbs up”!

Disclosure: this wonderful lodging was provided by Britt Scripps Inn. Thanks!

Post Author: David and Carol, Roaming Boomers. Sharing luxury travel destinations, dining, attractions, product reviews, photography tips, travel tips, and more!