The Keating
by Pininfarina
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Interview with Sandra Vivas General Manager of The Keating Hotel San Diego

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A conversation with Sandra Vivas, General Manager of The Keating Hotel San Diego, Pininfarina's first hotel creation.

What is unique about your hotel's location?
The Keating Hotel has a premier downtown location in San Diego's Gaslamp District with access to the finest local cultural arts, shops, nightlife, restaurants, sporting and entertainment venues. Reflecting historic grandeur and modern allure, the Keating Hotel offers a chic retreat from the urban metropolis.

What authentic local experiences will guests have access to?
San Diego is known America's finest city because of its amazing climate and natural beauty. The Keating Hotel is centrally located in the heart of downtown, where guests will find Southern California's premier dining, shopping and entertainment all within one of San Diego's most historic areas. Sports fans can take in a Charger's or Padre's game, or if they are looking for a more cultural experience, the city boasts world class museums, performance theater, opera and the symphony. Guests can also visit one of the large family attractions like the world renowned San Diego Zoo or Sea World. Or if they are just looking to unwind, San Diego is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in North America.

What are some amazing things that your Concierge can arrange?
The personal concierge can arrange anything from a romantic dinner on an original Italian gondola to a Ferrari rental to tour San Diego's beautiful beaches and vistas.

Does your hotel have a philosophy?
The Keating is a statement of our time, combining the highest level of expressive Italian design with dedicated personalized service. Each of the luxury "stanzas", Italian for loft style guest room, incorporates contemporary design elements juxtaposed amongst historic building details. In the Pininfarina tradition, the environment is characterized by pure, clean, ergonomic design, where breathtaking form meets function in every possible detail. The use of materials, colors and lighting combine to give a warm welcoming atmosphere to all of our guests.

What makes your hotel memorable and unforgettable?
The Keating is an intimate boutique hotel with full dedication to exceeding the guest's expectations. The Pininfarina chic design makes it memorable but ultimately what makes it unforgettable is the service and attention guests receive from our personal concierge from the moment their reservation is made.

What will guests rave about to their friends and family?
Guests will rave about the Keating Hotel's sleek design and lavish accommodations, savory food and chic boutique nightclub. Above all, the guests will rave about the service of the personal concierge and their efforts to make sure every detail is taken care of.

What is the atmosphere of your hotel? What types of guests does it attract?
The Keating caters to a diverse clientele, during convention season we have business executives, and on the weekend, the hotel and night club welcome celebrities who appreciate an intimate setting without the media or fan attention. The hotel has also become popular for people celebrating special occasions. We go above and beyond to make celebrations an extraordinary experience.

What makes your hotel a destination within itself?
The Keating is a destination itself because it is located in the heart of the Gaslamp quarter where our guests have a bird's eye view of the main entertainment district in San Diego without having to leave the comfort of their suite. Guests can begin their evening in style with specialty cocktails from their own mixologist in the privacy of their stanza, followed by an intimate dinner at the Merk Bistro Italiano that features fresh pasta dishes, NY style thin crust pizzas and unique wines from California and Italy. And the night doesn't have to end there; all hotel guests are VIPs at the boutique nightclub Sway, where the city's top DJs spin and San Diego's elite come to mix and mingle.

Do you have a favorite meal in your restaurant(s)?
The Keating Hotel's restaurant, The Merk Bistro Italiano specializes in rustic Italian dishes with a California twist. At The MerK, the dining philosophy begins at a local level which means working closely with area growers and purveyors to ensure all of the ingredients are of the highest and freshest quality. The MerK's signature dishes are the Linguini Romano and the classic Caesar Salad. Both are old world, table-side preparations where the Executive Chef's skills and talents will be on full display.

What is the best way for guests to "arrive in style" to your hotel?
Arrive in style in a Ferrari 430, which can all be arranged by our personal concierge when a guest makes a reservation.

Do you provide any welcoming or parting amenities to guests?
Guests are welcomed in the lobby by a bowl of fruit and fresh flavored water made according to the season. Our luxurious stanzas and suites have all of the seductive qualities of Pininfarina designed furnishings and lavish amenities like Bang & Olfusen electronics, luxurious Italian linens by Frette, a LavAzza espresso machine, also by Pininfarina, designer bathrobes, WIFI wireless internet access, dual-line cordless phones, personalized Sip & Crave bar, in-room dining and laundry/valet service. In the evening, the guest rooms are turned down to a relaxing setting and fresh baked pastries are set table side for a nighttime treat.

Can you recommend other destinations/hotels nearby (within 300 miles) that your guests should consider combining into a trip?
Our personal concierge can arrange a private limo to take our guests to the beautiful southern California wine region, Temecula. Guests can take tours of the vineyards and participate in wine tastings, then take the limo back to San Diego for a dinner at the MerK accompanied by premiere boutique domestic and Italian vineyards, rare selections and the new Pininfarina wine collection.