In the Marina district of downtown San Diego, the hotel is composed of two towers of equal height.

The two towers are the 20th tallest buildings in San Diego and are a prominent fixture in the city's skyline.

The hotel was designed by Welton Becket and Associates, and constructed by developer Doug Manchester.

The addition was built in anticipation of the adjacent San Diego Convention Center, which opened two years behind schedule, in 1989.

[5] The marina is operated by Marriott in concert with the San Diego Port Authority.