The beautiful city of San Diego located on the Pacific Ocean in southern California is known for its excellent weather, outdoor lifestyle, naval tradition, and spectacular zoo. Ever since the Gilded Age of the 1880s, however, a wooden Victorian Hotel located across the bay from the downtown area on the long isthmus of Coronado has reinforced the city's image for gentle relaxation. The Hotel de Coronado has a long and illustrious history for lodging visiting dignitaries and serving as a backdrop for numerous public events. Hilton designated the hotel as one its Curio Collection properties and launched a comprehensive $400 million plan three years ago to renovate and expand many of the hotel’s lodgings and amenities and add a huge underground parking garage. Some of these transformative upgrades have been completed and others are scheduled to be finished in 2022. 

History

The Del was conceived by several midwestern businessmen who sought to take advantage of the California land boom of the late 19th century by building a beachfront hotel to attract locals, businesspeople and tourists interested in a west coast resort. They identified the deserted Coronado and North Islands as an ideal location and bought four thousand acres there for $110,000. Within a year they built a magnificent wooden structure and opened the hotel in February 1888. To do so, they had to overcome a shortage of lumber and labor in the San Diego area and the need for water sources, electricity, and a ferry connection to the city’s downtown. The result was a magnificent five story wooden structure with high ceilings of pine wood and fine architectural features. Among the amenities offered to guests were a saltwater pool, a yacht club, tennis courts, hunting and fishing, and fine dining. 

The rest as they say is history. Over the next 112 years, the Hotel del Coronado has hosted banquets and weddings, 16 Presidents and dozens of celebrities, World War II pilots from the nearby North Island Air Station, movie scenes, and conventions. Two of the most popular guests were Marilyn Monroe and the cast of the movie Some Like It Hot in the 1950s and an unknown ghost who roams the halls of the main building. Whenever the property began to lose its luster, new owners or investors have stepped in to refurbish, renovate, expand, and improve the facility. With the expansions and improvements underway, the Hotel de Coronado is well positioned to remain a top-rated resort for luxury travelers.

Hotel Design and Layout

The Hotel del Coronado occupies twenty-eight acres of the Coronado isthmus and currently has over seven hundred hotel rooms. The main building of the hotel called the Victorian is known for its red roof, white wood paneling and rotunda like arched ceiling. The Victorian stands at the center of the resort and is visible for miles along the beach or out to sea. Because of the age of the structure and periodic renovations, some rooms in the Victorian building have unique designs. While most feature a king size bed or two queen beds, there also are some large guest rooms approximately five hundred square feet in size available as studio suites. The public areas of the Victorian have some interesting features which harken back to an earlier era such as an iron gate elevator with an operator in the lobby and the elaborate wood paneling of the crown room center place. The hotel has been a National Historic Landmark since 1977 for these features and its history in the development of the San Diego area.

The hotel property includes four other types of lodging featuring a modern vibe along with hints of Victorian architecture. First, there are Cabana style guest rooms near the pool and close to the beach which include private terraces, lounge seating and fire pits. Second, there is a secluded area of residential cottages and villas at the north end of the property known as the Beach Village at the Del. These suites include one to three bedrooms, kitchens, private recreation areas, pools, and numerous amenities. Some villas are privately owned, and others can be rented through the hotel. Third, the seven-story high contemporary towers now known as The Views have been upgraded as part of the renovation project. Finally, the south end of the resort will be expanded by the end of 2022 to include a new self-contained village with seventy-five units called The Shore House at the Del. The hotel describes this new village as a “captivating, stylish, oceanfront community …. rising at the southernmost point of the resort which will offer an elevated hotel experience in an extraordinary neighborhood of seaside residences. From an oceanfront pool that blends seamlessly into the horizon, to an inviting living room that flows effortlessly outdoors, Shore House offers an extraordinary sense of place, where family and friends form deep connections in a rare beachside setting.”

Integrating five different hotel and lodging options located in multiple buildings into one resort will be a logistical challenge during the construction phase could become an operational and service challenge thereafter. 

Amenities

The waterfront plays a prominent role in activities at the Coronado. The beach extends for several miles south and north of the hotel. Although the entire area is open to the public, the hotel provides complete lounge chair, daybed, and cabana services on the beach along with water sports and boat rentals. The main pool which looks out on the water was renovated in 2020. Other recreation options include nearby golf and tennis, surfing lessons, and special events such as fireworks, beach parties, clam bakes and even skating by the sea during cooler months. Away from the water, there is a first-class spa offering a wide variety of treatments, and a large lawn for relaxing by the sea. Meanwhile, people are drawn to the hotel’s separate shopping arcade, which is known for its boutique clothing stores, classic candy shop, and other interesting offerings.

There is also no shortage of food offerings. The Crown Room is known for its comprehensive Sunday brunch and for occasional tea times. In addition, the two main restaurants have strong reputations. These are Shearwater, which has mostly a steak and grill menu, and Seria Coastal Cuisine which features Pacific seafood offerings. Relaxation and light fare can also be found at the beautiful mahogany Babcock and Story Bar or outside at the Beach and Taco Shack. Families looking for snacks and treats often enjoy the Eno Market and Pizzeria or Sundaes ice cream and gelato establishment.

Area Activities

All around the hotel on Coronado Beach and to the south on Silver Strand Beach, there is unlimited public beach to walk around and enjoy. Close by on Orange Avenue are galleries, restaurants, and cafes. Popular retail and entertainment establishments are also available at the Coronado Ferry Landing. People also enjoy finding spots to watch the jets and navy ship activity in the area. 

Over the bridge in San Diego, there are plenty of well-known attractions. Animal habitats include the respected San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, La Jolla Cove, and Sea World. Popular museums are the Maritime Museum, the Aircraft Carrier Museum, the Cabrillo National Monument, and the Museum of Contemporary Art. For recreation and entertainment, there are professional sports teams, Legoland, and locations for hiking and relaxing like Torrey Pines Natural Reserve. Cultural, shopping, and sightseeing opportunities abound in and around Balboa Park, the Seaport Village, and the Old Town district. 

Location

The Hotel del Coronado is located close to both the San Diego International Airport and the downtown. It can be reached by taking Interstate 5 South to Route 75 and then crossing the Coronado Bridge over San Diego Bay. Once on Coronado, head towards the water on Orange Avenue and look for the bright red roof of the hotel. Day trippers can also reach the island by taking a ferry on the hour from the Broadway Pier and from the San Diego Convention Center on the half hour which both arrive at the Coronado Ferry Landing.