Hotel del Coronado

Disney Atmosphere - disappointing eateries

My wife wanted to stay at this hotel for nearly 20 years. After putting aside some… a lot of money, we went for our 20th anniversary along with our seven-year-old daughter.

Before leaving, my wife called the main number and asked if we would need reservations for dinning or kid’s activities. We were told that as guests of the hotel, we wouldn’t need them and it wouldn’t be a problem. Wrong! Dinning without a reservation was a problem and the kid’s camp was “fully booked” when we called to sign up our daughter.

Although the accommodations are nice, the hotel was crowded with so many kids, that it had exactly the same overwhelming feel as Disney World.

For the evening of our 20th anniversary we went to the “signature” restaurant 1500 Ocean. My daughter had taken a late nap, so we arrived shortly after 8:00 pm. Although, most of the tables were empty, we were told it would be a few minutes before we could be seated, because we didn’t have a reservation. After we were seated, it took a long, long time to get something to drink, some bread and to place our order. In fact my wife, who has the patient of a saint, began debating as to whether we should just leave and go to the “casual” restaurant, Shearwater instead.

In all, the meal took nearly two hours and we were forced to make at least three comments to staff about the inattentive service including asking twice for a waiter to come by the table. The food was good, but I am not exaggerating when I say that the service at our local Cracker Barrel is exponentially more attentive than what we endured at 1500 Ocean. Given the cost and ballyhoo associated with this “signature” establishment, the level of service was so far beyond unacceptable that I can’t begin to put it into words. The fact that the restaurant was nearly empty leads us to wonder how much worse service must be when it’s busy. Bottom line: Unless you want to spend an enormous amount of time and money for poor service, eat somewhere else. Shearwater was a much better experience, though only the dress is casual, NOT the prices. The best dinning experience we found was a place across the street called the Brigantine Seafood House. It was everything 1500 Ocean wasn’t and even though it was crowded, service was excellent as was the food.

Perhaps the most amazing part of our stay was when a fire alarm was triggered one afternoon. After my wife fled the premises with our daughter, she was actually admonished by concierge who told her that she should have waited in the room for instructions and that it would be a really “bad thing” if all of the guests headed for the exits upon hearing the fire alarm. Are you kidding me?!

I usually stay in average hotels when I travel (2-3 diamonds) and once a year, we try to go somewhere really nice like the Greenbrier or Grand. Overall, I’m not demanding and generally easygoing, but based on the five nights we spent at the Del, we have no desire to return.

Nice Stay

The Del

• Opinion of Price: most expensive
• Related to: Beaches, Spa and Resort

Hotel del Coronado

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lots of character, but overpriced

The Del has a lot of character and is a lovely building, but the food is at best average and is extremely overpriced. Service is generally good, but slow at times. We stayed in the Ocean Towers and had a nice room overseeing the beach. This of course meant that we got to listen to the various groups of military personnel work out and chant and sing on the beach starting at 5:00AM in front of our room. Oh well...

In any event, our stay was over all nice, but again, it does seem overpriced for what you get. and I would strongly recommend avoiding the kitchen and instead wander around the area for better food in Coronado. Mainly the Tomaso italian restaurant a couple of blocks down and the Night and Day cafe. The Tomaso is pricy, but well worth it and the cafe is an old throw-back diner and is quite quaint and charming.

Unique Quality: nice beach, pretty Victorian building and that's about it.

Twenty years of the Del

I have visited Coronado on and off since 1976. Don't even tell me about how we should have bought a place there. I learned that homes in Coronado are selling for 1000 a foot...not a square foot...a foot. But on to the Hotel Del.

Place really hasn't changed all that much. I stayed in the Beach tower and the room was nice, with plenty of space for 4. Bathroom was clean and devoid of all the signs of wear and tear.

I choked at the bottle of Aquafina water for $6.75 plus service charge and taxes. Geez...how about a name brand for that price?

Beach was nice and rental staff helps you with chairs and towels and anything else you need.

Unique Quality: Front and valet staff are great. Warm greetings and they always ask if you need directions before you leave. Housekeepers were also friendly.

The place is a little expensive, but it is what it is. The Del is historical, beautiful, and won't disappoint if you choose to stay there.

• Opinion of Price: most expensive

Hotel del Coronado Photo: The kids loved it!

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The Sweetest Hotel in SD!

The Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, California, is situated along 31 oceanfront acres on Coronado Island. A National Historic Landmark, The Del is considered one of America’s most beautiful resorts. Since its opening in 1888, The Del has attracted filmmakers, presidents and royalty. ‘Some Like It Hot’, starring Marilyn Monroe, was shot at the resort in 1958 and enjoyed renewed interest in 2000 when it was voted the ‘Best Comedy of All Time’ by the American Film Institute. Considered the Western White House, the resort has hosted ten United States presidents. One of the most famous visitors was the Prince of Wales in 1920. Sixteen years later, Edward abdicated the throne to marry Coronado resident, Wallis Simpson. Many have wondered if they met at The Del.

Today, the legend continues to unfold with the recent unveiling of the dramatic enhancements of a $55 million restoration. The restoration takes advantage of the resort’s spectacular setting by re-establishing The Del’s connection to the Pacific with an oceanfront lawn, new seaside restaurants, bar, re-designed Victorian rooms and the Cottages at North Beach, offering exclusive beachfront accommodations.

Featuring a fully staffed recreation department, the resort offers children’s programs, sports and recreation, fitness classes and seasonal activities. Guests can pamper themselves at the oceanfront Spa and Fitness Center with a variety of massage options and body treatments. Sailing and boating are offered at the marina and golf is available on the Island. The resort features a variety of dining venues offering award-winning cuisine, historic ambiance and premier beachfront dining. In addition, over 20 boutiques and shops offer everything from jewelry and toys to men’s and women’s clothing and accessories, as well as art and collectibles.

Unique Quality: The Del 's signature line of personal care and bath products
Plush terry robes
Minibar
26 television channels including HBO
Voice mail
Hi-speed Internet access
Hair dryer
Iron and Ironing Board
In-room safe
24-hour in-room dining service
Turndown service upon request
Nintendo Game Cube
Daily newspaper delivery


During your stay, The Del offers:

Concierge services (for sightseeing, transportation, dining or other arrangements)
Baby-sitting
Airport shuttle
Car rental
Valet parking
Laundry
Dry-cleaning

Not only does the Del have numerous pools, an amazing beach, great restaurants and shopping, it also has it's own haunted room and ghost story. While the luxery itself is amazing, look up the true history of the Del. It's very interesting.

• Opinion of Price: most expensive

Hotel del Coronado

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Historical Beauty

I have not stayed here myself, but many of my friends and relatives have staying here and gotten married here. They all said such wonderful things about the rooms, service and the historical splendid beauty of the place. It has such charm and grandeur about it. It is pure pleasure to just stroll around and take in the beauty this place has to offer inside and out!

Hotel Del Coronado Historical Marker No. 844

Unique Quality: The facilities are excellent and the rooms facing the shore have nice views, though their is a section that does not have nice views, but on arrival you'll figure that out. Make sure you request before making a room reservation.:-) Oh, lots of wonderful shops too!
Services:
Balcony/Terrace
Daily Maid Service
Hair Dryer
Non-Smoking Rooms
Private Bath
Refrigerator
Telephone
Television
Deposit Box
Concierge Services
Business Center
Air Conditioned Building
Beach
Hot Tub

• Opinion of Price: most expensive
• Related to: Family Travel, Historical Travel, Road Trip

Hotel del Coronado

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It's just "The Del"

"The Del" is one of those hotels where the experience comes close to matching the history and reputation. Since it was right across the street from our hotel we used "The Del" as our second home -- in fact doing everything but staying there! In our wanderings we did manage to look in a few rooms here and there -- nicely done.
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You CAN stay at "The Del" in a smaller, no ocean view room in the original main building for $190. USD for a double, but the tarriffs rise exponentially from there.

Unique Quality: We enjoyed the public spaces, both inside and out. We walked along their beach boardwalk, drank at their bars, went window shopping [the rich DO shop differently I'll say...], ate breakfast in the small cafe in the cellar where we discovered internet access through 2 terminals tucked in a corner! [This was a BIG DEAL as the only other access we found was at the Public Library by reservation]
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In particular we enjoyed the Babcock & Story Bar, esxpecially on Friday night when "old Coronado" came out to dance to the live music. It was a special evening.

• Opinion of Price: most expensive

Hotel del Coronado Photo: "The Del" -- Inside and Out

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The most famous hotel of the West

I didn't stay there (not for my budget) but I would like, maybe for 1-2 nights. I just visited that hotel - the interiors look very nice and the location in front of Coronado Beach and the Pacific Ocean is amazing.

As a National Historic Landmark, the Hotel Del has a rich and colorful heritage. From Marilyn Monroe to Charles Lindbergh, from state dinners to the ghost of Kate Morgan, The Del is a fascinating American treasure with over 115 years of stories to tell.

Unique Quality: Location, unusual wooden architecture.

• Opinion of Price: most expensive
• Related to: Spa and Resort, Business Travel, Road Trip

Hotel del Coronado Photo: HOTEL DEL CORONADO

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