Hotel Del Coronado
A Grand Reopening: Experiencing the Reimagined Hotel Del Coronado – A Travel Advisor's Perspective
In my role as a luxury travel advisor, I was lucky enough to be invited to attend the Grand Reopening of the Hotel Del Coronado, a celebration to recognize the official conclusion of the 6 year renovation of the 130+ year old hotel. It was an incredibly impressive affair, with everyone from Congressman to Mayors to Brooke Shields in attendance, reflecting the long history of the hotel and the respect it has garnered in the community.
After my stay in June 2025, I am sharing my insights below into how this iconic landmark has been thoughtfully transformed. What strikes me the most is how "The Del" has elevated its guest experience in new ways to elevate the guest experience but still retained its historic charm.
First things first, let’s go over the perks my Bessties will receive at Hotel Del Coronado. We are part of the ultra-exclusive Crown Club, which is the highest level status at this hotel. We can add the following perks for our Bessties:
Daily breakfast for two ($45 per person per bedroom in Cottages and Villas)
Upgrade at booking, if available (The Victorian, The Views, The Cabanas)
$100 Resort credit (The Victorian, The Views, The Cabanas)
Elevated Resort Credit In Beach Village and Shore House
2 Queen Guestroom: one-time $150 Resort credit
1 Bedroom Villa/Cottage: one-time $250 Resort credit
2 Bedroom Villa/Cottage: one-time $350 Resort credit
3 Bedroom Villa/Cottage: one-time $450 Resort credit
Early arrival and late departure if available
VIP Crown Club status
Now let’s dive into the details about the hotel.
The Location
What’s the most special about the Del is its location. Hotel Del Coronado is the only hotel on the island that is directly on Coronado Beach, with direct access and prime ocean views from many of the rooms. Having lived in Southern California for 18 years now, I can confidently say that Coronado Beach has some of the best sand in Southern California. The sand at Coronado Beach is truly exceptional, known for its soft, fine texture and unique shimmering quality due to the presence of mica. This natural feature, combined with the gentle slope of the shoreline and typically calm waves, creates an ideal environment for relaxation and recreation, making it (arguably) the best beach in Southern California and it also regularly ends up on best beaches in the United States lists. It’s also the farthest South luxury beach hotel in California, hopefully getting the warmest possible beach and water temperatures! While staying at The Del, you can easily walk to downtown to enjoy additional restaurants and shopping or take the free Coronado Shuttle during summer to get around.
History
Built in 1888 by Elisha Babcock, Jr., and Hampton L. Story, this historic beach resort is a San Diego icon. Babcock and Story also developed the now famous Coronado Island by planning and attracting residents back in the late 1800s, creating what is now the town of Coronado. In existence for more than 130 years, The Del has hosted everyone from celebrities to royalty to Presidents for generations. Some of the most famous guests and visitors over the years have included:
Wizard of Oz author L. Frank Baum visited Hotel del Coronado multiple times for months at a time and wrote at least three books in the Oz series during his visits
US Presidents William Taft, Franklin Roosevelt, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Lyndon Johnson, and Gerald Ford have all stayed at The Del. During his stay, President Roosevelt flew the presidential flag from The Del’s turret, making the hotel the official White House during his stay. Additionally, President Nixon hosted the first state dinner held outside of the White House at the Del
"Some Like It Hot" featuring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon was filmed at Hotel del Coronado in 1958
Other visitors have included W.C. Fields, Douglas Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin, Mexico's President Gustavo Diaz Ordaz, California Governor and Mrs. Ronald Reagan, Frank Sinatra, and John Wayne.
After years of meticulous effort, Hotel del Coronado was designated a National Historic Landmark by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1977. History tours are available daily at the Ice House Museum on property or you can choose the thrilling Haunted Happenings Tour where you learn the infamous story of Kate Morgan. Learn more at Ice House Museum & Tours.
A Six Year Renovation
2025 concluded a six year, $550 million renovation at the Hotel Del to revitalize the Del for another century of future enjoyment. Renovations included restoring the original Victorian Lobby, re-introducing the original Front Porch that hasn’t been seen since 1961, rejuvenating historic buildings, including the 1887 Power Plant, the 1889 Ice House, the 1919 Laundry Building, and the 1887 Oxford Building, restoring the historic Crown Room and Ocean Ballroom, restoring the Victorian guestrooms, corridors, and building facade. The renovation also added an additional restaurant - Nobu - and replaced a former restaurant with a new restaurant - Veranda.
The most significant and impactful change is the delineation of the sprawling property into five distinct "neighborhoods." Each of these enclaves now offers a unique ambiance, a tailored set of amenities, and an individualized sense of place, allowing for a distinctive level of personalization in a resort stay.
The Neighborhoods of The Del: Crafting Your Personalized Coronado Experience
One of the most impressive and forward-thinking aspects of this multi-year renovation is the strategic creation of these unique "neighborhoods." This innovative approach amplifies the guest experience, moving beyond a one-size-fits-all model to cater to diverse preferences. No matter what you are looking for, The Del now has a perfectly curated space for you. Read on to learn more about the different neighborhoods.
The Victorian: The Restored Historical Building
The Victorian was the original hotel building Completing its $160M restoration in June 2025, the original and iconic beachfront hotel established in 1888 is for guests eager to immerse in The Victorian's timeless Americana and star-studded legacy. The renovation focused on a meticulous restoration of every intricate detail of the original architecture, including ornate carvings and the grand lobby that made this Gilded Age building iconic over its history, while adding modern comforts to the hotel room.
The Victorian building is at the center of the resort, directly connected to many of the restaurants, bars, and amenities. This option is great for guests who are looking for a more affordable price point and guaranteed connecting rooms are available. The best room options are the Oceanfront rooms, especially the Oceanfront rooms with balconies, where you can enjoy the sounds of the waves while watching the sunset every evening. At this time, there is no room service available at The Victorian, although the hotel is looking at adding it in the future.
The Victorian is also great for those who love paranormal activity. The “haunted room” on Floor 3 is the most requested room on the property. You can read more about the paranormal activity and the history behind it at the hotel here.
The Views: Contemporary Comforts with Breathtaking Vistas
A more traditional entry-level hotel experience, The Views is a seven floor tower right along the sand. As the name suggests, The Views neighborhood is all about embracing the oceanfront vistas. Strategically located in a more contemporary tower of the hotel, these meticulously designed rooms and suites now boast enhanced balconies views via glass railings and floor-to-ceiling windows, maximizing the panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and sunset. The rooms of The Views have been updated with a modern aesthetic, providing a bright and airy counterpoint to the historic grandeur of The Victorian. Clean lines, contemporary furnishings, and a light-filled ambiance define this neighborhood, making it ideal for guests who prioritize sleek modern comforts and proximity to the sand.
In my opinion, the best rooms here are the Beachside Terrace Fire Pit rooms, which offer guests the ability to enjoy a firepit from their private terrace overlooking the sunset and ocean every evening. Another great room category are the Oceanfront rooms, which offer balconies almost directly over the sand, featuring panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean with practically invisible glass railings. Guaranteed connecting rooms are available at The Views. At this time, there is no room service available at The Views, although the hotel is looking at adding it in the future.
The Cabanas: A Vibrant Oasis of Sun and Fun
The Cabanas are for anyone who loves to be in the middle of all the action. This neighborhood has an energetic and fun atmosphere, centered around the main pool. Choose between a beachside room with a fire pit or a poolside room that serves as your private pool cabana. This area is designed for families with older children or guests keen to be in the middle of the property's amenities and dining outlets.
Note that the poolside rooms look directly onto the pool so might not be the best for those wanting more privacy. Guaranteed connecting rooms are available at The Cabanas. At this time, there is no room service available at The Cabanas, although the hotel is looking at adding it in the future.
Shore House: Elevated Residential Living
One of the newest neighborhoods created during the renovation, Shore House offers social and family-friendly accommodations, with one, two, and three-bedroom Villas, creating an elevated experience at The Del, where family and friends can gather together in a beachside setting. The Shore House experience will start from the moment you arrive with a private arrival and check-in experience in Shore House’s separate lobby. The Villas at Shore House have fully equipped gourmet kitchens, dining tables, living rooms with fireplaces, washers and dryers, verandas, multiple bedrooms and bathroom options, and daily housekeeping service.
Shore House guests get access to a private oceanfront pool with a zero-edge entry, jacuzzi, and pool bar. Shore House guests also get access to a dedicated concierge that can pre-stock your villa with groceries, plan all of your dining reservations and activities, access priority reservations at the resort, and more.
Guests here also have access to an additional restaurant that is available exclusively for Shore House guests, which serves breakfast and casual afternoon bites. Seasonally, guests are also invited to Blue Hour, an evening ritual at the beachfront fire pits with cocktails, chef's tastings, and live music. Guests at Shore House also have access to Hotel Del’s “DelDash”, the hotel’s version of room service, where you can get takeout from the Veranda restaurant delivered to your room.
Beach Village: The Epitome of Exclusive Oceanfront Living
Beach Village is the highest end neighborhood at Hotel Del, offering a resort-within-a-resort experience intended for discerning travelers. Beach Village is a gated community of beachfront one, two, and three-bedroom Cottages and Villas. The Cottages and Villas have all been renovated and offer one to three bedrooms, bathrooms, full kitchens, living rooms, fireplaces, and expansive balconies or terraces, some with fire pits or outdoor day tubs.
Beach Village guests get access to a private pool, as well as multiple plunge pools and jacuzzis throughout the grounds. Guests here have access to an additional restaurant that is available exclusively for Beach Village guests, which serves poolside bites and cocktails, as well as priority seating at all of the restaurants at The Del. Beach Village guests also get access to a dedicated concierge that can pre-stock your villa with groceries, plan all of your dining reservations and activities, access priority reservations at the resort, and more.
Beach Village guests enjoy complimentary use of sand chairs and umbrellas at the Beach Club. Guests at Beach Village also have access to Hotel Del’s “DelDash”, the hotel’s version of room service, where you can get takeout from the Veranda restaurant delivered to your room.
Dining at Hotel Del
Dining experiences across the resort have all been elevated, with new culinary concepts and refreshed menus.
The Del introduced two primary new dining destinations in the renovation:
Nobu Del Coronado: This is a new coastal outpost of the renowned Japanese restaurant empire. It offers signature Nobu dishes like Black Miso Cod and Yellowtail Jalapeño, along with locally inspired Southern California dishes. It features indoor and outdoor oceanfront dining space, including a dedicated sushi bar and Pagoda Bar. Nobu Del Coronado officially opened in May 2025.
Veranda: Debuting in April 2025, Veranda replaced the former Sheerwater restaurant. It's an al fresco, garden-inspired dining concept with spectacular ocean views. The menu pays homage to Southern California roots with American classics and a focus on locally sourced ingredients, but it also offers specialty nights (e.g., fried chicken Wednesdays, seafood boil Fridays).
These two restaurants are the main new additions to the hotel's dining portfolio since the renovation. The hotel also features other refreshed and existing dining options like Serẽa (sustainable local seafood), Sun Deck (rooftop bar and restaurant), ENO Market & Pizzeria, Babcock & Story Bar, and Sundaes.
Ocean Club
One of the newest additions to The Del is Ocean Club, their equivalent of a club lounge but with a prime beachfront location. You have the option to add Ocean Club access no matter which hotel neighborhood you are staying in. It’s an additional fee on top of your hotel rate and is capacity limited, so once all the spaces are booked, no other guests can access Ocean Club. When you consider the cost to book a lounge chair + umbrella + towel in the regular beach club, booking Ocean Club is not that much more incrementally and offers great value if you will be spending most of your time at the beach.
Ocean Club access includes:
A breakfast buffet with mimosas
Afternoon house wine and beer service, and afternoon refreshments are included at Ocean Club
Access to the members-only The Beach Club, which includes private loungers and umbrellas on the beach, coffee and pastries, infused water and light snacks, an evening champagne toast, and a 10% Recreation discount. Lunch and dinner are served à la carte at an additional charge
Rates for Ocean Club access
Rates from $100 - $200 per adult per night
Rate from $50 - $100 per child per night (ages 5 - 12)
You must add the access for all nights of your stay
Family Friendly Amenities
The Del is very family-friendly. In fact, I would hesitate to suggest this hotel for adults-focused groups in times when children are out of school (especially during summer) as the property is full of children. The property is full of family-friendly amenities, including:
Multiple options with two beds in a room or multibedroom units
Guaranteed connecting rooms at the time of booking
A seasonal Kid’s Club for children ages 5-10 focused on ocean conservation (extra cost)
Rollaway Beds are available for an additional charge in certain room types
Child-friendly menus, activities, and programming
Additional Costs
When staying at The Del, you should budget for additional costs, depending on your needs and preferences. Below is an ideal of what the additional costs are, as of June 2025.
A $50 mandatory charge is added per room, per night and includes:
$35 Resort Charge that includes guest internet access, fitness center access, and local and toll-free calls
$15 Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) charge
Self-parking in the North Parking Garage is $59 per night, per vehicle. Valet Parking is $79 per night, per vehicle.
To get around Coronado Island, the free Coronado Summer Shuttle runs from July 1 through September 1, every 15 minutes. There are multiple stops near The Del. Outside of summer, you can walk, bike, or take a taxi or Uber. You can also take the Coronado Ferry across San Diego Bay to downtown San Diego.
Kid’s Club (ages 5-10) - Half Day 9 am to 12 pm: $105 per child, Explorers Night Out 5 pm to 8 pm: $155 per child
Rollaway Beds: There is a $50 nightly charge for rollaway bed requests
Movies on the Beach: Tickets start at $26 each
Bike rentals start at $25 for 1 hour and go up to $70 for 8 hours, including a helmet and lock
Beach Rentals - Day Bed (2 people): $515; Lounge Chair + Umbrella + Towel: $52/adult, $26/child; Sand Chair: $26; Umbrella: $30
Fitness Classes: $35
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