Hotel Del Coronado, Coronado

After watching travel tv shows and reading the positive review on websites about this hotel, I booked 3 nights in September 2009. The rate was a little steep, but I decided to go ahead since this was a splurge-type weekend trip anyway. We always wanted to visit San Diego, and on a short notice deal I found on the net, I got a good deal on airfare too. Los Angeles airport is simply out of the world and huge, and we had a little tough time finding an ATM at the arrival lounge. Upon arrival at the hotel, we were recieved by the bellboys and a lovely usher who escorted us to the reception. I had requested for an early check-in while booking. The pleasant receptionist did try to sell me a costlier room if I wanted to check in early. I declined and informed her about requesting the shift manager personally on the phone for an early check-in and was asked to wait a while. So, we had breakfast at their restaurant while we waited. Though I was told that it could take a couple of hours , to our delight, an hour later the receptionist informed me that she could settle us in on our 2nd floor room. I did request a low room so we could easily go from the beach to our room. The rooms of standard size but very nice and tactfully done. They cater to both business guests and tourists, but I think tourists get more of a kick out of this place. The huge glass window in our room, overlooking the beach a big plus. We were particularly amazed at how brightly the surrounding area was lit even late in the night. Wonder if they are energy saving lights :). If you're ever in San Diego , you must try out its variety of local Asian food restaurants. We really had a ball exploring on this one. There's a nice dimsum place called the Shanghai nearby, with a really good serve staff, and their food was YUMMY and filling. We once ended up walking deep into the streets to a famous dimsum tea house for another round of dimsum but they were fully booked. The room service was prompt and very efficient at the Del. The best part was that water was included in the room charge. The nights in San Diego is the best part, and the harbour reminds you a lot of exotic tropical places, right smack in a metropolis! In spite of all the action though, the streets are spic and span. No wonder San Diego is such a popular tourist destination. We would love to go back to the Hotel Del Coronado.

Beautiful hotel rich in history. Very nice on the beach and many ammenities.

I did not stay at th eHotel I just visited it for an afternoon. I loved the dark wood inside and all the cute litle shops there too! Although the merchandise was a little expensive! The Beach was just AMAZING!! My favorite beach in the US,so far. You can actually still find thousands of Sea Shells here. I was surprised! The beach was truely the highlight of the island. I agree with all those who said the parking fee was way to high! $15 for an hour is just crazy.

Number one honeymoon site? If you want to feel taken advantage by the marketing department for the Del, then stay and throw your money away! No true privacy exists, tourists everywhere even during off season, fees for everything (even the normal in-room coffee), workers robotically reading from scripts to insure they make the most money for the hotel, alive and dead bugs in the rooms (even on the forth floor), extremely slow staff when picking up room service dishes (two days and same dirty dishes remained in the hall), crowded/commercialized beach, and overpriced shopping mall and restaurants on lower floor of hotel to make MORE money for the hotel. In my opinion, The Del needs to be leveled and replaced with an up-to-date hotel that strives to create a feeling of privacy and true value for money spent FOR EVERY GUEST. Some guests may get the fancy rooms on the web site, but not without paying unbelievably ridiculous prices per night. We paid $675 for one night in a dingy, musky, bug infested, room with a warped floor. Perhaps some people want to spend their vacation and/or honeymoon throwing away money surrounded by strangers and brainwashed, script-reading staff, but this certainly wasn't our idea of a romantic get-away, so we left after one night. By the way, you MUST tell the hotel that you want to leave early by 2 AM, or you get charged for the next day. Thankfully, my husband was smart enough to read the small print and face the scripted salespeople/front desk workers before we were charged for two days! My advice is: spend your money and time somewhere else!

We went for our honeymoon based on a friend's recommendation and online reviews. We ought to have done more homework, because it wasn't what we were expecting. We wanted something private and luxurious, and it was neither. The hotel is like the hotel on The Shining, a very large hotel that is very public: the ground floor is a mall, there are tourists who come to the hotel for the day swarming around everywhere (with only signs on the room areas asking them not to walk down your hallway), the pool has no private areas as it's just a big rectangle, the beach is similar -- we went on a weekday and still felt like there were people everywhere. We didn't want to shop, buy $7 ice cream cones, and be surrounded by tourists and those renting out the areas for their private functions. We had a $500 a night room, but our balcony wasn't private, the floor warped, the bathroom had dingy old tile and tiny tub, with ants all around. The room itself was tiny and claustrophobic, the clock/cd player broken, the TV limited to only a handful of basic cable channels (and you have to go through many menus of saying No to Pay Per Views in order to even get a channel). We were very unhappy and left after a day. We were in the main hotel on the 4th floor -- a room clearly not updated. If you want something historical and maybe with kids, I'd consider it if you're rich -- but for honeymoons? I can't even imagine what people are thinking. Heck, when we got hungry at 10:15 pm, we found every food place in the hotel closed, and the late night menu pathetically limited. I think it just wasn't our taste.

Breath taking views from any room, whether of the inner courtyard or the deep blue Pacific Ocean horizon, eat up each morsel of historic nostalgia on board the cruiseship-inspired accomodations of the Hotel Del. Elegance and charm preserved in the finely detailed decor and exquisite woodwork, reminiscent of early to mid-1900s romance and luxury. A minimum three day stay is a must. A first or second honeymoon awaits the lucky couple, to experience first class lodging, fine dining, spa pampering, beach relaxation and relentless customer service from entrance to exit. Memories forever indelible in the landscape and aroma of the stunning grounds of the Hotel Del Coronado! What are you waiting for?

Water all around, nice and quiet during the day. Great location, great food. BUT, I never did see a ghost! :)

Sunday Brunch at the Del is something you should do at least once a year. Expensive at $54 per person, but great. Lots of food in all categories; breakfast, lunch and early supper type. We particularly liked the cold shrimp, the little waffles and the prime beef. They had 5 food stations, including a mexican table with various dishes, and a truly incredible desert table. We made reservations a day or two before. They aren't necessary, but it was a treat to have them whisk us right away to our table. Such service, including roaming waiters with mimosas, made the experience wonderful. The room is large and full of history, you can almost imagine a ball being held with dancers waltzing up one side and down the other. We had a great time watching the people as well. I would also suggest parking outside the hotel's parkinglot, along the beach to the north. It was a beautiful day and made for a nice walk along the beach. And don't forget to wander through the lobby and courtyard as well.

Hotel was built in the 1800's. Lots of history here.... or at least pictures they want you see are displayed here. We all know that the REAL history of the 1800's is not displayed accurately on the walls of any hotel :) This is an upscale resort, with a very nice spa, meeting rooms and a prime location. Shopping is within walking distance. Plan on dropping some loot - and even more loot for a nicer room with some space and a porch balcony. Worth it if you like the beach and the whole Coronado Island Vibe :) Beau - T - Ful!