Hotel del Coronado

Exploring San Diego’s Historic Hotel del Coronado

BY ELAINE & SCOTT HARRIS / PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF HOTEL DEL CORONADO

Hotel del Coronado, affectionately known as “The Del,” is the grand dame of historical California resorts on Coronado Island in San Diego. It rises magnificently along the ocean surf as a cultural icon and a community Bastian. Established in 1888, Hotel del Coronado is a rare surviving example of the American architectural genre, the wooden Victorian beach resort. Its iconic red turrets and sprawling white facade have etched it into the Southern California coastline, making it a recognizable landmark.

From the unforgettable scenes of Billy Wilder’s American crime comedy film “Some Like It Hot” to its storied history and a roster of notable world leaders in film, politics and literature, it has become a place of legends and legendary hospitality. Other famous visitors include Charles Lindbergh, Thomas Edison and several U.S. presidents, such as Franklin D. Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan. The 1977 National Historic Landmark designation of Hotel del Coronado attests to its historical and cultural significance as a jewel of American architecture.

Hotel del Coronado, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, embarked on an extensive restoration journey in recent years, with over $160 million invested in revitalizing the Victorian building. According to a press release, this project, part of Blackstone Real Estate’s more than $550 million restoration plan, aims to blend the hotel’s storied past with contemporary luxury. The reopening of the Victorian guest rooms on March 1, 2025, is eagerly anticipated, offering restored original finishes, modern, refined amenities and enhanced design features, spearheaded by Wimberly Interiors in collaboration with the California architecture firm Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo. It will also reveal the newly renovated Crown Room and Coronet Room, which will be available for meetings and events.

“It has been an honor to be a part of this journey of reinvention of an iconic landmark and one-of-a-kind resort,” said Sanjiv Hulugalle, Hotel del Coronado’s managing director, in a press release. According to Hulugalle, the Victorian building is this historic property’s most widely recognized part. “Our significant preservation efforts will elevate the guest experience to new heights with the reopening of the Victorian neighborhood,” he added.

With Hotel del Coronado being an iconic and timeless destination for over 135 years, Rob Harper, head of real estate asset management Americas for Blackstone Real Estate, said in a press release that Blackstone’s restoration process has deeply respected its legacy. “We’re proud of our investment and the thoughtful work done to revitalize the Victorian building for the next generation of guests, and we look forward to its completion,” he said.

Hotel del Coronado also offers several other accommodations that will please guests. If you want a room practically on the beach, the Ocean Club is for you with its modern and refined take on the classic concierge-level experience. The Ocean Club rooms are housed within the renovated historic Windsor Cottage, with landmark elements dating back to its original conception in 1905. The hotel’s Beach Village accommodations make you feel right at home with an enclave of modern yet classic cottages and villas. Another option is the Shore House with 75 residential-style accommodations on the south end of the resort.

As far as the culinary scene, Hotel del Coronado has a thoughtful blend of casual and fine dining restaurants. The Laundry Pub, located inside the hotel’s beautifully restored laundry building just outside the main entrance, features an 1880s-era bar, original brickwork, vaulted ceilings and even the laundry’s early conveyor system above restored wood floors. The menu features must-try dishes like the Nashville “Hot Cycle.” This dish, a delightful riff on Nashville’s beloved “hot chicken,” features crispy chicken, coleslaw, house pickles and fermented Padre’s hot sauce on a brioche bun, melding scrumptiously with one of their local craft beers. For an authentic ocean taste, the California Shrimp Hoagie features poached shrimp, avocado, cilantro slaw and salsa verde remoulade on a toasted hoagie, making waves of flavor and texture with each bite.

For a dining experience with ocean views, take your seat at Serea. The menu is impressive, with its sustainable sea-to-table restaurant concept, led by James Beard Foundation’s Smart Catch Leader Executive Chef JoJo Ruiz. Elevated dining awaits your palate at Serea with the wood-grilled fresh and sustainable catch of the day cooked over an open fire, seasoned with olive oil, lemon, red wine vinegar and sea salt. The menu has the Local Catch Ceviche, loaded with a tangy blend of cucumber, avocado, lime, coconut agave pickled serrano and spring onion. Caviar service is also ideal. The creamy Sturgeon Caviar, which has blinis, egg, shallots and crème fraiche, takes you to a new level of culinary sophistication. Indulge in the one or two-ounce option, and don’t forget the champagne.

Babcock & Story Bar is an ideal dining destination for people-watching. With its historic bar, cocktails and unobstructed open seating, gazing at the stunning attire of the well-heeled vacationers or the casual seaside goers heightens the exciting and relaxing atmosphere. Another dining place, the ENO Market & Pizzeria, offers takeout options and patio dining. Pizzas include the Cali Artichoke with San Marzano tomato, artichoke hearts, fennel sausage, Castelvetrano olives, fontina cheese and olive oil—an excellent choice for fabulous fast and casual feasting. Enliven your tastebuds with a Prosciutto Croissant featuring prosciutto cotto, provolone, béchamel, rosemary, black pepper and spicy mustard.

The Sun Deck is another place to indulge in spectacular cuisine and libations while enjoying outstanding views of gorgeous oceanside sunsets. Take your seat at the huge bar or select a table. Commence with lovely Poached Rock Shrimp with kaffir lime dressing, pickled cauliflower, cucumber, avocado, cherry tomato, mango, radish, bell pepper, black chili oil, blue corn tostada and cilantro. Try the San Diego Fish Sandwich, too, as the charbroiled mahi mahi with beefsteak tomato, cilantro cabbage slaw, pickled onion and salsa verde crema on ciabatta bread will bring a smile to your face as each bite brings the earth and sea together in a symphony of fresh flavors. The drink menu features cocktails that elevate California cuisine’s simple but sophisticated arrangement.

In early 2025, Nobu Del Coronado, a world-renowned Japanese restaurant empire founded by Nobu Matsuhisa and Robert De Niro, will open. Those who have enjoyed this global brand in other locations nationwide will embrace this new dining addition with whole-hearted enthusiasm for the much anticipated beautifully composed and innovative menu offerings.

Hotel del Coronado also offers a range of bespoke amenities, such as a spa and salon with ocean-inspired treatments. Various recreational activities, including the beloved oceanside roller rink in the summer months, ice skating in the winter, beachside yoga, surfing and cycling, are arranged to bring maximum enjoyment to solo, family and romantic getaway guests. The hotel also offers a heated year-round pool, a world-class fitness center and luxury shopping, ensuring you feel pampered and indulged during your stay. Hotel del Coronado certainly has a history to explore, too. The Ice House Museum is the perfect respite to learn about the hotel’s history with behind-the-scenes moments and legendary guests. The hotel’s Legendary Tour and Haunted Happenings Tour are also popular attractions.

As the “Grand Dame of the Pacific,” Hotel del Coronado keeps getting better, aging like a fine wine with masterful upgrades to enjoy. It thrives as a timeless destination, seamlessly blending its rich history with modern enhancements. Its ongoing renovations and upgrades ensure it remains a beloved retreat, offering an exceptional experience for new and returning guests. A child’s view of Hotel del Coronado from an 1892 letter still speaks to many of this current generation as “the loveliest hotel you can imagine.”