Glorietta Bay Inn Coronado

There’s no question that part of the charm of staying at Glorietta Bay Inn is its rich history. The main lobby and suites are located inside the historic landmark mansion built-in 1908 by sugar baron John D. Spreckels, whose business savvy transformed San Diego into today’s prosperous city.

The inn is located in Coronado, just steps from San Diego Bay. The most famous Coronado beach is a short walk from Glorietta Boulevard, just across Orange Avenue, home to the island’s terrific local shops and rich restaurant scene. We think it’s one of the best locations on Coronado. Here’s what you need to know.

A San Diego Historic Hotel

When first entering the Glorietta Bay Inn, you feel like you’ve stepped into the turn of the 20th century.

Most of the fixtures (chandeliers and ornate window molding) found in the lobby and in Mansion Rooms are original, but the highlight is the marble staircase that leads to the second floor.

After an extensive restoration, the Mansion Rooms, lobby and Music Room in the historic building now look as they did in the 1920s.

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Mansion Rooms and Contemporary Rooms

Mansion Rooms

These 11 accommodations are fantastic for those who enjoy staying in historic properties. No two are exactly alike and they’re named according to their features or roles they played in Spreckels family life.

Mansion Rooms recently received an update with original fixtures restored and period pieces from the 1920s added where applicable. Some of the larger suites were reconfigured to suit modern travelers and each also offers a touch of a modern design that catches the eye. The artwork is a mix of old and new, but each piece salutes the seaside community. 

To give you an idea, the 1000-square-foot Penthouse on the third floor was Spreckels’ sanctuary for reflection and you can book it for some of the best views of Coronado. The Sugar Baron Suite was Mrs. Spreckels’ master suite and it boasts a view over the pool to the bay from a large balcony with a table, chairs, and umbrella.

Back to the marble staircase — it leads to the second-floor accommodations which are the former rooms of Spreckels’ children and grandchildren who spent their summers in Coronado. (Fun fact: A few still have original 1920s safes in them.) And, among the other choices, there’s the Lurline room named for Spreckels’ yacht.

Contemporary Rooms

The buildings surrounding the Mansion were added in the 1950s and house the 89 Contemporary Rooms.

Contemporary Rooms have a similar layout to most modern hotels today. These rooms offer one king, two queens, one queen, or one full-sized bed options in addition to standard in-room amenities such as a mini-fridge, coffeemaker, microwave oven and multiple electrical outlets for laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

A highlight is the marble floor that leads to a walk-in shower inside the bathroom. Choose between rooms, junior suites, one-bedroom suites, and a two-bedroom suite.

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An Onsite Swimming Pool

We may enjoy a year-round temperature average of 70 degrees but it’s still a treat to take a dip in a heated outdoor pool, even with the beach and bay on your doorstep.

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Complimentary Breakfast

This Coronado hotel doesn’t have a restaurant or bar on the grounds but instead offers a free continental breakfast to all guests each day.

Mansion Room guests have the option of having breakfast brought to their room. Guests who are staying in Contemporary Rooms can eat their breakfast inside the Music Room or on its breakfast patio overlooking Glorietta Bay and the Hotel del Coronado.

Other complimentary refreshment options offered by the Glorietta Bay Inn include lemonade and ginger snaps in the afternoon and warm cookies and milk before heading to bed. 

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You Can Eat Out in Coronado

Many guests head over to the Hotel del Coronado for evening dining, a quick five-minute walk from the inn, perhaps after touring the famed grounds or browsing the shops before choosing a restaurant. You can finish your evening off with a nightcap at the Babcock & Story Bar, a great alternative to San Diego’s downtown scene for a cocktail while enjoying live music.

Within a few blocks of Glorietta Bay Inn, you’ll find the best restaurants in Coronado. Try Blue Water Boathouse for seafood, Leroy’s for a burger and craft cocktails, the Brigantine for a fish taco, and Clayton’s for a greasy spoon breakfast.

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Or, Head Down the Silver Strand to Imperial Beach

Glorietta Bay Inn is located on a road that the locals affectionately call the “Silver Strand” highway. The inlet route connects Coronado Island in just two short miles with the community of Imperial Beach, one of the most prototypical California beach towns.

Many island visitors love walking the boardwalk before heading out on the Imperial Beach pier. It’s the Southern-most pier in the United States and on a clear day, you can see the Coronado Bridge, the San Diego city skyline and the bright lights of Tijuana, Mexico from a distance. There’s a Tin Fish restaurant at the end of the pier and a handful of other seafood restaurants, nightlife and entertainment attractions.

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Easy Access to the Best Coronado Beach

Glorietta Bay Inn guests are lucky to be across the street from one of the best beaches in Coronado. Many love getting up before dawn and witnessing the Marines jogging in formation during their daily routine on the sand or perhaps to do a little bit of shelling. Look out for creations by The Sandcastle Man and keep an eye on low tides as there is a small set of tide pools in front of Hotel del Coronado that kids (and you) will love to explore.

The front desk team at Glorietta Bay Inn is very helpful in getting you prepared for your beach day with complimentary beach chairs, umbrellas, and sand buckets/shovels for the kids.

During the fall and winter months, you can enjoy fun under the sun, but you will need a sweater on chilly nights. The summer months provide a thrilling experience as the beach’s waves are quite breath-taking. 

Just rest assured that there are plenty of things to do in Coronado. Many are within easy access of Glorietta Bay Inn.

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More Coronado Hotels that Readers Love

• Hotel del Coronado
• Beach Village at The Del
• Coronado Island Marriott
• Loews Coronado Bay
• 1906 Lodge Coronado
• El Cordova Hotel
• Hotel Marisol Coronado