Hotel Del Coronado – A Very Detailed Guide

The Most Popular San Diego Beachfront Hotel

When someone emails in to say that they’d like to stay on the beach in a nice, big resort, Hotel del Coronado is the only answer in San Diego.

How to Choose a Room at Hotel Del Coronado

Note: If your stay falls between now and May 2020, please book into the Victorian building due to the Main Pool renovation work near the Ocean Towers.

Hotel del Coronado offers a variety of rooms and suites across three buildings: Victorian Building, The Cabanas (closed due to enhancements), and Ocean Towers.

Due to the renovation, this Hotel del Coronado map will change a little bit (the main entrance is being relocated) but it does give you an idea of where the main buildings and amenities are located.

Take a second to view the location of these buildings on the map below, outlined in red.

Tower/Cabana is no longer one room category (yay). You can book directly into the Ocean Towers or The Cabanas now.

Victorian, Ocean Towers, or The Cabanas?

You’ll need to decide which building to choose, especially if staying in a room versus a suite.

There is less of a need to think about building type when it comes to selecting a suite. Suites are located either in the Victorian or Ocean Towers buildings. Size, bed type, and price influence how people choose suites more than building location.

Victorian Building Rooms and Suites

The Victorian Building (and The Cabanas, if you’re looking forward to summer 2020 when these rooms are bookable) currently prices slightly higher than Ocean Towers because most guests prefer it. It’s the resort’s oldest and most historic building. Victorian rooms have the hallmarks of a historic hotel like creaky, uneven floors and smaller bathrooms.

This charm though is why people choose the Victorian Building as no two rooms are exactly alike. I quite enjoyed a recent stay in an Ocean View King Victorian Studio Suite which had a layout in reverse of what is pictured above (the living room was by the window).

Victorian Building Ocean View rooms and suites overlook the resort out to the ocean.

I like sitting on the patio and sort of getting lost in the buzz of the resort. If you want more ocean in your view, the higher floors of the Ocean Towers building will have this. You can see the Ocean Towers off in the distance toward the middle of the above photo. The multi-story building has an orange roof and black-looking windows (due to reflection and closed curtains). It’s closer to the beach.

Some Victorian Building rooms have balconies or terraces, but you are not guaranteed to have one in your room. If a balcony is important to you, request it at time of booking. Partial Ocean View Victorian Rooms do not have balconies.

The Cabanas

Note: Now through May 2020, the California Cabana guestrooms will be closed for enhancements. They will receive a beautiful design upgrade, with some first floor rooms featuring outdoor fire pits, chaises and cabanas for soaking in the California sunshine.

When they are open, my new favorite Hotel del Coronado rooms will be the Cabana Ocean View Terrace Fire Pit rooms. These rooms open up to your own private covered terrace and grassy area with a fire pit. Just a few paces from this is the sand so it’s more or less direct Coronado beach access. Awesome.

The Cabanas are closest to the Main Pool and steps from the beach. This building is an excellent location for families and those who want to be close to both the beach and pool. California Cabana rooms are available for booking after May 2020.

Some rooms in The Cabanas border busy public areas, but some people think this is a fair trade-off especially if they have young kids who don’t want to walk very far.

Ocean Towers

This building is off to the side of the Main Pool (you can see its orange roof and curtained windows behind The Cabanas buildings in the photo above) and a bit more private. It’s closer to the adults-only pool and the beach on this end tends to be less busy. Rooms have balconies or terraces.

The main complaint I receive about this building is that it has a dated exterior. It doesn’t have the iconic red roof or historical feel that the Victorian Building has. The trade-off is that the rooms are a bit newer (though still could use updating) and the bathrooms are bigger with double sinks. You’ll also have a more fulsome ocean view as the building is closer to the water without resort facilities in front of it. Many of the resort’s suites are located on the Ocean Towers top floors.

Right now, if you are reading Hotel del Coronado reviews, the people who are unhappy are mostly in this building which borders the Cabanas and Main Pool — both are under renovation.

View Types to Choose From

Rooms and suites in the Victorian and Ocean Towers buildings come with the following views:

• Resort View
• Partial Ocean View
• Ocean View

The Cabanas will have:

• Resort View
• Pool View
• Ocean View
• Terrace Fire Pits
• Ocean View Terrace Fire Pits

Resort View can overlook some lovely greenery but also a wall or a parking lot. If what you see out the window is important to you, book Partial Ocean View or Ocean View.

Hotel del Coronado Rooms for Larger Families

The maximum occupancy for rooms at Hotel del Coronado is four people of any age. If your family is larger, look to these options.

Connecting rooms: They can be requested but are not guaranteed. Connecting rooms can be a king room to a double queen room in the same view type.

Junior Suites: The Hotel del Coronado has one of the best rooms for families with two adults and four kids. It’s the Double Queen Victorian Junior Suite which can sleep six people across two queen beds and a queen sofa sleeper. This junior suite is also popular with families of four with kids who don’t want to share a bed. Victorian Junior Suites come with Resort Views or Ocean Views.

Note that we are talking about a Junior Suite which means that the sitting area and bedroom are in the same room with no divider between the two. For families of four with parents who prefer a king bed, I would recommend the King Victorian Junior Suite which has a king bed and a queen sofa sleeper.

Junior suites are in high demand so it is best to book them as soon as possible.

Suites: If you’d like a separate bedroom and living area, you need to book the Victorian Suite or higher. These larger suites can also suit families of five between a sofa bed and rollaway (extra charge applies for the rollaway).

Dolphin and Octopus Suites: These small but adorable two-bedroom suites are ideal for families with young kids. The second bedroom has a set of bunk beds and themed decor, and there is a parlor in between the bedrooms.

Rollaway beds: $25/night fee

Cribs: Complimentary

Hotel del Coronado Activities

Plan to spend a decent amount of time at the resort because there is quite a bit to do. You’ll receive an event calendar in your room but can also check it online in advance of your stay.

Del Beach

Del Beach offers guests the ability to rent lounge chairs, cabanas, and cabanettes in a full-service area with a menu of sandwiches, salads, snacks, and drinks (including adult beverages). It’s a lovely way to spend a beach day. Beach rentals are offered daily, however, food and drink service seems to be seasonal.

Coronado Central Beach is enormous so note that if you do choose a Del Beach rental, you won’t be able to see kids playing in the water from the cabanas and cabanettes. They will set up smaller chairs and umbrellas at the water’s edge.

See also: Rentals for Residents and Hotel Guests at Del Beach

Fun Fitness Classes

Opt for morning spinning or beach yoga. Have you ever wanted to try a mermaid fitness class? Here, you can put on a tail for a surprisingly robust workout. New beach fitness classes this summer also include bootcamp, pilates, fitness walk, and meditation. These classes may require an additional fee. The gym is complimentary, open 24 hours, and offers private personal training.

Three Pools

Note: From now through May 2020, the resort’s Main Pool and adjacent Sun Deck restaurant will also be closed for an exciting transformation. During this time, guests will be provided complimentary beach chairs and umbrellas, and they will have key card access to the pool at Beach Village at The Del. 

The old Main Pool — which may give you an idea of what to expect with the new Main Pool — was heated to 82 degrees year-round. In addition to complimentary lounge chairs and towels, guests could rent luxury cabanas for up to eight people with bottle service.

They did have the following two requirements. Guests needed to grab a new wristband daily to use the pool, and they enforced a kids’ break policy (though I’ve been told this isn’t always the case). Kids were required to take a short pool break at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m. to use the restroom, rehydrate, re-apply sunscreen, grab a snack, etc. There is no lifeguard on duty.

As mentioned earlier, the quiet adults-only pool is located next to the Ocean Towers and open seasonally between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

A small spa pool is available to spa guests.

Watersports, Bike Rentals, and Boat Rentals

Private surf and SUP lessons can be arranged year-round (though they can be canceled in poor weather or when the surf isn’t cooperating). Group surf lessons and surf kids’ camps are offered seasonally.

It’s also possible to rent a boogie board, surfboard, SUP board and paddle, wetsuits, kayaks and more to head out on your own for the day at Del Watersports.

Bike rentals are a must-do as Coronado is fantastic when explored by bike. The boardwalk in front of the hotel is perfect for a surrey ride. You’ll usually find these rentals at PeDels in front of the Ocean Towers but they’ve been moved behind the resort temporarily due to the renovation.

Walk off of the resort a bit to Coronado Boathouse at Glorietta Marina for speedboat rentals, sailing, jet-skiing, and other fun options.

DelVentures Kids’ Club (Closed)

Kids’ clubs are hard to find at San Diego hotels, but Hotel del Coronado offered DelVentures for kids ages 4–12. It was an evening supervised kids’ program that ran daily between 6 – 9 p.m. so that parents could enjoy a private dinner on the resort. Various 50-minute programming ran throughout the week.

There is no DelVentures programming on the calendar right now because of space constraints due to the renovation but we’ll be sure to revise this when there is an update.

The other upshot to DelVentures, when it is on offer, is that guests who are coming only to enjoy dinner or the spa at the resort can use it, too.

Daily Roasts

I’m thrilled to see that the private bonfires with gourmet s’mores can be reserved year-round. They’re delicious and you can select from a menu, not to mention it’s fun to warm up at night on the beach next to a fire.

Seasonal Activities

In summer, guests look forward to seasonal clam bakes, beach movies, and more.

No San Diego hotel is more festive during the winter holidays than Hotel del Coronado with its gorgeous Christmas tree, annual ornament tradition, beachside ice skating rink, and more.

It’s busier in the common areas than usual during this time of year but a lot of fun. We always head down to enjoy the winter programming and many people check-in just to experience it.

See also: Things to Do at Hotel Del Coronado During the Holidays

Hotel Del Coronado Restaurants

The hotel’s food and beverage program recently went through a revamp that has been well-received.

Sheerwater and Its Breakfast Buffet

Sheerwater offers nearly all-day dining (breakfast, lunch, dinner though closes for a few hours in the late afternoon) with a California Cuisine menu full of seafood, sandwiches, salads, and more.

I get the most questions about the breakfast buffet because Virtuoso includes breakfast for two as do some other rates. Sheerwater breakfast is actually really good with a wide variety of cold, hot, local, hearty, made-to-order (like omelets and eggs Benedicts), and gluten-free selections. Guests may choose from the a la carte menu, but I’d opt for the buffet.

Breakfast buffet pricing fluctuates (which is why it’s not listed online) because they do try to use seasonal and local ingredients wherever possible. At the time of my last visit, the cost was $35/adult plus tax. Kids ages 5 and under are free while older kids receive a 50% discount. The staff has told me that the price can go up to $45/adult. As the Virtuoso rate includes tax and gratuity, the value of the complimentary breakfast buffet for two adults is nearly $100.

Sunday Brunch at the Crown Room

The best Sunday brunch in San Diego also happens at the Hotel del Coronado’s gorgeous Crown Room. If your stay overlaps a Sunday, I highly recommend that you reserve this experience in advance. We’re talking about gourmet Bloody Mary bars, made-to-order mimosas, gorgeous dessert bars, seafood towers and everything a genuinely fabulous, opulent brunch should have.

Note: If you are booking in with complimentary breakfast, the credit can’t be applied toward Sunday brunch in the Crown Room.

Serea

Sea-to-table restaurant, Serea, is the newest of the Hotel del Coronado restaurants and is just what the San Diego beachfront hotel needed. The emphasis is on sustainable seafood served in a more relaxed, ocean-view environment. Guests can take an up-close look at seafood on offer that day as it sits on ice near the raw bar. Serea is open daily for dinner and lunch on Saturdays.

Babcock and Story Bar

For the times you want to plop down for a drink in a casual bar atmosphere, Babcock and Story is the place. It’s named after the hotel’s founders and known for signature cocktails, live music on certain nights, and an excellent food menu (the Del seafood salad is fantastic).

Sun Deck (Closed for Renovation)

The casual Sun Deck above the Main Pool and beach is an excellent place to stop in for a craft cocktail or casual meal. They have some fire pit tables here and special events like a dog-friendly happy hour on Sundays in the late afternoon. The menu is Californian with some Mexican flair like Chipotle Chicken Tacos, Watermelon Salad, Classic Burger and similar but we’ll see what’s on offer when it reopens.

ENO Pizzeria and Wine Bar (Closed for Renovation)

I’ve always enjoyed ENO but recently they’ve gone to great lengths to perfect the pizza crust, and I can’t wait to try it again. It’s a casual neighborhood eatery with pizzas and salads and plenty of wine to pair with them. Dine near the open kitchen or on the patio near the fire pit and with an ocean view. Again, we’ll see what the experience is like when they also reopen in summer 2020.

Beach + Taco Shack

Come barefoot, it doesn’t matter, to the beachside Beach + Taco Shack for festive cocktails, mocktails, and daily taco offerings. It’s open on the weekends for breakfast if you’d like a hearty breakfast burrito — another San Diego staple.

On the Rocks

This is my favorite Hotel del Coronado restaurant addition. On the Rocks is a gourmet food-truck and beverage trailer where you can order local beers on tap, wines by the glass, and casual beach eats like poke and sandwiches to enjoy at seating lining the sand. They also have fun outdoor games to play and a bicycle blender.

Other Grab and Go

Sodas, water, wine, sandwiches, snacks, pastries and more can be purchased on a grab-and-go basis in several small gift shop outlets around the property. Kids will love grabbing a gigantic ice cream cone at Sundae’s and fudge at Spreckels Sweets & Treats.

For restaurants within walking distance of Hotel del Coronado (or within a short Uber), see Best Coronado Restaurants.

Full-Service Spa and Salon

I quite like going to the Hotel del Coronado spa. They do offer a wide range of hair, nail, face and body services including a nice list of specialty treatments like hydrafacials, prenatal massages, and kids’ mani/pedis.

You’ll want to arrive early to enjoy the facilities. Of note is the complimentary, uber-relaxing sound meditation journey that transcends guests into a deep state of relaxation. Ask the receptionist at check-in or enquire at the time of reservation.

Guests who book the Virtuoso rate receive a $100 spa credit that is applicable to massages and facials.

I advise booking a treatment in advance of your stay as it’s a popular spa.

What You Must Understand Before Booking In

Hotel del Coronado is a famous, local icon which means that people who are not staying there visit it to take photos, go to the restaurants and browse its shops. It is a busy hotel, but most people genuinely don’t mind.

It is also incredibly important to remember a location on the best Coronado beach (also considered one of the best beaches in the nation) commands premium pricing.

For example, in summer, rates are high if you book last minute. You can’t make the mistake of comparing what you’re paying here to a European palace or sprawling Mexico all-inclusive that you paid the same price for and consider to be twice as nice. It’s our nicest beachfront resort and many people are willing to pay a premium to stay here.

After the hotel’s renovation is complete, I predict rates will trend higher than they are now because the changes cater to modern luxury travelers and it will be more of a five-star resort (versus the four-stars it is currently) if they can get a handle on one aspect.

The level of service that all guests receive could be elevated as I, too, am subject to long hold times when calling the hotel and it sometimes takes a while for the staff to respond to guest requests. It is a busy hotel.

That being said, when I lob in a request for an in-residence Virtuoso guest, it’s dealt with quickly.

What you can expect the hotel to deliver is the basis for a fantastic San Diego beach vacation. Book in with the correct expectations, and you will get the most out of your stay. Take advantage of the activities and amenities on offer (and schedule as many as you can in advance), enjoy the beach, relax and you will have a great time. The ability to run back and forth from your room to the beach, especially with kids, is indeed a treat.

People tell often tell me that Hotel del Coronado is one of their favorite resorts. I personally know and work with many repeat guests, some who I now book in every year or multiple times per year.

Getting to Hotel Del Coronado

Coronado is located south of the San Diego International Airport and Downtown San Diego. While there is a pedestrian ferry between downtown San Diego and Coronado, it’s easiest to drive to Coronado from the airport. Unless it’s rush hour, it should take about 15 minutes to reach the resort by car.

Follow signs from baggage claim at the airport to the taxis or rideshare waiting area if you’re taking Uber or Lyft. Signage also points to rental car shuttle waiting areas. An app-based black car/SUV service we use in San Diego and worldwide called Blacklane works well and they’ll meet you at baggage claim.

The summer Coronado shuttle which will take guests around the island including from the hotel to the ferry (otherwise a 30-minute walk), also makes Hotel del Coronado one of the easiest places to go carless in San Diego. If on a longer stay, consider using Uber for short distances or supplement by renting a car for the day. The closest rental car outlet to Hotel del Coronado is Enterprise a few blocks away.

The sights in North County San Diego are far enough to usually make a rental car worthwhile though remember you’ll avoid the parking fees at the hotel by not having a car. Coronado is also very easily seen by bike, which as I mentioned you can rent within steps of Hotel del Coronado.

How to Make a Hotel Del Coronado Booking

Note: If your stay falls between now and May 2020, please book into the Victorian building. Between now and then, the Main Pool and California Cabanas guest rooms will be closed for exciting enhancements. The Main Pool is near the Ocean Towers and you may hear or see renovation noise.

The best ways to make a Hotel Del Coronado booking, speaking from extensive experience with this particular hotel, are via Virtuoso or Hilton.com. Virtuoso is only accessible via a luxury travel agent.

Beach Village at The Del

For those who would like the most luxurious San Diego beach vacation possible, choose Beach Village at The Del. The exclusive private enclave adjacent to Hotel del Coronado is only accessible by Beach Village guests.

Designer villa rooms and suites go up to three bedrooms. Rates here typically start at $799/night plus tax and resort fee and much higher during peak season.

Beach Village at The Del has its own check-in and amenities so I’ve written about it separately. Learn more about why Beach Village at The Del may be a fit for you.

When making a Beach Village at The Del booking, look at Hilton Honors Semi-Flex rates (if available) but know that we can add Virtuoso benefits to Beach Village bookings at Hilton’s Best Available Rate. If you are wondering which rate is best for you, submit your dates and I can tell you.

Hotel del Coronado Renovation Timeline

Hotel del Coronado’s $400 million renovation has been 18 years in the making. The first stage was to put the parking lot between the Victorian Building and Beach Village underground. It’s been completed so now guests have the option of self-parking again.

They have also installed a wheelchair accessible ramp on the north side of the Victorian Building (behind the resort) and have completed utility work near Ocean Towers and east side of the main parking lot. They’ve added On the Rocks and reopened their signature restaurant, Serea.

The next milestone is completion of the Cabana room renovations and the Main Pool renovation. The main entrance will be redesigned and a whopping 142 new guest rooms will be added. And there will be a whole host of upgrades in between.

Rest assured that my Virtuoso bookings will be placed in the best rooms possible to avoid any disruption.

I am in direct communication with the resort a few times a week. I will continually update this post with how the renovation impacts (or doesn’t impact) the guest experience. You can read more about renovation updates here. I am so excited for what this iconic hotel will become.

Frequently Asked Questions / FAQs About Hotel del Coronado

Which room is haunted at Hotel del Coronado?

If you’re looking to request or avoid the Hotel del Coronado haunted room where Kate Morgan stayed in 1892, it’s room 3327. The hotel doesn’t mention the room number much publicly but we were told the number by a bellman once and have seen other sources confirm this.

Kate Morgan died at the hotel under mysterious circumstances (believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, but there is some controversy around this). She is said to haunt the hotel to this day.

Is Hotel del Coronado a Hilton Hotel?

Yes. Hotel del Coronado is a Curio Collection by Hilton property, a collection of independent four- and five-star properties around the world.

What does the resort fee cover?

The Hotel del Coronado and Beach Village at The Del levy a $35/night plus tax resort fee that includes guest internet access; unlimited indoor fitness classes and beach yoga; live streaming of Netflix, Pandora, Hulu, YouTube & Crackle; local and toll-free calls. It includes access to discounted tickets, but I have the same here.

Where is breakfast served?

The best Hotel del Coronado breakfast is served at Sheerwater restaurant as it is a buffet with lots of options. Guests can order breakfast via in-room dining or use one of the grab-and-go options around the hotel. There is a small B & S bakery that serves grab-and-go pastries, coffee, sandwiches and more that is open 24 hours a day. And, Beach + Taco shack serves a limited hearty menu on weekends.

Beach Village at The Del guests can enjoy breakfast at any of the above options or at the Windsor Cottage.

What are the best restaurants within walking distance?

Hotel del Coronado guests are within walking distance to many of the best Coronado restaurants. We quite like Bluewater Boathouse for a seafood dinner and view. Clayton’s Coffee Shop is a local institution with diner favorites and a take-out window for awesome burritos. If you want a good happy hour fried fish taco, head to Brigantine. The list goes on.

Can complimentary breakfast be applied toward Crown Room Sunday brunch?

No, the Virtuoso breakfast for two benefit can only be used daily at the Sheerwater breakfast buffet.

Can the Virtuoso $100 spa credit be swapped for a food and beverage credit?

No, the $100 Virtuoso spa credit needs to be redeemed at the Hotel del Coronado spa for massages or facials. Please make a spa appointment in advance.

How much is Hotel del Coronado parking?

Valet parking is $50/night for overnight guests and self-parking is $40/night for overnight guests.

If you are visiting for the day the rates are as follows:

• Self-parking: $20 for the first 2 hours (receive a $10 discount with any purchase) and $10 each additional hour. The daily maximum is $70.
• Valet parking: $30 for the first 2 hours (receive a $10 discount with any purchase) and $10 each additional hour. The daily maximum is $80.

What do I pay upfront with a Beach Village or Hotel del Coronado booking?

A one-night deposit is required at the time of booking. At Hotel del Coronado, this deposit is refundable should you cancel no later than three days prior to check-in. At Beach Village at the Del, this deposit is refundable should you cancel no later than seven days prior to check-in. The balance of your stay will be paid at check-out.

What time can I check-in?

Check-in time is at 4 p.m. It always helps to let the hotel know what time to expect you either through me or through the Hilton app. The Hilton app provides users with the ability to check-in the day prior and set an arrival time.

Virtuoso guests are entitled to early check-in, subject to availability, but it is difficult to achieve this during peak seasons like summer and school breaks.

Early check-in may be granted if enough guests check-out early (remember they are entitled to stay until 11 a.m) and housekeeping can clean the room. The other limiting factor is if you’ve given specific room parameters, which many people do, this decreases the odds of you being able to check-in early.

You may drop your bags and use the facilities of your room or suite isn’t ready and there is plenty to keep your busy.

What time is check-out?

Guests need to check-out by 11 a.m. Virtuoso guests are entitled to a late check-out subject to availability. It is unusual that the hotel is able to extend a late check-out more than an hour or two past this.

Should I choose a room through the Hilton app?

If you are a Virtuoso guest of mine, do not choose a room through the Hilton app. I work with guest relations and they select the best room for you based on your parameters.

Otherwise, you may want to select the room on the Hilton app (which you can do the day prior). I often get asked what the best ones are. It’s a hard question to answer because it depends on your preferences. I would use the map to choose a room with reference to where the various amenities, parking lots, gardens, and panoramic views (beach and ocean) are on the property.

Is Hotel del Coronado open to the public?

Yes, you may enjoy Hotel del Coronado on a day-use basis. This means that day guests can shop and dine on the resort. They may also pass through to walk on the boardwalk or to use the beach, even at Del Beach.

Day guests will not have access to pools with the exception of the spa if booking a spa treatment.

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