Review: Hotel del Coronado in Coronado, California

Among California’s most iconic sights — from the Golden Gate Bridge and Santa Monica Pier to the redwood forests and Big Sur’s McKay Falls — is the majestic Hotel del Coronado, which has welcomed guests to its island location since 1888.

Just off the coast of San Diego, Coronado is most commonly reached via the San Diego-Coronado Bridge. And while approximately 20,000 people live on the island, Hotel del Coronado is its most famous resident. Its red-roofed Victorian building captivates crowds with its round corner towers, wide porches, abundant windows and fanciful wooden trims. On my first-ever visit to the resort, the Victorian was my favorite view to take in; even if my toes were in the sand of Coronado Beach, I found myself turning east and toward the Victorian, as if it were where the sun would set.

It is no small feat to stand upright for over a century, though, and so the Victorian is currently being refreshed — the last phase of a multi-year, multimillion-dollar resort renovation that’s expected to be fully wrapped up by mid-2025. Other accommodation options, or “neighborhoods,” are open and thriving at the resort, and during my recent visit I noticed guests of all ages moving to and fro, from the beach, resort pools and lawns to on-site eateries, into town and more.

And while I knew very little about the hotel before arriving, I chatted with guests at every turn who were well acquainted with “The Del,” as the property is affectionately known. At a sunrise beach spin class, the rider next to me shared that he was from Chicago, and that this was his fifth stay at the property. At the Cabana Pool the following day, a mother on an adjacent chaise lounge was there with her daughter for a nostalgic return trip, after staying at The Del as a child herself. And while eavesdropping on a resort lawn, I overheard another young mother saying that she, too, had visited as a child; her own small kids followed her now, goslings in a happy row.

And after three days with my own family at Hotel del Coronado, I understood how the ease and diversity of the place made it worthy of repeat visits. For clients looking for sun and sand in a setting that reflects a bygone era, The Del is a noble contender. 

Accommodations at Hotel del Coronado

Spread out from north to south and along the Coronado Beach boardwalk, The Del’s different neighborhoods are connected by various paths and lawns with pretty greenscaping. The Victorian and its main lawn act like a town square, where people often gather to toss a football or cartwheel or picnic. Then, around it are The Cabanas, The Views, Beach Village and Shore House. All are just steps from the beach.

Shore House is the newest addition to The Del, completed in 2022 and ideal for families, with its own pool (exclusive to Shore House guests) and ample connecting accommodation options. My family of four was completely spoiled in our Ocean View Villa (769 square feet) connected to an additional Ocean View Guestroom (388 square feet); we had a full kitchen and dining table with seating for eight, and a large patio overlooking the pool and sea beyond it. We spent hours at that pool, snacking on French fries and bopping in and out of the hot tub with lots of other swimmers. There was never a dull moment on the pool deck, making it a better fit for clients who don’t mind a bit of splashing or banter between tweens.

Contrastingly, Beach Village is a gated community at the other end of the resort, and it’s particularly serene behind those gates. Property personnel shared that couples and multigenerational families often select this neighborhood’s cottages and villages for a sense of seclusion and privacy. When they want to mix and mingle with others, they need only stroll to the main lawn, or the boardwalk, or the beach.

The Views and The Cabanas have their own perks, as well, both offering ground-floor rooms with lovely terraces right on the boardwalk — a good choice for clients who plan to spend more time in the sand than at a resort pool. (But, when a pool is what they want, the Olympic-sized Cabana Pool — which is open to all resort guests — is nearby, as well.)

Resort Activities

From yoga and spinning classes on the beach to virtual reality snorkeling, ocean-themed programming for kids and surf lessons, it’s very easy to fill your days with on-site options at Hotel del Coronado.

But after what felt like a lengthy gray and wet winter in Southern California, my kids were thrilled to just roam the resort, combining pool time and scenic walks on the boardwalk for our first visit. We checked out The Del’s beloved beach s’mores experience, and our reserved fire pit was in my favorite place: within view of both the sea and The Victorian. My eldest daughter and I cruised the property’s retail shops one afternoon, and my husband hit the local links on another, the course just minutes away.

Clients visiting over summer and other traditional school breaks will find even more options, including movies under the stars and a seasonal outdoor roller rink — which feels incredibly Californian. And popular San Diego attractions, from Legoland to the zoo, are easily reached from here.

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Also on-site, and very important for any guest who is a lover of history, is the Ice House Museum. Exhibits inside showcase The Del’s fascinating timeline, from when this structure served as the ice-making facility for all of Coronado, to when the resort was the set of the 1958 film “Some Like it Hot.” Walking tours start from here, too, including one that highlights the story of Coronado’s resident ghost, Kate Morgan. 

Dining at Hotel Del Coronado

Dining options at The Del are plentiful and varied, and I appreciated how kid-friendly every single eatery was. For a sit-down meal, send clients to Serea, which spills out from the ground level of the Victorian and onto the main lawn, with the beach and its waves just beyond. Next year, Nobu will join the resort’s upscale offerings, also in the Victorian. 

But the more casual (and still delicious) food options really make The Del great for families (who, in my experience, like a snack or meal that’s quicker or easily packed up). There’s the on-site scoop shop, Sundaes, which has a line out the door all the time for its paletas and chocolate-dipped ice cream cones; Eno Market and Pizzeria for fresh-fired rustic pies (which guests can enjoy just about anywhere, from the cafe’s patio to their own blanket on Coronado Beach); the Beach & Taco Shack, which is still serving tacos from the Low Tide truck on the boardwalk while it’s getting a little refresh; and the On the Rocks boardwalk trailer, which has easy seating right in the sand and plenty of cocktails for grown-ups.

The latest addition to the resort is The Laundry Pub, an energetic eatery with a bar, video games, televisions for sports watching and a great menu. The Nashville “Hot Cycle” sandwich was delicious, as was the Garden Fresh Scent kale salad — upscale pub food that’s meant to invite Coronado locals as much as guests. Per its name, the pub is set in the resort’s old laundry facility, and you can still see the lofted tracks that once moved hung-up clothes and the like. 

There was much we didn't get to on our initial Hotel del Coronado visit, including the spa, the striped chaise lounges of Del Beach and some of the unique kids’ programming; the resort’s abundance of choices explains why 35% of its guest count are repeat customers, according to the resort team. There’s always more to do. And people drop in just for the day, too, as the common areas are open to any and all, which adds a local feel and keeps the grounds full of smiling people.

“The resort has always been, and still is today, a centerpiece for the community,” said Denise Chapman, director of marketing for Hotel del Coronado. “Anyone can walk here, get a pizza at Eno’s and take it to the beach. It’s a place steeped in nostalgia. We’re trying to bring a sense of joy to guests, and locals too.”