Hotel del Coronado

Hotel del Coronado (or” the Del” as it’s fondly known)  is one of those places you read about, see in movies and think how nice it would be to go there someday.  And sometimes things work out and you do.

Hotel del Coronado is located on Coronado Island, a short ferry ride or drive from San Diego. The Victorians were the first to embrace the seaside as a holiday destination but the Hotel del Coronado was no guesthouse in Blackpool or Southend.  Built in 1881, the hotel had an Olympic sized swimming pool, a Japanese tea garden, bowling alleys, even an ostrich farm, for the enjoyment of its guests.  In 1913 a school was introduced for the children of its wealthy visitors as they often stayed for months at a time.

Hotel del Coronado

The Del has hosted hosted dozens of celebrities over its lifetime.  In 1920 the Prince of Wales, en route to New Zealand and Australia, stopped off at San Diego and was entertained at a banquet in the Crown Room of the hotel.  There are unproven claims it was then he met Wallis Simpson who lived on Coronado Island at the time.  There was no banquet in the Crown Room the day I was there – it was hosting a display case of medical technology.

Presidents, writers, and film stars have all stayed at the Del. L Frank Baum (The Wizard of Oz) did most of his writing here and it has been said the hotel was his inspiration for the Emerald City. Sixteen presidents have stayed here including Franklin D Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, John F Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Bill Clinton and Barrack Obama.

The Hotel del Coronado has featured in many films, the most famous being Some Like it Hot with Marilyn Monroe. In 2012 the hotel and Marilyn featured on a stamp produced as  a tribute to Some Like it Hot‘s director, Billy Wilder.

During World War II the hotel planted a victory garden,  growing vegetables all over its grounds.  It still has vegetable gardens today and they make a nice change from the often stilted, formal gardens found in hotels.  They’re practical too.

Strawberry beds at Hotel del Coronado

The hotel originally had 388 rooms but has been extended extensively over the years.  Today it even has some permanent residencies.  However, it’s distinctive red tower is still its best feature .

Hotel del Coronado

The Hotel del Coronado is still a special place to visit and stay.  On the day I visited this sandcastle was being made for a 16 years old’s birthday being held at the hotel.  From the rate of progress I saw it must have taken days.

Sandcastle at Hotel del Coronado

At the entrance to the hotel is the famous Norfolk pine which became the first Christmas tree in the world to be illuminated in 1904.  The large lights were probably strung from the hotel which was also the first hotel to run on electricity.  Thomas Edison came to check the connection to the tree himself.

First illuminated Christmas tree in the world – Hotel del Coronado

The tree, which is much bigger now of course, is still lit up every year, and, with the huge Christmas tree in the lobby of the hotel itself, is a major attraction during the build up to Christmas.

So if you’re in San Diego why not go over to Coronado Island and visit the Hotel del Coronado – you won’t be disappointed.

Coronado Island ferry