We checked in on Sunday afternnoon - Dec. 23rd. There was a line of cars waiting to pull up to the lobby. People were crowded into every available space in the entrance and lobby areas, listening to the carolers and posing for pictures in front of the very large Christmas tree near the front desk. It was quite a turn-off. There are signs at the stairwells in the Victorian building stating "Registered Guests Only Beyond This Point". You can imagine how many people traipse through the hotel if signs like that are necessary.

Luckily, we were assigned a room in the Ocean Towers because I was afraid my husband would want to turn around and drive home if he had to stay near the zoo of people in the main building.

We did not have trouble finding parking during our entire five night stay, although we did have to drive to the far corner of the self-parking lot.

The location on the beach is lovely. There are constant streams of people walking the boardwalk fronting the hotel. I don't think I would like staying in the "oceanfront cabanas" under the grill restaurant because of the constant people traffic. The Ocean Towers, for us, was a calm and comfortable oasis. The beds were very comfortable.

The temporary skating rink attracts many people and the crowds, as well as the music being played there, gave the common areas a carnival-like atmosphere.

The breakfast buffet at the Sheerwater restaurant was just okay. Their omelettes from the omelete station, however, were excellent. We had dinner at the Sheerwater for Christmas eve and it was very good. Dinner on Christmas at 1500 Ocean was a fixed menu, rated not as good as Sheerwater by my husband and son, but I enjoyed it. We had quite a wait for our table at 1500 Ocean despite our reservations and the hostess had an attitude.

We didn't do the hotel's famous Christmas buffett, as $95 per person sounded astronomical to us, but we ended up paying more than that anyway for each special dinner!

The food/drinks at the little coffee bar and the grill area were overpriced.

There are several restaurants in walking distance of the hotel but the only one we tried was Village Pizza and it was just okay.

I had a great pedicure by Carmen in the Yamaguchi salon, as well as a great haircut by Katy.

The workout room was very clean, well-equipped and un-crowded.

We had excellent service from every employee except for the staff at the 1500 Ocean - but that could have stemmed from it being a busy Christmas evening.

The "resort fee" entitles you to coffee/tea, in-room ethernet service, a daily USA Today. That seems exorbitant. Only upon check-out did I read the paperwork closely and discover that the resort fee entitled us to discounted tickets to some of the attractions that we visited during our stay, like the zoo and the Midway aircraft carrier.

It was interesting to visit the Hotel del and see its architecture and learn about its history. If we had visited at a warmer time, I think we would have appreciated the beach more. Unfortunately, with the skating rink and all the crowds, we couldn't really appreciate the property. It sort of felt like a room with too much furniture in it.

Overall, I don't think the experience was worth the cost.

Hotel: The Hotel Del Coronado, South of San San Diego.
Reviewed: December 31, 2007, by Texas Travelers.
My wife and I try to take at least two romantic getaway trips each year. During our ten year marriage, we have been to some awesome locations and have created numerous treasured memories. Unfortunately, our recent stay at The Del was anything but awesome or treasured. This overly hyped hotel
is a pathetic value. $450/night for this? Are you kidding me?
The facility is "okay" -- nothing special -- but the food, service
and employees are all miserably disappointing. We witnessed many, many guests complaining about everything from A to Z. Bottom line: there are several nice properties very close to The Del. Check those out and save yourself a lot of cash, frustration and embarrasment. You can always walk over to The Del and visit the public beach ..... but I would never stay there!!!!!

Positives:
Good location. Coronado Island is nice stretch of beach in harbor across from downtown San Diego. Del sits on a public beach. Hotel Del is an easy walk to main boulevard of Coronado.
Victorian architecture of main building is distinctive.

Negatives:
Facilities underwhelming. Beach tower is Holiday Inn quality.
Driveway: valet is a zoo.
Hotel dining: lots of day trippers come to eat at the hotel. Service is erratic. Lunch menu seemed heavy Victorian, not light California cuisine. Many hotel guests hit the boulevard and dine in Coronado restaurants.

Recommendation: for same money, stay farther along the beach at nicer resort (Loew's or perhaps Marriott), or for half the price stay at small inn/motel/hotels across Orange Avenue, and walk across the street to the beach by the Del.

Friends suggested next time stay at Loew's, which is farther down Coronado, or in La Jolla at La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club.

It was really like a dream. I'd read about this historic and beautiful hotel, so when I got an opportunity to visit San Diego, my first trip to the West Coast, I chose the del. I was NOT disappointed. I stayed in a Victorian, no view, a small room in the old but beautiful section of the hotel. Perfect for one person, a bit snug for two. Traditional, 1930's style furnishings. Updated for the 21st century. Linens were fabulous. Bed very comfortable. The no view was actually a view of the court year, quite lovely and quiet. Immaculately clean.

The beach? WOW! I'm a New Englander. I never thought I could see beaches as beautiful as those on the coast of Maine or Cape Cod. Was I mistaken. The beach was spectacular.

One complaint...a room amenity includes coffee maker with coffee and 1 bottle of spring water. Housekeeping will leave coffee and sugar daily but no water. Tap water is terrible tasting and water from the takeout restaurant is $3.70 for 16 oz. It's a minor inconvenience and expense, but a real room annoyance.


Regardless, if I get back to San Diego, it only the del for me!