'Hotel Del': a Luxury Hotel that greets the present with an old-fashioned, genteel welcome
- Christene Meyers
- Jun 15, 2018
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 13
STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS
PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER
ON APPROACH, the stately Hotel Del Coronado looks like a setting for "Masterpiece Theatre." It has that lofty look of an important location. Built in 1888 -- the largest wooden structure of its day.
AThis San Diego property is know affectionately as "the Del" by legions of fans and return guests around the world. This Luxury Hotel has history, mystery and a VIP guest list to accentuate its elegance.
A proud landmark of San Diego, this Historic Hotel is inextricably linked to that of Coronado, referred to as "the island," by natives, but actually connected to mainland California.
When built, this bechfront hotel drew attention for its opulence and size. Designed as a Victorian seaside resort, it was large, impressive, grand.
PLAYGROUND of the rich and famous, the Del has hosted crews and stars for the making of several movies. The most famous is the 1958 comedy "Some Like It Hot," the Billy Wilder classic. It starred Marilyn Monroe as the sultry but innocent member of an all-girl touring band. Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon masquerade as women to escape the mob and -- suspend disbelief here -- the girls buy that they are female.
The setting is supposed to be Florida, but this southern California landmark stood in.
Since its opening, "The Del" has been the place to stay for diplomats, actors, wealthy tourists, military brass. Frank Sinatra joined its centennial celebration in 1988. Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, Ernest Hemingway and Burt Lancaster bunked there.
In recent years, Ellen DeGeneres, Jack Nicholson and Oprah Winfrey checked in. Guests range from JFK and Ronald Reagan to royalty, inventors and rock stars.
Liberace is said to have been discovered playing piano in the lounge. Frank Baum, author of "The Wizard of Oz," spent months at the hotel, writing and reading to children. He designed the chandeliers still in the Crown Room, basing them on the crown worn by his "Oz" lion.
This Luxury Hotels most infamous guest is Kate Morgan, who registered under an alias on Thanksgiving in 1892, staying a few days. She killed herself on the steps near the ocean. Was she ill? Heartbroken over an ill-fated romance? Her third-floor room is often requested. People claim to see ghosts and apparitions there and in the gift shop and stairs.
PRICES HAVE gone up since the hotel opened, charging $2.50 for a room, meals included. The hotel cost only $1 million to build with various types of wood, using wooden pegs rather than nails. Today, a room can run upwards from $363 to a plush grand suite for over $1,000.
The property was part of a land grant, originally gifted to a Mexican family who sold it for thousands. The Blackstone Group sold its 63 per cent stake in the hotel for $210 million a few years ago. If you've a yen to get hitched at the Del, and invite 100 friends, figure to spend between $32,000 and $45,000 -- that's for ceremony and reception.
On the National Historic Register since 1977, the this luxury hotel on the beach has become "the talk of the western world" as its founders envisioned. Elisha Babcock Jr. and
Hampton L. Story dreamed that the hotel would become famous. So it has.
Whether you’re captivated by the luxury of oceanfront suites at the Hotel del Coronado, inspired by the art and design of its historic spaces, or intrigued by the rich history and nearby museum experiences, this iconic beach resort is a must-visit destination.
Explore more historic and desert escapes, along with world-class luxury hotels, in our blogs about Luxury Hotels and discover unforgettable stays that combine elegance, culture, and coastal charm.
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