Hotel del Coronado, Curio Collection by Hilton

The room and location were terrific. Ours was in the Victorian building, newly renovated and spotless, with new-looking furniture, TV, bathroom, doors, moldings, and balcony furniture. There was also a K-Cup coffee maker and mini fridge. From the balcony we looked over the beautiful courtyard, and Blair at the front desk found us the perfect room and warmly welcomed us. She also brought a box of delicious chocolates for my wife’s birthday. You can feel the hotel’s history as you approach. It was an incredible two-night stay, right on the beach. There’s seating overlooking the water, beach chairs to use on the sand, and a paved path along the shore. The ocean-facing common area is beautiful, with restaurants and shops gathered around outdoor spaces. There are lots of places to get food. As you’d expect at a luxury resort, it’s expensive, though the taco shack on the beach and the market with breakfast items, sandwiches, and pizza had some reasonably priced choices.

The service was the highlight of my stay at the Hotel del Coronado. Every interaction felt warm, attentive, and aimed at making the visit memorable. I was there through a company award, and the historic room had loads of character while still being very comfortable. The bathroom was surprisingly spacious, even bigger than my shower at home. You can spend plenty of time on the property. There’s a beach, a beautifully manicured lawn, and a private pool for hotel guests, with a bar, snacks, and plush towels. The views toward the beach and nearby marina are stunning. The resort also has side bars, eateries, and on-site shops, including clothing boutiques. When you want to head out, unique local shops, restaurants, and coffee bars are within walking distance. It’s a memorable stay at a legendary property.

Locals highly recommended seeing Hotel del Coronado at Christmas, and I’m so glad I went. The holiday displays all over the property were amazing, and the whole place felt historic and luxurious while being very well maintained. One tip: if you’re taking an Uber, get dropped off nearby and walk over, since cars pile up at the entrance and traffic can get really congested.

The holiday decorations were festive and fun, and the location is pretty incredible. I was in Oceanside for the week in December, flew into SAN, and decided to splurge on the Del for my last night in the area. The wood architecture and history impressed me, though some parts felt like a Vegas resort and clashed with the rest of the vibe. I didn’t get to enjoy much of the location because of the time of year. The stay was a letdown for the price. Valet cost $79, and the room came to about $450 after taxes and fees. My room, 34013, had no view and was above a ballroom. When I got back from dinner at 7 p.m., loud club music and deep bass continued until 10. There was no body wash in the dispenser. Also, the door doesn’t latch shut on its own. You have to pull it closed manually, which seems like a serious security issue if someone leaves in a hurry. From what I could tell, a room key wasn’t needed to get into common areas. I’m glad I saw the property dressed up for the holidays, but given the experience and cost, I’m unlikely to return.