Hotel Del Coronado

1500 Orange Ave
Coronado, CA 92118
(619) 435-6611

And, now, something nice...

I came here for my friends' wedding and I was sorely in need of some R&R. I found it. At first, I was put off by the cost of room. At one meeliyon dollars a night, it's pretty steep. And then I discovered the trick (and I am loathe to divulge it): you know those travel sites that advertise on TV? They work. They work really well. I stayed at the Hotel Del for four nights in May and I spent about the usual cost of a night and a half. I had a king room in the old building with walk-in closet, big bathroom, low traffic area, covered deck with furniture and a view of the courtyard and ocean. I can't lie. It was magical. I recall thinking that it's way too bad I am celibate because a room like this with a view like this deserves sex. A lot of sex. High-end hooker sex. Yeah, the room was that nice and my cheap-a$$ was very pleased to have not blown the yooge wad of cash my neighbors were spending.

Beyond the price savings, I loved the hotel. It's big, epic, a little gaudy but, ultimately, a real throwback to glamour & romance. It's decadent and indulgent - but that's the point. Sometimes it's nice to feel pretty. Would I stay here every weekend? Maybe if I was the high-end hooker. But, barring a new line of work, no. Is this a great place to enjoy a special occasion and treat yourself to something nice? Absolutely.

I slept like a prince in my ###-count sheets. I marveled at the opulence as I gazed up at the hotel while lounging on the beach. I took some quiet time to be thankful for life, as I sat on the deck and watched the sun set on the horizon. I ate well (but that might have been all the wedding stuff), enjoyed free internet in the cafe and reveled in the people watching. If I had come here as a kid, I would have explored the entire grounds from top to bottom. It has cage elevators, grand staircases and sweeping views. This is history. It should be enjoyed.