Promotional headlines for the newly renovated Hotel del Coronado say it all: “See the California Dream Through Fresh Eyes.”
This grande dame property—a seaside Victorian resort from an age when leisure travel was limited to the rich and famous—welcomed guests from around the world, including the icons of Tinseltown, becoming a National Historic Landmark and cultural legend. Get ready, latter-day Victorians. Your time has come again.
The 135-year-old resort—part of Curio Collection by Hilton—has been under construction in various phases since 2018, with new properties being built on the resort’s grounds and builders painstakingly restoring some of the older sections of the original resort. In addition, the “the Del” is brought to life via five distinct neighborhoods, each with unique perspectives, accommodations and experiences.
When the renovation is complete in early 2025, it will have been a more than $550 million investment backed by Blackstone Real Estate. The full transformation will include San Diego’s second Nobu restaurant plus a $160-million renovation of the resort’s oldest section, the Crown Room—the Del’s original dining room—and Victorian Neighborhood (including the Coronet Room and the Ocean Ballroom).
Among its current highlights is the recently completed Shore House—a newer build fashioned in Victorian style with red shingles mimicking the original Del buildings—that sits just to the south of the main property on the ocean. It opened in 2022 with 75 residential-style rooms, many suites or duplex-style with kitchens, modern finishes, and outdoor fireplaces.
Other renovations include the fitness center, spa, pool, the shops, and the 12,648-sf Vista Terrace, which can host up to 900 guests. The Cabana Pool was redone entirely and is heated year-round. It’s flanked by shaded chaise lounges with new premium cabanas and cabanaettes for rent.
A Transformation for Meetings
The older parts of the original main building are also closed off and being worked on. The Victorian, the oldest section of the hotel, is undergoing a more than $160 million revitalization, which will keep its original build while making necessary updates. Reservations will be accepted beginning March 1, 2025.
Prior to the reopening of the guest rooms, Hotel del Coronado will reveal its newly renovated Crown and Coronet Rooms, which have been restored and made available for meetings, events and groups bookings starting this month (July 2024). The completion of the Victorian building guestrooms will mark the crowning moment of the multi-year, multi-phase renovation that has preserved and enhanced this National Historic Landmark.
These renovations, along with others at the National Historic Landmark property, must be completed according to a strict code to preserve its landmark status. The upgrades include all Victorian guestrooms and suites, and the resort hopes it will be finished by next spring. Think of it as a facelift—this is California, after all.
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