When it comes to finding the perfect place to stay for a winter vacation, Hotel Del Coronado is a top contender. Our recent visit in December was nothing short of magical, and it’s no wonder why this hotel has been a favorite for over 130 years! Less than a two-hour drive from Orange County makes it a desirable destination. I knew our family would love the destination as I had carefully crafted an itinerary that was sure to please my husband and four-year-old daughter.
How We Booked
First and foremost, the hotel’s location is unbeatable. Situated right on the beach, we were welcomed by stunning ocean views. We knew that walks on the sand would only be steps away from our room. The hotel’s classic red-roofed turrets and Victorian architecture also add to its charm and make it a recognizable landmark in Coronado.
Hotel Check-In Process
Driving in from Orange County we love the easy drive into San Diego County. We knew we would be arriving before our designated hotel check-in time of 4pm and we planned on having our lunch before driving straight to the hotel.
Coronado Brewing Co.
This brewery had been on our list of places to visit for a couple of years, and we just hadn’t gotten around to visiting. I was pleasantly surprised with the location of this brewery which truly resembled a restaurant much more than your typical brewery. I envisioned a brewery with outdoor dining options and loved the fact that there was plenty of indoor seating, with a restaurant-type layout.
My husband loved the ample beer selection and ordered himself a beer flight.
Full menus were available for both adults and children, the latter was something that I had not anticipated, and I was once again pleasantly surprised.
I opted for a lighter meal and enjoyed my fish tacos; in hindsight I would have ordered the battered/fried fish tacos but these were good!
During our stay, we were impressed with the level of service provided by the hotel staff. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warmth and hospitality. The rooms were well-appointed and comfortable, with all the amenities we needed to make our stay enjoyable. We originally booked our room in The Victorian, and at check-in we asked for any available upgrades and were moved to a room at The Views which was absolutely perfect. We are Diamond Members with Hilton and were pleased that they provided us with the upgrade. They also allowed us to check-in about an hour before the check-in designated time so that was also a perk. We had a gorgeous partial ocean view from our room and balcony.
We particularly loved the beautiful partial ocean view from our room balcony. Even though it was early December, sitting out there enjoying the crisp air with a cup of coffee in hand, added to the overall ambiance of our winter getaway.
Family Friendly Activities
Finally, the hotel’s holiday decorations and events made our stay even more special. The lobby was adorned with beautiful Christmas decorations, and there were plenty of festive activities for guests to enjoy, such as ice skating and holiday-themed dining experiences. While we didn’t book any ice-skating reservations this year, we enjoyed outdoor dining and watching everyone around us.
Consider the following onsite- activities:
*Skating by the Sea (Reservations Required) – At the time we visited they didn’t have any trainers for kids so that influenced our decision not to book a reservation since our four-year-old does not know how to ice-skate.
*Tree Show – Musically lit trees show case jazz themed music at the top of every hour. A must view, perfect with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate.
*Sand Castles by the Beach -The most beautiful sand castles built were on display with plenty of seating around, located beachfront of course.
*Enjoy a drink around the grounds – Parents, this is probably my favorite feature of this hotel. Often parents to young children, think that vacations have to take a backseat. This isn’t the case! This hotel has pop up vendor stands throughout the hotel grounds that sell glasses of prosseco, beer, wine, coffee so that you can enjoy it as you stroll the hotel grounds or the beach. Perfect for the winter!
The lawns around the hotel grounds are wonderful for kids to play in. We saw kids of all ages playing games like football, catch, or just chasing each other arounds. Pets seemed to love it too!
There is so much to do at this hotel , that you really have to do your own research to find out what calls your name. What I loved was that there were so many outdoor dining options where you could enjoy the festive decor, activities surrounding the area and dining.
Dining Options That Are Kid Friendly
Coronado Brewing – I shared this one earlier and it’s a great option if you are looking to get away fromo the hotel and explore the downtown.
Eno Market & Pizzeria – Okay, the service here was excellent and reasonably priced for hotel dining. Pizza was delicious too! Fantastic option for families with little ones as the seating was outdoors.
Just around the hotel you have North Island where you can select from a wide variety of restaurants, coffee shops, etc. Better Buzzed Coffee was perfect for our Sunday morning stroll. When shopping around, don’t fall for the overpriced eateries (…ahem) donuts like we did!
Final Thoughts
Overall, our stay at Hotel Del Coronado was one we won’t soon forget. If you’re looking for a winter vacation spot that’s both luxurious and charming, this hotel is definitely worth considering.
xoxo,
The Sun Queen
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