Some like it awesome
Like many in our industry, I’d thrilled over the years to events and delightful sojourns at legendary Hotel Del Coronado, which graces the Pacific coast, a historic jewel, just north of San Diego. This time, though, was something brand new. Feeling as carefree as Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, who filmed “Some Like It Hot” with Marilyn Monroe on this property in the late Fifties, my son Quentin and I made straight on arrival for the dedicated entrance at Shore House at the Del, the resort’s latest “neighborhood experience.”
And what an experience it proved to be. Branded as part of Hilton’s LXR Hotels & Resorts, this luxury addition opened in 2022 as 75 one-to-three bedroom, residential-style accommodations in a modern beach-house setting. The glorious beach and boardwalk are right there, but just as tempting in the immediate foreground is the zero-edge oceanfront pool with private cabanas and poolside bar (not to mention complementary iced fruit and popsicles). Inside awaits a bistro with dedicated space for chef’s table events and a grand living room that flows effortlessly outdoors.
Also at our beck-and-call: an on-site concierge for destination tips and reservations as well as exclusive wellness offerings including wellness lectures and customized personal training.
It feels like a private boutique hotel even though The Del’s other abundant pleasures are only steps away. All told, here is a destination within a destination that is crafted for togetherness—perfect for corporate executive team retreats, high-end incentives and other moments of bonding and reward.
Stay and Meet
The Shore’s spacious sleeping rooms are all about seaside luxe. I have to say, though, tearing our gaze from the fantastic ocean views isn’t easy—other guest rooms can have bay or resort views. Our terrace is accessed from the bedrooms as well as the living area, which transitions to a dining space and a fully outfitted kitchen with high-end appliances that include a wine cooler. Suffice it to say, the champagne flutes were welcomed.
I was also given a peek into the future that embraces the past. Over $600 million has been invested to expand and revitalize The Del’s iconic Victorian building, a National Historic Landmark that dates to 1888 and where Thomas Edison oversaw the original electrification. An award-winning architectural preservation firm has completed diligent reconstruction of the front porch and historic lobby.
It’s now overseeing the final stages of guest-room renovations, and the work is impressive—from restoration of original finishes to design enhancements to bathrooms, furnishings and artwork, all craftily underpinned by modern technologies. Room reservations are being accepted for stays beginning in March.
Already available for meetings in the Victorian building are its three restored ballrooms, the Crown and Coronet rooms and Ocean Ballroom. And they are jaw-dropping to behold. Among the many jewels now burnished to their original brilliance is an original ceiling fresco secco and a wooden stage floor in the Ocean Ballroom. Of course, we need today with our yesterday, so these beautiful spaces also boast new lighting and audio system.
Play
For our last night, we checked into the next-door neighborhood, The Views. Its newly renovated guest rooms are contemporary with bright interiors and offer easy, toes-in-the-sand access to a menu of active adventures.
For us, that had to be the Jamie O’Brien Surf Experience. If you’ve ever dreamed of trying this sport but have feared the dreaded wipeout, this is the only surf school on the mainland with instructors handpicked by a world-famous master of the Pipeline on Oahu’s North Shore. Imagine a group team-building activity on the gentle waves of Coronado Island. Have you seen the video from that morning of my own surfing mastery? It’s on our Instagram? No? Oh, maybe someone forgot to post it.
This article appears in the January 2025 issue. You can subscribe to the magazine here.
