Why the Historic, Star-Studded Hotel del Coronado Is Worth Revisiting

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In the latest season of Black Mirror, Issa Rae’s Hollywood A-list actor Brandy Friday is thrown into an immersive high-tech remake of a vintage romantic movie, “Hotel Reverie”. There’s sweeping shots of a grand lobby in black and white, lush gardens, grand pianos, wealthy octogenarians with tiny dogs — and all the glamour and nostalgia of the bygone Golden Era of Hollywood.

It’s hard to still find such a pristinely-captured aesthetic of a bonafide home away from home for the entertainment industry’s elite in modern hotels. Sure there are your exclusive-feeling five-star resorts, even all-inclusive ones, but very few have that history baked in the architecture, the feel of the place. Hotel del Coronado, Curio Collection by Hilton is one of those locales, a quintessential California beach vacation that after a five-year, more-than-$550-million revitalization feels worth visiting now more than ever.

Topped with red turrets, the seaside Victorian resort is an icon that needs little introduction. Since opening its doors on the peninsula of Coronado in February of 1888 (the year of the first known surviving motion picture), “The Del” has hosted Hollywood A-listers, U.S. presidents, and musicians alike. Liberace’s big break came on a rainy night in 1950, when the then-unknown pianist played for a small audience that included Don Fedderson, then-manager of KLAC television. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz took a suite there in the early Fifties where they dreamed up ideas which would then become I Love Lucy. Charlie Chaplin played polo for the Coronado team, Frank Sinatra was an avid regular, and the hotel’s old-world aesthetic provided the backdrop for shooting Marilyn Monroe’s Some Like It Hot.

While original details still remain at the heart of the Victorian building (a look so distinct that it was the main design inspiration for Walt Disney World’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa), the renovation to the National Historic Landmark has balanced its star-studded heritage with a contemporary flair. You can expect revitalized accommodations, restored Garden Courtyard, two new restaurants, an upgraded resort pools and amenities and the brand-new Shore House neighborhood (a group of serene, residential-style oceanfront villas). The first rooms are now available for stays, but all rooms will be completed by summer 2025. Here is everything you can look forward to experiencing at Hotel del Coronado, Curio Collection by Hilton.

Revitalized Victorian Rooms and Historic Design

There’s nothing like a classic, so it’s no surprise that a large amount of the restoration went towards The Victorian — the original, iconic beachfront building built in 1888. Everything from the ornate lobby, to the stained glass window-lined front porch were restored, but at the heart of the resort is the restored garden courtyard.

The lush Garden now features a mix of eclectic botanical selections (preserved tree ferns, floss silk trees, and queen palms) that showcase the Victorian aesthetic, along with new citrus trees to reflect what was originally planted at the turn of the century. At its center is the return of the Naiad Queen fountain, featuring an eye-catching bronze statue that is an exact replica of the original by French sculptor Charles Cordier that was located at The Del until 1912.

Garden-facing rooms were the most popular during The Del’s early days, but the addition of delicate floral wallpaper has brought the garden to the interior of many redesigned guest rooms. No two rooms are alike, and while The Victorian’s rooms honor its history, they’ve also made some luxe “creature comfort” updates — think enhancements to bathrooms, furnishings, curated artwork and state-of-the-art technologies.

New Dining Concepts Galore

While The Del is already a playground for gourmands, there’s two new restaurant additions this summer that will be particularly enticing for foodies. Veranda, set to open this month, is a new oceanfront dining experience inspired by the hotel’s Southern California roots and the communal nature of the wrap-around veranda’s past. With an unobstructed ocean view and a salty breeze in the air, it’s a great backdrop for a menu full of fresh flavors and regional produce, serving up classic cocktails and a wine list celebrating California vineyards.

Like any see-or-be-seen spot of the modern era, The Del is also getting its own Nobu, set to open in May 2025. This famed Japanese restaurant is just as synonymous with elevated taste as the hotel, and the 3,700 square feet of indoor and al fresco oceanfront dining space will also include outdoor covered patio dining with a pagoda bar and dedicated sushi bar. Nobu Del Coronado will also spotlight Nobu-signature dishes (including the iconic Black Miso Cod and Yellowtail Jalapeño), plus locally-inspired dishes and cocktails.

Five Neighborhood Accommodations

One thing that makes The Del a great destination for any travel group size is that there’s something for everyone. Take the resort’s layout — there are five distinct “neighborhoods,” each with their own style and accommodations.

Looking for that storied, old school luxury feel? The Victorian’s Queen Anne-style property has really restored a lot of their rooms and communal spaces to their former glory. “One of our jobs was to reverse some of the previous remodels — especially in the Forties through the Seventies — that were detracting from that pure Victorian feel,” restoration architect David Marshall of Heritage Architecture & Planning in San Diego told The Hollywood Reporter.

Comparatively, if you’re more the active type and just want to hit the waves and bike along the beach, The Views has the more contemporary coastal aesthetic, with front-row access to the ocean along with modernized rooms and suites (some of which include private beachside terraces and fire pits). For solo travelers looking for a social hub, The Cabanas has also been reimagined with a more modern vibe, just steps from the shimmering pool, music, and the Sun Deck. Here you have the choice between a beachside room with a private terrace, or a poolside room (that’s also your private cabana).

The newest neighborhood at The Del is Shore House, designed for larger groups traveling together. You’ve got oceanfront villas with a modern, beach house look, and a setting practically designed for social connection — think oceanfront pools, to seaside villas with private verandas, to wide open living rooms that flow effortlessly outdoors. On the other hand, if you want something that feels more secluded and exclusive, the Beach Village has all the services and amenities of a resort, with a private vacation home feel. Residential-style cottages and villas from one to three bedrooms offer a personal beachfront to the sands of Coronado beach. You’ve also got access to a personal concierge who can stock your pantry, provide a vacation itinerary, and more.

Whether you’re interested in the storied history of The Victorian’s star-studded halls, or you’re looking for a beachfront retreat, there’s never been a better time to rediscover the rejuvenated Hotel del Coronado, Curio Collection by Hilton. Learn more and book your stay today at Hilton.com.