Hotel del Coronado

We stayed at the Hotel del Coronado during a busy holiday week and overall had a wonderful experience, especially at the Shore House. We booked a 3-bedroom loft, which was beautifully appointed and fit our group of 10 perfectly. The layout was ideal for traveling with young children—the upstairs loft had a door, allowing our kids to go to bed early while the rest of us could stay up without having to whisper or shut everything down. The accommodations were comfortable, spacious, and thoughtfully designed for families and larger groups. Our biggest challenges were related to crowds and access. While we fully expected the property to be busy during the holidays, the number of non-hotel guests on site was surprising. Many areas labeled as “hotel guests only” did not appear to have security, card access, or enforcement, which made the property feel extremely crowded at all times. Additionally, the line of cars waiting to enter the hotel was long every single day. A designated guests-only lane would greatly improve the arrival and valet experience, as it often took quite a while just to get onto the property. On a very positive note, the front desk and concierge staff were outstanding. They were warm, attentive, and incredibly helpful—assisting with dining reservations and purchasing tickets for our daily outings, which made our stay much smoother and more enjoyable. Despite the crowding issues, the Shore House accommodations and excellent staff made this a memorable stay, and with a few logistical improvements, the experience could be truly exceptional.

My wife and I had dinner at the Serea Costal Cuisine restaurant with our daughter and family last night, December 29, 2025. They were guests at the hotel for 3 nights. The hotel was decorated fabulously for Christmas and the grounds were beautiful if one could see them. The property has opened itself up to the general public and there were at least 6,000 people walking about the property. One could not walk without bumping into people that were obviously not guests due to their attire and demeanor. It was far worst than a bad day at Disneyland. I noted guests could barely get through the crowd to check in to their very expensive rooms. It was quite maddening for I have been going to Hotel del Coronado for over 60 years when it had total class and respect for its guests. It has so radically changed that I have no inclination to ever go back. A couple of extra notes. The outdoor Deli and other quick pickup food venues had lines 20 to 30 people deep. The valet parking was shockingly $78 for 4 hours of parking. I inquired why and was told they now charge by the hour. Dinner at Serea Costal Cuisine was most disappointing. The lobster bisque was exceptionally salty, the beet salad was limited in taste and flavor. My seared market tuna at $42 was small and dry without sides. I noted how our waiter professed how large the serving were during our order and upon receiving our dishes the only thing that was large were the plates. The ocean view would have been lovely if it wasn't for the sea of people passing by staring at the seated guests. The density simply blocked our view. And yes it was Christmas time, but the general public completely overwhelmed the entire property. I miss the old days when one felt like they were a true guest of a historical property with renowned class and sophistication.

Completely top drawer. Fine rooms, excellent facilities, fine restaurants, superior staff. This is a great resort. We shall return soon.

We ordered food on the Skydeck. It arrived one hour later and it was cold. The flatbread was in eatable. The $32 burger a joke! Drinks were worse. The bill $250 a joke!

Spending Christmas Eve at Hotel del Coronado was a dream years in the making. This was a carefully planned holiday stay, booked at peak seasonal rates, with the expectation of creating meaningful and lasting memories. Upon arrival, a severe rainstorm made all outdoor amenities unusable. While weather is beyond anyone’s control, how an iconic hotel responds in these moments is what separates good service from exceptional hospitality. Hotel del Coronado’s identity is built around outdoor experiences—ice skating, beach igloos, s’mores, and seaside charm. When those experiences became inaccessible, we sought alternatives or guidance from the front desk, hoping for a thoughtful solution or even a symbolic gesture that acknowledged the disruption. Instead, the response felt rigid and transactional, lacking warmth or empowerment. We were not looking for refunds or discounts. We were hoping for hospitality—perhaps a complimentary valet, breakfast, late checkout, a photo with Santa, or an experiential credit to preserve the spirit of the holiday. Instead, all alternatives came with added charges, despite the fact that guests were paying premium holiday pricing without access to the advertised experiences. Luxury is not defined by strict policy enforcement during challenging moments. It is defined by emotional intelligence, empathy, and the ability to make guests feel seen and valued when expectations fall short. Other iconic hotels around the world understand this and treat such moments as opportunities to elevate the guest experience rather than manage disappointment. The Christmas dinner, however, was exceptional. The variety, quality, and presentation of the food were outstanding, and the service staff were gracious, attentive, and genuinely committed to creating a festive experience. They were the highlight of the evening. Hotel del Coronado remains a beautiful and historic property. With greater front-desk empowerment and a service mindset that prioritizes emotional connection, it has the potential to transform moments of disruption into unforgettable examples of true luxury hospitality.