Iconic hotel, beautiful spot but frustrating experience. Room was in a new/renovated building with full front facing waterfront views and very well appointed/comfortable/new/clean. There is significant construction in process which we knew and which undoubtedly is why the rates were so reasonable. A few comments a) there are many different levels of room/building/service level etc...and when you arrive they expect that you know yours so they can direct you and know how to treat you. I paid no attention to the cute name on my room/level/reservation and this was an issue for the parking attendants trying to help me. Ultimately it didn't seem to matter but they were clearly at a loss when I didn't know it b) the parking attendants are carefully scripted to make you feel like self park is the embarrassing/cheap way to go. I prefer self park for a bunch of non financial reasons but when we arrived and they offered to valet I inquired about self park. I was told 'valet is only $20 more and self park is blah blah blah" ie confusing and far away. When i asked how much self park was it was a lot...which I knew would be a cost of staying there...but to add $20 for valet was ridiculous. I was amazed how the carefully scripted language they used was clearly designed to shame me into valet while also sounding 'lovely and helpful'. c) there is significant construction which is generally well hidden and there were no noise issues at all when i was there. However the signage to and from the different places is awful and created significant frustration. The Welcome letter given to us at checkin sent us to the wrong place for breakfast. That place was also not well marked and what signage there was led us to the members only club which clearly was not welcoming...before we found the place that it used to be and then made our way to the current place ....so by the time we got there we were very frustrated by the hotel. Similar issue to try to find the pool...no signs and it is almost completely walled off by buildings and construction so its hard to find unless you know where you are. d) Breakfast. We had 'free' breakfast included. The man at checkin referred to it being a $30 benefit and avail at the breakfast restaurant. When we finally arrived at the breakfast restaurant we were told that the benefit was $15 per person up to two people (we were a party of 3) and the buffet was $35 (ish) per person and there was no ala carte menu soo..... We still sat down. Then the manager came over and said we could have the continental buffet for $15 each but the continental buffet was made up of certain items on the full buffet. So we had to walk over to the buffet and have him point out what was included vs non included. It wasn't a separate table etc. Again clearly a process designed to shame people into getting the full $35 buffet. (We would not have eaten breakfast at all if it weren't a part of the room we signed up for...) Also the temporary breakfast space wasnt a real restaurant and although a cool space was providing none of the waterfront charm expected. Service at breakfast was outstanding...the waiters were so attentive and kind...they were a highlight for sure. Overall I am glad I finally visited because I have always heard all about it. The beach sunset was lovely. Walking around the area across the street was very cool. And its a short walk to some good restaurants. But my actual Hotel Del experience...less than magical and very disappointing.

Our resent stay at the Del was disappointing to say the least. When we booked the staycation in March for Mother's Day weekend, we booked two queens, ocean view in the View. At check in we were routed to a resort view in the Cabana. Our view was the utility tent for the pool towels with bin in and out all day. Also we were across from the elevator, so at times quite the gathering. We got several emails prior highlighting "Fun in the Sun" with food/drinks/relaxing on the sun deck ...it was closed for renovations. We got one promoting the buffet with a picture of the grand ballroom. Turned out to be in the South Point Ballroom and at $185 appears to be a bit of price gouging. The historical tour was lame and not worth $40. We did enjoy serval meals and especially at the Laundry and Serea. Food was great and service made it all the more enjoyable. Housekeeping was another stand out and Angelica was especially helpful several times. With more than half of the Del closed for renovations, a clear heads up would have been nice.

I checked in at 2pm and the receptionist said she would give me an expedited check in. Then I waited until 3:30 so it was not expedited at all. I asked but got the runaround. The worst was when the shower water did not drain. I called for help and it turned out to be a plug of hair and goop that wasn’t cleaned out of the drain. Yuck, I was nauseated for the rest of the night. The light on my porch could not be turned off during the night and I would hear a buzzing noice periodically during the day. All of this for the “group negotiated rate” of $500 a night. Not worth the value,I have stayed at better hotels for much less!!!

We knew it was going to be expensive and we knew about the construction. So even putting those 2 things aside....we were underwhelmed with the service. First of all, they do not offer room service! What? $1,000 per night hotel and you can't have food or water brought to your room? Very bad experience. At the pool bar/restaurant - we were server chicken that was definitely bad - smelled and tasted bad. They comped the meal and apologized, but I would expect much better from the Del. The service was OK - but not 5 star.

Family trip, stayed at the Shore House and loved it. The staff were exceptionally helpful, rooms spotlessly clean. We had housekeeping every day and they did a full clean. The grounds provide plenty to do (food trucks/restaurants/bike rentals/pools and the beach) but the location is also ideal for venturing into San Diego. Would absolutely stay again.