There are few places in San Diego that are as iconic as the Hotel del Coronado, located in the Coronado area cross from the Bay. The hotel’s background is filled with stories of famous authors, visits from Hollywood elite during the “Golden Age” of film, and even a few supernatural tales throughout its halls.

 

Built in 1888, the Victorian-style Hotel is set just on the beach to overlook the waves and horizon of the Pacific Ocean. The hotel was originally designed to cater to the well-to-do, and attracted quite a notable legacy of guests. L. Frank Baum was said to have written “The Wizard of Oz” during his stays, and the Hotel del was the setting for Marilyn Monroe’s screwball comedy “Some Like It Hot”. For those who enjoy the prospect of a potential experience into the unknown, the ghost of Kate Morgan is said to haunt one of the rooms, waiting for her husband who never arrived.

 

While built as a premiere resort, it is not uncommon to see non-hotel visitors or local residents spend an afternoon on the beach, or sipping coffee and listening to piano music in one of the lobbies. The hotel also provides several quality restaurants and a shopping promenade, which features clothing, jewelry, toys and souvenirs.

 

For those wanting to fully pamper themselves during their stay, the hotel offers a spa for massages, facials and body restoration, or for the more athletic, surfing or tennis.

 

The Hotel del Coronado is designed for that oft-needed quiet and restful getaway, offering an unforgettable experience with its beachfront atmosphere and classic-styled architecture. Visiting the hotel is almost like stepping back through time to a simpler age, and is ideal for those wanting to slow things down for a relaxing change of pace.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 12th, 2007 at 4:43 am and is filed under Writing Samples, Travel Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.