JEStraveler

Travelling over Labor Day to San Diego with my hubby and 7 year old son. Wanted to stay on Coronado and have looked at The Del and Loews. (Beach Village at the Del was just too pricey - over $1500 a night now - or we would have considered it). We are renting a car and expect to visit Balboa park, zoo, safari and probably Legoland etc but also wanted the option of downtime activities at the hotel - hanging by pool and/or ocean, leisurely meals. We would swing for the more expensive Del from a cost perspective, but have read some reviews that made it sound like the crowds could be stressful. It also sounds like every single activity is an add-on cost so wondered if that gets old. Would appreciate any thoughts from Fodorites who may have stayed at either? (Or if there is a better choice that I am just not aware of). For what it's worth, looked at La Jolla as well (La Jolla Shores) but worried that it would add too much travel time to warrant staying there. Thanks in advance for your advice!

nanabee

Loews is not in Coronado. It is on the Silver Strand which is south of Coronado and about a 10-15 minute drive one way depending on traffic. There is nothing on the Strand (it is just a commuter freeway that connects Coronado with San Diego). The Loews Hotel is nice but it is in a residential community without much to do especially for a 7 year old. You'd have to drive into Coronado and back everyday.

You might check out the www.gloriettabayinn.com which is right across the street from the Hotel Del.

Also the Del is huge - and may have other options. They have a high rise hotel built in the 70's or 80's that might have rooms that would be cheaper than the Beach Village). I would call them and ask.

nanabee

Coronado has lots of community things you can do with a 7 year old. Their municipal pool is also on the Strand but much closer to the City of Coronado. They have lovely parks the main one being on 6th and Orange right across from the public library which has lots of children's activities. You can rent bikes and bike (Coronado is pretty flat which is good for families). And the ocean is clean and safe.

Dukey1

"pretty flat?" I thought the island was totally flat like South Florida LOL. Well we do have hills down here: they're called landfills and overpasses.

nanabee

http://ecoronado.com/news/2012/06/13...h-august-19th/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...alifornia.html

http://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=bike...Coronado%2C+CA

NOTE:
The Marriott also has a resort on Coronado but it is on what is called the San Diego Bay side looking across to downtown. It is a hop from the Coronado Bridge which is your access off the island into downtown and to all the San Diego activities like Balboa Park.

But remember Coronado is only about a mile by a mile so everything is pretty close once you are on the island.

nanabee

Dukey it is about 16 feet above sea level at the highest point which is on Third Street. I know this because I used to have to "climb" that "hill" biking to school when I was a kid. HaHa! So it's pretty flat as you've mentioned.

JEStraveler

Thanks all. Will take a look at the Glorietta Bay. Wondering about the crowd issue at The Del. Did anyone feel it was too busy?

nanabee

Yes it can be quite crowded. It has become a very large complex over the years. Personally I would check out some of the other options on the island. There are so many on Orange Ave that are motels not resorts.

You might also check out El Cordova Hotel and La Avenida Inn which are a block from the beach (across from the Del) right on Orange Ave. They are set back from the street as I recall and I would imagine smaller and quieter.

nanabee

If you don't stay at the Del, you can still go into the hotel and walk around. They have nice restaurants (expensive) and downstairs they have a very nice museum gallery that highlights the impressive and interesting history of the hotel. It was built around 1880. The old original hotel that you see in all the pictures is still grand and impressive and worth spending time checking out.

volcanogirl

We stayed at The Del and loved it. It wasn't too busy for us at all, but I expect it would be much busier over Labor Day. The beach there is really gorgeous.

JEStraveler

Thanks again. Love my fellow Fodorites!

nanabee

volcanogirl, Jes mentioned the cost was quite high did you stay in a different part of the Del? He mentioned Beach Village at the Del for $1500 night. If you have more information on rooms, locations and costs it might help him. The Del is definitely beautiful.

volcanogirl

No, we didn't pay anywhere near that much. I think we paid around $300 or so per night, but we stayed in the older section of the hotel. They gave us a nice upgrade when we got there. I was worried it would be inconvenient to stay there, but SD was just right over the bridge. You really helped us plan our trip, nana, so thank you so much!

For a city hotel, I really like the Hotel Indigo. JES, the USS Midway is also interesting if you have time to tour it.

JEStraveler

JES is a girl! Just booked our room. The Beach Village is a separate section within the hotel (more like time shares) and offers private pool and beach, concierge services and the like. That was $1,500. The main hotel, Hotel Del wasn't as expensive but because it's Labor Day, was starting at more like $400 - $500 depending on room. We ended up booking a Junior King Suite since that guaranteed placement in the old Victorian building (I am a sucker for old hotels) and we have requested an upgrade to an Oceanview if they aren't booked. Really appreciate all the feedback!

volcanogirl

I think you'll really love it if you love historical hotels. They even have a gold elevator with an elevator operator who runs it for you, chandeliers, dark wood. It's really like stepping back in time. Don't miss the sunset at the beach - so pretty. They have a good outdoor pizza spot too and a cute place where you can get ice cream. Our room had a nice little balcony. We liked doing the Old Town Trolley Tour too.

nanabee

Way to go JES! You'll have a great time.

aliced

Just saw this post, and was going to say, no question, go with the Del. You can walk through the little town to restaurants, and the beach is huge, so don't worry about crowds. Your son will enjoy Pt. Loma, up there at the north end where the lighthouse is. Very pretty viewpoint for morning or evening drive. Catch the shuttle over to the bay and sail right over to Downtown SD. While our son& famly are in North County, if I had my way, I'd live on Coronado. LaJ Shores is kind of out of the way, but do eat at Piatti there, been there forever and always delicious and reasonable. Cottage for breakfast/lunch always a must for us in downtown LaJolla (some blocks off Prospect & Girard).

volcanogirl

Yes, good food in La Jolla; we also really liked Brockton Villa and Cody's, pretty views too. The rooftop at George's is pretty spectacular. Be prepared for a little sticker shock at the zoo - it's $50 per person, but we did think it was worth it. It includes a bus tour and free tram access. Very nice.

Fodorite018

I just saw this and agree, you are going to love the Del! That is where we almost always stay and have celebrated so many special events there, even funerals to make lemonade out of lemons We have always stayed in the old historical part of the hotel. I like that the rooms have so much character and each one is a bit different.

If you are there on a Sunday, absolutely do the brunch! It is excellent.