Oh - thanks for catching that. I can see how my post could be confusing.

There is not much soundproofing at all in the old building.We could hear people talking in their rooms a few doors down even.

Wow we've done both during our last trip there! They are very different. I've been to 5 star Ritz's and Four Season's but there is something about the Auberge that I love. I think it's mainly the town. It is right in the middle of town. The ocean is to the back of the hotel--(not really and oceanside resort) it is very small but very cozy. It has a great restaurant. My husband and I went (without the kids) for couples, I love it. If you're bringing kids stay the the Del. If you have enough time try doing both. We'd wake up at the Auberge go outside to a little terrace have coffee and walk along the town. It has a nice location and you can visit San Diego from there or some of the other coastal towns (Laguna, etc). The people are soooooo friendly in Del Mar and I didn't have a bad dining experience once. There is a cool Mexican restaurant on the 2nd floor right across from Auberge if you stay there that is worth a try.

The Del is a very big resort with an enourmous beach. It is right next to the air force base so it is kinda cook to see the fighter pilots flying in.( It isn't too noisy) The Del is a throwback in time. Staff is dressed in old fashioned dress and the hotel is very Victorian looking. It is very charming but definately a resort where the Auberge is more of a boutique style hotel.

If you choose the Del be careful or payup for a large better positioned room. We had a large room (but rumor is some are very very small) but we looked out onto the parking lot. You'll love either hotel. My personal best vacation experience is at the Auberge (it's not the most luxurious but it definately was magical)

p.s. When I refer to The Dell (I mean the Del Coronado no Del Mar) Also, I don't think the L'auberge was that fancy like some of the other posts. It is very very nice but needs a little something that I can't quite put my finger on.
I think it is an easy decision--
1. If you have kids with you stay in Coronado and visit Del Mar
2. If you are couples only- stay at L'Auberge and visit Del Coronado

To Sher11: Thanks for your tips. Can you please let me know why you think Del Coronado is better with kids? We will indeed have our two small children with us, but we were leaning heavily towards L'Auberge Del Mar because we heard rooms at the Del Coronado could be noisy and possibly not so nice.

But given that you visited both places recently, I respect your input!! Please just let me know why you advised as you did. FYI, dividing our time between the two is not a good option for us.

Thank you again!

There are more things to do at the resort itself at the Del Coronado. Large spacious beaches, Watching the airplanes, definately a resort type place (the Grand Floridian at Disney Fl.was modeled after the Del). It is more spacious and spread out with lots of space to explore. It is, however, not really walking distance from stores, restaurants.

The L'Auberge on the other hand is more romantic and intimate (yes, intimate is a good word to describe it). It is a quieter place with not much to do within the resort (there is a pool though). You need to go outside of the resort into the quaint town. The town is quaint and the beach is nice (but not as nice as the Coronado). Depends on what you are looking for. If you will be out and exploring the area most of the time the L'Auberge will be fine, but if you like to lounge around the hotel you'd be happier at the Del Coronado.

I love Del Mar and L'Auberge is lovely.
Hotel Del is no slouch either but the rooms can be old and somewhat dated unless you go for the tower..
Del Mar is gorgeous with cute shops and restaurants and beautiful beaches.. I don't think you will be going in the ocean but I know you will be hanging out and the park at the end of 15th street is wonderful to watch the ocean.. J Taylor's, the restaurant in L'Auberge is fantastic..Jake's is always good and a block away on the ocean along with the Poseidon..very laid back town..used to live there for many years.
Hotel Del would be more wheelchair friendly to some degree since everything is all flat.. hotel, city and it would be easy to navigate..
Coronado beach was voted one of the top 10 beaches in the US..
Hotel Del is more kid friendly..
I think you should go to Coronado your first time around with the kids and all will be pampered!
Best to you.

We have stayed at the Del quite a bit, including with our children (and even when I was a child with my parents). I cannot comment on the Del Mar, since I have not been there though.

We have always stayed in the original section at the Del. The rooms do vary in size, but just call and ask for a larger room. We have always had nice rooms (no wear and tear showing) and never had a problem with noise. I hope some of this helps in your decision.

Have to correct one thing in the above post....The entire main street (Orange Avenue)of Coronado is twelve blocks long, and the Del is at the end-12th block- of Orange. Most of the shops are on Orange between 9th and the Del.

Many good places to eat within one block of the Del- two good Mexican places, an Asian fusion place, an old fashioned steak & seafood place, an Irish place, even a Marie Calendars!

ooops..I left my computer for a while and see it is no longer the above post that talks about walking distances.

Sorry :-[

I mispoke a bit regarding walking to area's around the Del. We really didn't walk around while we were at the Del Coronado. It is very different than the L'Auberge. The L'Auberge is a town as soon as you walk out the door. The Coronado you have to look for it a bit. What I really meant was that it is not the same as the town of Del Mar.

Can't help with the hotel (although the del Coronado is one of those destination places I'd love to stay at).

We went down to Carlsbad a year ago for Legoland and really enjoyed it. We found many different kinds of activities including things a 2 year old would enjoy. Disneyland and Southern California with Kids has a chapter on Legoland worth reading.

It was so much more relaxing than Disneyland -- many people attending were actually locals who have year-passes.