My wife would like to go to SD on our 23rd anniversary and spend two nights at Hotel Del and then three nights at Rancho Valencia Resort. What are your thoughts about the old grand hotel for two nights if I could acquire a nice Jr. Suite with an ocean view. Thanks.

it's wonderful, you won't be sorry! ;-)

Oh, definitely go Ike! My family was just there for two days and it was heaven. In fact, my husband is insisting we spend our 25th ann. there in a few years!
Both mornings, I woke up early and joined a few other early birds to walk the beautiful beach out front and get some ocean air and excercise. Totally safe, very clean.
The hotel bakery is open early for coffee junkies. We love the hotel, we love Coronado. Also, we enjoyed a two hour bay cruise while visiting. It really was exciting. My younger son saw the Stilletto, used by Navy Seals(he wants to be one someday), and we saw submarines at the other side of the bay towards Point Loma.
I hope it works out for you and your wife. When is your anniversary? Congratulations in advance! J.

Thanks Jetset1........our anniversary is 8/13/06........Have you been to Rancho Velencia. I would like to stay 2/3 nights at two different resorts......any suggestion for the 2nd one. Looks like I will go to Hotel Del.

I haven't stayed at Rancho Valencia as I live quite close to it. It's a lovely place, quite different to the Hotel Del in that it's very quiet. The only people you'll see are either staying there or visiting for dinner or something. Not the walk-through tourists that the Del gets.

I think you need to tell us more about why you want a second location and what you want out of it. I love Coronado and while the Del is a bit pricey for what it is, the location and ambiance can't be beat.

I've not been to Rancho Santa Fe so can't judge either the hotel or the location, but it gets great reviews on tripadvisor.

I love downtown La Jolla, but there's no high end resort of that order there. The Lodge at Torrey Pines is another idea.

HI..
I would stay 3 nights at the Del and 2 nights at the Rancho Valencia Resort in the Ranch..La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla owns Rancho Valencia too and it is a very exclusive quiet resort..more for the tennis players and alot of celebs go there because it is a gorgeous quiet getaway.. I love Rancho Santa Fe..Mille Fleurs Restaurant is one of the best in the country and I would suggest you take your wife for a lovely country french meal..
Downtown La Jolla would be another consideration if you are spending that kind of money would be either La Valencia Hotel or The Lodge at Torrey Pines is nice too..
lavalencia.com
ranchovalencia.com
lodgetorreypines.com

Have a wonderful time and Happy Anniversary!

No Ike, we didn't stay at the Valencia, but were totally impressed with the service/accomodations at the Del. The beach area and proximity to San Diego, but mostly the safe and relaxed atmosphere kept us there.
A highlight was talking to a gal in a shop at the Del whose brother was a Navy Seal. Suddenly, my eleven yr. old didn't mind shopping with me!

the hotel del is magical, historical, special for your special event!

The Hotel Del is also undergoing major construction/expansion on the North side. We were there on a Sunday, so I'm not sure how disruptive this would be during the week.

Thanks for the help. I like to travel and usually have 2/3 hotels that I would like to visit on a 6/7 day trip. In HI we usually make at least two islands. Sometimes we rent a car and drive around staying a night at several different places. Lots of trouble packing and unpacking but we get to see the places we have always wanted to go to. I want to go to Rancho Velencia because it's a member of Relais and Chateaux. We have stayed at 30 something RC properties in the U. S. and Canada. We also want to stay at The Del because of it's historic reputation. Thanks again.

When staying at the Del, make sure you stay in the historical or older building. There is a newer hotel that is nice, but different than the main building.