We have narrowed our hotel choices to either Hotel Del or The Grande Colonial - La Jolla. These are very different places. The prices are similar. Want to be near lots to do and will have a rental car. Room size is somewhat important as I'm traveling with my mom and will need two beds and enough room not to drive eachother crazy for a week. Any input is appreciated. Is it far to drive from Coronado Island to San Diego sites? I'm leaning toward the Del, my mom is leaning toward the Colonial...help!! Traveling beginning of Dec.

Although I have never been to the hotel mentioned in La Jolla I would definitely choose a room in the main building at the Del. Make sure you ask for a room in the original building as the new buildings lack the same old San Diego charm. The hotel is historic and Coronado is beautiful. About a 15 min. drive to the zoos and sea world, etc. Also the weekend buffet is nice at the hotel. And the Christmas decorations are beautiful.

Overall, the Del has more facilities and larger rooms than the Colonial. The difference is that the Colonial is smack in the heart of La Jolla. If you really want to be in La Jolla, I'd recommend the La Valencia over the Colonial; I believe that the prices are similar.

The Del is a beautiful classic hotel and close to all if you have a car. It has a great beach and Coronado village is very quaint. You said something about room size and I think (but not sure) that the Del has rather small rooms. I agree that the original part is the best but the rooms there could be too small for you. So check out both the old and new parts of the hotel. Managment can probably help you with that. I am not familiar with the Colonial at all. In fact, I have never heard of it.

There is a nice hotel across the street from the Del, I think it is called the Glorietta Bay. It is the Spreckles Mansion, one of the founders of Balboa Park I think. Very historic and great if you get the best room. You might want to check it out also.

Hotel Del. If you've never been there, its one of those places that you should visit. They have a high tea that is nice, waiters in period costume last time I was there. The bar downstairs has a great revised atmosphere and martini menu. Some shops are there, the Crown room where Nixon held a State Dinner. We stayed in the original section because we are history buffs, and also movie buffs so we loved it. It's one of those hotels you get that aahhh feeling in the lobby.

Coronado is a lot more relaxed and residential, but has great places to eat and even good theatre right in the village. Many locals use their feet or their bikes as their mode of transport on the island. From the Del, it is about 7 or 8 minutes to the zoo,Balboa park, Gaslamp quarter and downtown. Maybe 15 minutes to Fashion Valley, 18 to Mission Beach.
La Jolla is fun town...pretty upscale shopping and lots more cars. It is a much longer drive to downtown San Diego, as you have to do a lot of travel on surface streets before you get the freeway.