Narrowed San Diego hotels to two choices: Loews Coronado or Mariott Coronado. Loews is available as a package but is the Marriott "nicer"?

Both are good choices. Would choose Marriott because of its location on the beach. Also the Loews is about 10 mins further out of Coronodo. The rooms are quite nice at Loews though. Depends on which is more important to you. Have fun!

Liz- The Marriot is very nice, but it is on the Bay, not Coronado Beach. Loews is not in Coronado proper...it is down the strand (a highway)about 5 minutes from the hotel del and is also on the Bay. Both are very attractive resorts with great rooms and food.

Personally, I'd choose a room in the old part of the Del, or one with a view at the Glorietta Bay Inn. Both have a lot more character, are closer to the beach, and in the "town" part of Coronado.

i'd choose the marriott just because of it's location. easier walking to places.

I've stayed in both. The Loews is nicer but the rooms at the Marriot are bigger. Because of the convenience many companies hold sales meetings and conferences at the Marriot and the hotel is often booked solid and the grounds are crowded - especially the pool. The Marriot also has tennis and basketball courts. The Loews has easier access to the beach as it is accross the street from Silver Stand Highway. The hotel offers electric shuttle cart service to the beach but you can walk the 300-400 yards also. The food is much better at the Loews although you won't have the choices of going outside and walking like you do at the Marriot. The Loews brunch is consistently rated as one of the top in SD and their 5 star restaurant in the hotel is also. If you have a car the location of the Loews would not make it much more difficult. It's only 3-4 miles from downtown Coronado and you can easily rent a bike to ride there which is fun. It's just down to personal preferences and give and take.

I'm partial to Leow's. Much more charming and has more character than Marriott. Although Marriott has a view of the city.

I too have narrowed my trip to these two choices -- from what I read, the Loews is nicer. I am concerned about the post in the Fodor's hotels section which states the the guest stayed away from her Marriott room because it was soo old and the furniture was stained. Can anyone verify? I want a lovely room with a clean luxurious bathroom. Right now both hotels are same price

kindra, How soon do you have to know?
We're booked there for a 6-2/4th stay and will post a quick trip report.

We like the "remoteness" of the hotel.

I learned how to body surf at the Silver Strand when I was a kid and haven't been back to that beach since the early 80s so it should be fun.
Kal
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Thanks Kal -- that would be great. Did you guys look into the Marriott at all? I am not going for a couple months so a short trip report would be great.

We just bid for, I think, a 4 hotel on Coronado thru Priceline and got it.

I took a peek at biddingfor travel and saw it was a good chance that I'd get the Loews.

And since family will be staying at The Del, for almost 3x as much, we'll be down there.
I looks like a nice place for Mrs Kal to recover from the Rock and Roll Marathon.

I shall keep you posted.
Koronado Kal

I just came back from a weekend at the Loews Coronado. As others have written, it is a bit remote from the main town but is otherwise very nice. The rooms were larger than I expected. We had a regular room, not an upgrade, but it was attractive with a large seating area and a decent view. The swimming pools were heated so it was comfortable to swim even on a somewhat chilly and grey day. One pool is reserved for adults only, which I liked since I enjoy doing laps. The spa area is undergoing renovation right now. Having no spa didn't matter to us, but is something to consider. Also, there will probably be some construction noise weekdays, though there was no work happening on the weekend. I'd request a room away from the construction if I went back during the week. A nice ocean beach is an easy walk down a trail and the bay area and boating are right outside the hotel. I would definitely go back. I have not stayed at the Marriott, so can't compare it.

I, too, have stayed at Loews Coronado Bay Resort and enjoyed it very much. It is a bit remote, but not a big deal if you have a car. It took about five minutes or so to get to town. The resort is lovely and I recommend it.

Thanks everyone. Miranda, I don't usually do spa services, but I thought they had a spa in a temporary location? Is the gym still open?

Yes they do have a temporary gym set up. I was busy with group activities so never got a chance to check it out but I did see signs pointing the way. Also, some spa services like massage are available in your room. And my room came with a coupon good for a couple of free spa services should I return in 2004. As I recall, the hotel was also waiving the fee to use the tennis courts to help make up for the less than ideal gym and spa facilities. If particular equipment is important to you, I'd suggest calling the hotel to get the latest developments here. As I said, none of this bothered me in the least as I was totally busy with group activities, the pool, sailing, and the beach.

One small thing I really liked about this hotel was the gift shop sold fresh fruit by the piece. One afternoon I was hungry and it was nice to be able to purchase an orange for 75 cents.

Aloohaaa,
I called them a few mins ago and got the same scoop.

In-room massage from a local service.

All I wanted to know was if the Azzura Point Bar was open.
It ain't easy watching a loved one run a marthon, ya know.
Koach Kal