The grounds of the del are really wonderful but the rooms and service need updating - especially for the price that you pay. We were there for a conference and even with the conference 'discount rate' our room was still $300/nt, plus $15 fee, plus another tax, plus plus plus...it was crazy. I have no problem paying for nice hotel rooms but the cost for this hotel is ridiculous. Our room was one of the updated rooms and it was fairly small with a bathroom that literally only one person could fit in at a time - the closet was larger then the bathroom! They are doing major renovations and the whole place smelled of paint the entire time we were there. The front desk people are extremely rude and it seems like all the service staff there have attitude. The building is 100-some years old so the floor boards literally squeak, and the doors do not fit the frames so I would bring blindfolds for the evening since a ton of light will come into your room. We were also there with our 9-month old son and there is literally NO place for babies to crawl around. They have a great kid and teen area but nothing for those under 4. Also we requested the crib but ended up just using our pack n play - the crib was metal with bumpers so that was a no-go for me. We did use the babysitting service they recommended to us and that was amazing - they sent over this lovely woman Caprice and she watched our son for three evenings - she was just wonderful with him so I would highly recommend the babysitting service (which will go to any hotel).

Everything on Coronado the island is crazy expensive - think of it as a mini Hawaii with the prices and horrible food. We ended up going to San Diego most evenings for dinner. Cab ride each way is about $17, there is also the ferry that is $7 round trip (and was really fun to take) and some days we rented a car for $45. Went to Davanti Enoteca for dinner and it was amazing - look up their menu and I'm sure you'll want to go there as well! Also went to Donovan's Steakhouse - they offer a shuttle service that will pick you up and drop you off if you are dining there, which is a very nice bonus! Also ate at Seersucker which was hip and trendy but great food. The SD zoo is amazing and a must visit if you are there. We also went to the glider port at La Jolla for hang gliding and paragliding. While it was amazing - even if you don't go paragliding it's still a wonderful spot to visit and they have a really great sandwich place there as well. Overall we had a really great vacation, but we will not be staying at the del next time we visit the San Diego area. Frankly if the conference wasn't there and we weren't able to expense it we would have moved hotels after the first evening. I would suggest staying at a different, cheaper hotel and then walking down the beachfront and just checking out the del for pictures etc. It really is beautiful but just not worth it in my mind.

We visited the Del for a work-related conference located there, and stayed 3 nights. The room was in the main building and had a view of the loading docks. Upon entering the lobby, the place is pretty breathtaking and you can tell much time and money has been spent maintaining the old architectural details. The "birdcage" type elevator is a nice touch. The hallways and our room was very well kept and modern. I was expecting the decor to be outdated, but everything was very nice. 12 ft ceilings with crown molding and 2 ceiling fans. Large windows with shutters that let the ocean breeze in. We had 2 bathrooms in our room. The beaches and views around this hotel are hard to beat. There are plenty of things to do and see around the hotel, and Coronado itself. A photo shoot for Jaguar was taking place in the parking lot of this place. It's hard to imagine a better location for a hotel. The staff helpful and seemed nice. It's definitely in the top 3 hotels I've ever stayed. I would highly recommend and will hopefully return some day.

This hotel has been an icon in San Diego even before it was the location for the movie "Some Like it Hot". First-time visitors to San Diego MUST visit "the Del", even if only to stroll the grounds and see the old photos. Staying at the Del is another issue. Do not stay here for relaxation, exemplary service or luxury. The hotel is an old wooden structure that is noisy and (surprise) full of, and catgering to, yakking tourists. However, to stay one or two nights can create a great memory, especially if you are located near the (rumored) haunted room. The villas on the beach are another story. They are spacious, private, and well appointed but they are still on a very busy beach.

This is one of, if not THE nicest place we've ever stayed. Not only is it breathtakingly beautiful, but you feel like you're going back in time when you step inside the hotel. The entire staff, from the front desk, to the housekeepers, to the people working in the shops, the wait staff...they all treated us like royalty. Everyone called us by name which makes you feel like you're the most important person they've encountered all day. They go above and beyond the call of duty to make your stay a pleasant and memorable one. You could stay for a month and never have to leave the property and be perfectly content. Everything is right there at your fingertips!