Review: Hotel del Coronado, Curio Collection by Hilton

How did it strike you on arrival?
You can spot the iconic red turrets from the plane. The beachfront Victorian-style hotel is grand, a San Diego icon featured in the Marilyn Monroe flick Some Like It Hot. Hilton bought the Del, so you're bound to see a few chain-hotel qualities though (like a generic bathroom).

It feels less like a traditional resort and more like a retail complex open to the public, with shops, restaurants, walking paths, and an ice skating rink during the holidays (in addition to its guest rooms).

What’s the crowd like?
You'll see couples, families, low-key bachelorette parties, celebrities in town for Comic-Con, and business travelers.

Importantly: Tell us about the rooms.
The Victorian building has old-school vibes with Queen Anne-style architecture, while California Cabanas and Ocean View Towers skew more modern and are located closer to the beach and pool.

If you really want to splash out, book a room in the Beach Village, the Del's secluded cottages by the ocean with a private valet and separate entrance that was renovated at the end of 2023. Decor in all is simple, clean, and unfussy—nothing crazy to note. That said, know that the appeal here is the hotel as a whole, not just your room. Doubles at Hotel del Coronado start at $369, and Beach Village cottages start at $925. Or, opt for the Shore House, a new build that feels like home.

How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that worth a mention?
The TV streams Netflix, Pandora, YouTube, Hulu (included in the daily resort fee).

Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.
While the rest of the hotel is pretty epic, the bathrooms are ho-hum—and small.

We all need some good Wi-Fi. What’s the word on that?
The $35 resort fee is lumped into the room rate and includes Wi-Fi, as well as beach yoga, in-room Netflix, and discount tickets to Legoland and other area landmarks.

Room service: Worth it?
Room service here will cost you a bit—more than $20 for a breakfast omelet.

Anything other fun features we didn't get to?
The Del's fun Beach Spin class ($35) takes stationary cycling outdoors, with an ocean view and music played via Beats headphones. Or if spin's not your thing, the Jamie O’Brien Surf Experience is the first and only surf school by world-renowned pro surfer Jamie O’Brien on the mainland. Also, Nobu, the global icon of sushi, opens on-site in 2025!

If you're bringing your dog, they offer in-room doggy dining, and the hotel is next to one of San Diego's best off-leash dog beaches.

What was most memorable about your stay?
The beautiful architecture.

Bottom line: worth it, and why?
It's no doubt pricey, but it's the most historic, iconic place to stay in San Diego.