Iconic Hotel del Coronado Completes Phase Three of Master Plan Reimagination
August 24, 2021
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ICONIC HOTEL DEL CORONADO COMPLETES PHASE THREE OF MASTER PLAN REIMAGINATION
Extensive Restoration of Historic Front Porch and Lobby, Redesigned Main Entrance and Brand New, The Views ‘Neighborhood’ Now Open
SAN DIEGO (August 24, 2021) – The legendary Hotel del Coronado has reached another milestone in its $400 million Master Plan reimagination with the completion of an extensive and painstaking historic restoration of the hotel’s front porch and lobby, entirely redesigned main entry and drive experience, brand new guest rooms in The Views ‘neighborhood,’ plus completely refreshed retail concepts this August. This third phase of completion follows the summer 2020 opening of The Cabanas ‘neighborhood’ and new main pool, plus four upgraded dining concepts – Sun Deck, Babcock & Story, ENO Market and ENO Pizzeria.
“The Master Plan demonstrates not only our commitment to investing in our guest experience, but also our dedication to reinvigorating Hotel del Coronado’s timeless story,” said General Manager Harold Rapoza. “We are excited to debut this next phase of development and look forward to unveiling the evolution of this legendary resort with expansive historical restorations and enhanced guest experiences that will create memories for generations to come.”
Key elements of Hotel del Coronado’s phase three Master Plan completion include:
- Front Porch & Lobby Restoration
With meticulous attention to historic detail in consultation with Heritage Architecture & Planning, layers of non-historic additions were removed, restoring the lobby and front porch to their original grandeur. A wide veranda that hasn’t been seen since 1961 offers a place for guests to relax in rocking chairs while watching the comings and goings in this beautiful historic setting. A second set of entry stairs was re-created; non-historic windows were replaced; and 21 stained glass windows lost to time were reproduced along with four original stained-glass windows that were refurbished and are being installed in their original locations. The existing 1888 stained-glass Coronation Window was restored and returned to its original location on the second floor, surrounded by intricate brickwork.
In partnership with Wimberly Interiors, the transformation also includes a refresh to the Victorian Building lobby with an expansion of the lobby floor space. The lobby’s original Illinois white oak was stripped and re-stained its original color, allowing for detailed grains and textures to highlight the history and beauty of this treasured material. With a layered design approach inspired by classical elements, palettes are now lighter and brighter, but accents remain anchored in proper Victorian hues. Further adding a vibrant, modern burst to the space, a hand-painted silk wall covering was commissioned and placed behind the reception desk. Custom made by de Gournay and titled Amazonia, the wall covering is a whimsical depiction of tropical animals in a garden setting in reference to the wildlife that once lived in the Garden Patio. It serves as a showstopping focal point for guests in the first moments of entering the hotel. The hotel’s iconic birdcage elevator also received mechanical upgrades to operate automatically, though it also has an “attendant mode” so guests can continue to enjoy the novelty of having the assistance of an elevator operator in a buttoned uniform and pillbox cap. The front grate of the elevator has also been recreated to reflect the original mesh design. Wood beams throughout the lobby were reinforced with steel, plus a new period-appropriate wood parquet floor and carpet was installed, with both recreations of and original Victorian-era fixtures. Adding to the historical grandeur of the space, the lobby is now also crowned by a new chandelier featuring hand-blown glass and cut crystal inspired by the original that graced the lobby in 1888.
- Main Entry
A completely redesigned main entry in its original location will create a grand and historic sense of arrival. Guests will approach the hotel from Orange Avenue with a new drive that frames a grand view of the hotel’s iconic turret along with a newly redesigned porte-cochere and central fountain. Additional improvements to the main entry include a signalized intersection with pedestrian crosswalk connecting the hotel with the bay and marina.
- The Views ‘Neighborhood’
The Views ‘neighborhood’ offers a pre- and post-adventure outpost for active guests and is situated right on the beach, featuring 217 enhanced guest rooms and suites. The fully renovated building boasts an upscale coastal design in seafoam and driftwood with new glass balcony railings to allow uninterrupted views. Ground level rooms feature luxurious outdoor terraces with fire pits for guests to enjoy the picturesque Coronado evenings.
- Windsor Lawn
Framed by swaying palm trees, lush landscaping and nestled against the hotel’s iconic Victorian building, the expansive Windsor Lawn directly overlooks the Pacific, rendering it ideal for alfresco cocktails or an outdoor event for up to 700 guests. The revitalized Windsor Lawn features new turf, trees, landscaping, lighting, power, and a complete restructuring of the Paseo Lawns into one larger space (with beach access relocated to the north and south ends).
- Retail
Reflecting the quintessential Southern California coastal mindset, Weekends boutique offers a curated selection of casual apparel from a variety of notable brands including L Space, Vuori, Beach Riot, Spiritual Gangster, Melissa Odabash, Seafolly 9Seed and more. Guests looking for a unique selection of gifts and home décor inspired by the California beach-loving lifestyle can visit Beachouse. From alfresco tabletop entertaining pieces and cozy beach blankets to bespoke Hotel del Coronado gifts and signature scents, Beachouse has it all.
- Ice House Museum
Built in 1889, the hotel’s former working ice house has been restored to serve as a museum showcasing the hotel’s storied past. Along with permanent and rotating exhibit space, the Ice House Museum serves as the starting place for the hotel’s history tours, as well as a unique venue for private events.
- Power Plant Meeting Space
Initially built to provide power to the hotel and the island of Coronado, this historic space has been restored and reimagined as a unique co-working and meeting space at The Del.
Additional information on Hotel del Coronado’s new resort offerings and full resort health and safety procedures can be found on hoteldel.com. Interactive details and upcoming milestone updates in the property’s Master Plan completion can be viewed on masterplan2022.hoteldel.com.
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About Hotel del Coronado
Set on one of America’s most iconic beaches, the legendary Hotel del Coronado and Beach Village at The Del have welcomed discerning travelers for more than 133 years to experience the Southern California coastal lifestyle at its best. Here, the magic and nostalgia of the property’s storied past blends seamlessly with contemporary luxury in overnight and day experiences that offer every amenity imaginable.
About Wimberly Interiors
Wimberly Interiors, a design studio of WATG, has established itself at the forefront of hospitality design, delivering inspired designs that integrate reality with emotion, and ranking 59th in Interior Design Giants of Design Top 100 of 2020 and 19th in the 2020 Top 100 Hospitality Giants.
In 2020, Wimberly Interiors designed projects in over 20 countries on five continents on behalf of distinguished brands such as Ritz-Carlton and Ritz-Carlton Reserve, EDITION, W Hotels, Dream Hotel Group, Moxy, Hotel del Coronado, Nusr-Et, Park Hyatt, Four Seasons, Rosewood, Viceroy, Fairmont and Belmond. The firm’s exceptional designs begin with a compelling story and a spirit of curiosity that inform and intrigue guest experiences with unique expression.
Winner of over 60 awards and accolades, the studio’s marquis hospitality projects include the Hotel Del Coronado, Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island, Belmond Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Nusr-Et Beverly Hills, The EDITION Abu Dhabi, Dream Hotel Downtown New York, Marquee New York, Chroma Seoul, Bellagio Shanghai, Rosewood Baha Mar, Four Seasons Los Angeles, Bentley Suite at The St. Regis New York, Hotel 50 Bowery NYC, Viceroy Kopaonik Serbia, Fairmont Taghazout Bay and Viceroy Ombria Resort in Portugal.
Wimberly Interiors has strategic design studios in New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore and Shanghai.
