Summer at the Hotel Del Coronado, San Diego.
This hotel was built in 1888 and is famously known for posing as Miami Beach in Billy Wilder's classic film "Some Like It Hot" with Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon.
I've heard that when it was originally constructed, it was made entirely of wood. The hotel is built around a courtyard with a "turret" on one corner facing the beach. Aside from the beautiful construction, it's located right smack dab at the beach which is a rare feature found in American hotels of the period.
The hotel and the area has since expanded. Notice the high-rise condos in the photo above. The Hotel also built a Beach Village as their contribution to the "CONDOTEL" trend of late.
5 The Lobby.
The Hotel Lobby is dark and small but filled with incredible wood detail.
5 The Famous Crown Room.
The Crown room showcases the craftsmanship involved in building this hotel. The chandeliers were allegedly designed by L. Frank Baum, author of The Wizard of Oz. This is home to the famous Hotel Del Weekend Brunch. It cost $69.50++ per person. I'm a big fan of buffets but for that price, I'm going to have to take a nap and a workout in between and finish up in about 6 hours. This photo was taken after the brunch buffet.
5 Sitting Area
Neil relaxing in one of the dramatically lit quiet corners within the hotel.
5 Cottage at the Beach Village
The new Beach Village cottages are privately owned but rented to the public just like a hotel room. This Condotel project is recent and was designed to blend in with the original 1888 structure.
5 Beach Village Boardwalk
The Beach Village includes a boardwalk type area with restaurants, bars and shops which buffers the property from the beach. It's a little tacky and expensive (scoop of ice cream is $4.75). But it can be a pleasant place to relax and take in the view:
After that wonderful afternoon in Coronado, we retired to our "real" hotel - The Hampton Inn.
Say what you will about Paris Hilton, her family runs (mostly) good hotels. This Hampton Inn is located near Sea World but the location is a little seedy with two (straight) nudie bars around the corner.
And the view is SPECTACULAR!
Say what you will about Paris Hilton, her family runs (mostly) good hotels. This Hampton Inn is located near Sea World but the location is a little seedy with two (straight) nudie bars around the corner.
5 The Bedroom
Nice comfy bed and clean uncluttered bedroom configuration.
5 Desk and TV area.
Free internet wifi. Wish there was a flat screen TV and a better operating HVAC.
5 The Bathroom
5 Curved Shower Curtain Rod
How cool is this? Such a simple thing as curving the shower curtain rod can make such a difference to your bathing experience.
5 Shower Interior
The little "window" in the curtain doesn't make the shower feel so claustrophobic.
No comments:
Post a Comment