I had arrived… Just two hours south of LA found us at the apex of the Coronado Bridge with a breath-taking view of Coronado Island. The brick-red spiraled roofs, speckled with windows, and resembling lighthouses, were our first hint of a magical place. The lush, almost tropical entrance is loaded with Hibiscus, Banana, and sky scraping Palm trees that line the driveway of this traditional-classic-English-luxury-resort in San Diego, California. The Del stands like a monument, a piece of California history, bright white and deep red, contrasting the sandy beach and blue ocean that stretches for miles. This 115-year old, Victorian Landmark was the vision of Elisha Babock and H.L. Story in 1888. The Del has remained true to its classic sense of style and was just updated by a $55 million, two-year restoration project. It has stood up against the test of time, now it was my turn. The lobby's architecture instantly time-transported us back to the early 20th century, into what felt more like a train station than a hotel. We would later find out, coincidentally, that the architects who designed the Hotel del Coronado, acquired their experience by building train stations. Traditional charm is provided by the dark Mahogany wood furnishings and warm-toned floral carpeting—so inherent throughout the hotel. After checking in, we loaded into the antique Otis Elevator and we were on our way up to our suite. The Room… As the black iron gates of the Otis parted for our exit, we headed down the extra-wide, golden pin-stripped hallway, indicative of The Del’s grand-scale. The floral carpeting, seen throughout the hotel, takes on slightly different hues in each area. The ocean air greeted us as we entered the Jr. Suite with its “updated Victorian theme.” San Francisco based design firm, Brayton & Hughes, has elegantly restored the interiors using hand-carved-mahogany armoires, coffee and end tables, red-checkered lounge chairs, and a cozy little sofa to create a comfortable, “at home” environment. The king size bed covered in Brunshwig & Fils bedspreads with plenty of pillows sits right next to the door. The small bathroom was unimpressive and quite common feeling, especially for a Jr. suite. Period-looking hexagonal-tiled floors, freestanding vanity, washbasin and a small shower with curtain were all there were to it. But the best part was just beyond the enormous glass windows and sliding doors, out onto the large balcony, with two white-wicker rocking chairs. The setting sun was our cue to shed the clothes, grab the bathrobes, and begin de-stressing Del style. We initiated our relaxation protocol with our complimentary bottle of The Del’s Cabernet and platter of cheeses and breadsticks, graciously left for us by The Del’s Public Relations Department. So, here we were, sipping Cabernet, enveloped in the most comfortable luxury bathrobes. My sweetheart, Jasmine and I tracked the setting sun into the Pacific Ocean—all from the vantage point of our beautiful suite at the Hotel del Coronado hotel. A backdrop of waves hitting the shore and the lightly rustling palms created a remote-island-soundtrack, just the way I’d envisioned this historic property to be. In Good Spirits… The sun is down, we’re relaxed, rejuvenated and ready for some fun, so it’s off in search of some good spirits! Elisha Babock and H.L. Story had a vision that The Del would become the “talk of the western world”, but I’ll bet they didn’t have a clue how good the Signature B&S Margarita would be at the Babock & Story Bar! We grabbed a seat at the grand 46-foot handcrafted mahogany bar (imported by ship around Cape Horn in 1888) and ordered, “One B&S please.” Matching mahogany tables accompanied by wicker chairs, and cozy love seats and well-placed warm-colored Persian rugs filled the spaces between looming indoor palms. Although the warm environment was buzzing with activity there is still a slow resort pace. In one corner, a guest grabbed a cozy chair and read a book, while in another old friends shared laughs, as young honeymooners envisioned lifetimes in each other’s eyes. One could spend hours doing absolutely nothing…that is until your stomach starts to growl. In that case, adjacent to the B&S Bar is The Del’s casual dining choice, Sheerwater. The night air was soft and warm, so we decided to dine al fresco on the patio—the perfect way to top off the evening. Food was right on the money and the service was excellent. The menu offers a mixture of seafood and classic western dishes, with a Del flare on every one. I had the Filet Mignon wrapped in smoked Apple wood-Bacon on a bed of Crispy Onions. Delicious! The breakfast buffet is a must as well, and don’t be afraid to indulge in the selection of fine pastries. Adequately sized tables and Palack whicker chairs overlook the ocean on the outdoor patio, all allowing time to slip away as you become lost at sea. For the chillier nights, the patio is well equipped with heat lamps, so you can always enjoy the ocean view and beautiful hotel landscape. The Spa… After letting breakfast settle, we took a short walk over to the spa where I was to receive an especially relaxing customized Del Massage. We walked slowly, taking in the ocean vistas while the sun cast glowing rays over the lush Windsor Lawn. Half the job was done by the time we reached the spa. As we entered the spa we were greeted by name by an extremely friendly assistant, sporting a bright smile and a cheery voice. Jasmine found the women’s locker room and lounge extremely comfortable. Inside were comfy chairs with footrests, and her personal favorite, a full vanity with soft, bright light, perfect for reapplying make-up. Added touches were the body lotion, powder, hair spray, antiperspirant and Q-tips. Soft new age music and large plants added calm to the already soothing ambiance. Adjacent to the locker room is a steam room, and just steps away are a truly enormous, and notably clean whirlpool. The Spa includes a fitness center featuring state-of-the-art exercise and weight-training equipment and large bay windows that overlook the beautiful Pacific Ocean. Now for the best part, the massage! As if I wasn’t already planning my next visit, let me just tell you, the massage alone is worth a drive to Hotel del Coronado Hotel. In the massage suite, calming ocean sounds shared the room with a sweet aromatic scent wafting pleasantly throughout the air. The Masseuse entered and after our brief, yet very thorough interview, to target my areas of tension, he went to work. As I lay on the table receiving what’s called the ‘Del Massage’ I felt the tension and strain leave my body with each calculated stroke of his hands. At the end, I was by no means ready to get up and go and nearly fell asleep right there on the table. Later on, our masseuse, Phil was kind enough to give us a short tour of the grounds. He escorted us around the courtyard to the Crown Room, which can only be described as exquisite. This 13,500 square foot ballroom has been fully restored. Each plank of the 33 foot-high, rib vaulted pine ceiling has actually been replaced! The four brass-and-velvet diadem chandeliers have been fully refurbished, reportedly designed by L. Frank Baum, Author of the Wizard of Oz. Legend has it that the Del inspired the Emerald City in the famous 1930’s tale. Landscaping in front of the ballroom is equally breathtaking, wrapping around the hotel like a lovers park, directly in front of the endless stretch of beach. Here, on these romantic grounds, park benches sit strategically overlooking the ocean, which is often occupied by sailboats, yachts, speedboats, and water ferries. A cobblestone walkway encircles the Windsor Lawn in front of the Sheerwater and Prince of Wales restaurants and the Windsor Cottage, once the home of Wallis Simpson (the Coronado socialite who married the Prince of Wales. (It is rumored the two may have met during the Prince’s 1920 visit to The Del). The cottage is now used for weddings, parties, and special events. Just past the lawn is the recently updated pool area. Two lap lanes were added to the sparkling pool and a large whirlpool was installed. We strolled back through the courtyard to our room to prepare for dinner at The Prince of Wales. It was no wonder why The Del was recently named the #2 Best Place to get Married in the World by the Travel Channel. If not in the magnificent Crown Room or Windsor lawn overlooking the Pacific, you also have a large and lush courtyard area anchored by an ornately decorated gazebo. The Prince of Wales… As we came down the short spiral staircase into Prince of Wales, we were again greeted by name, as if we were the guests of honor. The customer service is consistently warm and gracious, a tradition at The Del that has been beautifully retained for over a century. We were seated, and the setting was lovely. The live pianist’s soothing ballads were a nice touch to the romance this establishment inspires. The walls were covered with various sizes of historical photographs of The Del’s history. Each piece beautifully framed to match the gold and ivory toned décor. Flickering candles and a soft Merlot completed our setting. For dinner I opted to pass on the $75 dollar Filet Mignon, having had one at Sheerwater’s the night before. However, the Grilled Prime Rib turned out to be a delicious choice. Excellently prepared and presented with melt-in-your-mouth whipped potatoes and grilled veggies. After dinner we walked out onto the beach for some stargazing, the ideal end to an overly romantic evening. Lastly… Overall, our experience at The Del was too quick! Just as soon as our tempo had slowed, we were on our way back up to the busier side of Southern California. Not only is the classic Hotel del Coronado hotel a glimpse back in time, it is as relaxing and romantic as an island retreat. We’ll definitely be back this summer! The Style Group would like to thank the warm staff at The Del for such a wonderful experience. Zachary Self, Style Director