Today, The Del stands as a destination in its own right, divided into “neighborhoods,” all anchored by the lovingly restored Victorian building, with a restored lobby, front porch and a new grand entry debuted in 2021. This iconic building now features a wide veranda with rocking chairs, stained-glass windows and beautifully reimagined guest rooms that blend Victorian charm with modern touches and amenities.
For those planning meetings and events, The Del’s five diverse neighborhoods provide opportunities to customize each program to best suit the gathering’s objectives. C-level board meetings or incentive programs are an ideal fit for the luxury and intimacy of the oceanfront Shore House or Beach Village, which feature one, two- and three-bedroom cottages and villas or traditional guestrooms. The contemporary style of The Views and The Cabanas, and their proximity to meeting space and The Del’s entertainment core provide convenience, and the charm of the National History Landmark Victorian offers a truly one-of-a-kind experience.
“People always ask me, ‘Does it make you feel sad to see things change?’ And the answer is that innovation and change have been part of The Del experience since the day she opened,” says Gina Petrone, Heritage Manager at Hotel del Coronado. “The Del has always been evolving, which keeps the experience fresh and relevant for travelers. The restoration and revitalization has brought about a revival of our historic spaces and the addition of modern living elements—the best of both worlds. For example, just as we’re completing the major restoration of historic Victorian guestrooms, we’re also opening Nobu Del Coronado, a modern oceanfront culinary experience.”
Read on to discover why Hotel del Coronado is the ideal place to host your next meeting or event.
Restoring the Glory of the Victorian Building
When reimagining the Victorian Building, designers sought to honor its rich history while introducing modern touches and lighter hues. Petrone, the hotel’s historian, along with the resort's original blueprints, also played a role in informing the restoration process.
Traditional floral textiles were reimagined in fresh, uplifting hues, moving away from the darker tones typically associated with the period, explains Liana Hawes Young, Creative Director at Wimberly Interiors, which led the transformative renovation. “The color palette takes cues from the California coastline to create a soft, calming feel throughout the space,” she says.
To balance rich materials with airy textures, designers blended caning and wicker with dark wood finishes in ebony and walnut. The headboards, crafted from woven vinyl raffia, maintain a classic Victorian silhouette with elegant curves and carved details, while floral wallcoverings behind them provide intricate, organic backdrop, Hawes Young says.
“Lighting adds a touch of romantic elegance, with Victorian-inspired fixtures and blue-and-white Chinoiserie lamps acting as key accents,” she says. “Trims and tassels, a hallmark of the era, are used sparingly to add texture and detail without feeling overly ornate.”
In the bathrooms, the design team went with a classic checkerboard marble floor, complemented by smaller mosaic tiles in the showers for a refined, period-appropriate look. The vanities, inspired by historical washstands, nod to the past while still offering all the functionality today’s guests expect.
“The concept is grounded in the Victorian era and embraces the defining characteristics that era brought to design,” she says. “The goal was to celebrate the resort’s legacy and preserve the old-world charm that has drawn guests for generations.”
Meetings Groups Have Vast Options
Hotel del Coronado is the best of many worlds, offering meeting and event planners a variety of accommodations to suit every style—from the historic elegance of the Victorian building to contemporary Southern California luxury. The resort is divided into five distinct neighborhoods, including the Victorian building.
In 2022, The Del completed the addition of 75 new residential-style, one-to-three bedroom villas on the south end of the resort with Shore House at The Del complete with its own valet and arrival experience and oceanfront pool. Meanwhile, the Beach Village is an enclave of luxury beachside accommodations and vacation rentals with living and dining areas, fireplaces, balconies and terraces.
Other options range from the contemporary Cabanas neighborhood with beachfront or poolside rooms outfitted with terraces and firepits to The Views neighborhood, which features guest rooms and suites with glass balconies offering panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.
Groups meeting at the oceanfront Hotel del Coronado enjoy a special perk: A choice of 40 stunning beachfront meeting and event spaces, including a private golden sand beach, which is exceptionally rare in California. “It allows our group guests to step away from the meeting room to enjoy the outdoors and create their Southern California memories,” says Nicholas Leon, Director of Guest Experiences and Reservations. The Del team specializes in curated group experiences like beach teambuilding games, an oceanfront cosmic driving range and memorable events such as clambakes, bonfires and elegant oceanfront receptions with live music.