The iconic Hotel Del Coronado, designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1977, stands upon the equally iconic shores of Coronado Island like a lighthouse calling tourists into port. This mainstay of San Diego tourism is a sought after destination for many reasons, one of which is the fact that author L. Frank Baum wrote at least three books from the Oz series while staying at the hotel repeatedly between 1904 and 1910. Additionally, it has been suggested that Baum modeled the fictional Emerald City – where Dorothy travels to meet the Wizard of Oz – from the wonderfully picturesque Hotel Del Coronado.

Having officially opened its doors in 1888, The Del celebrates its 125th birthday this year with a variety of events planned to commemorate this singularly wonderful milestone in the hotel’s remarkable history. Be sure to check the hotel’s website for a number of events that will continue through the holiday season. One of the most noteworthy events to take place this year was the release of a 208-page history book, Hotel del Coronado History. The book includes over 440 stunning pictures, many of which have yet to ever make print before, and can be purchased on the hotel’s website!

There is still time to book a stay at the Hotel Del Coronado with the 125th Anniversary Package. The package includes accommodations, a copy of the above-mentioned history book and two 125th anniversary signature cocktails at Babcock and Story, the hotel’s sports bar with a seaside setting! 

Also known as the B&S Bar, this famous watering hole still features the original 46-foot handcrafted mahogany bar that was brought from Philadelphia – around Cape Horn – in 1888!  

In addition to the enticing selection of accommodation packages, The Del offers guests a number of accommodation types to ensure optimal rest and relaxation while on vacation in San Diego. The hotel has 679 rooms spread out in three separate and distinct buildings, the Victorian Building, Ocean Towers and the poolside California Cabana, as well as 78 cottages and villas that comprise the secluded Beach Village.

The guest rooms range in size from small to extra-large and come with different views, starting with a limited view and moving all the way up to full oceanfront view. The Victorian guest rooms located in the Victorian Building are without an oceanfront view. The rooms are all distinct in size and shape and come with a queen-size bed. With their soothing colors and beautiful fabrics, the hotel likens these guest rooms to an “elegant beach bungalow.” The Resort guest rooms, located in the Ocean Towers, California Cabana, as well as some in the Victorian Building, are perfect for those traveling with families! At an additional cost, guests can request a Resort room with a partial or full oceanfront view as well.

For a truly rewarding experience, try booking a stay in one of Hotel Del Coronado’s suites. Keep in mind that not all of The Del’s suites can be booked online. For full availability, be sure to call 855-268-1219. Similar to the guest rooms, the suites range both in size and view (from limited view to full oceanfront view). The Junior Suites feature a sitting area in addition to the larger room, while the Victorian, Resort and Signature Suites all feature completely separate living and bedroom areas! One of the most family-friendly suites at the resort is the Blue Octopus Family Suite. This unique suite features a living area, master king bedroom and an ocean-inspired kids bedroom. Children will love this bedroom, from the bunk beds and bean bag chairs to the toy chest filled with goodies and the video games!

If you happen to be looking for the perfect romantic getaway or a truly memorable luxury vacation, try the villas and cottages at Beach Village. The Beach Village has its share of packages and specials as well, including one for the 125th anniversary celebration. Be sure to check out the full range of possibilities that the Beach Village offers, from pure Southern California seclusion to your very own personal service at the hands of The Del, where industry accolades and award-winning prestige blend harmoniously with the red-shingled beauty of the resort.

Whether you enjoy the elegant respite of the amazingly refined guest rooms and suites or sample the luxurious seclusion of Beach Village’s villas and cottages, the amenities offered by The Del, such as the hotel’s dining and spa services, are accessible for all hotel guests.

Spa at The Del is truly a mini-vacation of indulgence in itself. From the relaxation areas offered for both men and women, 21 state-of-the-art treatment rooms, hydrotherapy tubs and steam rooms, guests can make a day out of pampering and cleansing themselves with the ocean-inspired massages, scrubs, body wraps and facials offered by Spa at The Del. You can request an appointment online, or call 619-522-8100, or simply email the spa at spareservations@hotdel.com after perusing the full spa and salon menu. 

As far as dining is concerned, the Hotel Del Coronado offers guests a number of dining experiences that are sure to excite the palate! Be sure to visit the hotel’s website for a full list of dining options and to make reservations!

One of the most rewarding experiences at The Del is dining at Sheerwater, the hotel’s oceanfront restaurant. The restaurant has a generous outdoor dining area – complete with heat lamps – with gorgeous views of Coronado Beach and the hotel’s colorful gardens. If at all possible, try reserving a table outdoors in time to watch a spectacular sunset over the Pacific Ocean as you partake in the delectable “Fish by the Sea” menu. Ruben, one of the many amazing waiters on staff, will be sure to make your dining experience the stuff of legend! Start with the Field Greens, a salad that includes heirloom tomatoes, feta cheese, pine nuts, red onion, and lemon vinaigrette. From there, try one of the delicious entrees, such as the Chilean Sea Bass in lobster sauce, which is unparalleled, and accompanied by butternut squash risotto and oyster mushrooms. The asparagus drizzled in lemon olive oil makes for an amazing side dish as well! Pair this with, say, the Sonoma Cutrer Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley and you have a meal fit for a king.

The great thing about the menus at Sheerwater is that there is something for everyone. Whether you crave fish, filet mignon or a classic burger, Sheerwater offers it and adds a touch of remarkable savoir faire to each and every aspect of the meal. Additionally, many of the items on the menu can be prepared gluten-free for those with allergies or sensitivities. The restaurant even boasts an impressive kids menu where traditional items, such as pizzas, mac & cheese, cheeseburgers and hotdogs are served alongside rice bowls with organic brown rice, noodles with butter and fish & chips. The Sheerwater staff, including Michael and Eric, goes above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that every guest is having both a memorable and pleasurable experience. This dedicated attention to service makes vacation dining at Sheerwater a delight par excellence!    

Other sensational places to dine are 1500 Ocean, which combines the coastal ingredients of California with Mediterranean (Italy, Morocco and France) flavors. Also, the outdoor Sunset Bar is not to be missed; it offers ocean views and fireside cocktails. The expansive wine list highlights local vintners.

ENO Pizzeria and Wine Bar offers guests a truly unique experience in food and wine tasting. The pizzeria crafts both traditional pizzas, such as Margherita and Funghi, with signature pizzas, such as the Giardino Fresco, made with grilled asparagus, roasted red peppers and ricotta, from its outdoor wood-fired oven. In addition to the artisan pizzas, ENO also offers artisan cheese, boutique wines, local craft beers, exotic chocolate and charcuterie. Try the signature dessert, which is Butterscotch Pudding, served with Biscotti and topped with sea salt!

So what are you waiting for? Now is your chance to be a part of Southern California’s rich and diverse history by booking your next stay at the impressive Hotel Del Coronado!

The post History and Hospitality at the Hotel Del Coronado appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

San Diego, California is no stranger to celebrity. The attractions offered by the city’s collection of eclectic neighborhoods – as well as the comprehensive county of San Diego itself – have beckoned many a tourist over the years. Whether visiting the eateries and going shopping in the Gas Lamp District, learning about San Diego’s history in family-friendly Old Town or perusing the used bookstores and vintage clothing shops in Hillcrest, San Diego has something for every family member and every lifestyle.

But if you are looking for an impressive getaway set apart from the usual madding crowd, stake a claim outside the city center! For a matchless sense of serenity, immerse yourself in the beauty of La Jolla, California by booking your stay with The Lodge at Torrey Pines.

The Lodge at Torrey Pines, which has been consecutively awarded the prestigious AAA Five Diamond Award since 2002, as well as being named the “World’s Best Hotel” by Sunset Magazine, is located roughly 15-20 minutes north of San Diego’s city center. The Lodge is also located about 30-40 minutes south of Carlsbad, California (Legoland). This means that families traveling with children can experience the family-friendly attractions of San Diego in either direction while returning from the day’s activities to experience the distinguished luxury that has made The Lodge so renowned.

Situated on the stunning cliffs above the Torrey Pines State Beach, The Lodge at Torrey Pines is truly a Pacific Coast breath of fresh air. Overlooking the 18th hole of the world-famous Torrey Pines Golf Course, the resort offers 170 rooms, including 8 suites, that all harken back to the true beauty and architectural ingenuity of the famed Craftsman-style Era.

This early 1900s style of architectural design is most notably defined by its emphasis on indoor/outdoor living, expansive areas of space and a laudable respect for the natural landscape. And these design aspects are recognizable at once as guests, after being greeted by doormen in kilted Scottish attire, are then greeted inside The Lodge by the impressive post-and-beam construction of open-spaced rooms, where large windows allow light into the public spaces and create a natural integration of the resort’s space with the visible golf course beyond the Torrey Pine trees and well-manicured gardens, with the Pacific Ocean idling beautifully on the horizon.  

Guest rooms at The Lodge range in size from 520 square feet to more than 1,500 square feet and mirror the rest of the resort with impeccable Craftsman-style design. Whether you book a stay in one of the regal suites, most of which overlook the 18th green of the Torrey Pines Golf Course, or have reserved one of the Palisade, Reserve or Signature rooms, all of the guest rooms include custom-styled furnishings comprised of fine wood, elegant fabrics and luxurious leather. In addition to the pure comfort of cotton linens and quilted duvets, the granite and marble décor of the bathrooms enhance the overall sensation of exclusive comfort. The meticulous amount of care shown in each and every detail of the rooms and suites at The Lodge is a daily testament to the resort staff’s tireless dedication.

The Lodge at Torrey Pines also features the in-room amenities and necessities that both business and leisure travelers have come to expect, including complimentary high-speed wireless internet access, data hookups, spacious working areas, Bose stereo systems, mini bars, safes, and 24 hour room service.  

The resort offers various golf packages so that guests can be certain that, when booking one of The Lodge’s stately rooms, your tee time(s) will also be reserved in advance. That’s right: by simply choosing one of the select packages, guests can play on the same course that hosts the Farmers Invitational PGA Tour event, and that hosted the US Open in 2008. Guests can also receive personalized service from the resort’s Golf Services Department, and the golf packages can also be combined with spa treatments as well! 

At this award-winning resort, each discerning guest is immersed in a genuine refinement of the senses: the sights of the Pacific Ocean from immaculately appointed rooms and beautiful, spacious terraces that afford resort guests views of the pristine golf course, pool area and croquet lawn; the tastes and smells – the culinary craftsmanship – from the resort’s signature restaurants, including The Grill at The Lodge and the award-winning A.R. Valentien.

The early-birds rise for the 7am complimentary coffee in the A.R. Valentien Lounge, while those more inclined to enjoy the Egyptian cotton linens for a few more hours can simply head over to The Grill at The Lodge for a casual dining experience. The Grill is open for breakfast from 6am-11am daily. Try to sit outside on the patio which faces the Torrey Pines Golf Course clubhouse and enjoy a warm pot of coffee near the practice putting greens. The steel-cut oats with dried berries and brown sugar with a fresh fruit platter are deliciously healthy. Or you can try the Egg Bread French Toast (a house specialty), or even a more traditional breakfast of Eggs Benedict or Huevos Rancheros all while watching the golf course buzz with morning activity.

For a sensational dining experience, be sure to book a reservation at The Lodge’s top-rated signature restaurant, A.R. Valentien. The timbered room of the restaurant overlooks the 18th hole of the Torrey Pines Golf Course and offers outside seating with heat lamps as well. The elegant décor of the restaurant includes original artwork by A.R. Valentien himself, the namesake California artist who worked in the 1900s with watercolors, oils and ceramics. 

If dining at the restaurant for lunch, see if you can try the Roasted Swordfish and Cracked Coriander with wilted Malabar spinach, shaved onions, preserved lemon and yogurt with raw tomato mustard oil sauce; and for dinner, try the Liberty Duck Breast and Confit Leg with frisee, arugula, roasted grapes, pickled red onions, shaved radish, toasted hazelnuts, and sherry honey vinaigrette. These opulent dishes, also paired with the perfect glass or bottle of wine, will delight your palette and senses with remarkably crafted works of edible art!

Another of the prestigious services provided by the resort is the exclusive Spa at Torrey Pines, which offers unique spa treatments that pay homage to the coastal environment and the timeless integration of land, sea and air. 

The spa focuses on treatments utilizing marine and botanical based products to reflect the spa’s coastal locale and its location near the cherished Torrey Pines State Reserve. Everything from nail and skin care to massages, exfoliations, water therapies, masks, and wraps are offered. For reservations, please call 858.453.4420.

With such award-winning attention to detail, it is easy to see how The Lodge at Torrey Pines continues to amass industry accolades and genuine praise from its guests. For a West Coast experience like none other, be sure to book a stay at The Lodge at Torrey Pines!

The post The Matchless Serenity of The Lodge at Torrey Pines appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.