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Kidz Eye View of Hotel del Coronado in San Diego

“Welcome to the Hotel del Coronado!”

by John Wood

Such a lovely place, such a lovely place. OK, enough of the Hotel California analogies because the beautiful Hotel del Coronado (The Del) located immediately across the bay from San Diego, Ca, on the island of Coronado, defies comparison.

Built in 1988 by Elisha Babcock and H.L. Story to be "the talk of the Western World" and deemed a National Historic Landmark in 1977, The Del is a Victorian jewel that USA Today calls "one of the top ten resorts in the world." With all due respect, it rates higher on Johnny-on-the-Spot's unofficial list. Great for family getaways; weddings; business meetings; and just plain transcendent escapes, The Del's 31 beachfront acres, 688 gorgeous rooms (think Titanic without the iceberg) and fabulous dining facilities offer a truly memorable experience.

In addition to the recreation activities available at the hotel from volleyball, golf, boating, biking, tennis, and surfing to a complete kids and teen interactive program, the Hotel del Coronado is located only seven minutes from downtown San Diego and a hop-skip-and-jump from Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, Birch Aquarium at Scripps, and Legoland! It doesn't get much better than this, folks.

The famous, from movie stars to world leaders, have stayed at The Del. Charles Lindbergh was honored there after his successful transatlantic crossing and L. Frank Baum, of Wizard of Oz fame, purportedly designed the beautiful chandeliers in the Crown Room. Personally, I link The Del with Marilyn Monroe and the classic movie Some Like it Hot. But that's me. The most famous guest, however, has supposedly lived at the hotel since 1892. I kid you not. The restless ghost of poor Kate Morgan who killed herself after a quarrel with her estranged husband (time for bed, kids!) has been seen in her former room. She must have accrued quite a bill, unless, of course, Bill was the name of her estranged husband, but I digress.

A visit to the Hotel del Coronado is an enchanted experience to be sure- one of those many places we should visit in our lifetime, or, as with Kate Morgan, multiple lifetimes. For a complete compliment of amenities and activities please call 1-800-582-2595 or surf the website at www.hoteldel.com. Tell 'em Johnny-on-the-Spot sent ya!

— John Wood

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