CHARM THAT NEVER GETS OLD IN SAN DIEGO
For nearly 130 years, visitors to the Hotel del Coronado have walked into their rooms, whipped open the balcony doors and said a big fat “hello” to the Pacific Ocean. When the first guests took in the view back in 1888, the hotel was the biggest resort in
GET YOUR MERMAID ON
When a hotel boutique (one of 17) couldn’t keep children’s mermaid tails in stock, they knew they were on to something. Before you could say “More pink spandex!” the Del was offering Mermaid Fitness classes with big girl (or boy) mermaid tails and plenty of boat poses by the side of the pool. Your abs get a bonus workout posing for photos and laughing your pretty tail off. Cost per class is $25 (U.S.) or $10 for Del Resort members.
CAPTURE THE MOMENT WITH A PAINTING
You can take a picture any time, but why not take a painting class on the lawn in front of the hotel? You don’t have to be much of an artist to enjoy this. The canvases are small and the subject is simple (we painted Point Loma on the horizon). The teacher provides cheats to make painting easy and the waiters keep the inspiration flowing by filling up your wine glass. Cost per class is $85 or $65 for Del Resort members.
SPIN BY THE SAND
At spin class near the beach, you wear earphones to hear the music and the instructor’s directions, including “catch the beat” and “keep your booty back.” You watch waves roll in, Navy Seals from a nearby base jog by and kids ride their bikes along the boardwalk. That is, until you do that second big climb on the stationary bike, your glasses fog up and you can’t see anything at all. Cost per class is $25 or $10 for Del Resort members.
CLAMBAKE ON THE BEACH
You fill a tin plate with crab legs, mussels, prawns, lobster tails, sausage, carrots, potatoes and “don’t forget lemon and parsley.” The chef tosses it all in a red mesh bag, boils it up and serves you a big bowl along with a little tuna poke, scallop ceviche and guacamole. Save room for s’mores around the campfire, with four types of gourmet marshmallows, three types of chocolate, plus raspberries and other fruit. Chow down for $125 per person, with select summer dates.
TAKE IN SOME BEACH TIME
You can take in all the action on the beach, along with a margarita or two, from your own private cabana. Sheltered by its cheerful red-striped material, kick back and watch a sandcastle artist create masterpieces the size of an ensuite, count sailboats and surfers frolicking in the water and note how the silhouette of the navy vessel way out on the horizon looks like a bath toy.
A ROOM WITH A VIEW
With an oceanfront room, you can sip coffee and watch the surf from the balcony in the morning while debating which you prefer: falling asleep to the sound of the waves through the open balcony door, or waking up to it. With high ceilings, stylish furnishings and really great sheets, you’ll enjoy time inside your room, too. Rates start at $425 a night in the original hotel and $1,200 per night at the new Beach Village next door.