Pilot Stan Abele was housed at the Hotel del Coronado for six months during World War II. Although Stan affectionately refers to his romance-filled days at The Del as “the best war I ever fought,” he went on to become an aviation hero, flying 45 combat missions and earning a Distinguished Flying Cross.
NEWS RELEASE
June 24, 2010
Coronado, CA The legendary Hotel del Coronado, America’s premier Pacific resort, is celebrating 122 years of romance with a historic photo contest. The Del is collecting new information to add to its romantic history by asking the public to submit vintage photos, memorabilia and written remembrances. The best submissions could win one of several prizes, plus be included in The Del’s new romance book.
With spectacular architecture and an unparalleled beachfront setting, The Del has been the perfect spot for sweethearts from the beginning. In fact, the first wedding took place during the hotel’s 1887 construction, when the daughter and son of two building supervisors tied the knot in an oceanside pavilion. Since then, the hotel has continued to attract couples from near and far. In 1906, newlyweds John and Kathleen “Etta” Soden typified the times for a well-to-do American couple: Their three-month honeymoon from Kansas City included a month’s stay at The Del. In 1931, the Soden’s daughter and son-in-law followed suit, also spending their honeymoon at the hotel.
Today, The Del continues to be one of the most sought-after destinations for weddings and honeymoons and is Southern California’s favorite place to pop the question or enjoy a romantic rendezvous. No wonder The Travel Channel named The Del the No. 1 wedding destination in the U.S.
Become a part of this romantic heritage: The Del is searching for vintage photos from 1970 and earlier that feature people with the resort prominently visible in the background. Hotel memorabilia such as vintage brochures, room receipts, postcards or correspondence on Del stationery will also be eligible for contest prizes. Great romantic Del stories (without any photos or memorabilia) are also welcome.
Some of the contest submissions will also be included in a new book, A History of Romance at the Hotel del Coronado, the fifth in a series of history books published by the resort.
CONTEST PRIZES:
o GRAND PRIZE: 5 nights/6 days at The Del in a Victorian oceanfront junior suite, one dinner for two at 1500 OCEAN, daily breakfast for two at Sheerwater and a couples massage at the award-winning Spa at The Del.
- 1st PRIZE: 3 nights/4 days at The Del in a Victorian oceanfront guestroom and a romantic private beach bonfire with Moet champagne and s’mores for two.
- 2nd PRIZE: 2 nights/3 days at The Del in a Victorian oceanfront guestroom and a $100 gift card for ENO Wine Room, featuring flights of fine wines, rare cheeses and decadent chocolate.
- 3rd PRIZE: The Del’s award-winning Sunday brunch for two and a couples massage at the Spa at The Del.
CONTEST DETAILS:
1. To submit photos, stories or other memorabilia, please visit www.hoteldel.com/romancecontest . Or, they may be color copied on a photo-quality copier (available at most copy centers) and mailed to:
Romance Contest
Public Relations Department
Hotel del Coronado
1500 Orange Avenue
Coronado, CA 92118
2. Please include “the story” and information about the person/couple featured (300 words maximum).
3. All submissions should include the name of the person submitting the photo along with a mailing address, email address and phone number.
4. All submissions must be received by September 15, 2010. Winners will be notified by October 1, 2010.
*Entries must follow each of the above steps in order to be valid. Submissions will not be returned and the Hotel del Coronado reserves the right to use any of the information received in promotional efforts. For complete contest rules and regulations, please visit www.hoteldel.com/romancecontest.
