Known for celebrating the holidays in grand tradition, Hotel del Coronado has gained a reputation for its festive holiday grandeur since 1888. It was here in 1904 that America witnessed the first electrically-lit outdoor Christmas tree, setting the stage for a century of holiday enchantment. In 2004 the resort introduced the first beachfront ice rink, a tradition delighting guests and locals young and young-at-heart. This season, the resort adds its newest holiday tradition DELights, a festive holiday Winter Wonderland, and the one-of-a-kind skating rink makes its return for the 11th season.
DELights: Making Seasides Bright
NEW for 2015, The Del will celebrate all things bright, including the addition of a tremendous light show and holiday experience in the Garden Patio of the grand resort. Guests and locals will stroll through the magnificent Shops at The Del and end in a Winter Wonderland where the patio will be transformed into a grand display of holiday sights, smells and sounds with a shimmering array of icy colors, dazzling snowflakes, whimsical polar bears and a stunning 5-minute video mapping light show projected onto a 30’ multi-faceted tree. The transformation from the legendary Tom Kehoe Designs will include illuminated snowflakes, twinkle lights, 10’ polar bears and trees. The grand light show will illuminate from the historic balconies onto every hour from 5pm to 9pm, daily. Holiday favorites like warm spiced nuts, house made gingerbread and cookies, mulled cider and hot cocoa will be available for purchase, along with gifts like The Del’s annual ornament. Entrance is $25/person ($12 and under free) with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of San Diego. Guests of The Del will receive complimentary admission. Guestroom packages with front row balconies are available throughout the season.
Skating by the Sea and other holiday activities
The Del announces a full line-up of holiday activities including Skating by the Sea, the renowned ice-skating rink overlooking the Pacific Ocean which offers a one-of-a-kind, Southern California holiday experience. Full activities include:
Skating by the Sea
Daily; November 26-January 3
Skating by the Sea returns to Hotel del Coronado for the 10th year. This spectacular rink is located on the Windsor Lawn, and features stunning views of Coronado beach. Skating sessions will be offered daily from Thanksgiving through January 3, 2015 with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of San Diego. Activities throughout the season include a spectacular Chanukah on Ice and themed skates.
Thanksgiving
Thursday, November 26
The resort’s holiday programs will kick off Thanksgiving weekend, beginning with brunch in the 12,567 square-foot Ballroom on November 27. The oceanfront Ballroom and magnificent Crown Room will feature elegant buffet dinners decked with decadent trimmings and live musical entertainment. 1500 OCEAN and Sheerwater restaurants will offer seasonal menus to pair with The Del’s spectacular views.
Holiday Festival
Wednesday, December 2
On Wednesday, December 2, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., The Del will host a special event for the entire family, “Holiday Festival…A Family Celebration.” In addition to the outdoor ice rink, there will be hot cocoa and libations, a private fireworks display, performances by Coronado school children, photo opportunities with Santa and his elves, and holiday booths with games and prizes.
Sunday Brunch with Santa
Sundays; December 6, 13, 20
During The Del’s festive Sunday Brunch, kids of all ages can visit jolly ol’ St. Nick in the Crown Room, 4-8pm.
Victorian Tea
Daily; December 11-12, 19-24
For the tea lovers, or those who just want to relax and enjoy the background sounds of our delightful harpist, The Del will serve Victorian Tea from 11am to 3pm on various days throughout the holidays. This charming tradition features dozens of traditional tea varieties served with finger sandwiches, classic tea cookies and tarts.
Elf Tuck-Ins
Daily; December 12-25
Children are delighted when Elves stop by for a visit at bedtime! Each child receives a stocking with toys and candy, as our Del Elves read them a bedtime holiday story. This is available as an add-on to guestroom reservations.
Holiday Chocolate Workshop
Monday, December 7
The class by Pastry Chef Daphne will guide you through the intricacies of creating decadent confections with her years of experience and passion for the art of chocolate. From smooth ganaches and exotic truffles to dipped chocolates, you’ll end the class with a thorough understanding of how to work with all types of chocolates, the health benefits of dark chocolate, and have a gorgeous array of confections to take home. $50 includes recipes, tastings and a keepsake Del apron.
Christmas Eve and Day Dining
Wednesday, December 24 and Thursday, December 25
Celebrate Christmas Eve with a lavish Victorian buffet dinner paired with live musical entertainment in the magnificent Crown Room. On Christmas Day, the oceanfront Ballroom and the historic Crown Room will feature traditional holiday buffet dinners, while both 1500 OCEAN and Sheerwater will offer special holiday menus for your family and loved ones.
New Years Eve
Thursday, December 31
The Del is the perfect place to ring in the New Year, with multiple offerings for the most celebrated night of the season. The oceanfront ballroom at Hotel del Coronado will be transformed into ‘Havana Nights.’ A welcome reception, 5-course dinner, grand open bar and orchestra will round out the black tie event priced at $350/person, while the Crown Room turns ‘Club Crown’ with a disco-chic bash from 9pm to 1am for $100/person. Guests will enjoy DJ entertainment and dancing, a dessert reception, midnight champagne toast and cash bar. Discounted admission is available in ‘Club Crown’ for guests dining in 1500 OCEAN, the Ballroom and Sheerwater that evening. B&S Bar will offer live entertainment, party favors and festive cocktails.
Holiday Recreation
Throughout holiday season at The Del, guests and visitors of all ages may enjoy a variety of activities including holiday night bike tours through festive Coronado Island, cookie decorating, crafts for kids, and Kidtopia Camp with holiday scavenger hunts. Little ones will love the “Elf Tuck-Ins” where they are visited by real elves at bedtime. In the days leading up to Christmas, snuggle in Santa hats by a beach bonfire and roast “Jingle S’mores”, which includes cinnamon graham crackers, Ghirardelli mint chocolate and marshmallows. And the Del’s renowned Beach Spin will host an ‘ugly sweater spin’ benefitting Toys for Tots.
Spa La La La La
Spa at The Del offers the perfect way to unwind during the holiday rush. With fabulous ocean-inspired treatments, steam rooms, Jacuzzis and a spectacular outdoor terrace and vanishing edge pool overlooking the Pacific, there’s truly something for everyone, including special seasonal treatments.
Holiday Shopping
This year’s 23rd Annual Collector’s Ornament was inspired by the work of Jeff Granito, a Southern California graphic artist whose clients include Disney, Warner Brothers, Universal Studios and many more. Born and raised in Southern California, Jeff would visit The Del for weekend trips to the beach and was inspired by the architecture, artistic details and history around every corner. The ornament is a depiction of the turret in molded glass and is available for $34.95 in our Signature Shop, Est. 1888, and online at delshop.com. The ornament comes in a beautiful padded gift box, ready for both travel and gift-giving. Only 8,000 of this annual holiday keepsake, which typically sells out, have been produced.
Hotel del Coronado Holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, a 160-page volume filled with vintage photography and printed pieces, including Del menus, invitations and guest activity brochures will again be on sale in The Shops at The Del. Also featured are authentic Victorian greeting cards and other vintage holiday artwork, recipes and more.
For more information, please call reservations at 619-435-6611 or visit The Del’s website at hoteldel.com/holidays.
Based in Chicago, Illinois, Kehoe Designs is an innovative, full-service event decor company specializing in luxury weddings, corporate and social events. We bring our signature modern elegance and high-concept glamour to each experience we design.
