The Hotel del Coronado has completed the restoration of its historic Victorian building, marking the final stage in a more than $550 million renovation by Blackstone Real Estate.
“From its earliest days, Hotel del Coronado has been a pioneer, continuously redefining the resort experience,” said JP Oliver, managing director of Hotel del Coronado. “After this transformative journey, we are proud to set a new benchmark for resort excellence and continue exceeding expectations for a new era of guests and visitors.”
The restored Victorian section includes a full renovation of the front porch, lobby, main entry, and drive area, as well as updates to all guest rooms in the building, the courtyard garden, event spaces like the Crown Room, and the addition of two restaurants: Nobu Del Coronado and Veranda, an open-air dining space with ocean views.
Rob Harper, head of asset management Americas at Blackstone Real Estate, said, “Blackstone has been dedicated to preserving Hotel del Coronado’s iconic status as a National Historic Landmark while ensuring it remains a timeless destination for future generations.”
The project involved several design and architecture firms, including Wimberly Interiors, WATG, GSB Inc., Burton Studios and David Marshall of Heritage Architecture & Planning. He provided historical consultation.
The Victorian guest rooms have been updated with modern finishes that reflect the building’s heritage. Each room is unique in layout and décor. The design includes brighter floral patterns, wood and wicker furnishings, curved headboards made from woven raffia,= and updated bathrooms with antique-inspired vanities and checkerboard marble flooring.
Inspired by the hotel’s original 20-foot-wide wraparound veranda, the Veranda restaurant offers views of the Pacific and a menu focused on local ingredients. Starters include grilled California artichokes and broiled oysters. Main dishes feature options like Veranda’s French Dip, grilled trout, Angus beef steaks and a Dungeness crab wedge salad.
Nobu Del Coronado brings Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s signature Japanese-fusion dishes to the property. Alongside signature items like Black Cod with Miso and A5 Wagyu, the menu includes local dishes such as Tai Sweet Shiso and Lobster Truffle Tempura. The space includes indoor and outdoor seating for 156, a sushi bar, and the 12-seat Pagoda Bar with sake and cocktail selections.
The Crown Room, Coronet Room and Ocean Ballroom have been restored with a focus on historic detail and updated technology. The work includes the preservation of an 1888 fresco in the Ocean Ballroom, refinished wood floors, restored wood finishes and doors, recreated wainscoting and upgraded lighting and audio systems.
The courtyard also has been restored to its original layout with historic walkways and pergolas. A reproduction of the Naiad Queen Fountain, based on an 1800s bronze statue, has been returned to the garden. The landscaping includes a range of Victorian-era plants such as bromeliads, ferns, hydrangeas, citrus trees and palms.
Additional Property Updates
Beyond the Victorian section, Blackstone’s project also introduced several new additions and upgrades to the property. These include:
- The opening of Serẽa Coastal Cuisine
- The new Shore House oceanfront residences
- Southpointe Event Center with a 15,000-square-foot ballroom
- Development of the Ice House Museum
- New retail shops and meeting spaces
The restoration has led to the creation of over 300 resort jobs and thousands of construction jobs during the project, officials said.
