El Cordova Hotel on Coronado Island

El Cordova Hotel on Coronado Island was once a private mansion built in 1902, then transformed into a quaint Spanish Village hotel in 1930. The traditional Spanish hacienda-style boutique hotel features unique guest rooms and spacious suites, three restaurants, and 12 boutique shops. It has been updated many times over the years, most recently in 2013. With accommodations from 200-square-foot standard rooms to a 1500-square-foot Casa Grande Suite, this hotel can accommodate independent travelers, romantic couples, vacationing families, and busy executives. Miguel’s Cocina, located in the hotel, is one of San Diego’s most popular Mexican restaurants.

From the outside the Spanish-style tortilla-colored stucco façade with a brightly tiled entrance hints at the classic Spanish-inspired hotel within. Terra cotta tile floors, white walls with colorful Spanish tile accents, and a high, beamed white ceiling set the lobby’s charming tone. Large colored ceramic pots with exotic plants bring the space to life. A hospitality table with complimentary coffees, teas, and infused water is set against an arched mirrored wall. Guests sit at a tiled registration desk with a carved wood desktop façade. Patterned ceramic pots sit on a shelf segmenting a bright blue and bright gold accent wall. Ornate black wrought iron accents pepper the lobby. A brick red carpeted lounge area features rich brown leather seating and contemporary hacienda furnishings. The vibe is warm, gracious, and inviting.

El Cordova Hotel Rooms & Suites

Unlike your average hotel, El Cordova Hotel provides more styles of suites – six, than rooms – three. Guests can choose from among standard, deluxe, and ADA accessible deluxe rooms. Standard rooms are 200 square feet and have a single queen bed, desk, and bathroom with stand-up shower. Deluxe rooms are oversized at 250 square feet and have a single queen bed, desk, and full bathroom. ADA accessible deluxe rooms are the same as deluxe rooms but also include a couch; they have roll-in showers in the full bathrooms.

The 42 guest rooms include modern luxury upgrades like flat-screen TVs with free HBO, iPod docking stations, and key-card entry. Other room amenities include free Wi-Fi, complimentary continental breakfast, in-room coffee and coffeemaker, iron and board, hair dryer, and air conditioning. Guest laundry facilities are also available.

Guest rooms and suites are spacious and comfortable with butter yellow or sand-colored walls; rich, dark wood traditional or contemporary Spanish furniture, plush white bedding with colorful accent pillows, and patterned carpet, tile, or wood flooring. Spanish-inspired artwork adorns the walls. Bathrooms feature traditional Spanish tile, modern fixtures, and Gilchrist & Soames Spa Therapy products. Suites offer all the amenities of guest rooms, plus in-room kitchens; china, glass, and flatware; microwaves; and refrigerators.

Guests can choose from a variety of suites. One-bedroom suites are 500 to 600 square feet with a queen bed in a separate room, living room and sleeper sofa, full kitchen, small dining area, desk, and full bathroom. ADA accessible suites are the same, but also include roll-in showers. Family suites have two bedrooms – a master with a queen bed and a second with a trundle bed. The spacious 800 to 1000-square-foot suites also have full kitchens, formal dining rooms, and living rooms with sleeper sofas. Two bedroom suites are the same, but come with a variety of bed configurations. Deluxe two bedroom suites have a king, queen, or two double beds in each bedroom, and also include a second bathroom. They’re located exclusively on the second floor.

Casa Grande Suite is a 1500-square-foot contemporary hacienda-style two-bedroom suite with an 800-square-foot meeting room. It can accommodate up to 50 guests in a reception-style gathering and six overnight guests. Both bedrooms have specialty king beds. A formal dining room contains a conference size table. The spacious executive bathroom has a claw-foot vanity bathtub and separate glassed-in shower. The large living room has high beamed ceilings, estate-quality furniture, and a wall of windows and outdoor balcony overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It’s a perfect accommodation for a large family gathering on the holidays, a get-together with friends, an intimate celebration, or a corporate getaway.

Room tip: Some guests have expressed concern over noise from Miguel’s Cocina. Choose an accommodation away from the lively restaurant.

El Cordova Hotel Amenities

El Cordova Hotel is a virtual village within a village on Coronado Island. In addition to the boutique specialty stores, spa, and salon that weave through the property, there are also other amenities unique to the hotel. Guests can enjoy a resort-style heated pool and spa tub surrounded by a tile pool deck, and reclining chairs and chaise lounges. A courtyard with fountains, lush greenery, grills, and patio tables offers a casual dining space, including the daily continental breakfasts. Tropical gardens line the walkways throughout the property.

Award-winning Miguel’s Cocina, one of El Cordova’s three restaurants, has earned the attention of USA Today, LA Times, San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Magazine, and other publications. The award-winning, family-friendly Mexican restaurant is a great choice for a casual meal either indoors or on the outdoor patio during your hotel stay. Brigantine Seafood & Oyster Bar serves award-winning fish tacos, fresh shucked oysters, and their signature grilled swordfish in avocado lime butter. Fabrison’s French Creperie Café has breakfast, savory, and sweet crepes, and is also on the hotel grounds. You can use your continental breakfast vouchers for discounted prices at Fabrison’s.

Amenities tips: The hotel does not provide private parking. Street parking a block or two away from the hotel is unmetered.

El Cordova Coronado Neighborhood

El Cordova Hotel on Orange Avenue includes Little Sam’s Island & Beach, a fun boutique renting bikes and beach equipment and selling casual beach attire and accessories. Other boutique stores include Moe’s Bosun Locker that sells delicate seashells, fossils, jewelry, and jewelry boxes; Treasures from the Heart with beach and island-themed tchotchkes and souvenirs, and children’s toys and books; and Satchel’s with name-brand upscale accessories. Guests can also take advantage of Spa La Mer and Domani Salon, both on the property.

You won’t want to miss Emerald C Gallery, one of the largest working art galleries in the area. They showcase local artists from Baja Norte and SoCal, as well as offer art lessons to individuals at all levels. Try to catch a Dip & Sip event on Wednesday and Saturday nights where participants create their own canvas paintings while sipping wine. Dan McGeorge Gallery of Photographic Art is a stone’s throw from the hotel where browsers are always welcome. They have a salon and three viewing rooms, and host open gallery nights the fourth Friday of the month, complete with local musicians.

The Coronado Community Center is nearby with an Olympic-size pool, gym with basketball court, indoor climbing wall, and other spaces both active and relaxing. Segway of Coronado is just across B Avenue – a short walk from the hotel. Segway is a great option for exploring the island, either independently or on guided tours. Coronado Municipal Golf Course is next to Glorietta Bay offering a challenging course and stunning views of San Diego. Glorietta Bay is the water sports hub of the island. The Gondola Company offers 50-minute cruises through the canals of the Coronado Cays.

Just over a block from El Cordova, you’ll find the island jewel Mother Nature adorned Coronado Island with – the vast ocean-facing Central Beach. It’s among the top ten beaches in the country. Orange Avenue is lined with independent shops selling everything from beach apparel to souvenirs. It’s the heart of the island’s boutiques, community theaters – Lamb’s Players Theater and The Coronado Playhouse, art galleries, and restaurants, and the perfect place for a leisurely stroll.

El Cordova Hotel Promotions

El Cordova Hotel is part of The Guest Book, a rewards network exclusively for independent and boutique brand hotels that has been featured in the New York Times. You simply sign up with your e-mail on the hotel website and start saving 5% on every stay. Book your first stay with your enrolled e-mail address and start earning right away.

El Cordova Hotel TripAdvisor Reviews.

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