What is now the Glorietta Bay Inn was once the original mansion of John Spreckels, one of the first developers on Coronado Island. In fact, there probably isn’t an urban neighborhood in San Diego that John Spreckels didn’t have some hand in developing. Two years after the 1888 opening of the Hotel Del Coronado, he became its majority owner. Spreckels eventually built his mansion to overlook the grand hotel. The visionary, philanthropist, and businessman moved into his newly built Italian Renaissance mansion in 1908.
The Inn, as you see it today, is the result of a painstaking renovation to bring it back to the grandeur of its glory days over a century ago. Glorietta Bay Inn was designated a Coronado Historic Landmark in 1977, and received the Golden Hibiscus Award for Excellence in Historic Restoration in 1997. This is not just another hotel in San Diego; it is the soul of Coronado. The Inn is located on Glorietta Boulevard behind the Coronado Yacht Club and overlooking Glorietta Bay, Coronado Golf Course, and the Hotel Del Coronado.
Glorietta Bay Inn Rooms and Suites
Today, there are 11 rooms in the mansion, the most spacious of which is the Penthouse Suite that takes up the entire third floor. The Sugar Baron Room used to be Mrs. Spreckels’ room, and features a king size bed, large balcony, and spectacular view of Glorietta Bay. The Spreckels Suite was the private bedroom of John Spreckels; it features a living room, separate bedroom with king size bed and private balcony overlooking Glorietta Bay. Lillie’s Room is the sun-filled former room of the Spreckels’ daughter. It has a king size bed and spacious sitting room next to the bedroom.
There are seven other rooms and suites in the mansion; Coronado Room, the Sunset room, the Crown Room, Lurline Room, the Library room, the Garden Suite, and Albright Room. All rooms and suites in the mansion are limited to two persons per room. Mansion rooms also feature a quiet atmosphere; music room with a library, baby grand piano, and board games; triple-sheeted beds with 300-thread count linens, feather pillows, and down duvets; nightly turndown service with milk and cookies; plush robes and oversized bath sheets; fresh flowers; and continental breakfast and daily newspaper delivered to your bedside.
There are six styles of contemporary rooms in the buildings surrounding the mansion. They include the Bay View King or Queen, Deluxe One/Two Queens, Standard Room Queen, Junior Suite Queen, One/Two Bedroom Suite, and Snug Room Full-Size. All contemporary rooms are reasonably-priced accommodations that work well for couples, families, and business travelers. Contemporary rooms include refrigerators, coffee service, safes, flat-screen HDTVs, iPod docking stations, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
The Bay View King or Queen rooms are on the second floor and include a balcony with a view of Glorietta Bay. Deluxe 1 or 2 Bedroom Queens are on either the first or second floor and have a patio or balcony. Standard Queen rooms do not have a view, patio, or balcony. Junior Suites have one queen bed in a separate bedroom and a full-size sofa sleeper in the living room. One- and two-bedroom suites provide king beds and sofa beds, fully-equipped kitchens; two bedroom suites also have two bathrooms. Junior Suites are the perfect solution for families. The Snug Rooms are 160 square feet, and are located on the second floor; they have full size beds, and no view, patio, or balcony. Economical snug rooms are great for budget conscious travelers.
Glorietta Bay Hotel Amenities
Glorietta Bay Inn offers special touches that include complimentary expanded continental breakfast, afternoon refreshments of lemonade and ginger snaps, heated pool and spa, in-room On Demand entertainment, and $10 day passes to Gym in Coronado. Other hotel amenities available to all guests include a concierge desk, copy and fax services, ADA accessible rooms, express checkout, wake up service, and complimentary use of “selfie” sticks, beach chairs, umbrellas, beach towels, boogie boards, and beach toys. Pregnancy body pillows are also available upon request. Expanded hotel amenities are available to guests in mansion rooms and suites, and are listed as room amenities.
Amenities tips:
Use your Gym in Coronado day pass to work out on your own, or join a Morning Madness fitness class or Deep Healing Yoga class. Exquisite Mobile Massage can provide 60- and 90-minute massages in the comfort of your guest room.
Glorietta Bay Inn Coronado Neighborhood
Within a block of Glorietta Bay Inn, you’ll find Coronado Beach, San Diego’s only white sand beach, next to the iconic Hotel Del Coronado. Bring your complimentary beach chairs, umbrellas, boogie boards, towels, and beach toys, and make a day of it on the expansive and popular beach. Check out a Selfie Stick too and capture the moments. Play tennis or take a lesson on one of a dozen free courts a block from the Inn, or grab a tee-time for an early round of golf on the 18-hole, par 72, Coronado Golf Course that sports spectacular ocean views. Rent speed boats, jet skis, kayaks, and other water sports equipment at the Glorietta Bay Marina, or take a harbor excursion aboard one of the tour boats.
The guided Coronado Historic Walking Tour includes a stop at the mansion’s music room, and explores the stunning architecture and historical highlights of Coronado Island. Rent bikes, grab a map of Coronado, and ride 15 miles of trails around the island, or tour the back streets of the neighborhood on self-guided tours. Take advantage of the hotel’s proximity to Orange Avenue shopping, Lamb’s Players Theater, and the Hotel Del Coronado. Have a romantic dinner at nearby Chez Loma, or go to the bay side of the island for dinner with a view of the San Diego skyline at Candelas on the Bay. Hop the ferry at Ferry Landing and head across the bay to the Gaslamp Quarter or East Village.
Glorietta Bay Inn Promotions
Glorietta Bay Inn offers ongoing hotel packages to guests that engage them in the island and pamper them in the hotel. Past packages have included the Historic Coronado, Coronado Escape, Romance, Babymoon, and Golf Play & Stay packages. The inn also has ongoing Internet specials with deep discounts on select rooms and dates. The Glorietta Bay Inn is happy to host your special occasion. Check out their website for current packages and specials.