living the cabana life at hotel del coronado’s new del beach

I often forget that we live in a place that most consider a vacation destination. Sure, I go to the beach and body board and can eat al fresco any night, but I also work and go to Target and pick up groceries and schlep laundry. It’s easy to forget that we’re in paradise over here.

Take stunning, well-manicured Coronado. Typically we go there for the dog beach, and it’s a very in-and-out affair: Try to get Teddy to stop eating seaweed, chuck the ball for him a few hundred times and head back home. I know Coronado is a vacation spot, but I hardly ever stop to appreciate the fact. So when I got invited to check out Hotel del Coronado’s new Del Beach cabana service and enjoy a day at the luxury property, it was like I saw a whole new side to my city.

Designed by the team behind Miami’s Delano and Fontainebleau Hotels, Del Beach launched this summer, offering lounge chairs, daybeds, umbrellas, and food and drink service right on the beach. It’s basically the ultimate waterfront set-up, and paired with other indulgences—massages, pool time and one ridiculously awesome s’mores cheesecake—it made for an ideal, albeit luxurious, daycation. It also served as a great reminder to explore the hotel more, even to just walk around, have a drink or grab ice cream. It’s a charming, historic and regal place that’s just a few miles from downtown and more than anywhere I’ve been in San Diego, it gives me the feeling that I’ve really gotten away.

Here’s a little diary of our day:

Our day-o-fun started with deep tissue massages (one of the best I’ve ever had) at the spa. With full access to the facilities, later in the day we hopped in the pool for spa guests only, which overlooks a lovely stretch of the hotel property. That day there happened to be a wedding, and we had an excellent vantage point. Before dinner, I hit the women’s Jacuzzi and steam room for a little refresher. Amazing service and amenities all around.

Being in that pool and looking up to see that iconic Hotel del turret felt pretty magical.

Each cabana is spacious, and the half-moon cabanette covering plus umbrella combo kept us comfortable in the heat. So comfortable that we never even left our beach bed. I imagine most people hang out in their cabanas then hop in the ocean, but Eaman and I were totally content lounging and napping in our protected enclosure. We left only to go to the bathroom. The food options are limited and expensive —like $18 for a vegetable wrap — but the drinks, while pricey, are really well-made and refreshing.

We took some time to explore the hotel grounds. Beyond restaurants, an ice cream parlor, shops and bars, there’s an extensive garden of vegetables and herbs, much of which is incorporated into dishes at the hotel restaurants.

We had dinner at Eno Pizzeria & Wine Bar, which used to be a wine bar with small plates until a little over a year ago. Now they offer brick oven-style pizza and appetizers like charred brussels sprouts and meatballs.

We were debating between the meatballs and olives, but I’m so glad we went with the latter, which are marinated for two days in citrus, chilis, garlic and thyme. Those were the tastiest olives this girl has ever had.

It was also Eaman’s birthday, and whether it was the spa or restaurant, everywhere we went people were showering us with champagne and prosecco and dessert. OK, fine we’ll take the lovely treats. Sidenote: It’s hard to beat the views at Eno. You have the sunset on one side and the iconic architecture on the other. Plus, you’ll probably get to see some weddings in action.

I’ve never had great experiences with hotel restaurants, but I was so impressed with Eno’s pizza, thanks in large part to their great crust. Just crunchy enough.

 You haven’t had real dessert until you’ve had this s’mores cheesecake, which is made up of layers of graham cracker, chocolate and cheesecake and topped with a giant marshmallow melted. Eaman doesn’t even like cheesecake and usually finds chocolate desserts too rich, but he said it was one of the best, most unique sweets he’s ever had. We still think about that cheesecake.

Disclaimer: Our day at the Hotel del Coronado was gratis. As always, all opinions are my own.