First opened in 1888, Southern California’s Hotel del Coronado marked the largest resort in the world at the time. After a long history of hosting presidents, royalty, movie stars, and film sets, the resort underwent an extensive $13 million, two-year refurbishment encompassing the original Victorian guestrooms, the common areas, dining venues, and the exclusive Beach Village villas and cottages.
“From a separate valet and entrance, and satellite check-ins to access to private areas on property, Beach Village guests receive the velvet rope experience at Hotel del Coronado,” explains Gina Joyce of Dallas-based Joyce Design Group, who completed the Beach Village updates. The area’s 78 oceanfront cottages and villas range from luxurious guestrooms with fireplaces to two-level suites complete with a kitchen, living room, several balconies, and three bedrooms.
With the hotel’s iconic past in mind, the refresh rejuvenates the original palette with new window treatments, sofas, lounge chairs, chaise lounges, reupholstered seating, bedding, bath amenities, accessories, and artwork. “The goal of the renovation was to highlight the essence of the Beach Village oceanfront cottages and villas, keeping the high-end vacation destination for families, couples, and groups beautiful and elegant for years to come,” says Joyce.
Like the National Historic Landmark hotel that inspired them, the exterior of the cottages and villas showcase turrets, a red-shingled roof, white-painted lap siding, and white accents. This connection between the past and the present continues inside with white-paneled wainscoting and painted cabinetry, which contrast wide-plank walnut wood floors in the living areas. Along with white Calcutta marble floors, the bathrooms boast oversized baths, chrome fixtures, and custom vanities crafted from ebony mahogany with dark marble tops.
Materials that echo the nearby water and sand frequent the redesign. “Our design aesthetic was inspired by the unparalleled Coronado Beach view—the resort is located directly on the sand,” Joyce says. Recalling the design of traditional cottages, the furniture features blue textured linen upholstery to complement the striped linen draperies. “The cottages and villas are designed in a residential style and for a very discerning traveler,” she adds. “Beach Village is designed perfectly for multi-generational travel and long vacation getaways.” Private concierge service, an entertainment library, and a well-appointed kitchen grace several of the spaces.
Interspersed between the cottages and villas, a series of private terraces secluded by walls and hedges provide intimate outdoor living spaces, complete with therapeutic spa hot tubs, designer patio furniture, and firepits. At the center of Beach Village, an oval-shaped pool is surrounded by private cabanas and fan palms.
“Beach Village provides the ultimate in coastal luxury living and elite vacationing,” says Joyce. “With its own seaside charm, contemporary design, and elevated service, it combines a highly personalized and unique experience for every guest with the romantic allure of one of America’s most prized historic hotels.”
