There are two legendary historical properties for visitors to stay at when exploring Coronado Island, the Glorietta Bay Inn and Hotel del Coronado. Both properties were once owned by San Diego's founding father, John D. Spreckels.
Glorietta Bay Inn is a renovated mansion that was once Spreckels' home. After living through the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, Spreckels commissioned his favorite architect, Harrison Albright, to design his Coronado home built with reinforced steel and concrete.
It was completed in 1908 and offered many unique features for its time. It was the first to have electrical lights and it had a tunnel system connecting to Hotel del Coronado.
Overlooking Glorietta Bay and directly across from the Hotel del Coronado, this Italian Renaissance-style home features 11 guest rooms, a stunning lobby and multi-purpose music room.
The current owners restored and continue to maintain the property to look just as it did in the 1920s. Exquisite design features include a dramatic entryway with a center marble staircase, marble flooring and airy garden terraces.
The beautiful music room with its copper-clad glass doors and hardwood floors showcases period furnishings and a baby grand piano. This is where guests sit to enjoy a complimentary Continental breakfast and afternoon refreshment. Shelves on the walls provide a guest library and games to use throughout their stay.
Beyond this room is the breakfast patio and front Verandah inviting guests to sit outside to chat or work while taking in the views.
Some of the most requested rooms in the Mansion include the Spreckels Suite. Located on the second floor, this was once the living room, sunroom and bedroom of John Spreckels. It's one of the most desired rooms for its panoramic views of the bay and ocean, small kitchen and living room.
The adjacent Sugar Baron Suite was once Mrs. Spreckels' master suite. This room now has a sleeping area overlooking the sparkling swimming pool and Glorietta Bay.
Another popular room at the Inn is The Mansion Suite on the first floor. It was created from a large patio overlooking the tea gardens and the butler's pantry. The suite now has a patio, bedroom and sitting area. The only other guestroom on the main level of the Inn was once the library. It still maintains the feel of the library with warm woods, a fireplace and peaceful location away from the reception activity on the first floor.
There are six other rooms located on the second floor, each one is unique in its decor. These rooms are named after Spreckels' children and grandchildren, who often spent their summers in Coronado.
Guests staying in room 138, will notice Lillie's Bedroom on the door. This sun-filled bedroom is named for Spreckels' daughter. The comfortable king-bedded suite is decorated in neutral and calming colors. There is a separate sitting room with a small kitchenette, and a marble tiled bathroom featuring a large walk-in shower.
All of the guest rooms have kept the original light fixtures and many have hardware and fixtures that have been maintained or replaced with circa 1920 period pieces. A few rooms even have a wall safe dating back to the early 1920s.
The third-floor Solarium, which was Spreckels' retreat for study and introspection, is now the Penthouse. With 1,000 square feet of space, the Penthouse offers some of the best views from the Island.
One of the best ways to learn more about Coronado is to take a historically truthful 9-mile Pedal Beach Tour. Jeff Davis the owner of the company picked me up at Glorietta Bay Inn. He shared with me that he loves living on the island and was once the principal of the local high school. Everywhere he pedals, people wave, smile and greet him.
Jeff started Pedal Beach Tour two-year ago as a retirement project. The tour is led by volunteer experts and 100% of the profits go to a local charity to help those in need celebrate the holidays with a warm hearty meal and presents.
He shared with me some interesting stories about Glorietta Bay Inn. In 1975, the current owners (three San Diego businesspeople), acquired the estate and embarked on a major modernization and historic renovation. The partners decided to operate the hotel independently and unaffiliated in order to preserve its character and provide a high level of personalized service.
In 1977, the Mansion was designated a Coronado Historic Landmark by the Coronado Historical Association. In 1997, Glorietta Bay Inn received the Golden Hibiscus Award from the City of Coronado for Excellence in Historic Restoration.
Spreckels put San Diego on the map by investing in the community. It all began when he invested $500,000 in the Coronado Beach Company which had developed The Hotel del Coronado, and by 1890, he held a controlling interest in the hotel. Within the next decade he owned all but five parcels of Coronado Island and North Island. Spreckels gave the city its library, several parks and its largest commercial building, the Spreckels Building on Orange Avenue.
He owned the utility company, street car system, water company and established the San Diego & Arizona Eastern railroad. This opened San Diego to visitors from the east, making it the ultimate Southern California destination.
Glorietta Bay Inn is an ideal getaway any time of the year. Go online for a 15% off special.
