Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
218
After Spreckels' death in 1926, his family continued to own the hotel, but the Depression and
World War II took its toll. During the war, many Navy pilots were housed at The Del, even though
the hotel remained open for the very few tourists and businessmen who visited. Military weddings
and honeymoons were common fare. In 1948, the family sold the property, and it passed through
several owners before its recent 3-year, $55 million renovation.
Renowned for its magnificent architecture, the Hotel del Coronado is equally well known for
its legendary guests. Ten U.S. presidents have stayed at the resort, starting with Benjamin Harrison
in 1891. Every president since Lyndon Johnson has visited The Del.
Thomas Edison visited during 1915 and American aviator Charles Lindbergh was honored
at the hotel after his successful 1927 transatlantic flight. Legendary sports figures Babe Ruth, Jack
Dempsey, Willie Mays, Magic Johnson, and Muhammad Ali have graced the property with their
presence.
In 1920, England's Prince of Wales visited The Del. At that time, his future wife, Wallis Spen-
cer Simpson, was living in Coronado. Ever since then, people have wondered if the two may have
met for the first time during Prince Edward's 1920 visit. Sixteen years later, Edward would give up
the throne to marry the divorced Mrs. Simpson.
With its proximity to Los Angeles, the Hotel del Coronado has attracted movie stars since 1901,
when the first film was made in Coronado. In 1958,
Some Like It Hot
, starring Marilyn Monroe, Jack
Lemmon, and Tony Curtis, was filmed at The Del. Enormously popular, this movie was recently
named number one on the American Film Institute's list of the 100 best comedies of all time.
Early Hollywood visitors included Rudolph Valentino, W. C. Fields, Douglas Fairbanks Sr.,
and Charlie Chaplin. Despite the Depression, the Del also hosted Mary Pickford, Al Jolson, Greta
Garbo, Mae West, Rita Hayworth, and Clark Gable. Following the war, television made stars out
of such regular guests as Carol Burnett, Donna Reed, Raymond Burr, Doris Day, and Dinah Shore.
Modern celebrity guests include Oprah Winfrey, Bruce Willis, Sylvester Stallone, and many more.
One guest who arrived in 1892 may still be here. Kate Morgan checked into the hotel apparently
brokenhearted and alone after a quarrel with her estranged husband. Only five days later, she was
found dead on the beach, a gunshot wound to her head. Since then, guests, employees, and even para-
normal researchers have sworn that Kate's former room is still haunted by her spirit.
