Located just a few minutes from Downtown San Diego, driving over to Coronado Island feels like entering a time machine. The island’s landmark Hotel del Coronado has been welcoming guests since 1888 and is still popular today. At the Hotel del Coronado, dogs can soak up this history and the California sunshine.
I’ve always had a soft spot for grand old hotels. When I learned that the glamorous Hotel del Coronado now allows dogs, I knew I had to check it out. The pet fee at Hotel del Coronado is a bit steep at $125 per stay. The complete pet policy is as follows:
Hotel Del Coronado Pet Policy
Accommodations are deep cleaned after every pet departure to remove allergens
Pet owners must sign a waiver upon arrival at Hotel del Coronado or Beach Village at
The Del Animals must weigh 40 pounds or less with a maximum of 2 pets per guestroom
We are unable to accommodate pit bulls, pit bull mixes, Dobermans, Rottweilers, Chows or Chow mixes
Pets are to be leashed or in a carrier while in the public areas
Pets are not permitted inside pool areas, fitness center, spa, salon, or in indoor dining areas, including the 1500 OCEAN, Sheerwater, Babcock & Story Bar, ENO and Windsor Cottage patios. Pets are welcome on the Sun Deck.
It is disappointing that pets are not allowed on most of the Hotel del Coronado’s restaurant patios. The hotel’s website, promises a “Yappy Hour every Sunday, 4-5pm on the Sun Deck”. With that in mind, I specifically booked a Sunday night stay using Hilton’s online reservation system.
Resort Map
First Impressions
As a Hilton Honors member, I had the option to select my room in advance using their app. I selected a ground-floor room in the Victorian building. I was also sure to remind them that I was bringing a dog. I knew they couldn’t guarantee an exact room but always request a low floor, so it’s easier to take Louis out.
When I arrived at the hotel, I received a key to a room on the fourth-floor which could only be accessed by a manually operated elevator (or stairs). Not ideal when you need to take your dog out to pee in the middle of the night. The website promises a Hotel del Coronado bed and bowls, but these were not waiting in the room.
Ready for Yappy Hour!
Ready for a cocktail, I left my bag in the room so Louie and I could hurry off to “yappy hour.” The Sun Deck was busy, but there were no dogs anywhere. When I inquired at the bar, the bartender said they hadn’t had a “yappy hour” in months. They saw my disappointment but were only able to offer Louis a cup full of whipped cream as compensation.
Standing my Ground
Taking the manual elevator back the fourth-floor, I felt I’d made a costly mistake by booking at the Hotel del Coronado. I went back to the front desk and explained that I really needed something on a lower floor because of the dog. Fortunately, they agreed to upgrade us to an “Island Suite” with much easier access to the outside. I even got the concierge to send down some bowls and treats for Louis.
Relief at Last
One of the things that made our “Island Suite” the Hotel del Coronado so convenient was the location near a rare patch of grass. The hotel landscaping mostly consists of artificial turf which many dogs won’t go potty on. The grassy area to the side of the spa even has poop bags and trash cans.
In summary, at the Hotel del Coronado dogs are allowed, but I really wouldn’t say it is pet friendly. After switching rooms and requesting pet amenities we slept fine, but I probably wouldn’t stay there again.
More California Posts:
- LA County – Sunset Tower Hotel, Chateau Marmont, Santa Monica & Venice, Long Beach
- Orange County – Huntington Beach, Newport Beach & Balboa Island
- Riverside County – Palm Springs
- San Diego County – Hotel Del Coronado
- Humboldt County – Redwoods
- Transportation: CA Highway 1, JSX Airlines
Good to know. That’s a steep add on fee for service that needed to be requested. The hotel features in a new book The Hotel Where We Met by dog writer Belinda Jones if you’re curious.
Yes, I was really expecting more for my money. I’ll definitely check out the book though!
Thanks, Jenna
Thank you so much for this honest and helpful opinion. I was about to make a reservation for my dog and I but I won’t. I’m so glad and grateful to you.
I was going to book a room specifically to take my Lab and two chihuahuas to the dog beach two days. I’m disappointed only a max of two less than 40 lbs are allowed. Thank you for the great information.