Lavish Luxury at 1906 Lodge

Every so often I stay at a property that sets the bar just a bit higher.  I recently enjoyed such a place on Coronado Island in San Diego, California…the 1906 Lodge.  As the name might imply, the structure (that is now a first-class B&B) was initially built in the year 1906…nearly 20 years after the famed “Hotel Del Coronado,” was erected.

With a century of use, and several decades of decay, the 1906 Lodge property was purchased and completely restored just a few years ago. During the reconstruction phase, painstaking effort went into preserving the period architecture and design.

There are seventeen rooms and suites to choose from, each completely unique using Coronado history as its decorative guide.  For example, the 4^th of July is a huge event on Coronado, so there is “Star Park,” a tastefully decorated suite using our National stars, stripes and colors as its palette.  Then, there’s “Ocean Blvd.” which made me feel as though I was in Tommy Bahamas’ bedroom (my favorite clothing designer.)

In addition to the accommodations taking decorative cues from their room names, each is appointed with quality furnishings, amazingly comfortable beds, luxurious linens, comfy house coats, and the list goes on.  Only the highest quality materials were used by craftsmen who cared about their work.  Quality is something that never goes out of style and by reconstructing the Lodge using the same guiding principles that got it through its first 100 years, I have no doubt it will be around to see its second 100+ years of life.

I’m a person who really notices the details; whether it be poor craftsmanship, maintenance issues, cleanliness or inconveniences…I couldn’t find a single item to complain about during my stay at the Lodge.  Oh, wait…yes I can…my stay wasn’t long enough.  🙂

I was excited to share this lodging experience with my Canadian traveling companion, Miss Rhonda. As we approached Coronado Island, coming across its namesake bridge, I reminisced about some of the wonderful times I’d had in year’s past.  This was Rhonda’s first time to San Diego and you could see the excitement on her face., and perhaps a hint of trepidation as I hugged the inside lane crossing the bridge in an attempt to get the best possible view of the harbor.

Coronado is a destination rich in history, and for me, its a place that conjures up romantic images of a forgotten innocence…when swimsuits left something to the imagination, and the summer family vacation was assured. After all these years, Coronado has maintained it’s nostalgic charm, while never becoming antiquated.

Shortly after we checked-in, we were invited to gather in the parlor for the evening wine and cheese hour, which gives guests an opportunity to mingle with one another. We enjoyed talking with folks from around the country, some of whom had stayed at the Lodge before.

We soon headed out for dinner—shortly thereafter, we retired to the sanctuary of our suite where we enjoyed a luminous glow of a fire while the open patio door let an in a pleasant ocean breeze.  Our super comfy bed beckoned us to cozy-up and watch a movie.

After such a fantastic first evening at the Lodge, we were both excited for breakfast.  It was a glorious morning, especially for Rhonda who had just flown in from Vancouver, where freezing temperatures had been in the forecast.  We both enjoyed a cup of coffee on the patio while enjoying the serene sounds of the courtyard water feature.

Breakfast at the Lodge is a reflection of Coronado’s relaxed healthy lifestyle.  Breakfasts is made from fresh ingredients simply prepared and beautifully presented.  A hot entree is served each morning in addition to a breakfast buffet of fresh fruits, cereals, muffins, scones, yogurts and juices.

• Our first morning the entrée was an Adella Chili Baked casserole with just a kick of spice.  It was served with sour cream, fresh salsa and corn chips.   So good!
• The next morning was a more traditional breakfast…a cheesy scrambled Eggstravaganza, served over a generous helping of hot savory baked potatoes.  This dish gave us the strength to go out and spend the entire day at Seaworld.
• The last morning was a scrumptious mascarpone stuffed French toast served with a heap of homemade orange berry sauce…a delicious combination.

Coronado Island has one of the biggest and best stretches of beach in San Diego, and the 1906 Lodge is just a block or two way. There’s also a plethora of great restaurants, shops and activities to entertain yourself within walking distance. If you visit Coronado, you simply must check out the 1906 Lodge for your accommodation needs—this bed and breakfast is one to which others should aspire, and will not just meet, but rather exceed your expectations. While it’s early in the year, 1906 Lodge will certainly be in contention for the “Best B&B” award on the annual “Best of Mike’s Road Trip” list.

Click the following link to see more of my pictures of the 1906 Lodge. If you’ve ever visited the Lodge, tell my readers and me what you like best by leaving a comment below.  If you found this post and video to be interesting and/or helpful, please share it with your friends and family by clicking the “like” button below.

1906 Lodge Coronado Beach Bed and Breakfast information:

Address (click for map):
1060 Adella Avenue
Coronado, CA 92118
Web:
1906Lodge.com
Phone:
866 435-1906
619 437-1900
Email:
[email protected]
Rates:
Rooms: $189-$309 per night; Suites: $249-$599 per night.  Rates are based on availability, season and specific accommodations.
Notes:
It’s worth noting that the Lodge does have meeting space available for small gatherings, such as corporate retreats.  There is one conference room and two smaller meeting rooms.