PRICE:
Frommer's Highly Recommended

This Spanish hacienda across the street from the Hotel del Coronado began life as a private mansion in 1902. By the 1930s, it had become a hotel. Shaped like a baseball diamond and surrounding a courtyard with meandering tiled pathways, flowering shrubs, a swimming pool, and patio seating for Miguel's Cocina Mexican restaurant, El Cordova hums pleasantly with activity. Each room is a little different -- some sport a Mexican Colonial ambience, while others evoke a comfy beach cottage. Most rooms have kitchenettes with gas stoves; all feature ceiling fans and brightly tiled bathrooms but lack the frills that would command exorbitant rates. El Cordova's prime location makes it a popular option; reserve several months in advance for summer months. Facilities include a barbecue area with picnic table.

Copyright: Excerpted from Frommer's San Diego 2009, (c) 2008, Wiley Publishing, Inc.

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