San Diego's famous Hotel del Coronado is joining forces with hotel giant Hilton in a move to boost the property's exposure without sacrificing its independent feel.
According to The San Diego Union-Tribune, the hotel will join Hilton's Curio Collection by the end of July. The Curio portfolio currently boasts more than three dozen four- and five-star hotels, including San Diego's Hotel La Jolla.
The impending addition means that Hilton will take over management of the hotel, replacing KSL Resorts.
Guests staying at Hotel del Coronado shouldn't expect significant changes, according to Mark Nogal, global head of Curio for Hilton.
"It's been truly an independent hotel and we're not looking to change it in any way. What we're doing is coming in as an operator to help strengthen the performance of the hotel, and the owners get the buying power behind the Hilton organization," Nogal told the Union-Tribune.
"So quite literally, there will just be a couple plaques near the front door because we don't want to change that independent identity that the Del has. It will always be the Hotel del Coronado."
The benefits to the 129-year-old beachfront hotel include potential OTA savings and an expanded customer base thanks to Hilton's 64 million Honors members.
"We've moved to a lot of online travel agents like Expedia and TripAdvisor, and as an independent hotel, you have no bargaining power with those online travel agents. But with Curio there could be significant savings on those commissions that could help pay for the fees to be part of the Hilton system," hotel analyst Alan Reay told the Union-Tribune.
"So it's definitely an economic decision-the combination of those savings and the affiliation of Hilton's reservations system and tapping into those loyalty members who travel through the Hilton Honors program."
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Nogal said the hotel's owner, the Blackstone Group, has invested millions of dollars in the property of late, including $15 million this year. Recent renovations have included new carpeting and painting as well as furnishings and upgraded lighting, according to the Union-Tribune.
The massive hotel is comprised of a Victorian building, towers, villas and cottages. It also features a handful of restaurants and shops.
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