Grande Colonial Hotel in a Nutshell
Having undergone several multi-million dollar renovations in its century-long history, the most recent in 2012, the four-diamond Grande Colonial is at the center of La Jolla’s tasteful downtown and just three blocks to the Pacific Ocean.

There are four distinctive “hotels” on this historic hotel's grounds: The cream-colored, five-story building with blue and white striped awnings that fronts La Jolla’s main shopping street looks like a Mediterranean hotel.


 The original 1913 building is connected behind the street-front hotel. The Garden Terrace and the Little Hotel by the Sea are historic structures in their own right. The former has ten suites suitable for longer stays, while the Little Hotel is composed of eight suites.

Guest Rooms at Grande Colonial Hotel
Given the diverse buildings that comprise the hotel, few rooms are alike. In the main building, rooms face Prospect Street or overlook the swimming pool towards the beach. Rooms are comfortable, however bathrooms are on the small side and the vanity is cramped. 

The most romantic place for a couple of honeymooners is The Little Hotel by the Sea. This intimate venue  has a tiny lobby on the first floor, a library and sitting room and an outdoor rooftop patio. It is just steps from the swimming pool, yet it remains private. To ride the Little Hotel’s circa-1929 four-passenger elevator is a nostalgic trip. 

Dining at the Grande Colonial Hotel
At Nine-Ten, the hotel restaurant, there is street-front dining—perfect for people watching—and outdoor dining on the patio to experience the sunset.

The chef demonstrates the skill that earned him a score of 26 (extraordinary to perfection) in Zagat 2013 with his tasting menu. We savored roasted halibut with leeks, baby potatoes, pancetta, clams and pickled pearl onions; carrot cremeux (roasted, pickled and shaved carrots, carrot top pesto and ginger gel); and, in homage to the chef's Caribbean roots, Jamaican jerk pork belly with Swiss chard, plantains and black-eyed peas.

Weddings at Grande Colonial Hotel
The Grande Colonial has a variety of spaces for weddings. The Garden Courtyard is landscaped with rose gardens and has a colorful fountain and built-in pergola that can serve as an altar. The Sun Room, named for the skylight and natural light that fill the space, overlooks the pool and ocean. The Loft on the top floor of the Little Hotel by the Sea can accommodate a small party. It has panoramic windows facing the Pacific and French doors leading out to the private rooftop deck. With only eight suites, the entire Little Hotel is also ideal for a small destination wedding buyout. 

Nearby the Grande Colonial Hotel
Trip Advisor includes Children’s Pool and its harbor seals in downtown La Jolla on its top ten list of unique beaches. We sat on a park bench overlooking the water when—what’s that on the sand? There on the rocks jutting from the water were at least 50 seals. Walk to the edge of the roped-off beach to get a bit closer, or observe them from the jetty that forms the pool. 

Elsewhere La Jolla Cove’s protected waters are awash with kayakers, swimmers and snorkelers. Surfboarders and boogie boarders are drawn to Torrey Pines City Beach. Although nudity is technically prohibited in California, those who prefer to go au naturel can find a spot at Black’s Beach.

Hotel Info & Reservations
Grande Colonial Hotel La Jolla
910 Prospect Street
La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone: 888-828-5498
Official Hotel Website

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As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary accommodation and  meals for the purpose of reviewing those services. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.