The Hotel Del Coronado is always beautiful. That isn’t new.
But last week on a rare, sunny June day, the Del beamed with an 80s glow as they announced their newest summer addition: the Roller Rink.
Out on the lawn by the entrance to the hotel, surrounded by tall evergreen trees, sat a perfect, picturesque white roller rink.
“Any Way You Want It” by Journey played on the speakers. More 80s classics had their turn in the spotlight. A slight breeze in the air picked up the loose hair of a girl skating by. The sun was bright and just peeked over the top of the Del. The energy was light. The wind carried with it a fresh, non-placeable scent. Parents sipped on cocktails and children entered the rink cautiously.
Without sounding too cheesy, it really felt like the beginning of the perfect teen summer movie. Except with no underage drinking, of course.
A Cutwater cocktail bar overlooked the rink on the outside, and on the inside, a snack and drink bar decorated in a warm shade of pink invited skaters for a respite after breaking in the rink.
Sanjiv Hulugalle, the hotel’s managing director, leisurely paced around the rink, making conversation with those contented with observing.
Hulugalle said this idea came up at the beginning of the year as a continuation of the ice rink the Del does in the winter time. That’s how it started, but there was so much more to this roller rink in regards to the history of the Del.
This is bringing this whole spirit back into the original Del experience.
Hotel Del Managing Director Sanjiv Hulugalle
“In the Tent City, there was actually a roller rink. This is bringing this whole spirit back into the original Del experience,” Hulugalle explained.
Tent City was the Del’s camp-style accommodation for tourists and travelers that couldn’t afford to stay in the hotel but wanted the Coronado experience and environment.
It operated from 1900 to 1938 and had furnished tents with lights, cots, bedding, mirrors and tables, according to the Hotel Del’s website.
This destination was designed for everyone to be together and it provided a place to visit and stay for everyone.
“The roller rink really creates a sense of place and a sense of happiness and friendship. And as you can see, there’s so much laughter and smiles, and kids running around and-” Hulugalle paused. “-falling down,” he said with a big chuckle.
He wasn’t wrong.
There were two crowds at a roller rink; those who skate, and those who watch.
A little boy, maybe around 5-years-old, his face flushed with exertion, was trying to make his way around the rink.
His bright orange skates that matched his cheeks reached high up on his shins and his knees bent in whenever he lost balance.
His arms flailed about and his torso pushed forward as his body tried to right itself.
But to no avail.
He landed on his knees, his palms clasping the ground. But he got right back up, determination plastered on his round, red face.
In the other crowd, a mom in a flowy white dress, in theme with the summer mood, walked up to the edge of the rink with a margarita.
“It’s so fun!” Coronado resident Heather Haas said lightly, motioning about. “It’s a good addition to Coronado for the summer.”
Besides good, old, regular summer fun, the roller rink will also be hosting theme nights, including a disco night and a throwback to the 80s and 90s night.
It will be open Monday-Thursday from 2-10 p.m, Friday from 12-10 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
