Destination Concepts Inc. (DCi), a Southern California destination management and event production company, transformed two iconic ballrooms and the outdoor Garden Patio at Hotel del Coronado into a modern speakeasy, full of hipster swag for one of the Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) Industry Advisory Council meeting dinner receptions. The private, dinner club experience was inspired by Hotel del Coronado's rich history and legendary past.
DCi's partnership with Global DMC Partners, a member of the ALHI Global Luxury Alliance, led to the collaborative efforts of Hotel del Coronado and DCi to create this contemporary representation of the hotel’s past. DCi's in-house design team worked closely with The Del's head chef and creative team to ensure food and beverage service was a unique experience, aligning with the overall 1920s theme.
The progressive evening began in the Coronet Room, where guests sipped on craft cocktails while being serenaded by a hip yet classic torch singer and pianist on an ornate grand piano. When entering the adjacent Crown Room for dinner, characters dressed as flappers and mobsters mingled with guests, posing for photos and playing into the vintage vibe.
The Crown Room featured a variety of textured seating utilizing sleek, black leather booths, communal and cocktail tables finished with lush flowers, and an assortment of themed era decor comprised of gold candleholders and towering candelabras, where guests feasted on the posh pub cuisine. Specialty craft cocktails were served as guests bellied up to the 20- by 20-foot central bar detailed with gold crown molding and chic lighting. Food service points, elegantly adorned with crystal chandeliers placed in front of gold velvet draping, were strategically positioned around the room to ensure a consistent flow of the party.
Throughout the dinner hour, a Gatsby-style full band entertained the crowd with a myriad of swanky jazz tunes and performances. As the evening progressed, the band segued into Top-40 hits remixed with hip beats that helped create a trendy nightclub atmosphere.
The party flowed into and out of the Garden Patio, the centerpiece of The Del's Victorian building. Wine barrel belly-bar tables and lavish lounge vignettes filled the beautiful lawn space. Guests could enjoy their cocktails or puff on handmade, custom cigars, each freshly rolled by a Cuban-trained roller.
The event featured a picturesque setting that reinvented Hotel del Coronado's history and colorful past into a hipster-style scene.
