December 13, 2019
Stories of the celebrities, heads of state and famous guests who have roamed the halls of the 131-year-old Hotel Del Coronado were colorfully shared by a hotel historian this week with residents of Silvergate Fallbrook, a premier senior living community that places a strong focus on lifestyle enrichment for seniors.
Surrounded by the grandeur and beauty of the Hotel Del Coronado at the holiday season, attendees were treated to an hour-long historical overview of the hotel after meandering through an array of giant, snowy “White Christmas” holiday decorations in the grand courtyard during Silvergate’s Hotel Del Coronado excursion. While dining in the hotel’s historic Garden Room, Silvergate’s guests were enraptured by the stories imparted by Historian and Heritage Manager, Gina Petrone. In her talk, Petrone recounted the history of the hotel’s colorful owners, including “Sugar King,” John D. Spreckels in 1888. She told of the escapades of celebrities like Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe, Joan Crawford, Thomas Edison and Liberace, who was first discovered at The Del. Petrone spoke of the many visits by heads of state and dignitaries like President Franklin D. Roosevelt, The Prince of Wales and Ronald Reagan. She also described the unexplainable activity of the hotel’s ghostly inhabitants whose eerie antics are still reported by guests to this day.
“We have people come from all over the world to enjoy the Hotel Del,” said Petrone, who has lead the Hotel’s heritage team for more than nine years. “When senior communities come to visit, they often step off the busses and are given time to walk the hotel and shop the Del Shops, but Silvergate really went all out by treating their residents to our world renowned cuisine, like our famous lobster bisque and adding our historical program to their visit. Their guests now walk away with a better understanding of the majesty of this national treasure we all share here on the West Coast.”
The excursion to the Hotel Del Coronado was one of many enrichment activities and outings offered to residents and those considering a move to Silvergate Fallbrook.
“I wanted to be a part of this outing today because of my memories of how beautiful this old Victorian hotel is at Christmas time,” said Sally Cook, a resident of Silvergate Fallbrook. ”The historian who spoke at the luncheon for us today was fascinating, the food was outstanding and to have the whole trip planned and hosted for us by Silvergate was such a special holiday treat.”
“There’s nothing like seeing people, especially seniors, light up with excitement and joy at Christmas time,” said Helen Gray, Marketing Director for Silvergate Fallbrook. “The Hotel Del is such an iconic Southern California destination and visiting it evokes memories of times gone by for so many of our seniors. This unique excursion, like so many others to come, is part of why Silvergate Fallbrook is such a special experience for seniors who have chosen our one-of-a-kind senior living community.”
Those interested in seeing a new apartment home at Silvergate Fallbrook, learning more about the wide array of ongoing events and activities at Silvergate…or for information about availability in the Memory Care Suites of the community, call Helen Gray, Marketing Director, to arrange a private luncheon and tour of the property, at 760-728-8880. One bedroom and studio models are currently available at Silvergate Fallbrook, with a special “All Inclusive Care” offering applicable through the end of 2019. Silvergate Fallbrook is located at 420 Elbrook Drive, Fallbrook, CA 92028.
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