Finding the right piece of real estate to call home or an investment takes a lot of research and planning. But sometimes a great opportunity seems to just fall on your lap.

It is not often that someone has a chance to live amongst history, but this can be a reality as the 118-year old Hotel Del Coronado, which is literally just a long stone’s throw from San Diego, is selling luxury villas or condominiums for anyone who wants to experience the aura and nostalgia of the famous landmark.

Realty Times columnist, Phoebe Chongchua explains how owning a piece of this real estate can be more than just an owned property, in her October 16, 2006 article, “Hotel Del Coronado Condos for Sale.”

These villa condominiums were originally designed as vacation homes, but are realizing the opportunity to be marketed for a variety of real estate needs.

“‘These are really great vacation condos because of the fact that they are sitting on one of the prized beaches of the world,’ says Gary Driver, VP and Broker, Hotel Del Realty Company.”

According to Driver, the “Hotel Del,” as it is commonly referred, started selling 35 units that will sit on 2.8 acres of the hotel’s land. With historic tales of Hollywood actors and legendary mysteries, the Hotel Del has become a noticeable attraction for vacationers and beachgoers from all over the U.S.

“Right now the hotel has 25 remaining condos for sale. With a price tag ranging from $2.4 to $3.3 million for two bedrooms and three bedrooms, respectively -- the buyers are typically people who visit the Hotel Del regularly, and are interested in making it a vacation home as well as taking advantage of a rare land-opportunity investment.”

Beachfront property is scarce in most coastal cities across the country, especially on a small island such as Coronado. The opportunity to buy a piece of property on a picturesque beach on a land that has been made famous by Hollywood pictures is rare and unique.

“‘There really isn't anything left of beach-front property that I know of, in Coronado. It's developed along the beach on either side of the [Hotel Del] -- on one side is the shores, on the south side; on the other side are the homes of Coronado that go along Ocean Blvd, but they're not right on the beach. So, there really isn't anything else on the beach, and probably won't be,’ explains Driver.”

The available condos are actually the old cottage section of the hotel that accommodated guests with tennis courts and a relaxed vacation hut atmosphere. This old section has now become the beach village, where the condos are for sale.

The Hotel Del also has a historic feel to it. When it originally opened in 1888, luxury seaside resorts were common in the U.S.

“‘The Hotel Del is probably one of the last surviving seaside resorts in America,’ says Christine Donovan, Director of Heritage Programs, Hotel Del Coronado.”

These condos represent the demand for exclusive luxury real estate. People desire real estate that is unique, which makes the white picket fence look boring.

There are not many opportunities to purchase land on a historic site that is still one of the most popular beaches in the country.           Hotel Del Coronado offers both of these.