by Samara Yew

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the book and a link to purchase it on Amazon.

Images reminiscent of stepping back in time to a golden age of luxurious travel were floating through my mind when I wrote one of my favorite scenes in Murder by the Seashore, the first book in the California Bookshop Mysteries. My amateur sleuth, Scarlett Gardner, follows a trail of clues that leads her to the Five Palms Resort and Casino. The Five Palms is a fictional, elegant hotel that was very much inspired by the real-life Hotel del Coronado, the legendary, beach hotel near San Diego. Images like a golden, sandy beach and waves gently lapping up on shore. Warm sunshine, meandering pathways, and swaying palm trees. A classy, welcoming reception area and tasteful restaurants.

In doing research about the Hotel del Coronado for inspiration for the Five Palms Resort, I learned some interesting history of the grand hotel. The ground-breaking ceremony was in January 1887, and the hotel opened in early 1888. In 1977, it was designated a National Historic Landmark. The Hotel del Coronado celebrates its birthday on February 19, which was when the first meal was served in the main dining room, now known as the Crown Room. This date is actually super close to my birthday, so I think it’s a sign that I should celebrate my birthday by staying here one year! Even though I haven’t had a chance to stay at the Hotel del Coronado yet, I have walked along its beautiful beach, not knowing it would play a role in a cozy mystery I would one day write.

But as an author, what I found most interesting was that the author of The Wizard of Oz, L. Frank Baum, was a huge fan of the hotel. He stayed at the Hotel del Coronado for months at a time between the years 1904 and 1910. At least three of the Oz series books were written while he stayed on property: Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz in 1908, The Road to Oz in 1909, and The Emerald City of Oz in 1910. Mr. Baum also designed the stylish crown chandeliers in the main dining room. As an ode to his love for the hotel, he wrote a poem: “And every day her loveliness, shines pure, without a flaw; new charms entrance our every glance, and fill our souls with awe!”

The Five Palms Resort and Casino in Murder by the Seashore has many similarities with the Hotel del Coronado. Both have light-colored buildings with richly-colored red roofs, manicured paths that wander between luscious lawns and sandy beaches, and of course, towering palm trees dotted all around the property.

As Scarlett walks around the hotel asking staff members for information about the murder mystery she is trying to solve, she also takes in the grandness of the hotel and daydreams about maybe one day staying there. I loved writing about the Five Palms Resort so much with its elegant descriptions that I just had to include it in the second book of the California Bookshop Mysteries. Not only does this hotel make another appearance, but this new scene is even longer and holds a lot of significance to the plot. I don’t want to give too much away, but returning to the Five Palms Resort was a fun scene to write!
Have you visited the famous Hotel del Coronado? If money was no object, which fancy, world-famous hotel would you stay in?

To enter to win a copy of Murder at the Seashore, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “seashore” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen on February 3, 2024. U.S. residents only, and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

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Samara Yew is a cozy mystery author who writes about adorable bookshops and dead bodies. A full-time mom, full-time dog servant, and part-time writer, Samara lives in British Columbia, Canada, where she can often be found watching Psych reruns. Samara loves to travel, especially visiting her husband’s home country of Singapore or donning Mickey ears in Disneyland. She’s a member of Sisters in Crime and International Thriller Writers.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.