The Best Western Coronado Motor Hotel - The Past, The Present & The Future

It was 1916 when John and Marie Peach arrived in Yuma from Chicago. Both came through Ellis Island as children from Czechoslovakia. He a tailor, the only one in Yuma, and she a button hole maker. They opened a tailor shop, The Famous Cleaners, in 1916. They also managed them Vindom Hotel downtown for free room and board right up until 1920 when they bought the Virginia Hotel. Marie also opened the only ladies dress shop in town.

In 1932 there was a shortage of lumber so the Peach's bought the rights to tear down the old Southern Railroad hotel for the lumber. The Railroad would not sell the land, but would sell the lumber that came from the hotel. The Peach's used the lumber to build the Peach Auto Court on the outskirts of Yuma.

In 1938 the Coronado was built. The Coronado featured the cottage and eight rooms with garages. In 1940 there was an expansion due to an increase in business. In 1944 the Peach's obtained permission from the government to expand due to the shortage of rooms created by the war. After the war in 1945 there was an increase of tourism and a need for further additions and the addition of the restaurant located on the site of the first plane landing in Arizona, which they leased out. Due to the need to modernize in 1963 they added a pool, a new lobby and 14 rooms.

On October 8th 1991 the Yuma Landing Restaurant & Lounge was included, up until this time it was leased out. Since this is in the middle of Historic downtown Yuma, it is the perfect place to house memorabilia dating back to the beginning of the hotel.

Most recently in 1994 an expansion of non-smoking rooms, which complete the block to block appearance. A year later an annex of 26 rooms was added adjacent to the hotel including a second pool. In 1996 there was an addition of the museum in the cottage, which is the original lobby. The museum houses memorabilia varying from information about Old Yuma to memorabilia covering Best Western, since the hotel is one of the charter members.

Looking ahead we are beginning a five year renovation project for the entire motel, which is in progress at this time.

The Best Western Coronado will continue to improve and modernize with the changing times and always do its best to meet the needs of the guest