"Why book? One of north county San Diego’s most elegant resorts, Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa ups the ante in all things luxury. Set the scene: Set on 200-acres in the sleepy surf town of Carlsbad, California, Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa has been a perennial favorite of moneyed travelers, sports enthusiasts and the San Diego staycation set thanks to its world-renowned Aviara Golf Club and destination spa. You know you’ve arrived somewhere special from the moment you set foot in the grand foyer. Wide-open spaces and an indoor-outdoor living room concept seamlessly blend California-coastal cool and palatial beach home. Attracting golfers and tennis enthusiasts to the 18-hole Arnold Palmer designed course and state of the art tennis facility, the hotel is beloved by couples thanks to the expansive spa and swoon-worthy adults only pool and cabanas. Also ideal for families, the main pool now offers a brand-new waterslide tower and tide-pool splash pad area, a great amenity for kids of all ages to spend some fun in the sun. For solo travelers, there’s an abundance of included activities to keep you occupied ranging from nightly meditation classes to yoga and guided walks around the Batiquitos lagoon. Now in the home stretch of completing a multi-year renovation that’s seen a total overhaul of the resort's common spaces, guest rooms, pools and restaurants, Aviara as it’s lovingly referred to by locals, now shines better and brighter than ever. The backstory: Originally part of the Four Seasons chain of luxury hotels and resorts, Hyatt acquired the hotel in 2010, and while this has always been a uniquely upscale offering in low-key San Diego, it wasn’t until the recent $50-million renovation that Aviara has really started to come into its own. Today, the Four Seasons Residence Club still remains down the street from the hotel, and set in the affluent Carlsbad neighborhood of the same name, the Aviara continues to serve as a popular wedding destination for couples as well as hosting the LGPA Tournament every year. While San Diego will always be considered more subdued compared to its neighbors in Laguna and Newport Beach, with the recent remodel, Aviara is now a beacon for the luxury travel set that will surely give its splashy competitors to the north a run for their money. The rooms: Boasting 327-spacious guestrooms, including 43 suites, the rooms here have been completely redesigned, and much like the rest of the hotel experience offers all the low-key luxury vibes you could hope for. Even starting rooms here are spacious, and if you’re looking for easy access to all the hotel has to offer, or if you’re traveling with pets, you might want to consider a room on the main floor which comes with your own furnished terrace space. The marble bathrooms, jacuzzi tubs and separate living room as well as balcony views of the Pacific Ocean found in the coastal view rooms are just a few of the perks of staying here. Food and drink: Formerly home to Argyle, one of the area’s most beloved steakhouses, the resort’s new signature restaurant, Ember & Rye officially opens its doors this Spring. Featuring a collaboration with chef Richard Blais, the restaurant, will be located in the Aviara Golf Club and offer a fusion of high-end coastal cuisine with menu highlights that include barbecued oysters “flambadou” served with bone marrow butter and pickled chili along with a beverage program highlighting exclusive wines from prominent California winemakers. The hotel will also offer two more casual dining outposts including Baja-California inspired Ponto Lago available for breakfast, dinner and weekend brunch, as well as Pacific Point, a nod to Pacific Rim fare with standout dishes ranging from octopus poke and Wagyu short rib to roasted mochi carrots. The spa: Aviara Spa spans some 15,000 square-feet and with 20-treatment rooms, an indoor solarium lounge, saunas and steam rooms, is well-worth a visit in and of itself. Though it specializes in all things Swedish and deep tissue massage, facials are considered some of the best in the area and include everything from the age-defying to the illuminating. For something truly unique to the area, don’t miss the “strawberry fields” facial which infuses locally grown strawberries to hydrate and plump the skin leaving it smoother and softer than ever. The neighborhood/area: Set on 200-acres atop a bluff overlooking Batiquitos Lagoon and the Pacific Ocean in the distance, Aviara is located in a quiet residential neighborhood. One of the best kept secrets about this locale is that it’s located near a popular walking trail along the Batiquitos Lagoon. It’s a great 3-mile out-and-back trail that’s the perfect way to start or end your day. If you don’t feel like huffing it back up the hill to the resort, the hotel shuttle service is available to scoop you up at the entrance of the Aviara Golf Club and bring you back up. Also a short drive away, LEGOLAND is a big draw for families visiting the area as is a day spent at Ponto State Beach. Another unique seasonal attraction that’s well worth your visit is a walk through The Flower Fields which offers 50-acres of Instagrammable moments from blueberry picking to walking amongst the rows and rows of flowers in bloom in the spring. The service: Bar none, Park Hyatt Aviara offers some of the best service you’re likely to experience in San Diego. The hotel’s ethos of being the premier low-key luxury resort in town is truly reflected in the staff who will go out of their way to make you feel both pampered and right at home in equal measure. The hotel does offer a shuttle service and golf carts to get to and from the Golf Club and tennis facilities on property which is a nice option as those amenities are relatively spread out. For families: An excellent option for families, the resort is well-suited for kids of all ages. With endless activities ranging from two brand new Top Golf suites to a family pool area that now offers a fantastic waterslide tower reminiscent of something you’d find at a luxury resort in Mexico or the Caribbean, there’s no shortage of fun to be had. Located at the Aviara Golf Club, a recreation center and game lawn offers volleyball, a croquet field, horseshoes, a badminton court and bocce. The hotel also offers babysitting services upon request. Accessibility: While a shuttle service is provided to get between the resort and the Aviara Golf Club and tennis facilities, it’s worth noting that this hotel is expansive and might not be suitable for travelers with limited mobility. ADA rooms are available on the ground floor along with elevator and wheelchair access ramps. Anything left to mention? One important note: while this hotel does provide wonderful views of the ocean in the distance and a “beach-like” atmosphere, Aviara should not be considered a beach resort. The hotel is set a few miles inland from the beach in a quiet residential neighborhood and guests who book here come for the expansive on-site amenities and activities. If you’re looking for something in the heart of the action or for more of a walkability-factor you might want to look elsewhere." - Michelle Gross
