Review: Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa

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. The AAA Five Diamond resort recently unveiled a transformative $60 million renovation, refreshing all public spaces, guestrooms and suites and function/social spaces while introducing amenities such as a Topgolf Swing Suite, new pool concepts, pickleball courts and the recently debuted Miraval Life in Balance Spa Aviara.

Beyond the enhancements to design and world-class wellness experiences, Park Hyatt Aviara offers an array of dining venues including its signature restaurant, Ponto Lago; adult and family pool experiences; a state-of-the-art Racquet Club including tennis and pickleball facilities; the iconic Aviara Golf Club, Southern California’s only coastal designed Arnold Palmer signature golf course, with a Taylormade training facility and more; two Topgolf Swing Suites; and a variety of outdoor activities surrounding the local beaches and Batiquitos Lagoon.

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 $60-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 signature restaurant, Ember & Rye officially opened its doors in fall 2021. Featuring a collaboration with chef Richard Blais, the restaurant, is 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 also offers 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: Miraval Life in Balance Spa Aviara debuted in 2023 as part of the property’s $60-million renovation and is the only standalone Miraval spa facility outside of Miraval’s destination resorts in Arizona, Texas, and Massachusetts. The expansive menu of globally-inspired services ranges from facials, massages, and Ayurveda services to sound baths, Reiki, and culinary workshops, but highlights include the Ocean Song body renewal ritual, which features a rosemary sea salt exfoliation, magnesium and birch soak, and full body massage accompanied with a singing bowl. For a more active body restoration, the Warrior’s Recovery eases and nurtures worked muscles with a deep tissue massage, warm herbal poultices, and advanced stretches.

The neighborhood/area: Set on 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.

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.