Four Seasons Aviara Hotel
, Carlsbad
Rooms: 329
Reviews - Four Seasons Aviara Hotel
Read 353 additional reviews of Four Seasons Aviara Hotel at TripAdvisor.
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Historical Traveller Reviews of Four Seasons Aviara Hotel
Spectacular Service
from A TripAdvisor MemberMy wife, my 6 year old daughter, and I arrived on December 27 and stayed for 5 nights. Upon arrival, my child was thrilled to find: (1) a plate of cookies with her name written in chocolate; (2) a glass of milk in the refrigerator; (3) a stuffed tree frog (the resort's "mascot") on the bed for her; (4) a child sized bathrobe hanging in the bathroom; and (5) her name spelled with sponges on the bathtub.
My wife and I did not like the bottom floor room we were given. The room was well appointed, but lacked any view and felt that we were in the basement. We called the front desk while the bellman waited with our bags, and were offered an "upgraded" room for a modest increase in price ($20/night for a view, and $50/night for a "panorama" view). We chose the $20/night upgrade and the bellman whisked us and our bags up to the third floor to our new room. The new room was much better, and we'd recommend that you treat yourself to this better view.
If you don't like kids, don't stay here. If you like kids . . . or are traveling with children . . . this is the place for you. The hotel itself is a true 5-star resort. Beautifully appointed and elegent furnishings. The linens are top quality, with down comforters on the bed, excellent pillows and soft goods, and little touches that make you feel special. (I don't know why, but I particularly liked the bag that was hung on the door containging the morning newspapers.) You can choose your newspaper preference (Wall Street Journal or USA Today), and the service was always timely with a smile.
The morning breakfast buffet was included in our "bed and breakfast" rate, and we thought the food was excellent. The service was always exceptional. We were particularly impressed with special buffet for children and the attention to detail that makes this a 5-star resort. (E.g., the children's peanut and butter sandwiches on the buffet already had the crusts cut off of them . . . a small, but nice touch.) Anytime our daughter became restless at a meal or while enjoying afternoon cocktails, a smiling staff member swooped in with crayons, paper, and toys that kept her entertained.
The resort is perfectfully located to enjoy San Diego's family attractions. Legoland (which my daughter loved . . . although I think any child over 10 would be bored) is only 10 minutes away. The fabulous (albeit expensive) Wild Animal Park is a 25 minute drive due east of the hotel, and the San Diego Zoo was only a 30 minutes south (and lived up to its reputation a fabulous zoo).
All in all, we were thrilled with our decision to stay at this resort. We tend to stay at nicer properties (e.g., Ritz Carlton, J.W. Marriott, and the like), and this hotel exceeded our expectations. The only real negative I have to say is that the bottom floor rooms feel like you're in a cave; a feeling that you should not have when you're paying the kind of money that this hotel costs. And, the rates are high, although I think an excellent "value" when compared to rates in the San Diego area at properties that are not nearly as nice as this one. If we ever vacation again in San Diego, we will definately choose to return to the Four Seasons.
ve Ever Been To. Great for kids, too!
from NJ973The hotel is really geared towards families and can't do enough for kids. As previous reviewers have mentioned, they spell out the kids names with sponges, send up personalized chocolate chip cookies and provide kid-sized bathrobes. They even "babyproofed" the room for us.
While all the restaurants and room service provided children's menus (and children's plastic dishes and child-size silverware to boot) the buffet restaurant even had a kid's buffet of spaghetti & meatballs, peanut butter sandwiches, carrots and the like sitting on a low table that was perfect height for kids to get to. It's details like that which set Aviara apart.
The room- one of the poolside rooms- was spacious, with a big bathroom, separate toilet, giant tub & shower and double sink. The room looked new, was spotless and had ample room for 2 adults & 2 kids.
The hotel has a large game room for kids- table shuffleboard, foosball, pool, ping-pong, big screen TV. They also have a kids camp and, on the one rainy day we had there- they set up a whole activity center for kids in the hotel ballroom- everything from hot potato contests to karaoke to video games to coloring stations.
The pool(s) are very nice and well kept. The kiddie pool even features kiddie size lounge chairs. (There's an adult-only pool as well, for those without kids)
The upscale restaurant was very good, very adult, and it was nice to be able to have a "date night" on premises.
The hotel gym is a little small, albeit well laid out, has good equipment and a beautiful locker room which is part of the top-notch spa. There's even a Jose Eber hair salon on premises. The property, which features time-share condos, is quite large and there's a great jogging trail around the nature preserve at the nearby lagoon.
Aviara is only a few minutes from Legoland and is about a half hour or so from the San Diego Zoo and other attractions. Disneyland is about an hour drive north, LA about an hour and a half, so you really can use it as a base for all of Southern California. (Beaches are about a 10 minute drive)
The staff was incredibly accomodating and really went out of their way, as is typical of Four Seasons resorts.
It truly was a wonderful trip and the Aviara is a wonderful resort. Try not to be put off by the one or two negative reviews - one of the problems with a site like Tripadvisor are the "gripers" - those folks who had a minor, one-time problem which seems to somehow ruin their entire trip.
But the Four Seasons Aviara is a very special place, a real find for families looking for an upscale vacation spot in Southern California.
Not up to Four Seasons standards
from garvineNOT A 5 STAR HOTEL
from A TripAdvisor MemberExcellent!
from A TripAdvisor MemberThey have a great breakfast buffet with food for the kids. The service is top notch and sooooo friendly. The lagoon is great, the pool is great. We love this hotel.
Good, not great
from AvonTravlerThe good - the rooms are very nice. Large, very comfortable and what you would expect from the Four Seasons. The service as well was top notch. Yes, this is expected from this chain, but it is still nice to be doted on hand and foot by the staff.
The bad - way too many children. We were shocked at the number of families with small children at a Four Seasons resort. Obviously more kids are growing up pampered. The good is that the resort has a separate "quiet pool" for relaxing. Yes, you may see kids there too, but the resort staff makes sure they behave (or move to the other pool). The food was not as good as I would have expected either - good, but not great. Lastly, as with all big resorts, you have to get to the pool no later than 10 a.m. to secure a good spot. Show up after noon, and you'll likely be out of luck entirely for finidng a lounge chair.
Would we go back? Yes. Make sure to request a room on the 5th floor - some of their "panoramic view" rooms are on lower floors, which don't provide a good view at all. Also, try to avoid going during a major holiday weekend.
pure delight
from A TripAdvisor MemberT want to leave!
from TheGoulWhen we checked in, they told us the hotel was sold out for the weekend, yet we still got upgraded two room levels. And the pools were never crowded. Maybe 20 people in the main pool at one time and only a handful at the Adult pool. We received a complimentary bottle of champagne in our room because they knew it was our 5th anniversary.
We asked for a fridge, and they gave us a nice size "college dorm" style fridge at no charge. We asked for food that we brought ourselves to be warmed up...so they came and picked it up, then delivered it back to us an hour later in a warming box, which was underneath a table on wheels, and they even set up a complete set of china on the table...just so we could eat OUR food on THEIR silverware!
The spa is like heaven...and everyone there is even nicer then in the rest of the hotel, if that's even possible. Had the 50 minute swedish massage for two, and it was amazing. The "solarium" where you can hang out before and after your treatment is like the garden of eden...couches, ottomans, fresh fruit, water, teas, etc. And those spa robes...
If you need directions anywhere, they have 'em. We asked for the closest Toys R Us...and with the touch of a button, the lady at the front desk gave us directions, store hours and a phone number! We asked for the closest movie theatre, and they printed out the five closest theatres...complete with movies and showtimes for that day at each theatre! Valet parking is $18 a day, but you can go in and out as much as you please, and if you call ahead and tell them you're on your way down, they have your car waiting for you.
Took the "45 Minute" time-share tour...which only lasted 30 minutes. No pressure, no talk of money...just a little walk to a condo, they show you around, give you a brochure, and ask if they can do anything else for you during your stay! And then they take $150 off your total bill when you check-out!
While we left ours at home, we noticed the hotel is very kid friendly. But yet, it's not overrun with kids. So whether you just want a romantic getwaway by yourselves, or want to bring the kids along, this is THE BEST PLACE to go in southern California
One of the Best Resorts
from A TripAdvisor MemberOut of the World
from invisoTop Local Tips for Carlsbad
Great outlet mall near by If you arrive early to the hotel, there is a great outlet mall nearby -- worthwhile if you're a shopper, and really, even if you're not. The Addidas outlet is particularly good. Also the hotel is relatively close to Seaworld, Legoland, the San Diego Zoo and, of course, San Diego and La Jolla -- all worthwhile visits.
Good spot for the low seasons but way too crowded for high seasons Plan your tip accordingly: avoid the crowd!!!
Lego Land is practically walking distance Great place if you are traveling with children. They have a separate kiddy pool, and camp and Legoland is walking distance.
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Other names for Four Seasons Aviara Hotel
- four seasons hotel carlsbad
- four seasons carlsbad
- four seasons aviara
- carlsbad four seasons aviara resort
- carlsbad four seasons
- aviara resort
- Address: 7100 Four Seasons Point - Carlsbad - California - 92009 - United States
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