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La Costa Resort & Spa, Carlsbad: A Playground for All Ages

By Merilee Kern. ‘The Luxe List’ Executive Editor

General view of La Costa Resort and Spa-Creative Commons

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the La Costa Resort and Spa – a

destination idyllically situated in sunny Carlsbad, California that’s

revered for its well-appointed accommodations, world-class spa, fine

dining and, of course, its two PGA-championship golf courses.  Having

heard much about La Costa prior to my stay, I checked in with admittedly

high expectations. Suffice it to say the experience did not disappoint.

Long cherished among Southern California residents and world travelers,

alike, as a premiere vacation locale, La Costa Resort and Spa – with its

breadth of amenities and top-notch service – is a worthy respite.

Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway for two or a fun-filled

family vacation, this property has it all…and then some.

Accommodations a Plenty
This Spanish Mission village-styled resort, spread out over fully 400

acres of coastal foothills, boasts a total of 610 guestrooms, including

ample villas and no less than 76 suites overlooking lush landscaping or

its world-renowned golf courses. The rooms are outfitted with rich wood

furnishings, luxurious fabrics, and leather accents along with oversized

bathrooms replete with imported marble.

Located near the on-site shops, restaurants and spa, La Costa’s Plaza

Rooms feature new flat-screen televisions, comfortable beds, high speed

Internet access and an array of creature comforts. The Resort Rooms are

offered with a choice of king bed or two queen beds, as well as a large

flat-screen television, full size bath and glass enclosed shower, and

outdoor courtyards. The Spa Rooms are located near the swimming pool

areas and offer either a king or two queen beds with sitting areas.

Decorated in the Spanish Colonial style, The Villa Rooms have king beds,

authentic Saltillo-tiled floors and fireplaces along with flat screen

televisions, a patio, a work area and sitting area.

The 57 available La Costa Suites for two are approximately 660 square

feet and offer an elegant bedroom, a separate sitting area with a sofa

sleeper and a flat screen television in each, as well as an oversized

bathtub that opens up to the bedroom in view of the TV. The 28 available

Family Suites for 4 to 6 guests measure a full 1,142 square feet. Family

Suites are comprised of a La Costa Suite (with a king bed) and a

connecting Resort Room (either a king bed or two queen beds), thus

creating two bedrooms, as well as two marble-laden bathrooms and a

sitting area.

The Villa Suites (one, two or three bedroom) range from 1,000 square

feet to 2,200 square feet. These spacious suites provide residential-

like comfort, and feature king beds, Saltillo-tiled floors, fireplaces,

large flat screen televisions and sitting areas. These suites also have

parlors designed for living with expansive seating and dining areas, a

well-stocked gourmet kitchen with Viking appliances, a washer and dryer,

and a beautiful patio.  The Junior Villa Suites (one or two bedroom)

have many of the same virtues but with less square footage. These rooms

feature a king bed, marble bathroom, modern flat screen televisions and

a private garden patio as well as an attached parlor and petite kitchen.

The Villa Studios offer king beds, fireplaces, sitting areas, petite

kitchens and washer/dryers along with beautiful décor and, of course,

Spanish charm.

La Costa’s two-bedroom Presidential Suite is the ultimate in luxury

accommodations, offering a spacious living room with floor-to-ceiling

windows providing panoramic golf course views, a sitting area with

fireplace, a dining area with seating for six, a wet bar with kitchen

and four balconies. Each bedroom has its own sitting area and private

bath. A third bedroom is optional.

Spa-sational
Few visit La Costa without indulging in a spa treatment or three. The

Spa at La Costa is a Spanish-colonial style, Feng Shui-designed pleasure

palace encompassing a whopping 28,000 square feet of indoor relaxation

space and yet 15,000 square feet more outside. This spectacular spa has

been awarded the Readers’ Choice Platinum List by Celebrated Living for

four years in a row; the Best Hotel/Resort Spa in Southern California by

Spa Magazine, and Top Spa Resorts for Golf by SpaFinder.  And with good

reason.

The Spa at La Costa has 42 treatment rooms, including VIP suites for

couples’ treatments, like side-by-side massages, along with a shower,

bathroom, fireplace, and private garden patio with a whirlpool tub.

Treatment options abound, and include a range of massages, body wraps,

facials and cutting-edge clinical treatments for the face.  I myself had

a massage treatment during my stay and can personally attest to the

skill and professionalism of the technicians and the calming effect of

the luxurious facilities.

Other spa amenities include a lounge pool, sunbathing area, and Roman

Waterfall shoulder pounding massage showers, as well as men and women’s

wet areas featuring steam, sauna, whirlpool, cold plunge, showers, and

lounges.  The Spa at La Costa is also home to a café perfect for

leisurely lunches in your spa attire, impressive boutique for a dose of

retail therapy, and movement and fitness rooms should you be so

inspired. The full-service Yamaguchi Salon also located in the spa

complex offers haircuts – including a Feng Shui cut, manicures,

pedicures, and other salon treatments. The Chopra Center at La Costa

complements the spa by offering a myriad of mind and body wellness

programs. Here there are individual and family yoga sessions available.

Lauded Leisure
La Costa has eight heated swimming pools – one with a kid-friendly sandy

“beach” and a toddler slide, a “Splash Landing” pool with two enormous

100-foot waterslides, an interactive waterplay zone, and five Jacuzzis

all surrounded by upholstered loungers and shady cabanas.  Unlimited

Wi-Fi service is also offered in these areas. For those seeking to

sunbathe kid-free, a separate Garden Pool area offers adults-only

relaxation amongst gorgeous plants and florals. Also located poolside is

the Splash Café and Garden Café restaurants offering light snacks,

meals, non-alcoholic drinks and cocktails.

As an admitted fitness junkie, I was pleased to see the wealth of

equipment at La Costa’s renowned fitness center. This bona fide health

club has a strength circuit course, free weights, an aerobic studio,

Pilates studio, spinning room and a bevy of cardiovascular equipment.

Also on hand are personal training services and nutrition counseling

that incorporate state-of-the-art methods and computerized printouts to

evaluate a guest’s fitness level and provide customized exercise and

nutrition programs.

For the tennis-set, La Costa has no less than 17 hard and clay courts –

7 of which lighted for evening play – with stadium seating.  A seasoned

staff of USPTA certified professionals is on hand for private lessons

for adults and children and daily group clinics. Ball machine rental is

available from the pro shop, where you can shop for gear and clothing to

your heart’s content.

Among the most notable and celebrated features at La Costa is its two

PGA Championship 18-hole golf courses designed by legendary golf

architect Dick Wilson, which combine beautiful and traditional course

designs to challenge and delight golfers of all levels.  Practice

facilities include a driving range and practice bunkers. The impressive

pro shop offers the latest equipment and apparel.  Exceptional golf

instruction is available, including the La Costa Golf Academy and Golf

Flexibility classes with Roger Fredericks, as well as full-fledged Golf

memberships.

Of course, La Costa’s concierge is indelibly on hand to plan your day

trips and tours and make recommendations and reservations as desired.

Kidtopia
Named the #2 Most Family Friendly Resort in the U.S. by the Travel

Channel, La Costa embraces children and families from the moment they

check in. First up is the VIK (Very Important Kid) gift bags doled out

upon arrival. There are also numerous activities that change on a

monthly basis appealing to kids of all ages, not to mention the “Vibz”

game lounge. Designed for guests ages 10 and up and open from 10am-10pm,

Vibz offers a TV lounge area, ping pong, skee-ball, video games,

foosball, air hockey, billiards, X-box 360 room with five stations, and

Guitar Hero on a pay-per-play basis. Numerous summer camp programs are

also available for children, including Golf Camp, Tennis Camp, Spa Camp

and Surf Camp.

La Costa’s “Kidtopia” Kids Club has half day, full day, hourly sessions

and weekend night camp sessions for kids ages 6 months to 12 years.

Designed by an architect who specializes in hands-on museums and small

theme parks, Kidtopia is a beautifully designed 6,000 square foot,

state-of-the-art, secure center comprised of land and sea elements with

three distinct conceptual areas for infants/toddlers, bathroom

independent 3-5 year olds, and 6-12 year olds. Kidtopia is jam packed

with fun, offering small slides and soft climb items, books and puzzles,

games and crafts, a seven-foot tree house with slides and cubbies, a

movie lounge, personal high-tech entertainment stations, a pressure-

sensitive light floor for games and dancing, and a 600-gallon saltwater

aquarium with exotic fish. The center operates from 9am to 4pm on a

daily basis with night camp on Fridays and Saturdays from 6-10pm. Full-

day registration is $80 and includes activities from 9am – 4pm along

with lunch. Half-day registration is from 9am – 1pm or 12pm – 4pm and

includes lunch for $50. Night camp is $55 and includes dinner. Advance

reservations are highly recommended.

La Costa is also baby-friendly, with available in-room diaper genies,

baby proofing supplies, and complimentary cribs and pack-and-plays upon

request among other infant-oriented resources. Other kid-specific

amenities at the property include the Healthy Kids’ menu for restaurant

and in-room dining, babysitting services, and swim lessons.

Food Fete
There are a number of fabulous dining experiences available at La Costa

including its signature Blue Fire Grill, which is named one of

Carlsbad’s beat restaurants. This 324-seat eatery with both an indoor

and outdoor seating area serves Southern California styled food

utilizing local fresh seafood, premium meats, and seasonal vegetables.

For the oenophiles, the restaurant also has an extensive wine list.

Designed by the renowned Puccini Restaurant Group of San Francisco, the

décor at Blue Fire Grill resembles the Southern California Mission style

carried throughout the resort. Its outdoor patio has fire pits and

custom fountains as well as live music from Thursday to Saturday

evenings. The interior features stone and wood floors, a green bottle

fireplace, a hand blown glass flower fireplace wall, timber ceilings,

and a fountain. Menu highlights include Frito Misto, Seafood Piquillo

Pepper, Blue Fire Seafood Trio, Red Wine Braised Boneless Prime Beef

Short Ribs, and the Seafood Stew.

The other notable restaurant on the property is Legends Bistro. With

modern interior design aesthetic, Legends Bistro also has an indoor and

outdoor seating area that overlooks the golf course.  Open for

breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this family-friendly restaurant focuses on

comfort foods but with an international twist.  Along with the regular

menu, the restaurant also offers ayurvedic-style cuisine based on the

Chopra Center’s philosophy as well as a kid’s menu. Also notable is the

restaurant’s wine bar and private room for events.

Some Legends Bistro menu highlights include the Peking Duck Egg Rolls

appetizer, Jack Daniels BBQ Baby Back Ribs served with Sweet Potato

Fries, Seared Sea Bass, the Chopra Stir Fry, Butternut Squash Ravioli

and Lentils with Basmati Rice. I ordered the Osso Buco and Cous Cous on

special the evening of my stay, which was generously portioned, well-

seasoned and cooked to perfection. For dessert, try the S’mores Pot Pie,

which is a warm chocolate crust pie topped off with roasted

marshmallows, the tableside prepared Root Beer Float, or the incredible

Peach Cobbler I ordered and savored every bite of.

Other places to eat at La Costa include the Lobby Lounge, which offers

appetizers, specialty drinks, beer, and wine. The Splash Poolside Bar &

Café has grilled foods, snacks, salads, smoothies, and ice cream. The

Garden Poolside Bar & Café has specialty drinks as well as grilled and

fresh foods. The Spa Café offers a range of lifestyle cuisine, organic

wine and champagne, juices, and smoothies.  An impressive room service

menu, is, of course, also available. Trust me, at La Costa you’ll eat

well.

Perfect Packages
La Costa regularly offers vacation theme packages to fit a variety of

interests, schedules and budgets. Trips for Two packages include a

destination package, spa retreat package, and golf package. Family

getaway packages include a Legoland package, unlimited activities

package, and spa package (spa for adults and Kidtopia for kids).  Stay

for a quick vacation, or make La Costa your own through the purchase of

a Villa vacation home.

More Information
La Costa Resort and Spa is located at 2100 Costa Del Mar Road, Carlsbad,

California 92009. Visit http://www.lacosta.com for more information.

~~~

“The Luxe List” Executive Editor Merilee Kern scours the luxury

marketplace for exemplary travel experiences, extraordinary events, and

notable products and services. Submissions are accepted at

www.LuxeListReviews.com. Follow her on Twitter here:

http://twitter.com/LuxeListEditor and Facebook here:

www.Facebook.com/TheLuxeList.

***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or

service(s) detailed above were provided at no cost to accommodate this

review, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern

and have not been influenced in any way.***

John:
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