Tucked away in the affluent community of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., Rancho Valencia resort is awash in lush plantlife and gorgeous gardens, world-class food, tennis instruction for every level and plenty of relaxation opportunities (think a 10,000-sq.-ft., first-class spa.) If you’re looking to get away from your hectic schedule and busy life for a few days, consider Rancho Valencia the perfect retreat.The first thing you’ll notice after entering the gates of Rancho Valencia, an Auberge Resort, is just how charming it is. The California hacienda style of the buildings feels both luxurious and comfortable, as do the guest rooms. The resort has only 26 casitas (49 one- and two-room suites), which allows for a more intimate resort feel and top-notch service. Each guest suite is huge, to say the least. Ranging from 850-2,200 square feet, suites include exposed white-washed beams, hand-painted tiling, cathedral ceilings, fireplaces, a private lounge/dining patio or garden setting (some with a personal hot tub), beautiful bathrooms with steam showers and deep soaking tubs, luxe linens and much more.
Assuming you can pry yourself away from your suite, The Spa should be your very next stop. Clearly a point of pride for the Rancho Valencia staff, The Spa opened in 2006 and boasts the best of the best in amenities, services and staff. Before your treatment, you’ll want to arrive early so you can experience the steam room, sauna and plunge pools (dunking yourself in the chilly water—which is in the 60-degree range―followed by the two warmer pools it is said to improve circulation). The treatment rooms are also a pleasant surprise, as each has its own private patio (five of the ten have private soaking tubs, too), and if you choose to enjoy your treatment with the doors open, you will even hear birds chirping, making for the perfect spa treatment soundtrack. After you’re fully relaxed and pampered, head to the lap pool or the fitness center for a post-Zen workout in the form of yoga, pilates, spinning or swimming—of course, laying in the sun and ordering lunch is perfectly acceptable too.
In addition to the avid spa-goer, the tennis player (or beginner) also has a place at Rancho Valencia. Voted the “#1 U.S. Tennis Resort” by Tennis Magazine in 2008, Rancho Valencia offers 17 Deco-Turf hard courts and the option to schedule a private lesson, round-robin or instructional clinic with one of the eight staff tennis pros. Other activity options at Rancho Valencia include golf, biking, hiking, croquet, ballooning and polo.
Rancho Valencia is the perfect place to be after working up an appetite. Executive Chef C. Barclay Dodge cooks up “Coastal Ranch” cuisine using local and seasonal ingredients in The Restaurant, which was named “One of the Top 100 Hotel Restaurants” by Zagat Survey. My personal favorite meal during my stay was the sautéed Alaskan halibut—cooked to perfection, the sweet corn and fava beans made for the perfect accompaniment.
For more information on Rancho Valencia or to make a reservation, call 800.548.3664 or visit www.ranchovalencia.com.
