Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa

We're repeat guests at Rancho Valencia. We love coming down for a quick stay and taking advantage of the private jacuzzi on the patio, the amazing cocktails at the Pony Room bar (Gustavo is a skilled and thoughtful bartender), and enjoying in-room breakfast by the fireplace. I feel like the room amenities here are great for the price: private patio and jacuzzi, bathroom that's bigger than my first apartment, huge bathtub, bidet with a heated seat, walk-in closet, spacious rooms, free snacks in the minibar, a welcome glass of bubbly when you check-in (and a sweet treat when you check-out). They are also very generous with the Fine Hotels + Resorts upgrades for members.

They don’t seem to care about customers who aren’t members or are from overseas, since I assume that they speculate that you won’t be a returning guest, so they don’t have to treat you like you would expect for such a property. Here what’s happened to us. We booked a room, were charged in advance accordingly to their policies. As we checked-in, we were informed that they will be doing some roadwork in front of our casita the next morning. We thought, great, the noice and smell we experienced as we arrived would be lingering (they were doing the road going to the resort). But we hoped to be out for breakfast at 9 am so that the disruption would be nominal. With the turndown we received a letter which stated again the roadwork beginning at 9 am. Now it comes: we were woken up by a loud noise at 7 am. We thought that it was garbage collection. No, it was the roadwork at 7 am instead of 9 am in full force!!!! Since we were awaken, we decided to have a coffee on our terrace but it was so loud that we retreated inside. As I called the reception to ask what was going on, I was told by Sheryl that they began earlier to be done earlier!?! We booked a room at a spa hotel and not at an airport. We didn’t want to be woken up by roadwork at 7 am, especially as they were planned at 9 am, a much convenient time. Except a frosty apology, no compensation offered. She told us that she would put a note if they can make something but nothing occurred as we noticed during our checkout, which was handled again by Sheryl. I don’t want to judge if the roadwork was necessarily at this particular time but the resort didn’t seem to be full at time, so that they could have either put us directly in another room or asked us if another room would be convenient. No, like I said they probably assumed that we won’t visit regularly, so why bother. We also noticed that the service was friendlier for members of the club. But the service wasn’t the low point of our stay but the roadwork at 7 am. Without notice. They could have informed us earlier, so that we might have chosen to cancel our reservation. Instead they probably thought, why lose money with guest from overseas!?! We received twice an email to fill a satisfaction form. I waited a couple of days to fill the questionnaire to see if it was the new hospitality standard and to calm down but fortunately it’s not the new standard, it was the policy of this resort. They even have reacted to my comments yet. For a night at 1.600$, it’s outrageous.

Why is this hotel so expensive?. I have never actually stayed here but just saw $3199 dollars just for 2 nights. Who could even afford that much to stay there?. There are lots of other comfortable, clean, affordable, safe and simple resorts nearby to stay in.

We stayed at Rancho Valencia in July and we had a wonderful time! Don’t look any further this place is a DREAM. The property is absolutely stunning and pristine, the service was impeccable, they are beyond dog friendly, my fur friend was dialed in with all the amenities in our room and they have a special dog menu at their restaurant. (Sophie my franchise had a bed for her at dinner,so spoiled). We dined on property both nights and we thought the food was delicious and lots of options to choose from. We really enjoyed playing tennis at the club their facilities is really clean and super organized. The rooms are all very large suites we had a full living room, very large bathroom, shower & tub and a gorgeous courtyard. I can’t forget how incredible our experience was with their brand new state of the art spa & pool. This is by far the most luxurious property in North San Diego and they go the extra mile to make you feel special & spoiled. I can’t wait to go back! If you get a chance to stay at Rancho you will not be disappointed.

Surprise, surprise-a wonderful birthday weekend. Everything was perfect!! Room, the food,the staff, the welcoming wine and cheese and most important that laid back feeling. Walked around the grounds, loved visiting the garden. would definitely go back

Nice place, a little noisy as we were near the pool

I was so looking forward to my time at Rancho Valencia to partake in some self care, exercise and relaxation. The room was beautiful and well maintained. Plenty of snacks and drinks were on offer,, and there is no doubt the orange juice is fantastic! The grounds are beautiful, and most of the staff was lovely. However, those are the only compliments I can offer. The problems began not long after my arrIval. I proceeded to the bar to get a drink,and there was another couple in the bar enjoying their drink. I waited about 15 minutes, but nobody showed up. I finally walked outside, and found the bar staff coming around the corner. They told me that they had been in a meeting-during business hours? Another gentleman corrected him saying, "you know there was no meeting". This person worked at the hotel as well. There was also nobody in the store. She later explained that she simply needed to us the restroom, which I understand. The next morning, I had signed up for an exercise class. I showed up to the fitness center, only to be told that the class was not there, but at the basketball court, but unfortunately it had been cancelled. I questioned not being notified, and then I checked my text. It was cancelled 4 minutes prior to the start. I had not checked my phone during that time. My main problem was the fact that the qr code was not working in the room. The classes were wrong on the website, the qr code did not work, so the only way to get the correct class times was to actually go to the spa and pick up a printed copy. This was the same with the room service menu, which I utilized my whole trip. The in room dining staffl were lovely! The next day, I was also signed up the the trx class. I asked the valet where the class was, and he had no idea-he sent me back to the fitness center! On the map, it just says outdoor sports, not basketball court. This is a 5 star hotel, and the valet had no idea where the class was? I have to mention, they did provide me with a private training class to make up for the loss. I reported my problems to Sheryl and the new assistant manager upon check out. The printer was not working so I was not able to see my bill upon departure. I was very surprised i was not contacted by the general manager during all of this, and i was assured upon check out someone would be in touch. I did not ask for anything, but it would have been nice for someone to at least acknowledge the lack of care to my trip!

I had my bachelorette party on the property and we had a wonderful time. Our room was very large and beautiful, with a private patio and full complimentary minibar. We loved the morning yoga class, and enjoyed the adult pool area as well. The property is a bit of a drive into downtown San Diego but it’s a beautiful retreat. Would highly recommend!

This was my wife and I’s 2nd stay at Rancho Valencia for a couples getaway. The first experience was 5 star. My poor review this time is very much based on how the resort and their staff reacted to a medical emergency with a 5 year old boy at breakfast. First, the property and rooms are top notch we stayed in the olive grove suite and enjoyed the private hot tub and well sized, well decorated room. The property grounds are super peaceful and quiet. Don’t go hear looking for amenities that will entertain you outside of tennis. The food wasn’t as good this time around. We were recommended the salmon dish at dinner as being out of this world but it was bland and over cooked. The drinks are delicious, but you are going to pay top $$ for them and it will add up quickly. Now my disturbing experience with the staff and management…the morning of 4/11 at 8:30ish Am my wife and I were enjoying breakfast on the veranda. At the table next to us a 5 year old boy was drinking out of a glass (note a resort who advertises as kid friendly should offer sippy cups) and must have bitten into the glass because it broke and glass got stuck in his throat. When it became apparent that this boy was in trouble and choking, I watched both waitstaff head back to the kitchen. After the staff fled the veranda I was the one who called 911 and spoke to the emergency dispatched. They asked me for an address and I did not know the street address, just the resort name. I walked up and down the hallway twice past numerous staff and pleaded for a physical address I could share with the 911 operators. Silence! No one answers or helped me! There was a woman in a blue pant suit that I asked twice for help and an address and she did not respond to me. Medics finally arrived and whisked the boy off it the emergency room. I then come to find that the woman In The pant suit is the manager on duty, I realize this because after paramedics left, she quickly swooped in and grabbed the broken glass from the table and put it in a bag and left. Now, i do not expect the staff to be trained medic professionals in an emergency, but I do expect a 5 star rated staff to be able to manage and respond to a crisis, they fled!!!!!! Unacceptable. Afterwards our breakfast came out 39 minutes later, was cold, and we were offered no feedback or communication with the incident. How was I the one who had to talk to 911 for 10 minutes while manager on duty stood by silently. Full disclosure, I waited two months to write this review as I gave the GM a couple chances to respond to my request to provide respectful feedback. I have never heard from the resort since my stay. Beautiful rooms and grounds can not be overlooked but you can’t be a 5 star resort and have your leaders and staff flee as a young boy potentially chokes on glass.