Hotel Snapshot
Tucked into the citrus-scented sprawl of Rancho Santa Fe, Rancho Valencia feels more like a private estate than a hotel—and that’s entirely the point. A Relais & Châteaux grande dame with 45 acres of gardens, groves, and architectural poetry, it’s where Spanish Colonial romance meets the unapologetic leisure of Southern California living. Think country club, design retreat, and wellness playground rolled into one terracotta-wrapped escape.
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Book With Us for Perks
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Daily Full breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom, served in the restaurant and via in-room dining
- $100 USD equivalent Resort or Hotel credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
- Early check-in / Late check-out, subject to availability
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
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Design & Character
Originally designed in 1989 by R. Douglas Mansfield Architects (of Westlake Village Inn fame), the property had long been the darling of Southern California’s tennis set before being lovingly recast in 2012 following a $30 million reimagination. It’s still a classic, but no longer just a sporty one. Stucco walls are now met with vintage ironwork, the landscaping softened with lavender and California poppies. The overall effect? If César Manrique had vacationed in Santa Barbara, it might’ve looked like this.
The Rooms
They call them casitas, which feels slightly modest—these are 900-square-foot-plus suites masquerading as guest rooms, all honeyed wood, gas fireplaces, and oversized closets with enough room to stage a weekend wardrobe change (or two). The bathrooms are a love letter to long mornings: soaking tubs, Natura Bissé products, Dyson hair dryers, and double vanities that invite sprawling. Private patios bloom with bougainvillea and often feature a hot tub or outdoor shower. The daily delivery of fresh-squeezed orange juice in chilled glass bottles—yes, daily—feels like something out of a Slim Aarons photograph, only better, because it’s real.
The Food & Drink Situation
Food is not a sideshow here—it’s the main event. The Pony Room, the resort’s anchor restaurant, serves up coastal ranch fare with gusto and a tequila list that borders on academic. (There are over 100 selections; consider it research.) Mornings begin with seasonal muffins at the spa or oat-coconut energy bites by the fitness center, depending on your ambition. Over at The Paddock—a family-friendly pool and bar unveiled in 2023—popcorn and soft serve are complimentary, while adults sip poolside spritzes in chic shaded cabanas. Order lunch at Rein, the spa's tranquil eatery, or have it sent to your lounge chair. Either way, you win.
The Amenities
This is where Rancho Valencia flexes. The new Paddock Pool features a luxe Game Cabana with a retro arcade table, Xbox, and foosball, plus sleek daybeds and two fully outfitted cabanas. Three new Padel courts—designed by Spain-based Grupo Padel Galis World and backed by Wilson—bring a fast, social spin to the sport of the moment. Fitness offerings are robust, featuring over 100 weekly classes, a koi-pond yoga pavilion, a design-forward boxing studio, and brand-new pickleball courts. Concierge-level service lets guests seamlessly flow from luxury sailing excursions to guided hikes at Torrey Pines, or experience on-property crystal alchemy sound baths. Whether you're in the mood for movement or stillness, Rancho Valencia offers curated, can’t-get-this-anywhere-else experiences—all without breaking a sweat.
Spa & Wellness Scoop
The spa is the spiritual center of the property, and yes, it’s as indulgent as it sounds. Aesthetic touches—arched terra-cotta walls, mosaic-tiled fountains, outdoor showers—set the stage, but it’s the treatments that linger. The new 90-minute Restore experience begins with dry brushing, followed by cocooning in an infrared sauna blanket (if Gwyneth Paltrow designed sleeping bags, this would be it), and concludes with a cryo facial and scalp massage under the open sky. Don’t miss the hydrotherapy circuit, nor the cucumber water served with monk-like reverence by staff who somehow know when to disappear and when to check in.
Location & Neighborhood Recs
Rancho Santa Fe is a town that values its privacy and its horses equally. A short drive gets you to Torrey Pines State Reserve or Del Mar Beach, though guests often forgo the outside world altogether. Should you venture out, the concierge can arrange excursions to Valle de Guadalupe, tee times, or a shopping appointment at Saks’ private Fifth Avenue Club Suite on property. Pro tip: Use the complimentary Bentley for an afternoon spin—it’s a statement, but so is everything here.
Fast Facts
Location: Rancho Santa Fe, California
Vibe: Mediterranean countryside meets California dreamscape
Rating: Five-star
Room Count: 49
Pricing: From $1,000+ per night
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: The daily delivery of fresh-squeezed orange juice—chilled, bottled, and quietly perfect
Dining: The Pony Room, the resort’s buzzy hub, offers coastal ranch fare, craft cocktails, and over 100 tequilas. Rein, the adults-only spa café, keeps things light with mezze, kale salads, and club sandwiches. The Paddock Pool serves up soft serve, popcorn, and poolside bites, while the in-room minibar is stocked with local snacks and daily fresh-squeezed orange juice.
Amenities: Full-service spa, padel and tennis courts, Game Cabana, culinary garden, Bentley loaner
Nearby Attractions: Torrey Pines, Del Mar Beach, Legoland, SeaWorld
Airport: 30 minutes to San Diego International (SAN)
