We drove a little over 1 hour down the coast to the seaside town of Carlsbad to spend what would be an unforgettable weekend at the award-winning Omni La Costa Resort & Spa.
Let me tell you all about it.
LOCATION
I had been to Carlsbad a few times before, and all of them were quick stops on our way somewhere else. It is the cutest little town, with that quaint California endless summer vibes that I love about most beach towns in San Diego County.
The resorts sits less than 5 min away from the beach, and so while I was relaxing my life away at the spa, my hubby went out for his own recharging session: an afternoon of surfing.
Great location seems to be key for Omni properties, they are all conveniently located near the best attractions and within easy access to airports and transportation. I think it's amazing how the hotel is so easy to get to but it feels like miles away from it all.
San Diego Airport - 31 miles
Legoland – 6 miles
SeaWorld – 27.5 miles
San Diego Zoo – 30 miles
THE RESORT
The resort offers pretty much everything you need for a getaway to disconnect. The property is huge and they've got an expansion underway, so expect even more amenities soon. When we arrived, we hopped on a golf cart from the parking lot to the village, where the lobby is.
A word to describe it is: wow. Talking about luxury experiences, La Costa was the "refuge" for some of the world's most famous and important people such as Richard Nixon, Jackie Kennedy and Frank Sinatra.
I feel like they've done an outstanding job at creating a true sensation of oasis, taking advantage of SoCal's perfect weather and natural beauty for a perfect escape from the everyday life.
I would say the best thing about Omni La Costa is that it offers entertainment for the entire family. The resort is world renowned for its golf courses and award winning spa, but the kiddos are just as well served with a kids club and water play area including two 100-foot waterslides and even a sandy beach where the little ones can build sandcastles and play all day. From couples seeking a romantic escape to families in need of vacation time, they've got something for everyone.
GUEST ROOM
The spanish heritage can be seen through architecture and colors all over the resort, including the villa style accommodations. The hotel currently counts with 607 guest rooms that feature plush beds, coffee makers, mini-refrigerator, wi-fi, flat screen tvs with cable and on demand movies, plus some luxury perks.
Our room had just about everything we needed for the ultimate relaxation weekend. The spacious balcony offered amazing views and yet private. Oh, and the marble bathroom with deep soaking tub and separate shower was the icing on the cake.
POOLS
If you read my blogs and follow me on IG (if you don't yet - click here), you know I need water in my life! My favorite destinations gotta have the beach, and if not, at least a lake, river, or pools.
That being said, I always expect a lot when it comes to hotel pools. Turns out that the Omni La Costa has not only one, but 8 distinct pools, so make sure to include plenty of pool time during your stay. Btw, it's not every day that you get to go sooo far from the everyday, being so close to home.
As I mentioned above, there's a sandy beach/ pool area with waterslides, as well as adults only pools, jacuzzis, a garden pool, villa pool, and even a spa pool that's exclusive to spa guests.
Tip: the sunset views from the edge pool and its heated whirlpools are just breathtaking.
DINING & SHOPPING
Whether you prefer to stay in and order room service, or dress up and hit a lounge bar, grab a pizza to go, or have a special dinner at an upscale steakhouse, the dining options at La Costa are certain to please all tastes.
We ate at the Diversions lounge and this is a 100% honest statement, the chicken quesadilla was the best one I've ever had. No kidding. The lounge has a sports bar vibe, perfect for happy hour drinks and shareable snacks.
We also dined at Vue, and ordered their room service for brunch as well. Food was impeccable both times. The restaurant offers contemporary cuisine with some French favorites. Must try!
There's also the Marketplace with several grab & go options and Bob's Steak & Chop House for an upscale dining experience.
As for a good shopping therapy, the Shops at La Costa offer plenty of options, from top brand names in activewear and accessories, to boutiques, beauty products and gift shops.
SPA
I was invited by the hotel to visit the Spa and take advantage of their National Wellness Month specials. Given the Spa at La Costa was ranked #4 in North America by Travel + Leisure, I wouldn't miss that chance!
I have to say it was the best spa experience I've had to date. From the amenities (exclusive pool, healthy cafe, heated sauna, relaxation lounge, etc, etc, etc) to the service and attention to details, I felt like they've put a lot of effort into creating the perfect relaxing retreat.
Here, a refreshing environment is priority.
My therapist, Martha, who's been working with Omni for 20 years, happily went over all the details and products used on my treatment, which was the below:
Brighten & Glow Facial: for a radiant reflection and youthful glow using Skin Authority Probiotic InfusionTM. A cooling marine mineral mask, topical Vitamin D and brightening infusions with turmeric that provide naturally flawless beauty.
I truly enjoyed every minute of my weekend, it was incredible! We're going through a lot of stress and zero time for ourselves with all the wedding planning and family that's coming from abroad, so spending those days at the Omni La Costa was exactly what we needed to take a break.
I always say that traveling is all about experiences. And I love sharing about my experiences in hotels and resorts with you guys because they're no longer just places to stay, they can be unforgettable experiences.
With Love from San Diego,
Bella