Valentine’s Day Getaway at Park Hyatt Aviara Resort
With vaccine administration roll-outs happening now, Valentine’s Day weekend (February 13-14), might be the optimal time to drive to the luxury Park Hyatt Aviara Resort for a change of scenery staycation.
Those longing to fly to Hawaii or Cabo San Lucas will discover the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort offers many of the same vacation experiences. Located 7 miles from Ponto Beach in the beachside town of Carlsbad, the 220 acre resort is wrapped around the Aviara Golf Course, designed by golf professional Arnold Palmer and named by Golf Digest and Golf Magazine as one of the best resort golf courses in America. The 18 hole, par 72 verdant course is situated in a botanical garden setting with rolling hillsides, native plants and wildflowers, bunkers and water challenges.
The Park Hyatt Aviara Resort overlooks the Aviara Golf Club, Batiquitos Lagoon and out to the Pacific Ocean. Walking into the third level lobby, one feels the ocean breeze feather touch their skin as they look up at one of the signature art pieces of birds in flight, while admiring the $50 million dollar décor renovations. Unique art pieces on the walls in calming coastal blue colors dominate the hotel, as does the waterfowl theme throughout.
Hyatt Well Being is thoughtfully presented from the moment you step inside the fresh air lobby to calm your senses. The redesigned ‘Living Room’ reflects a multi-million dollar home-like feel with a flickering fireplace, stylish metal doors, light wood flooring, comfortable sitting area and books to peruse at your leisure.
Off the lobby is a pop-up restaurant concept and virtual Topgolf experience. It’s the only one in San Diego, CA and offers two virtual golf rooms off a club house designed game room. Guests can rent this area for one hour or more. One of the Topgolf rooms can accommodate up to 8 people, the other is ideal for four.
Dining options include the new Ponto Lago restaurant on the third level. It’s the resort’s signature restaurant offering breakfast and dinner service out on an oceanview outdoor terrace. Executive Chef Pierre Albaladejo shared that, “Ponto is named after the beach just miles from the resort, and Lago pays homage to the nearby nature lagoon.” This restaurant also has two private interior dining rooms that can accommodate 12 guests on one side and 20-30 guests in the other secluded area.
Known as the ‘surfing chef’, Pierre wears a fitted white shirt with his initials embroidered on the front, instead of a traditional chef’s jacket, and has been managing the kitchen at Park Hyatt Aviara for 17 years. Even though the resort closed in March 2020 due the pandemic, Chef Pierre and his team started R +D for the new menu at Ponto Lago and Pacific Point Lobby Lounge. “It’s California cuisine with Baja CA twist, that is refined and not pretentious. I’m inspired by the cuisine from Valle de Guadalupe cooked over a wood fire, while using local produce and flavors,” said Chef Pierre. Guests can sit to enjoy a mezcal or tequila tasting flight in the evening and fresh squeezed juice flight in the morning to add to their mimosas.
Bravo’s Top Chef Richard Blais is soon opening a new restaurant concept, Ember & Rye, overlooking the 18th green at the Aviara Golf Club. This is an ideal spot for a romantic meal sitting out on the outdoor terrace, taking in the views, while enjoying wood fire grilled proteins, vegetable dishes and a stellar retro-meets-modern cocktail list.
Nathan the food and beverage director is offering an exciting cocktail program that includes yuzu jalapeno popsicles, mezcal boba tea, and a special coffee and rye concoction.
View from Room 501
Park Hyatt Aviara offers 327 well appointed guest rooms and 43 oversized suites, including the Palmer Suite with its own putting green. Each room and suite offers either a private balcony or landscaped patio with chairs and a table for al fresco dining.
Hyatt king size beds with luxury linens and pillows ensure one of the most comfortable night’s sleep. The marble bathrooms feature a walk-in shower, deep soaking bathtub, specialty toiletries and plush bathrobes for guests to wear while relaxing at the resort.
There are two brand water edge pools that include a family pool with dual water slides, a water play park, and beach area with sand and play toys. Cabana rentals come in two sizes, and the fire pit area offers complimentary s’mores.
The new zero edge adult pool offers sweeping views of the Aviara golf course canyon, Batiquitos Lagoon and the Pacific Ocean in the distance with multiple seating options and semi-private cabanas. Bubbly hot whirlpool tubs help relax muscles after a day of outdoor activities including hiking nature trails, a game of golf or tennis.
From atop the highest ridge, overlooking Carlsbad’s natural beauty, Park Hyatt Aviara is the idyllic spot for a romantic Valentine’s Day weekend, Spring Break or summer getaway.
