Kacee

I saw several dogs. I did not try the spa, so can't comment on quality of spa services. The prices seemed very reasonable considering the setting.

There was an event Saturday evening and they closed the adults pool around 2:30 to set up. So that's something to look out for (as the family pool was predictably chaotic).

Overall I felt the service was at the PH level (adjusting for US service standards). One minor service fail, hostess at breakfast took a call as I was approaching the stand and then ignored me, but another hostess quickly appeared and took care of me. Otherwise service was excellent.

Chukiechz

I was here a few weeks ago tonuse an expiring free night. Booked a standard award room, it was upgraded to a ground floor suite. Room was a little dated, but worked well since we had the kids and the were able to use the pull out bed.

Breakfast buffet was fully covered for the 4 of us. One of the better buffets I’ve had at a US property.

The resort fee was waived and valet parking was included. They even charged up my electric car.

Close to many local craft breweries and a close drive for me living in south OC. Not sure if it was the best use of a cat 1-7 award, but there’s really nothing else close by.

River in Sight

Colin

thanks for sharing all the pics. is the room shown the suite or deluxe suite?

Kalboz

I don't know the suite categories at this property - maybe others can chime in with an answer!

spgplat21

That picture was of the standard park suite. I've never been upgraded further to the deluxe suite so I can't comment on the differences, but the park suite was very large and comfortable for 2 adults and 1 child.

soliloquy

Since I have the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, I'm booking this through Visa Infinite Collection.

I was going to book this anyway and the benefits include (for the same price):

Visa Premium Benefits

Premium Benefits

• $75 USD food or beverage credit
• Best available rate guarantee
• Automatic room upgrade upon arrival, when available
• Complimentary buffet breakfast daily

• Complimentary in-room Wi-Fi, when available
• VIP Guest status
• Late check-out upon request, when available
• $50 USD Food or Beverage credit

Are there any better options?

soliloquy

There is YT video by Yellow Productions that shows the Deluxe Suite.

reigndrop

soliloquy

From my experience at the Andaz in Maui, those credits do combine. We booked that hotel through Visa Infinite as well. Thank you! I like being able to have travel agent perks without the travel agent since I like to have control of my booking. The biggest savings for us was actually breakfast. We don't have status with Hyatt that comps breakfast so we were looking at $28/pp/day for 4 people. For our 9-night stay, we are saving $1008.00.

soliloquy

We are here now having checked in on 6/3. We are staying for 8 nights. We just left, just short of a week, at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego to enjoy some time away from the hustle and bustle. To give some perspective, we stayed in the Penthouse at the Manchester Grand Hyatt and so while the Aviara resort is an upgrade (depending on who you ask), our room is a downgrade because Aviara did not have a room available other than the Park Deluxe Suite at the time we booked. I'm not basing my review on that because inventory availability is no reason to rate a resort as average. I'm just giving perspective. Some might think my ho hum review is due to the comparison of the two entirely different hotels, which serve different purposes. But, I think I'd feel this way about the Aviara regardless of whether we stayed here before or after the Manchester.

Pros:

Well-manicured.

Beautifully situated and overlooking the lagoon.

Park Deluxe Suite has two bathrooms and two balconies.

Far away from the hustle and bustle.

Front desk staff and valet provides exceptional service.

Bathrooms are well-appointed and everything is immaculately clean.

I'm not a golfer, but my spouse is and he's happy as a clam with the course and amenities.

Pool and hot tub area have plenty of space for relaxing and it has not been overcrowded at all during our stay (although weather has been overcast so there are probably fewer people out and about anyway).

Cons:

There is a fragrance being pumped through the ventilation system that is keeping me on the cusp of nausea (literally) and with a consistent headache. There is no reprieve unless I leave the property. I have to step out on the balcony frequently to try and recover. I thought I was imagining it on the first day, but it's so strong and everywhere. It makes it very uncomfortable for guests that have allergies or sensitivities to perfume. Plus, I'm not entirely sure whatever they are pumping through the vents is healthy. The undisclosed mixture of various scent chemicals and ingredients used as fragrance dispersants have been associated with allergies, dermatitis, respiratory distress and potential effects on the reproductive system. It's something resorts should check into before they decide to bombard their guests with overpowering perfumes. While some may love it, the negative implications for those who have sinus or other respiratory issues as a result should not be ignored.

I went to the breakfast buffet on 6/4, which is $32/pp (I believe). There were fruit flies. I don't mean one or two (although there should be none). There were dozens. I didn't want to eat any of the fruit. The omelette station was unmanned the entire time we were there and all ingredients were exposed to these fruit flies. When we asked the waitress about the omelette station, she said that she would help with that. She did make my husband a veggie omelette (we hadn't seen the fruit flies yet). It wasn't explained to us the difference between the continental and full breakfast. The menu said that the full breakfast comes with pancakes, waffles, and french toast which you have to order separately. So I thought if you ordered those things, you'd be charged for the full buffet. But, I picked up two sausages and so we had to pay for the more pricey breakfast (which wasn't worth the upcharge for two sausages). You have to ask for every little thing, because information regarding how things work is not volunteered. I ended up going to Von's (about a mile away) to purchase fruit and some breakfast staples so I don't have to venture out for breakfast in the morning - Fruitflies is not my choice of protein. The prices were pretty much the same at the Manchester, but I think Manchester has a better buffet set up. Still, wait staff there was very nice and accommodating. I'm more concerned about sanitation and food safety than about the service of the wait staff.

Rooms need updating. Maybe that is part of the "old world charm?" But, it looks worn in many areas. We are in a "Park Deluxe" suite. There's a mini fridge that kind of sticks out into the entry leading to the master bedroom because there's no other place for it to go. The furniture is oversized for the rooms.

There's no microwave. When you have kids/teens, a microwave is helpful and at this price point, I had expected one. I know some people say you never find in-room microwaves at five-star resorts. Fine. But, when you are staying at a property for 8 days and sometimes you just want to stay in the room without having to venture out, a microwave can be useful. This is especially true when traveling with teens.

The property itself truly is gorgeous, but I am seriously befuddled by some of these "perfect" reviews I'm seeing here and on Tripadvisor. I do not think I'm terribly picky when it comes to hotel stays (even if I were, I think there's nothing wrong with that at this price point). However, I do see areas of opportunity for improvement that aren't reflected in the reviews I read before booking.

A word of warning: This property is great if you are looking to get away from it all. If you love the spa and you want to spend all day lounging around, sipping on cocktails, and laying by the pool, it absolutely serves its purpose. If you want to use it as a launch pad for exploring Carlsbad and the surrounding area, it's perfect. But, if you are a youngish couple looking for a resort with a lot to do other than walk around in your bathrobe from spa to room and back again, go somewhere else. This is not the place for you. You will be bored unless you are fine with venturing off property to find something to do every day. This particular observation is not a slight against the property. It absolutely serves its purpose as an oasis away from the city. But, it may surprise some travelers who expect there to be more entertainment and things to do at a resort.

There are some on this board that defend resorts like they are defending the honor of their mama and that's fine. I know opinions may vary and many may disagree, but this is my review.

Kacee

It's not at all common to have a microwave at a 5 star resort, and I certainly would not expect one at Aviara. Perhaps you're thinking of Residence Inn, Springhill Suites, or similar type properties.
I would never expect sausage to be included in the continental buffet. I would also not expect fruit flies with my breakfast, so can understand why you were not happy about that.

777 global mile hound

cayann26

I am one that LOVES the scented air. I understand it isn't for everyone.

We stayed in same room type and I agree that rooms need updating, but the property itself was the service was amazing.

soliloquy

I may have misunderstood, but the way breakfast was introduced to us, we were told that "what's over there...hand gesture to buffet area" is for the continental buffet. If you want the full American buffet, you can order those items from the menu and that's also what the menu said. We didn't order from the menu. It may be my fault but my husband and two teens heard the same thing. Regardless, we didn't have the full benefit of what we were charged because of the fruit flies. Fruit flies aren't my choice of protein.