Can anyone advise per a really nice resort
around San Diego ? Looking for nice grounds and a good pool - near the ocean would be
great too. What are the top 2 or 3 ?? We
want to go and relax and play for about 4 days.

Thanks

Hands down, it's the Hotel Del Coronado on Coronado Island. It sits right on a fabulous beach. There are a bunch of restaurants on site (all pretty pricey of course) and plenty within walking distance. The shops are nothing on Coronado, if you're into shopping. We've stayed there several times, most recently Labor Day. We never want to leave. There is also a Loew's on Coronado but is too far out in my opinion. We stayed there right after it opened. If you've got kids, the Del has a good kids camp.

Karen, Dawn is exactly right! I was going to mention Loews and the Hotel Del! Loews is at the end of the Strand... you would need to use your car for trips into "town" with the kiddos. The Hotel Del is right near town and you could park your car and just enjoy strolling the streets and exploring the wonderful neighborhoods. You will have a wonderful time and I hope to do this with my family in the next few months too! There was another post earlier in the week about "How to choose a room at the Hotel Del" that might have some general info for you!

Lynette

I agree on the Hotel Del Coronado or Loews Coronado Bay. We stayed at Loews Coronado Bay a couple of summers ago and enjoyed it very much. It took us about seven minutes or so to get to "town" - not a big deal. The resort was lovely. Nice pool, waterview, beautiful grounds, marina, restaurants. We loved it.

I thought Karen wanted a luxury resort.
The rooms at the Hotel Del (80%+ of them) are hardly what I'd call luxury.
The setting is, of course, outstanding, and the history is very enchanting.
But this is a big cinvention hotel which has aged and not been kept up with current standards of luxury compared to the better hotels nationwide.
If you go there, just be forewarned that it's not the Four Seasons.

In fact, there are no top 50 USA type hotels in the San Diego area at all.
You have to go up the coast a bit toward Laguna Niguel to find the St. Regis and Ritz Carlton (and the Four Seasons Aviara, which is well away from the ocean) to find true luxury hotels.

La Valencia (??) La Jolla. Old, but has charm and character. Karen doesn't state she is traveling with family and children. I would choose La Jolla or the Hotel Del as a second choice.

My choice would be the Del too, if you want to be right close to San Diego. It may not be a Ritz but it has so much character and history, and certainly no cookie cutter hotel!

the del is suppose to be very nice but i've heard the the rooms are small and soundproofing is non-existant. you don't want to end up hearing the neighbors after spending that much cash. the idea of laguna is good if you just want to relax. it's only 1 1/4 hours from san diego so easy to spend a day or two in san diego. carlsbad has some excellant resorts but most are inland 10 minutes or so. the marriot on coronado island gets great reviews but it is on the bayside with a downtown view. you have to walk to the del for a beach.

If you have the $$$, the Aviara is the best resort in San Diego county.
ann

You might also consider La Valencia Resort, not the same as La Valencia hotel.

Wow - Thanks for all of the great info.
Sounds like the Del is the place to be.
Does anyone have any additional info on
the Ritz that was mentioned ? I want to
look into that also.
Thanks

The Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel is one of the 5 best RC's in the US, prized largely for its clifftop location and views. Nice, relaxing area.
Go to ritzcarlton.com for photos and rates.
The St. Regis 'next door' is only a couple years old and has had more competitive prices trying to build a client base.
Never pay rack rates unless these places are near sold out.

The Del is NOT a luxury resort. It's old and musty, and the City Fathers should strike a MATCH to it and say goodbye to the property and build a nice, new Four Seasons in its place.

The Ritz is in Laguna and is quite a drive from San Diego!

The Four Seasons Aviara is in Carlsbad, much closer to San Diego, and is your best bet, but it's not very close to the ocean and is still quite a distance from San Diego proper!

My choices would be either the Ritz or St. Regis in Laguna (Dana Point), and just drive down to San Diego during the day!