moomoo

Planning a trip to San Diego with husband and 5 year old son. Currently have reservations at Hotel Del for 3 nights and Four Seasons Aviara for 3 nights. Decided to do the split because son will love legoland and husband will be bass fishing in escondido one morning but the four seasons seems far for exploring San diego (zoo, balboa park, etc.) Although the Del looks great, beachfront is nice, I'm worried about the construction and poor reviews--paper thin walls, etc. We enjoy luxury and are willing to pay for that, but don't want to pay more than necessary. Considering changing from Del to the Lodge at Torrey Pines(lower cost than Del) or Pacific Terrace (roughly same price as Del). Are the issues at the del worth switching over? Which of these alternatives would you choose or other suggestions? If we go with the lodge, would you just stay there the whole time? Ugh last minute jitters about spending a lot and being disappointed.

Ike

My wife and I are going to SD for the 1st time in October. We chose the Del for 5 nights. I'm going to overlook the bad reviews. It will be our one and only trip to SD most likely so we want to experience The Del. We have been to dozens of FS's and RC's. The Del is history so we chose it bad reviews or not. Actually there are some good ones too. You just might be there while there is no construction work going on. The Lodge is too far from town for us. We did look pretty close at Hotel La Valencia in La Jolla though. They have a new ocean front villa room that's interesting. Have a nice trip.

Dukey

There was a thread not too ,ong ago about staying at the Del.

I would agree that the TripAdvisor reviews are not particularly encouraging and because of that we have chosen to stay elsewhere.

However when we tried booking there weren't many rooms available (ours is a last-minute trip) and I noticed a couple days ago that a few more have become available for the Memorial Day weekend.

I'm not sure I would change at this point...you may end up being among those people who have had a very satisfactory stay experience.

Perhaps it may depend on what you are willing to accept but that's they way it is at a lot of places.

TahitiTams

Both hotels are wonderful and don't always believe what you read..
Pacific Terrace is no luxury property its a 3 star and its in PB..the only thing it has going for it is its on the bluff overlooking the ocean..
I never have understood why people will pay over $400+ for a hotel that outside of its main entrance, you have homeless people with their shopping carts parked for the night on a regular basis..
You can request the main building of the Del or the towers..
The beach at the Del is lovely and voted top ten for beaches..
Four Season's Aviara is a lovely property and close to Legoland..
I do like the Lodge a lot and hopefully you got something under $500
L'Auberge in Del Mar is lovely as well as La Costa Resort too..
Have a wonderful time!

dawnnoelm

Tams,
My cousin stayed at La Costa in Feb and shared that they have under gone a fabulous over haul and that service and managment was excellent. This cousin is a world traveler who goes 5* as much as possible - I know when she says it is nice - it *is nice.

TahitiTams

Hey Dawn..
It really is gorgeous what they have done to La Costa Resort..$140 million dollar renovation which it really needed, the resort has good bones to it and with Deepak Chopra...it's perfect!
When he was in LJ, he would walk by home almost daily and I would make it a point to be watering my flowers so I could say HI to him..such a sweetheart!
I prefer La Costa over the Four Seasons Aviara..

dawnnoelm

Tams I am still green with envy that you live in the village -- Deepak is amazing...