Hotel Spotlight: 26 hours at the heavenly RANCHO VALENCIA!

26 hours for total rejuvenation and restoration in the most delightful place you've never heard of.  Or at least we had no idea where Rancho Santa Fe was-- New Mexico?  Nope, Rancho Santa Fe is actually an affluent and elegant yet somehow relaxed town about 15 minutes from the beaches of San Diego and two hours south of Los Angeles.

Rancho Valencia is the jewel of the area as far as we can tell.  A historic hotel that has been nestled in these hills for 25 years, after undergoing a massive renovation thanks to dedicated new owners who genuinely love the property, Rancho Valencia is as glorious or even more so than it once was.

Although room rates are high, they include so, so much-- from the mini bar (no booze), parking, an array of awesome fitness classes in state of the art facilities-- a Balinese inspired yoga pavilion/tricked out pilates studio/Soul Cycle worthy spinning studio/a gym rat's dream gym, green juices served after workouts, tennis court usage, spa facilities, complimentary Porsche usage and rooms that are essentially spacious and inviting casitas.  The rooms offer step down living rooms with fireplaces, private patios with teeming flowers and foliage, enormous bathrooms with cutting edge Japanese toilets (love the heated seat!), and plush fluffy beds.  We could have happily stayed a month!

The spa is a haven of relaxation and inspiration -- our deep tissue massages were transcendent and the spa rooms themselves are amazing with doors opening onto sun soaked patios with soaking tubs and outdoor showers, flowers and a fountain. There are two pools on property- an adults only spa pool and jacuzzi where we enjoyed lunch poolside, and a family friendly pool with two jacuzzis where we enjoyed a sunset Silver Pony Margarita.  We didn't get to hit the tennis courts, but there are many to choose from.  Breakfast in the main dining room overlooking the courts was a perfect way to start the day- the "simple" buffet breakfast was one of the most delicious we have ever had and dinner in the casual Pony Bar was fun and lively.  We had plans to have a nightcap by one of the adjacent fire pits but were too exhausted from our day of relaxing!

Morning yoga surpassed any other resort yoga we've tried-- it was a challenging yet restorative class and the Ballet Bar class that followed had us sore in the right spots the days that followed.

All in all, our 26 hours at Rancho Valencia were perfection!  Although we would have loved to have stayed longer, we left feeling totally relaxed, revived and pampered.  Can't wait to return with a Wild Precious Life Retreat!!  Stay tuned...

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