The Lodge at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, CA-- a luxurious love affair with the past in modern times

Hope all the mothers out there had a fabulous Mother's Day yesterday!  We were so lucky to get to spend the weekend with ours at the lovely The Lodge at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, CA.  What a spot to be!  Set on a bluff a few minutes north of La Jolla proper (and the beaches, restaurants and shops), The Lodge at Torrey Pines is a love affair with Green & Green architecture, old world charm and detail, food and golf.

The Craftsman style hotel is regal and welcoming all at once with guestrooms full of personalized touches from fireplaces in some, to potted plants, to the vintage looking wallpaper in the bathrooms, to the lavender pillow spray set by your bed each night.  Most of the 170 rooms and suites have balconies or patios.  We loved returning to the hotel for a glass of California chardonnay in the hot tub overlooking the golf course to the Pacific Ocean beyond before getting ready for dinner each night-- such a relaxing way to soak up (literally!) the delightful surroundings.  One of the top hot tubs in terms of setting we've ever been in!

Dinner at A.R. Valentien at the resort was delicious and the setting sublimely cozy.  We were in a velvet corner booth where each dish was wonderful.  Two noteworthy items not miss are the biscuits and the Halibut cheeks-- divine!!  We loved the biscuits so much we were all incredibly disappointed the next morning for brunch when we were told they are only served at dinner-- boo!!

As the marine layer was in full effect while we were there, so not fair after the 80 degree weather we had last week, we enjoyed all of the roaring fireplaces at the Lodge.  The fireplace in the bar is a perfect spot for an after dinner drink!

We also hit the gym which is well equipped and clean-- we wish it had a window, but maybe it made us more efficient....  There's also a lovely but small spa on the property where we treated our mother to a mother's day massage.

Upon checking out yesterday we wanted some of the Lodge's signature lavender spray to take with us and found it in the Gift Shop which was full of very reasonably priced bath products, jewelry, books and other keepsakes.

We'll be back!!  Tomorrow we'll divulge the spots we discovered in the town of La Jolla and beyond.... xoxo