Part two of my Southern Californian jaunt was at Rancho Valencia in Rancho
Santa Fe, the only Relais
It may sound strange, but perhaps the coolest and most
memorable amenity is the Neorest toilet in each casita. Sensors in the bathroom
recognize when you enter and the lid automatically lifts. The seats are heated
and an automated bidet is built into the toilet, with multiple cleaning and
drying settings. It might seem a little too high-tech at first, but the buttons
are really easy to navigate.
We had our own Jacuzzi and two fireplaces, one indoor and
one outdoor. Turn down service brought robes, slippers and chocolate caramels
from a local chocolatier. The same chocolatier makes the fleur de sel caramels
served as mignardise at the end of dinner at Veladora, the more formal
restaurant at Rancho. While outdoor dining is available (and you can see so
many stars!), it was quite chilly in the evening so we opted to dine in the
plush booths beside the fireplace. Veladora means “candle” in Spanish, and
there is plenty of candlelight here. A Damien Hirst collage of real butterflies
splashes a kaleidoscope of greens, blues, oranges and yellows across the back
wall. This color palette inspired much of the design throughout the resort.
The main building, or clubhouse, hosts a reception area with
a spacious courtyard and fireplace with the same Spanish Revival themes of vibrant tiles and rustic wood seen throughout the resort. During the big renovation, the whitewashed finish was removed to create a warmer dining experience in Veladora. The clubhouse is home to both Veladora and The Pony Room, a more casual restaurant serving food from the same kitchen along with excellent cocktails. Both restaurants serve delicious California coastal fare, utilizing incredibly fresh and flavorful produce and seafood.
Breakfast is maybe my favorite meal at Veladora.
Definitely try the acai bowl with granola, bananas, bee pollen and shredded
coconut if you’re looking for a light and sweet start to your day.
Definitely book a spa appointment for all the ladies. I
chose the balancing blue lotus facial for its healing properties using algae,
bamboo, lotus and other plants. After cleansing, exfoliation and extractions, I
had two masks applied to my face, for purifying and hydrating my skin.
After my treatment, I opened my eyes to see the sun streaming
into the room and took an energizing outdoor shower while basking in the sun, then
rehydrated with lemon-infused water and a green juice of apples, kale and
celery that’s also available at Veladora.
Another fun aspect of Rancho Valencia is the prevalence of
fitness classes. From yoga and pilates to
Don’t miss tennis either. Whether you’re an old pro or brand
new, there are plenty of courts to practice on and Tennis Magazine has ranked
Rancho Valencia the number one tennis resort in the country for several years.
You can even get a private lesson with a pro, and I guarantee you’ll see
immense improvements in your game if you do! I hadn’t played tennis in nearly
six years but Eduardo helped work on my ground strokes and taught me a side
spin serve that I will definitely practice when I get home. If you’re
celebrating a special occasion or treating yourself for a “just because”
girlfriend getaway, this resort is worth every penny. Surrounding yourself with
the beauty of nature and relax or exercise as much as you want. Everything you
could possibly need is right at your fingertips and it’s hard to leave the
resort, although we did venture out to Del Mar to run into the Pacific Ocean.
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