By Lincoln McElwee
San Diego, California is no stranger to celebrity. The attractions offered by the city’s collection of eclectic neighborhoods – as well as the comprehensive county of San Diego itself – have beckoned many a tourist over the years. Whether visiting the eateries and going shopping in the Gas Lamp District, learning about San Diego’s history in family-friendly Old Town or perusing the used bookstores and vintage clothing shops in Hillcrest, San Diego has something for every family member and every lifestyle.
But if you are looking for an impressive getaway set apart from the usual madding crowd, stake a claim outside the city center! For a matchless sense of serenity, immerse yourself in the beauty of La Jolla, California by booking your stay with The Lodge at Torrey Pines.
The Lodge at Torrey Pines, which has been consecutively awarded the prestigious AAA Five Diamond Award since 2002, as well as being named the “World’s Best Hotel” by Sunset Magazine, is located roughly 15-20 minutes north of San Diego’s city center. The Lodge is also located about 30-40 minutes south of Carlsbad, California (Legoland). This means that families traveling with children can experience the family-friendly attractions of San Diego in either direction while returning from the day’s activities to experience the distinguished luxury that has made The Lodge so renowned.
Situated on the stunning cliffs above the Torrey Pines State Beach, The Lodge at Torrey Pines is truly a Pacific Coast breath of fresh air. Overlooking the 18th hole of the world-famous Torrey Pines Golf Course, the resort offers 170 rooms, including 8 suites, that all harken back to the true beauty and architectural ingenuity of the famed Craftsman-style Era.
This early 1900s style of architectural design is most notably defined by its emphasis on indoor/outdoor living, expansive areas of space and a laudable respect for the natural landscape. And these design aspects are recognizable at once as guests, after being greeted by doormen in kilted Scottish attire, are then greeted inside The Lodge by the impressive post-and-beam construction of open-spaced rooms, where large windows allow light into the public spaces and create a natural integration of the resort’s space with the visible golf course beyond the Torrey Pine trees and well-manicured gardens, with the Pacific Ocean idling beautifully on the horizon.
Guest rooms at The Lodge range in size from 520 square feet to more than 1,500 square feet and mirror the rest of the resort with impeccable Craftsman-style design. Whether you book a stay in one of the regal suites, most of which overlook the 18th green of the Torrey Pines Golf Course, or have reserved one of the Palisade, Reserve or Signature rooms, all of the guest rooms include custom-styled furnishings comprised of fine wood, elegant fabrics and luxurious leather. In addition to the pure comfort of cotton linens and quilted duvets, the granite and marble décor of the bathrooms enhance the overall sensation of exclusive comfort. The meticulous amount of care shown in each and every detail of the rooms and suites at The Lodge is a daily testament to the resort staff’s tireless dedication.
The Lodge at Torrey Pines also features the in-room amenities and necessities that both business and leisure travelers have come to expect, including complimentary high-speed wireless internet access, data hookups, spacious working areas, Bose stereo systems, mini bars, safes, and 24 hour room service.
The resort offers various golf packages so that guests can be certain that, when booking one of The Lodge’s stately rooms, your tee time(s) will also be reserved in advance. That’s right: by simply choosing one of the select packages, guests can play on the same course that hosts the Farmers Invitational PGA Tour event, and that hosted the US Open in 2008. Guests can also receive personalized service from the resort’s Golf Services Department, and the golf packages can also be combined with spa treatments as well!
At this award-winning resort, each discerning guest is immersed in a genuine refinement of the senses: the sights of the Pacific Ocean from immaculately appointed rooms and beautiful, spacious terraces that afford resort guests views of the pristine golf course, pool area and croquet lawn; the tastes and smells – the culinary craftsmanship – from the resort’s signature restaurants, including The Grill at The Lodge and the award-winning A.R. Valentien.
The early-birds rise for the 7am complimentary coffee in the A.R. Valentien Lounge, while those more inclined to enjoy the Egyptian cotton linens for a few more hours can simply head over to The Grill at The Lodge for a casual dining experience. The Grill is open for breakfast from 6am-11am daily. Try to sit outside on the patio which faces the Torrey Pines Golf Course clubhouse and enjoy a warm pot of coffee near the practice putting greens. The steel-cut oats with dried berries and brown sugar with a fresh fruit platter are deliciously healthy. Or you can try the Egg Bread French Toast (a house specialty), or even a more traditional breakfast of Eggs Benedict or Huevos Rancheros all while watching the golf course buzz with morning activity.
For a sensational dining experience, be sure to book a reservation at The Lodge’s top-rated signature restaurant, A.R. Valentien. The timbered room of the restaurant overlooks the 18th hole of the Torrey Pines Golf Course and offers outside seating with heat lamps as well. The elegant décor of the restaurant includes original artwork by A.R. Valentien himself, the namesake California artist who worked in the 1900s with watercolors, oils and ceramics.
If dining at the restaurant for lunch, see if you can try the Roasted Swordfish and Cracked Coriander with wilted Malabar spinach, shaved onions, preserved lemon and yogurt with raw tomato mustard oil sauce; and for dinner, try the Liberty Duck Breast and Confit Leg with frisee, arugula, roasted grapes, pickled red onions, shaved radish, toasted hazelnuts, and sherry honey vinaigrette. These opulent dishes, also paired with the perfect glass or bottle of wine, will delight your palette and senses with remarkably crafted works of edible art!
Another of the prestigious services provided by the resort is the exclusive Spa at Torrey Pines, which offers unique spa treatments that pay homage to the coastal environment and the timeless integration of land, sea and air.
The spa focuses on treatments utilizing marine and botanical based products to reflect the spa’s coastal locale and its location near the cherished Torrey Pines State Reserve. Everything from nail and skin care to massages, exfoliations, water therapies, masks, and wraps are offered. For reservations, please call 858.453.4420.
With such award-winning attention to detail, it is easy to see how The Lodge at Torrey Pines continues to amass industry accolades and genuine praise from its guests. For a West Coast experience like none other, be sure to book a stay at The Lodge at Torrey Pines!
