A Grand Oasis Outside San Diego at Park Hyatt Aviara

By Megan Norris
April 30, 2018
4 Min Read

Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa provides a luxury family escape in the heart of Carlsbad, California, just north of San Diego. This grand hotel is situated on 200 hillside acres overlooking the wildlife refuge of Batiquitos Lagoon. Sweeping ocean views and lush grounds provide the perfect backdrop for a round of golf, a yoga class or a swim at one of the pools.

Access to magnificent beaches, theme parks and the lovely seaside towns of Carlsbad and Encinitas is quick and easy from this well-located home base. It’s clear why the property works perfectly for families who are looking for city sightseeing and beach time paired with resort amenities that are enjoyable for all ages.

Family-Friendly Review of Park Hyatt Aviara

At first blush, the resort shines as a fantastic golf and wellness retreat for adults. In addition, they offer a wide array of kids’ amenities and tailor-made programs for different age groups. Upon arrival, you will receive a robust activity schedule, including yoga classes, golf lessons, tennis clinics, live music and special events.

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The hotel really has guests covered in every sense of the word. From their partnership with Babies Travel Lite, which provides strollers and other gear, to a surf concierge, beach and shopping shuttles, a 24-hour game room and discounted theme park tickets, the list goes on and on. There’s also an extensive wellness program, full service spa and fitness center. The staff prides themselves on making sure each guest is completely taken care of, and we felt that upon arrival.

TIP: Park Hyatt Aviara offers such an abundance of activities that, before you dive in, it’s best to take time to plan how to capture it all during your stay.

Spacious Accommodations

Accommodations are well appointed and spacious, with standard rooms starting at 540 square feet. A variety of suite options and interconnecting rooms can easily accommodate families and allow plenty of space. All rooms include a balcony to enjoy serene views of the courtyard garden, pools, golf course or lagoons.

Dining

There are 5 different dining options on property, ranging from formal to casual. All offer outdoor dining areas to enjoy the area’s reliably fair weather. We indulged in breakfast al fresco even though it was a bit chilly, and I was surprised when a warm blanket appeared on the back of my chair to ensure my comfort — they really do think of everything!

Endless Family Amenities

Park Hyatt Aviara works tirelessly to keep children engaged. To start, the pool area is expansive, including both an adults-only and a family pool. A separate wading area and a grassy picnic space are a toddler’s dream. For school-age kids, outdoor games like bocce, badminton, horseshoes and croquet allow fun family together time. Teens won’t want to miss the Riptide Lounge, filled with a wide assortment of video games, six PlayStation centers, Xbox Kinect and an air hockey table.

After an activity-filled day, kids can relax with an outdoor movie poolside and food truck snacks of tacos and pizza, or bundle into a mini bathrobe and unwind in the room. Adults might choose to socialize around the firepits, enjoying cocktails, tapas and live music, or take advantage of the Aviara Kids Academy and babysitting services.

Nearby Activities

If you decide to venture off property, there is plenty to do within close driving distance, including Legoland, San Diego Safari Park and premium shopping outlets. The concierge can help with discounted theme park tickets and shuttles to nearby beaches and shopping.

For families who really want to soak up the sun and enjoy the endless list of diverse outdoor activities nearby, the staff provides shuttle service to Moonlight Beach along with all beach accessories. They will even include a picnic lunch upon request. Water activities abound at Carlsbad Lagoon: wakeboarding, waterskiing, canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding and boating, among many others.

Relevant Links:

Browse all family-friendly accommodations and activities in San Diego on Ciao Bambino

San Diego: An all-season destination

A grand California family road trip

Behind-the-scenes tour at San Diego Zoo & Safari Park

Megan received a media package to review Park Hyatt Aviara for families. As always, our opinions are our own on Ciao Bambino. Photos by Megan Norris except where noted.

Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented.

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