Living Well At La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, C A

On a recent trip to Legoland, I had the chance to stay at the La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, CA. I initially was researching the hotel as a good place to take some girlfriends for a getaway. I also pondered just getting away with my husband. But as circumstances would have it, I ended up visiting with my entire family. And here’s what I found:

La Costa Resort & Spa is a great place to bring any of those people.

La Costa is in the process of completing a $50 million re-design project that is updating everything from the guest rooms and spa to the new adult pool and outdoor events spaces. The property is simply gorgeous. And there are amenities and activities that make La Costa the perfect place to bring your family, your friends, your special someone, or heck, even just yourself.

Great for families.

Though the serene ambiance of the place might suggest otherwise, La Costa is indeed set up for families. My kids were immediately won over the minute we checked in and they received a goody bag from the front desk. Nothing puts a toddler at ease like a granola bar, juice and mini beach ball. We were put up in a Family Suite – 2 rooms (1 king bed room and 1 double queen room) joined together by a common sitting area. Granted it was a little overkill for my 5 and 3.5YO who were nearly swallowed up in a queen bed and decided to sleep together spooning on a corner of the bed, but the space and separate rooms were nice, especially when bedtime rolled around.

The kids spent little time in the room though as most of the day was enjoyed at Splash Landing, La Costa’s central pool area that consists of 3 waterslides, a resort pool and a toddler pool. La Costa also offer Kidtopia, a kid camp and childcare facility in case you decide to enjoy a spa treatment or an adult dinner. We ate dinner at the resort’s in-house restaurant, Legends Bistro, the first night, and I was immediately put at ease about having the kids in the dining room when they told us about the special kid’s buffet. Despite its polished exterior, La Costa knows how to keep kids happy.

Great for getting away with the girls.

Families are great, but sometime you need a night away with the girls. La Costa is the perfect place to plan your getaway.  I’m already talking with my girlfriends to plan a weekend excursion. On the agenda? Facials and massage at the newly renovated La Costa Spa. A lunch of Veggie Thai Wraps at the Spa Cafe. Lounging by the Spa Pool. Specialty cocktails from Chef Gregory Frey at the Bluefire Grill. In the morning, a slow walk through the new Reflexology Path which has carefully placed stones to stimulate pressure points in the feet and an invigorating Spinning or Pilates class at the newly remodeled Fitness Club. Then smoothies at the pool. However there is some bad news. At some point, we’ll have to leave.

Great for couples.

While La Costa is great for families, it would also be a luxurious getaway for you and your other half. Although it wasn’t finished when we were there, the adult-only pool and lounge is set to be finished in Fall 2011. The sophisticated settings will include a cafe, infinity-edge Jacuzzis, panoramic views and cozy seating around fire pits. Yes please!

If you find a reason to leave your room and are looking for something to do, there is the spa with its myriad of services, the fitness center, 17 tennis courts, a 36-hole golf course (opening October), boutiques for shopping and a Chopra Center. And that’s just on the premises!

And…

I know I’m not alone when I say that sometimes mommy needs a night away – ALONE. It’s good for the mind, the body, the soul, the psyche. Yep, you guessed it. La Costa is good for that too.

Granted my kids and husband where in the next room, but I snuck in my own mini-getaway too.

Visit www.lacosta.com for more information or to plan your own getaway.

Disclaimer: Thanks to La Costa for providing a 2-night stay for my family to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed are my own.