The Park Hyatt Aviara enjoys wild and beautiful views as it overlooks Carlsbad's Batiquitos Lagoon. This luxury resort is near plenty of clifftop paths and nature walks, making it an ideal base for a Pacific coast break. Plus, while Carlsbad is known for its unspoiled beaches, it's still within striking distance of Los Angeles and San Diego if you fancy an urban escape.

The facilities

Italian restaurant Vivace packs less pomp than your average eaterie. Of course, the restaurant is a far cry from flipflops-and-open-shirts territory, but its sophistication is subtle rather than swaggering. The menu is authentic, too: chow down on organic pasta that's made daily on-site, and sample as much as possible from the well chosen, all-Italian wine list.

Plenty of mind-body-soul relaxation activities are on offer at the Park Hyatt Aviara. Head to the spa for your beauty therapy needs (including massages, facials, bodywraps and Eastern Ayurvedic treatments), hit the gym or get outdoors for a round of golf or a dip in the pool.

The rooms

Park Hyatt Aviara has 373 guestrooms, all luxuriously decorated to match the Spanish Colonial design of the building. Rooms are high-ceilinged and spacious, with their own terraces for enjoying coastal views.

Rooms at this luxury resort come with Wi-Fi, PlayStations and DVD players. Marble bathrooms have deep-soak tubs - bliss after a day in the sun!