A secluded hideaway just 25 miles north of San Diego, Rancho Valencia offers privacy, recreation and rejuvenation on an intimate scale. Tucked into a private canyon in Rancho Santa Fe, the resort is located just minutes from the seaside towns of Del Mar and La Jolla. This Spanish Colonial complex stands amid 16 acres of hillside grounds planted with eucalyptus, cacti, orange trees and hibiscus. Inside the tiled-roof bungalows, guests discover treasures of craftsmanship colourful hand-painted tile work, open-beamed ceilings, plantation-shuttered windows, and terra cotta tile floors.

The facilities

An ochre-coloured building is home to a spa with Latin influences. Here you can take a bath in a private garden and choose a formula to suits your mood. Couples will love the treatment rooms for two and the massages with bergamot and terracotta. Sports enthusiasts will enjoy the resort's 18 tennis courts and tennis programme, heated outdoor pool, whirlpool spas, croquet lawn, fitness centre and nearby golf courses. 

The Rancho Valencia Restaurant is located off the Mission-style courtyard. Using fresh local ingredients, the restaurant offers California-French cuisine in the restaurant or al fresco on one of the many terraces and courtyards.

The rooms

All of the resort's 49 luxurious studio and one-bedroom suites offer a minimum 850 square feet of living and sleeping space, a fireplace, a private garden patio, a spacious bathroom with walk-in closet and a wet-mini bar. Some suites offer private whirlpool spas on the patios as well as steam showers and jetted tubs.