A Review of Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa’s $50 Million Renovation

One of the first things I did upon arrival at Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa in Carlsbad, Calif., was to take a walk around the property. My initial thought? It was a gorgeous, if somewhat compact, resort.

Boy, was I wrong.

During my official property tour, I discovered that the resort actually spans about 200 acres, including an Arnold Parmer-designed golf course and tons of outdoor recreational space overlooking botanical wetlands and the nearby Pacific Ocean. That lush environment feels ever-present around the Park Hyatt Aviara, from the ocean-inspired color scheme to the wide-open lobby and plentiful natural light in nearly every indoor space.

And in fact, bringing the outdoors into the resort was exactly the point of the property’s recent $50 million renovation. After reopening in October 2020, the Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five Diamond resort features a more open design that is most striking in the reimagined lobby, which opens to a patio that was originally indoors and now has a grand staircase for seamless transitioning between interior and exterior public spaces. 

The Park Hyatt Aviara’s 2020 redesign represented a significant milestone, as it was the property’s first full renovation since it originally opened in the 1990s as a Four Seasons resort (it has been managed by Hyatt since 2010). For that reason, another goal of the project was to add some of the Park Hyatt brand’s signature touches, including a focus on art and architecture (which clients will feel as soon as they set foot under the lobby’s new ceiling art piece). In terms of design and vibe, the property took inspiration from its Southern California location to channel an upscale, yet warm and welcoming coastal ambiance with a residential feel.

RELATED: Meet Oceanside, California's Newest Beachside Resorts 

“The goal was to make it feel inviting and give it a sense of place,” said Emily Koch, director of marketing for the Park Hyatt Aviara. “We are going for approachable luxury.” 

Renovated Rooms

Enhanced accommodations include 327 guestrooms, 43 of which are suites, all with a balcony or patio. Adding to the residential atmosphere is the fact that the rooms are particularly spacious, starting at a generous 540 square feet. Bathrooms are also quite large, featuring a separate shower and deep soaking tub in every room — an amenity I especially loved. My partner, meanwhile, appreciated the tech-forward television, which had the ability to stream content from his phone for easy entertainment during my extended soaks in the tub.

Other thoughtful touches include subtle, motion-activated lights around the foot of the bed and in the bathroom, and a new double king bed configuration in 77 rooms, which families in particular will appreciate. I also appreciated that we were given reusable water bottles at check-in, with refill stations that were easy to find around the property (our closest one was just a few steps from our room). 

Pools, Golf and Other Active Pursuits

Outside my room, I found more to love at the dual-level pool area. While my partner and I opted for the peaceful adults-only pool — which features stunning panoramic views — the family pool looked like great fun for little ones, complete with a waterslide tower and a splash pad.

The hotel boasts plenty of other activity options, as well. (And in fact, the sprawling setup is unique for a Park Hyatt property, as the brand tends toward high-rises as opposed to resorts.) In addition to the 18-hole, par-72 Aviara Golf Club course (which hosts the LPGA Kia Classic and has garnered accolades from Conde Nast Traveler, Golf Digest and Golf Magazine), guests can receive instruction at the Aviara Golf Academy; perfect their swing at the Taylormade performance center; play tennis on six courts; or partake in sand volleyball, croquet, badminton and horseshoes on the recreational lawn.

Guests of all ages can also enjoy two new Topgolf Swing Suites, where virtual golf and other games are played on a floor-to-ceiling screen. Aside from hitting golf balls, my partner and I took hockey shots, pitched a few baseball strikeouts, played carnival games and even pelted zombies with dodgeballs (it was a surprisingly active experience; no need for the gym that day). The suites are $75 an hour to reserve, and food and beverages can be ordered at the lobby bar for delivery to the room. 

Wellness-inclined clients can book a treatment at the 15,000-square-foot Aviara Spa or keep up their exercise routine at the state-of-the-art fitness center. Those who want to stay active but enjoy the outdoors can also take extensive walks around the property’s 200 acres. 

Park Hyatt Aviara’s Restaurants

The reimagined dining program is another highlight of the Park Hyatt Aviara’s renovation project, and one I made sure to enjoy to the fullest. With six food and beverage outlets, there are plenty of options right on property for exceptional meals. 

Signature restaurant Ponto Lago serves locally influenced, Baja California-inspired cuisine, showcasing dishes cooked over live fire, the smell of which wafts temptingly around the resort. A few of my favorite dishes included smoky peri peri chicken tacos, tender beef empanadas in a flaky pastry shell and, above all, a kampachi ceviche garnished with a coconut paleta (a Mexican popsicle) that kept the fish ice cold while adding layers of flavor.

Another memorable meal came by way of Ember & Rye, located in the golf course clubhouse. This new venue from celebrity chef Richard Blais specializes in steaks and seafood with a modern twist — and a delightful sense of fun. Our waitress topped off my partner’s cocktail with a bubble dome of smoke, and our crispy fennel blossom appetizer was a nostalgic (and delicious) play on the blooming onion of chain restaurant fame.

Even the lobby bar’s offerings impressed me; Pacific Point serves small bites with Pacific Rim influences in an indoor/outdoor space that bridges the lobby and the patio. My favorite part of the menu, though, is the “Mixologist’s Lab” cocktails, from which I sampled the yuzu jalapeno popsicle, a citrusy tequila beverage that came with — you guessed it — its own delicious, boozy popsicle. Other dining options include the poolside Waters’ Edge eatery, and Aviara Market for coffee, pastries, sandwiches and snacks.

All in all, the post-renovation Park Hyatt Aviara is upscale Southern California at its best: Chic, yet relaxed, and outdoorsy, but upscale, the property makes the most of its beautiful surroundings in a welcoming and totally immersive space. 

The Details
Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa