Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa

This review is mainly about the Spa but I will start with the resort first. We stayed in an Agave Suite and it was beautiful, very clean, and amenities were great! Minor detail missed on our third night - we got truffles on our pillows the first two nights with the turn down service but not on the third night for some reason? And I missed it because the truffles were really good! Room service was also very prompt and staff were very helpful! Now about the spa... I have gone to multiple spas (not an expert but well traveled and have some experience). For the price paid for the services I got the overall impression I left with was subpar (what I would expect from an average spa). When I arrived at the spa the first day the lady that greeted me took me on a very brief tour after finding out that this was my first time at this spa. She left out a lot of important details that another guest was so gracious to help me out. When I was out by the pool that first day I was seated at my lounge chair and given a menu but nobody stopped by to ask if I wanted anything. There was a group of three ladies that were sat next to me after me that got waters, drinks, and great service immediately. Lastly, the day that I had two treatments I took a shower and it was very cold. When I exited the spa I informed the gentlemen at the entrance to the spa that the shower was very cold (not even close to warm after 10 minutes of running it) and he acted very nonchalant about it and diverted me by stating "but the treatments were great?" He completely minimized that I spent a lot of money >$1500 (a lot for me anyway) that I had a cold shower in a 5 star spa and did not offer any kind of amend for rectification for the experience. Then he asked me if I was with another person (stated the person's name) because they had not checked out yet?? He acted like he was annoyed and wanted to get out of there - very rude. So that was the last impression I had as I left the spa. Lastly, the spa is beautiful but needs some restoration work - it looked a little run down and there were plumbing issues along with the cold shower.

Service: 3

Lovely place!

Service: 4

Ordered closed on January 21 for Proper Handwashing Facilities - Minor; Vermin - Major; and Warewashing Facilities Maintained - Out of Compliance.

This resort is truly a majestic and tranquil haven that offers a cozy atmosphere. I had a wonderful time during my stay, and I find myself eagerly anticipating my next visit!

It's just one of my favorite spots . It's always great.

Service: 5

Very nice and clean. The staff are very friendly and welcoming.

Service: 5

Top resort on the West coast for a reason!!

Service: 5

It is regrettable that I must share a negative experience about Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa. On August 15, 2024, my partner and I treated ourselves to a day at the resort.

I left my toiletry bag in the men's locker room and realized it the next morning. Diego, the on-call manager, was kind and helpful, confirming my bag was found with all belongings, including my cologne. However, when I returned to pick it up, the cologne was missing. Despite efforts from the front desk and manager Casandra, Diego could not be reached. I had to leave for work, leaving my contact information for them to inform me once the cologne was located.

The follow-up call today, August 21st around 11 AM, was from Cassandra. She informed me that they were unable to locate my cologne even after speaking to Diego, the on-call manager I had previously spoken to. He mentioned to Cassandra that my cologne was left in my bag. Cassandra apologized and mentioned that they couldn't take any action regarding my missing cologne and that they hope it would “show up.” I expressed my dissatisfaction with this response, as the management team had assured me over the phone that they had my belongings under their possession and would secure them. She acknowledged my frustration but explained that missing items were not uncommon, as non-employees also had access. She also mentioned that she spoke to Lauren Williams, their Spa Director, and she mentioned it was my responsibility when I visit their property to secure my belongings.

This lack of accountability and honesty has marred my entire experience at Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa. The disregard for my missing property within their care is truly disappointing, especially for a resort of such high standards. Spending over $800 on two massages and not seeing any effort to improve the experience is truly disheartening and disappointing. We have decided to cancel our babymoon getaway at the resort for two nights.

Service: 1

We were looking for somewhere we could go to truly relax for the weekend and we found it at Rancho Valencia! I felt I was transported to a place that could only be reached by a ten hour plane ride. The lush, green, and meticulously manicured landscaping contributes to an awaiting exotic adventure.
Everything was set up to relax and reset: restaurant, pool, spa, gym, tennis, all within in walking distance from your casita.
Our room was quiet, luxurious, private, meticulous in detail and cleanliness with the finest of linens from Frette. The bathroom has a steam shower and bidet. Also, the service solidified the fact that this property is extraordinary; we felt welcomed and pampered. Efrain and Julia Shorr set the pace for our trip as they were the first people to welcome us with genuine and authentic hospitality. Trevor from the Pony Restaurant and Hunter by the Spa Pool always had a warm smile, and Hunter even remembered us from the previous day, asking how are dinner was and if we were enjoying our stay. It was the best trip we've had all year.

Service: 5

Had best time in the spa .

Service: 5

I had an odd and frustrating experience at this hotel. I’m a new mom, and I stayed here as a fun trip without the baby with my friends, which meant I was pumping milk. I was storing my pumped milk in the room fridge, in my Medela milk storage bottles. We had told the hotel we’d be checking out at 4 pm (late checkout), but for some reason our room was cleaned out and “reset” earlier in the day, and they took my milk and the cooler that I use to store it in. When we came back from the pool to get the milk, we were confused to find it missing (also panicked because that was two days worth of pumping and is liquid gold). The hotel tracked it down and returned it and the cooler to me, but it had been sitting out of the refrigerator for 2 hrs outside so I don’t feel safe using it for my baby. They apologized but didn’t do anything to compensate me for ruining my milk stash. I appreciate them apologizing, but it doesn’t fix the messed up milk supply which I can’t get back, and now I don’t have the correct amount for feeding the baby while I’m at work the next two days. I also just don’t understand why they took the milk out of the room in the first place and didn’t try to call us to get it back to us? It’s a beautiful hotel, I just wish the customer service had been better, and that they had tried to make it right after ruining something so valuable to me.

Really great atmosphere, remote and quiet elegance.

Service: 5

Writing this review 2 hours after leaving RV after a fantastic 3 night stay (babymoon getaway):

Overall: Rancho Valencia is easily in our top 3 vacations. Rooms, Spa, Staff, and Food are all top tier and worth the price to stay. We are already planning on when we’ll be back and maybe join the spa membership. Worth every dime to go here and we will be back as soon as possible!

Rooms: Organized in pods of 2 around the resort with excellent spacing that provides the best feeling of privacy. We originally were set to stay in the Olive Grove suite and were kindly offered an option to upgrade when checking in. Worked out perfectly! Bell man had our luggage placed in our room once it was ready and were greeted with wine and some pregnancy items that my wife loved! RV is very meticulous down to the small details that really won us over. Rooms are extremely clean, comfortable, and really get you into the feeling you’re on vacation.

Spa: Put it this way. I would join my wife every day just to hang out by the pool, enjoy a great lunch, and have a few drinks. Spa has a wide range of services for everyone. Deep Tissue massage did not disappoint! Shout out to the Rein crew (Morgan, Cheryne, and Ana!) who were incredible.

Rancho Valencia Staff: Most professional and kind people we’ve met at a resort. From when we first arrived, daily meals in our room, turn down service, gardener, etc. It was the staff that took a good resort and made it great.

Service: 5

40th Birthday Lunch, over priced underwhelming resort rubbish impersonating high end cuisine. $500..the only high note. Lime juice Ceviche with chewy cardboard fish inedible. Soggy oily Quiche with undressed salad should be binned before serving. Good service, 20% added to check automatically for parties over 4. Valet parking free

Practically perfect in every way!