Highlights: Lodge At Torrey Pines

•The Lodge at Torrey Pines is adjacent to the 2,000-acre Torrey Pines State Reserve

•Lodge is located on the 18th green of legendary Torrey Pines Golf Course

•Exclusive La Jolla address is also ideal base for exploring southern California

•Many of the comfortable Craftsman style guest rooms have ocean and golf course views

•Full-service cabanas on the beach

•Family friendly atmosphere with special touches for children, such as kids’ menus and child-sized patio chairs

•Fine dining at the art-filled A.R. Valentien restaurant

Amenities: Lodge At Torrey Pines

• 170 rooms. Check-in 4 pm, check-out Noon. High-speed Internet access. Two restaurants, two bars. Fitness room, fitness classes available, spa. Outdoor pool, whirlpool. Golf, 36 holes. Tennis. Airport transportation available. Business center. Credit cards accepted.

General Impressions: Lodge At Torrey Pines

Anchored by the 2,000-acre Torrey Pines State Reserve and adjacent to the 18th green of the legendary Torrey Pines Golf Course, The Lodge at Torrey Pines is a panoramic oceanfront retreat. Located in the prestigious town of La Jolla outside of San Diego, the Lodge offers a host of amenities for business and leisure travelers, including families. Guests may choose to spend their entire stay enjoying championship golf, relaxing at the nature-inspired spa, sunning by the pool, or in a full-service beachfront cabana. The resort is also ideal for enjoying many of the surrounding southern California tourist destinations. From perusing the art galleries and boutiques of La Jolla and combing the beach at Del Mar, to visiting the many attractions of San Diego, travelers will find something to fill virtually every moment of their day.

Corporate groups often hold meetings and events at the Lodge at Torrey Pines because of its plentiful amenities and wide array of meeting spaces, but this hotel’s business center and in-room services also appeal to executives traveling solo to the San Diego area. However, this resort is perhaps best enjoyed by vacationers leaving their work behind. Children are particularly pampered here, where they will find pint-sized chaises at the pool, child-sized bathrobes, and even Etch-a-Sketches at the restaurants. The Lodge’s many charms are not lost on adults, though, who enjoy the renowned golf and spa, as well as the inspiring natural setting.

The nearby forest and the rustic Craftsman-style design may give the Lodge at Torrey Pines a mountain cabin ambience, but this resort delivers a Four-Star experience with exceptional service. The staff manages to be professional without sacrificing a casual, relaxed atmosphere, and the hotel surprises with unusually thoughtful touches at every turn.

(+) Oceanfront resort offers first-rate facilities and personalized service in inspiring, yet convenient, location

Guest Services: Lodge At Torrey Pines

The Lodge at Torrey Pines runs like a well-oiled machine. Staff members are well spoken and knowledgeable about the hotel and the surrounding area. The personable bellman set the tone for an extremely comfortable and enjoyable visit. My bellman greeted me by name, seamlessly took care of my luggage, and escorted me to check-in, where another staff member welcomed me. I felt my arrival was anticipated, and was also pleased to be given a quick overview of the resort’s features. Small but meaningful details were present throughout the hotel. From the 4:30 a.m. coffee service in the lobby for early rising East Coasters to the Etch-a-Sketches available in the restaurants to occupy the youngest diners, the Lodge at Torrey Pines demonstrates its dedication to perfection with thoughtful touches.

Staff members go above and beyond to make guests feel welcome and well oriented. When I asked the concierge for shopping advice, I was presented with printed directions, as well as pamphlets and magazines detailing the best retail destinations. After mentioning my love of cooking and my enjoyment of the lemon ricotta pancakes, my waiter secured a copy of the recipe for me to bring home. I was consistently surprised and delighted with the service at this hotel.

(+) Highly personal service delivered by expertly trained, professional staff

Guest Rooms: Lodge At Torrey Pines

The Lodge at Torrey Pines features spacious guest rooms with enchanting views of the golf course and ocean or the central courtyard. The Lodge’s Craftsman style extends to the private rooms, where Stickley furnishings, custom-designed fabrics, and stained-glass lamps create warm, inviting retreats.

My guest room was large and included a balcony overlooking the golf course. Complete with a gas fireplace and a comfortable bed topped with fluffy down pillows and cotton Fili Doro sheets, this room was the very definition of cozy. The room contained a large supply of reading materials including national magazines, property information, and information about the surrounding area. The bathroom was spacious and had many distinctive decorative features, including granite vanity tops and attractive Kohler sinks. My room was also immaculately maintained before my arrival and during my entire visit.

(+) Cozy, comfortable guest rooms with lovely views

Facilities & Activities: Lodge At Torrey Pines

One of the best reasons to stay at The Lodge at Torrey Pines is to play its renowned golf course. Resort guests are guaranteed tee times to this challenging course, which hosts the annual Buick Invitational. Guests on corporate retreats or social functions can even arrange private tournaments prior to their arrival.

Guests can also unwind at the Lodge’s nature-inspired, Mobil Four-Star-rated spa. The resort’s oceanfront location and adjacent nature preserve inspire the botanical and marine themed treatments. Foaming seaweed and organic vegetable body wraps, sea mud facials, Torrey cobblestone massages, and coastal sage scrubs are just some of the offerings on the comprehensive treatment menu. The Craftsman-style spa relaxes with 14 treatment rooms, three lounges, including one with a fireplace, aromatherapy inhalation rooms, and herbal-infused steam rooms. Guests who prefer a good workout will find a fitness room with weight training and cardiovascular equipment, as well as outdoor yoga, meditation, and Pilates classes.

Parents can rest easy at the sparkling pool, where child-sized chairs and “floaties” are provided for little swimmers. For a more luxurious experience, enjoy an afternoon of pampering in the full-service beachfront cabanas. Other ideas for on-property entertainment include croquet and guided or self-guided hikes in the Torrey Pines State Preserve. The library entices with its large-screen television, board games, and billiards. Tennis players will appreciate access to nearby tennis courts.

Outside of the Lodge, families will find many ways to entertain themselves. Complimentary shuttle service to the nearby Birch Aquarium is offered, and the hotel provides discounted tickets to Sea World, San Diego Zoo, Legoland, and Wild Animal Park.

Visitors looking for shopping will delight in La Jolla’s unique boutiques. This charming village, just a stone’s thrown from the resort, is home to an array of distinctive stores. After browsing the goods, relax at one of the many outdoor restaurants with views of the La Jolla cliffs and Pacific Ocean. Theater fans will want to catch a show at the nationally recognized La Jolla Playhouse, while horse lovers should head straight for the racetrack in nearby Del Mar.

(+) World-class golf and spa; La Jolla and San Diego location provides a dizzying array of activities and attractions

Dining & Lounge: Lodge At Torrey Pines

A.R. Valentien, a California artist from the early 1900s, serves as the namesake and the inspiration for the Lodge’s signature restaurant. Stained-glass light fixtures, wood paneling, and Stickley-style furnishings continue the Craftsman influence seen throughout the Lodge. The walls of the restaurant are adorned with ceramics, watercolors, and oils by Valentien, while the windows showcase views of the 18th green. The elegant regional cuisine perfectly complements the sophisticated ambience of this restaurant. The Grill adjacent to the putting greens is a more casual alternative, and offers indoor or outdoor dining. No golf resort would be complete without a 19th hole, and the Bar is stocked with a wide variety of beverages.

I enjoyed a drink in the Bar and was pleased to discover a comprehensive collection of liquors. After ordering a vodka cocktail, my waitress listed for me six different premium vodka choices. She also provided my guest with a tasting of the white wine ordered by the glass. Though it is a popular gathering place for golfers, the ambience is well suited to any traveler.

Breakfast service was equally attentive, with a smiling hostess and a warm, knowledgeable waiter. He took my order efficiently and, when I requested orange juice, he politely informed me of the house’s special strawberry orange juice. The menu offered a nice balance of tempting choices and freshly baked breads, along with more health-conscious choices such as fruit, yogurt, and homemade granola.

The room service menu provided a wide selection of sandwiches, salads, and pastas, in addition to daily fish and meat specials. My order was handled with care and the staff member delivered it promptly. The dishes were also picked up quickly after I placed the call alerting the staff that I had finished my meal. The food was appetizing and presented in a pleasing way, though the waiter could have removed the lids for a more impressive presentation.

(+) Quality food and attentive service

Business Services: Lodge At Torrey Pines

The business center is accessible with a key available at the front desk. Though it is a small facility, the business center contains services that will prove adequate for most business travelers. High-speed Internet access is available in all guestrooms, and I was provided with an Ethernet cable for my computer at check-in.

The Lodge at Torrey Pines, which houses 13,000-square-feet of conference space, is a popular choice for meeting planners. In-house media services and a capable staff ensure that both large and small corporate groups are well accommodated.

(+) Amenities for solo business travelers and corporate groups