The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe

We had our wedding at the Inn in late August and had such a wonderful experience. Our guests raved about the hotel and particularly enjoyed being able to meet up at Morada Restaurant and the pool. We worked closely with Rebecca Graves and Kathy Reese to plan our wedding and they did such an amazing job making sure that every detail was perfectly executed. The staff was incredibly friendly, flexible and offered to help with all of our needs. We were so pleased with the experience and highly recommend the venue for weddings or weekend getaways!

I spent one night here last weekend as a last minute getaway with my husband. The room was very spacious - the bed comfortable - but surprisingly - the pillows were awful! That was my only complaint. Just FYI though - we had our own patio - but it didn't have a view - there was a hedge outside and we couldn't see a thing. Also as they are cottages - half of the windows face the common footpath for those that like to sleep with the windows open. We didn't have dinner - but we did have breakfast the next day. We had a single plate each with coffee and a mimosa each and it was $100 with tip! It was delicious and the service fantastic - tip though if you want to sit outside make a reservation in advance. An expensive breakfast no doubt - but we were expecting that and it was all about the company. The grounds are lovely and I recommend for a couples getaway - I saw some children there and thought that if I were staying somewhere with my kids - I might pick somewhere different!

We completed a three night weekend stay in September 2017 at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. This hotel a recent addition to the SPG hotel network. It is located around 17 miles north of San Diego and a quaint golfing community. The hotel setting is beautiful, with manicured gardens and Spanish cottage style rooms. It is very well maintained and has hired excellent trained personnel who have been employed at the hotel for many years. If you are a Starwood member, here are a couple of reasons you’ll love this property. SPG Recognition – Upon check in (Friday afternoon), we were told they could not provide an upgrade because they were completely booked due to a wedding that weekend. To our surprise we were given a charming cottage style room with separate living room, wood burning fireplace, and outdoor deck (very nice, but not the best location). We chose the breakfast as our platinum amenity, which was either a substantial continental breakfast (fruit, coffee, juice, yogurt, and bread) or $17 credit off the menu – an excellent amenity. Location – The hotel location is the star at this property. Nestled in the picturesque Rancho Santa Fe Community, the hotel was the crown jewel of the town. The lovely downtown streets are within steps of the hotel entrance. Lovely walking trails are close by along the nearby golf course. The pool, bar, lobby, and restaurant were beautiful. Although the property was a bit remote, it was only a five mile drive to Solana Beach or a quick 20 minute ride into downtown San Diego (without traffic). In my opinion, this hotel is your best SPG option in the San Diego area. I highly recommend staying here rather than downtown! Highlights – We loved sitting by the outdoor fireplaces at night sipping a cocktail or two. The pool area was smaller, but beautiful and warm. We enjoyed a relaxing breakfast at the hotel restaurant overlooking the front lawn and gardens. The character of each room (we were traveling with two other couples and got to see their rooms too) made you feel like you were staying at someone’s personal vacation home, rather than a hotel. Low Points – Maid service was a bit slow (our room was not cleaned each day until 5pm). The hotel is known for hosting weddings on the weekends, so you will most likely need to share the hotel with many wedding guests on Saturday nights. The hotel was not very handicapped accessible. Overall, we loved this hotel and will most definitely return for a second visit.

This was my first stay (but definitely not my last) at the Inn. Awesome service beginning at the valet. I stayed in a one-bedroom suite that was bigger than my San Pedro apartment! Room was nice but furnishings were a bit worn and some pieces (i.e., dining area table) were past their replacement time. Bedroom was nice but I felt the bed was a bit too firm and not very comfortable. Bathroom, which was on the other side of the living room, was awesome. Separate shower and claw-foot bathtub. Two sinks. Skylight was an added bonus. Toiletries were nice and useful. Found all Inn staff to be very pleasant, helpful, and accommodating. Food service was good, except for a couple of minor issues, including the worst hash browns ever! (See separate restaurant review.) One outstanding F&B experience was Thursday night in The Huntsman bar. Bartender Tom was exceptional! There is a bar off the lobby called The Huntsman. Unfortunately, it does not have a listing her on TripAdvisor, so here is my review of that unique bar: The Huntsman The Huntsman is a small bar off the lobby of the Inn. Since one of the owners of the Inn is very much in to horses and racing, its décor is "equine-centric." Check out the bar’s page on the Inn’s Web site for historic details. And you can download a PDF copy of their menu and liquor offerings. It’s 19-pages long! I enjoyed a bottle of wine and dinner here on a Thursday night. Here are some quick observations: Bartender Tom is the best bartender I have encountered in decades! Period. This bar has one of the best bourbon and Scotch selections I have seen. Collections of both are extensive, and Tom’s knowledge of them makes this a reason for stopping by for a wee dram…or two. Food selection is ample. I had their cheese and charcuterie plate, along with a bottle of French Sancerre wine. Yes, I did say “bottle.� I was fortunate to be there on a special wine night, where bottles are substantially discounted. This alone is worth a visit! Without question, I will schedule another stay at the Inn with the express purpose of another visit with Tom at The Huntsman! Comfortable environment and a great staff. The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe should be on your Must-Visit list if you are in the San Diego area!

Although we spent just one evening at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, we experienced hospitality in abundance, an amazing setting and well-appointed accommodations. The town is walkable, the property beautifully landscaped and the people genuine. Thrilled to add this hotel to my VIP list.