We needed a weekend to recharge and the LL package for the Park Hyatt Aviara in Carlsbad, Ca was priced right!

As we wound our way down the entry drive to the Park Hyatt Aviara, in our rental Mercury Grand Marquis (Enterprise offered a variety of much flasher vehicles, but we needed the trunk space for our 'cargo'), we both wondered what to expect.

The resort was previously operated as a Four Seasons, the last time we visited and we were still expecting exceptional service. This time, the Park Hyatt brand had replaced Four Seasons, but everything looked about the same on the outside.

We glided our land yacht under the porte-cochère, ignoring the conspicuously parked DB9, Carrera 4S and M6, and rolled to a stop.

"Welcome to the Park Hyatt Aviara," said a familiar faced employee, "weren't you guests here recently?"

"Yes, but it's been at least a year," I acknowledged, "and don't tell me you remember us.....maybe we didn't tip enough!"

"Nope," he laughed, "you are wearing the same shirt!"

Was I really wearing the same shirt?

And so, the exceptional experience was once again renewed....different operational logo, different uniforms, slightly different check-in process and an assortment of old and new staff, but the Park Hyatt Aviara still gets it right for a getaway weekend.

We didn't mind the somewhat lengthy walk from the elevator out to our upgraded Panoramic View King Room (seemed like a junior suite to us)! The spacious terrace, with table and chairs afforded a distant view of the Pacific, without the noise and confusion offered by the pool-side rooms on the other side of the hallway. The free access to the wireless worked and I could check my email and enjoy the warm California sun!

Michele, who checked up in at the front desk proved to be a real sweetheart! She responded efficiently to each of our requests and seemed to foretell our unspoken wishes. How was is possible the huge bowl of chips accompanied by freshly made guacamole and homemade roasted tomato salsa (along with a pitcher of icy cold margaritas) arrived before we even got our bags unpacked.

The grounds are still beautiful, the swimming pools area is spacious and well maintained and the spa is still probably one of the best in the area.

Great place for a weekend escape......yes, a little pricey, but worth the money.

Breakfast was included in our package, but we skipped it Friday morning to joining up with an long time 'semi-retired' friend**. Our friend was watching the stock market and a live surf cam feed on his computer, evaluating whether to execute a couple of trades and more than a dozen possible beaches he might surf later in the day....I love this area.

Later, we were looking for some possibilities for Happy Hour.

Downloaded a wonderful free app to the iphone http://www.appsolutemedia.com/happyhoured/ and couldn't believe the selection available....we decided to head south for the best 'cougar' Happy Hour in Del Mar at one of our long time favorites (if you don't already know the place, just ask around).

Soooooo, Diamond Level in the Hyatt Gold Passport Program does have special privileges especially when it is teamed up with a great Luxury Link auction package!

**Drove down to Encinitas for breakfast -always stop by Honey's Bistro & Bakery (16 different coffee choices this morning) hard to pass up those blueberry pancakes (yep, the blueberries are fresh and prolific).