What an odd location for a five star resort.

That was my first thought.

Situated smack in the middle of a suburban North San Diego County neighborhood, the Four Seasons Resort Aviara is perched on a bluff overlooking the Batiquitos Lagoon and Wildlife Preserve, the Pacific Ocean, the Aviara golf course and the red-tiled roofs of million-dollar homes.

It's located exactly where it belongs.

The Resort, View to Lagoon ©Jana M. Jones 2002

Surrounded by lush and colorful groomed gardens, the elegant golf and spa resort has 329 guestrooms and suites, two swimming pools, two hot tubs, a "kiddie" pool, a Four Seasons signature Kids for All Seasons Club, four restaurants, two bars, a European-style spa, Peter Burwash tennis program on six available courts, and an 18-hole Arnold Palmer-designed par 72 golf course.

It's expensive.

It's worth every penny.

In fact, I'd rather spend two nights at Four Seasons Resort Aviara than four nights at a resort at half the price, or six nights at a resort priced at one-third.

Luxurious Marble Bathrooms ©Jana M. Jones 2002

It's the service that makes the difference, although one can hardly balk at the 540-square-foot accommodations, or the bathroom larger than the master bedroom in many homes. No one gripes about the deep porcelain steeping tubs, or the fresh orchids and live plants in each guestroom, or the furnished terraces with their views over the gardens, pool, golf course or lagoon. There are no complaints about the in-room coffee maker and complimentary gourmet coffee, the luxurious Four Seasons bathrobes, comfortable sofas, oversized work desks with high-speed Internet access or the renown "Four Seasons bed" with its Frette linens and down comforters. You can't get a "bad" view in the resort, either, whether you book a poolview or gardenview room or one of the "panorama deluxe" rooms looking out over the lagoon and the Pacific. Still, it's the ten-star service that makes this resort special.

The Spacious Guestroom ©Jana M. Jones 2002

All guests are treated like royalty, from the bellman's greeting through the check-in process and by every other staff member encountered.

My daughter and I arrived dishevelled and messy after a six hour drive from the Arizona border. I was embarrassed to present myself to the front desk for check-in, but I was made to feel as though I were Cinderella arriving for the ball in full evening wear. Not once during our stay was there a false step by any staff, including room attendants, hotel operators, concierge and the wait staff in the restaurants in which we dined.

Vivace, the resort's four-star dining establishment, serves Italian specialties. Elegant and understated, the restaurant is filled with Italian art glass sculptures, literally hundreds of flowers, and is surrounded by a terrace for al fresco dining in warmer weather. The California Bistro is bright and sunny;

The Entrance to the Bistro ©Jana M. Jones 2002

it opens for breakfast early in the morning and stays open throughout the day and into the night, serving everything from light snacks to full meals. Also surrounded by terraces overlooking the golf course and gardens, it's a perfect spot for outdoor dining. Argyle, the restaurant at the golf club, is open for breakfast and lunch. The Lobby Lounge has lighter menu options until it closes. Open during the day for lunch and afternoon snacks, the Pool Bar and Grill offers guests the flexibility of not having to leave the pool area when hungry. "In-room dining" is available 24 hours a day.

The Kids for All Seasons Club is provided free of charge to hotel guests. Catering to children from age four to 12, trained child-care providers offer a variety of activities during the day, including art sessions and nature walks through the Batiquitos Lagoon Wildlife Sanctuary. Lunch is optional at an additional charge.

For mom and dad there is golf and the spa, of course, plus many other adult activities.

Although the resort is a destination itself, the location is ideal for Southern California sightseeing and tourist opportunities. The beach at Carlsbad is a mile from the resort; 45 minutes away in one direction is the San Diego Wildlife Park, 45 minutes in another is the world-famous San Diego Zoo. SeaWorld San Diego is half an hour south; an hour and a half north is Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm. The Mexico border and the shopping of Tijuana is an hour away. If you are traveling with younger children, just five minutes from the Four Seasons Resort Aviara is Legoland.

It can't get much better than this.

BOOK FOUR SEASONS AVIARA RESORT