Estancia La Jolla Hotel &amp; Spa

Where to Sip Artful Non-Alcoholic Cocktails in San Diego

"The weight of the world lifts as while meandering through the gardens of Estancia La Jolla. Keep the visit light with mocktails like its Summer Fizz, a bubbly blend of Seedlip Grove 42, ginger beer, lemon syrup, and mulled spices." - Kelly Bone

Thanksgiving Options for Dine-In or Takeout in San Diego

"A 24-hour brined turkey will headline the meal at Estacia’s holiday meal. Dinner also includes stuffing, cranberry sauce and more from 1-7 pm. Bring the celebration at home for $240. The meal kit feeds four people and includes turkey, gravy and sides." - Darlene Horn

The 22 Best Hotels in San Diego

"Estancia is in the upscale coastal neighborhood of La Jolla, but closer to UC San Diego and Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve than the pedestrian-friendly Village. Terra-cotta hues and charming architecture stand out at this Spanish Colonial-style hotel and spa that also features pristine gardens to stroll in the mornings. The spa has nine treatment rooms, including a couple’s option with an outdoor tub. Make sure to hit up the eucalyptus steam room and the meditation garden. The hotel is peak California: Mission-style architecture, succulents, and gardens galore." - Archana Ram, Beth Demmon

The Best Hotels in San Diego of 2024

@travelleisure

"This La Jolla property recently completed a major renovation of its 210 guest rooms and suites, plus its multiple lawn spaces, and added a new apiary and chef’s garden. The sprawling property includes 10 acres of gardens, stone pathways, serene courtyards, and fountains." - Travel + Leisure Editors

Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa

"How did it strike you on arrival?Estancia is located in the upscale coastal neighborhood of La Jolla, but closer to UC San Diego and Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve than the pedestrian-friendly Village. The hotel’s hacienda-style buildings give it an Old World look—think terra-cotta hues, iron details, and wood finishes. Succulent-filled gardens are spread out across 10 acres, making it easy (and lovely) to get lost in them. What’s the crowd like?You'll see couples, families, people in town for conferences, and girlfriends on a getaway. On to the big stuff: Tell us about the rooms.While the grounds are jaw-dropping, the rooms are somewhat underwhelming. They’re outfitted with dated furniture that doesn’t fit the charming Spanish Colonial vibe found elsewhere. Regular rooms are about 400 square feet and some have private balconies or patios. Suites are 640 square feet and feature outdoor space, a living area, and a soaking tub. We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. They got us?If you need space, all rooms come with the option of a California King. How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that worth a mention?The mini-fridges are empty, but housekeeping can stock them with snacks and drinks on request. Every room also has a Keurig machine. Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.The bathrooms are nothing to write home about, unless you’re staying in a suite (where the bathrooms are enormous). But the hotel makes up for the lackluster bathrooms with wonderful bath products from Fresh. Maybe the most important topic of all: Wi-Fi. What’s the word?Well, the $30 Hospitality Services Fee covers your Wi-Fi, along with bottled water, one bottle of wine per stay, access to the PressReader app on your mobile device, yoga classes, and various other add-ons. Room service: Worth it?Yes, the 24-hour room service comes from the hotel's Mustangs & Burros. Any other cool features we haven't asked about yet?The spa has nine treatment rooms, including a couple’s option with an outdoor tub. Make sure to hit up the eucalyptus steam room and the meditation garden. What was most memorable—or heartbreaking—about your stay?The hotel is peak California: Mission-style architecture, succulents, and gardens galore. The only misstep is the design of the rooms, which should be more in tune with the rest of the hotel’s aesthetic. Bottom line: What are we coming here for?If you don't mind staying in the lackluster rooms, you'll be rewarded with pristine gardens and charming architecture. Getting lost while exploring the hotel’s grounds will be one of the best memories from your stay." - Archana Ram

Dylan O

Google

My wife and I decided to do a staycation at the estancia this past weekend. We were blown away with the amazing service we received. Collin provided a 5 star experience from the time we arrived to the time we left. He anticipated all of our needs and made the weekend very special! At the lobby bar, Kevin was very hospitable and welcoming, serving up some delicious beverages and great conversation. We got set up with a garden view room which was very clean and spacious with a nice patio. We decided to hang at the pool both of the days which was our favorite part. The newly renovated pool area is relaxing and got great service from Shelby, Becca, Chad and Asher making sure we had everything we needed. We highly recommend staying at this beautiful resort and cannot wait to set up our next stay!

Tracey G

Google

It’s been seven years since I last visited the city. I’d stayed at Estancia then and didn’t consider staying anywhere else when I visited again last week. Estancia is a beautiful property. It’s very well maintained and inviting. The staff is professional but yet personable. Mish and Nahomi took extra steps to ensure my husband and I enjoyed our stay. I appreciate their attention to detail and warm personalities. Estancia is the only place I’ll stay when visiting San Diego. If I could rate them higher I would.

Marie D

Google

We enjoyed a four day family reunion at the Estancia this past 4th of July weekend and what an incredible stay we had! This has been our go-to property for many years and we were so impressed with the new renovations; the large, inviting, luxe lobby and bar, the updated equestrian-themed rooms (the property used to be an equestrian estate) and the wonderful poolside additions and spa amenities. The landscaping surrounding the property is filled with small gardens containing gorgeous blooming desert plants where you can sit, relax and just breathe in the ocean air. ||But of course what makes any property special are the staff that run it and the Estancia has now earned a solid 10 in this category! We were especially impressed with Sarah at the front desk who made sure that everything was just right for our stay (complete with a bottle of chilled champagne in each of our rooms.) Mish, also at the front desk, worked her magic to accommodate another room for our daughter and son-in-law (which wasn't easy with a full hotel on the 4th of July holiday and she really went above and beyond.) We also rented a cabana at the pool for two days and Collin and Becca gave us exceptional service with a resort flair that felt very special!||We’ll definitely return - can't wait!

GrandTour37505755602

Google

My husband recently planned a weekend staycation at Estancia and it was THE BEST hospitality we have received in a very long time! Not to mention it’s a gorgeous hotel!!! Kevin at the lobby bar was amazing and kicked things off for us with some delicious cocktails to roam around the beautiful grounds with upon check in. After getting settled we hit the pool and was immediately greeted by Collin, who from start to finish made sure we were always taken care of and the vibes from then on were immaculate!!! Collin and his crew were incredible, Chad the bartender makes some of the best poolside cocktails and our servers Shelby & Becca made sure we were never low on anything and that the energy was always high! Absolutely loved our stay, thanks for making it a 10/10! We can’t wait to come back and visit again.

Mark K

Google

We had requested a room on the top floor of hotel and was assured it wouldn’t be a problem when making reservation, but upon check in only 2nd floor available. We were celebrating 35th anniversary and wife’s birthday so not the way we envisioned stay. Needless to say Sarah called us with availability to move our room 2nd night. We appreciated the follow through. Also, we greatly enjoyed Razen at Mustangs restaurant and Chad at the pool bar. Chad made wife’s birthday lunch fun! All the staff make Estancia a special spot!

Sara T

Google

My girlfriend and I (local to SD), stayed at Estancia for a staycation over this past weekend. I cannot emphasize enough how personalized the service is, how comfortable all of the accommodations are, and how delicious the food is. Upon our arrival we were treated with incredible kindness and attentiveness by the staff. As someone who has stayed at a lot of 5 star hotels, I was shocked to learn that Estancia is a 4 star and not a 5 star! The bed was so comfortable and everything we ate was beyond delicious. The grounds are stunning. Kevin at the bar made some of the most incredible Aperol Sprtizes we have had and was a joy to talk to. Asher at the pool made sure we had incredible service, catering to our every need with a smile on his face. Our time at the spa was beyond relaxing - from the steam room to the service itself, I left feeling more relaxed than I had felt in years. On the drive home my girlfriend and I kept saying we felt like we were floating. We are going to make this staycation a yearly ritual.

Lisa A

Google

Where do I begin... we had planned to visit SD months ago because we wanted to treat ourselves for completing the 75 HARD challenge! We did not secure a location until last minute. We stumbled across Estancia, on a whim from Google searches and was initially set on getting a beachside hotel. We booked Estancia, and when I say this has been the Very Best Decision we've made for a vacation stay in a long time, I mean it. The service is impeccable!!!! From the moment we walked into the lobby the staff was exceptional. I had a whole weekend itinerary planned out, but after our first 15 minutes at the bar with the awesome meet and greets from the bartender Chad, to the manager Collin, we were SOLD. We changed all of our plans for our weekend and stayed here, rented a Cabana, and met some great new friends with AMAZING hospitality and service for Becca, Asher, Shelby, Chad, and none the less Collin. We will definitely will be back.

Paul S

Google

We were pleased with e ery aspect of this resort; the rooms, amenities, restaurants, and especially the staff. The front desk was manned by Camryn for most of our stay, always helpful and courteous, at Mustangs & Burros restaurant we had Ivan serve us several times, he provided great service, along with the kindness of the hostess Razan. We will definitely be back to relax in La Jolla, but away from the crowds of the village. This place is a retreat from the busy town, but your still close enough to partake in all that La Jolla has to offer.

MaDonna W.

Yelp

I have to say the stellar service that we received from the moment we walked in really heightened our enjoyment. If it's your birthday, you are offered a fabulous cocktail of your choice in the lobby bar. Cheers! The rooms are equipped with robes and slippers well appointed toiletries, incredibly comfortable beds and pillows . We were able to enjoy yoga on the lawn for hotel guests. The next morning the grounds are gorgeous. They have a wishing tree for you to place your wishes upon a very small gym a very nice pool with an outdoor café a small gift shop., plenty of places to get lost if you want to And if you're thinking about getting married, this is the place you wanna do it gorgeous grounds Super kid friendly, super dog friendly . ( at least we saw many dogs in the lobby. We're not sure if they are allowed in the rooms. You would have to call to make sure)

Marta H.

Yelp

The oasis is beautiful in, what seemingly is the middle of UCSD. You walk in and don't feel as if the outside world is there. The room was a decent size, not overly large and not too small. They do need better bedding and pillows, the sheets were scratchy and the pillows were flat. Water pressure in shower is terrible and the bathroom is not very large. Love the balcony off the room, overlooking the courtyard, but why only 1 chair? I was here for a conference, and came in early to celebrate my Anniversary so I brought my husband with me. Mustangs & Burros was a great place for a margarita & a quick bite, but restaurants on property were not open very late so we found ourselves eating in La Jolla most nights. Overall decent, not sure I would go back if not for another conference.

Jeffrey L.

Yelp

This was my first time staying at Estancia. Every year my wife and I spend our anniversary weekend in San Diego. moving forward I will do my best to only stay here. This was the first year I can honestly say I was relaxed and returned home rejuvenated. Ample amounts of seating throughout patio area of the hotel, with a fireplace on in the evenings. The main lobby had someone playing music on Saturday night. So when we were lounging by the fireplace we could hear him singing. My interaction with every staff member was pleasant, they were polite and always concerned if there was anything I needed or wanted. The Room's are recently renovated and are quite nice. The air conditioner in the room worked perfectly. We had breakfast at Greenfinch, my wife had the smoked salmon toast and I had the Crab cake benedict. They both were delicious. We spent our afternoons relaxing by the pool. They had a DJ playing music and it was very enjoyable. I would recommend this hotel to anyone in my family/friend group that is planning on visiting La Jolla

Kathy S.

Yelp

Stayed a night to get away and refresh and it was just what I needed. The property is beautiful and peaceful with lots of flowers. Wish I took more photos. Rooms were cutely decorated and fresh feeling. Loved the hand lotion in the bathroom. I would definitely go back. Had dinner at the Mustangs & Burros. We tried the Cesar salad, cauliflower frito, coconut white fish ceviche, and the Baja crab tortilla soup. I thought the Cesar salad and cauliflower were really good. The ceviche was ok. The soup was very flavorful.

Joann V.

Yelp

Amazing experience here. I was a little hesitant to see 3.5 Stars here but I decided to book it anyways through my AMEX platinum as it was recommended. They did give us an early check-in and for my birthday they gave us two free drinks on the house. They also accommodated me and my dogs and my requests. We do have a little bit of a hiccup with the refrigerator, not working and one of the locks not working, but I contacted management and they made it right . The staff were very nice and remembered our names when we checked out and we only stayed there for one night. We didn't have breakfast brunch there one of the days. The crab Benedict was decent, they did the poached eggs and Hollandaise sauce decent but the bread was meh. We also had the fried chicken sandwich and the fried chicken sandwich was a little overdone and oily. The pool also has complementary sunscreen, which is a nice touch as well. We did stay there during the week when the pool wasn't too busy however I can see why people complain about the pool because it is a little small for the size of the resort. The restaurant at the pool also gave us complementary loaded tater tots to try out. Hopefully they renovate the pool to make it larger and the next time I go, I can try the yoga. The lighting in the bathroom in the hotel was a little too dark for me to do my make up, which was kind of a pain in the butt, but I did tell management about it to give them some feedback and hopefully they fix that. The management was very kind made things right and accepted all the feedback I gave them. I do have a perfume allergy and the smell was a bit intense in my room but the front desk said next time I can call ask them to not use as much air freshener or whatever in my room. My experience was great and I plan to come back here again when we're in La Jolla

Troy B.

Yelp

This has got to be one of my favorite hotels ever! Such a stunning property that kind of makes me feel like I've teleported to Europe. From the architecture to the decor in the rooms, it truly felt like an oasis and a luxurious getaway. My boyfriend and I only spent two nights here and wish we had more time, but we definitely tried to make the most of it. We ordered breakfast room service, lounged around the pool and the bar, and went to the restaurant at the hotel, Mustangs & Burros. It was nice that they had given us a a $100 credit, which we did end up exceeding for sure. The amenities seem great, and I would definitely come back to take advantage of more of them. My only complaint is that before we got there and after we checked out, we called the front desk with some questions, but both times it was really difficult to reach someone over the phone, and we had to call multiple times. But during our time at the hotel, customer service was great.

Lauren K.

Yelp

Love this hotel and will def be back. They recently did a ton of renovations! Love the vibe at this hotel and everyone is so nice. Super dog friendly and treated my dog like it was their own. The pool was also redone they have a DJ on Saturday's which is really fun. Loved our bartender Kevin definitely knows how to make an amazing espresso martini! Go check them out for an amazing stay or for a drink :)

Negar T.

Yelp

I love this hotel. Very pretty and clean. This hotel is very close to UCSD which makes it great when you are visiting your loved ones. I didn't like the food in the cafeteria but the staff were very friendly and helpful.

Curt M.

Yelp

I had not given much thought about our stay December 22-26, 2023, until I received a message from Claire inviting us to return for a stay at Estancia. Apparently, she was unaware of my disappointment that I expressed about our stay last year. My wife and I celebrated our 40th anniversary and Christmas with our daughter and grandchildren. The dinner to celebrate our anniversary was excellent and the property grounds are beautiful, inviting, and well maintained. When I made the reservation, I said that it was our 40th anniversary and that I wanted one of the better rooms facing the garden because of the special time for my wife and me. When we arrived, there was an issue with the reservation, and we were given a basic room with two beds. Not facing the garden. The room that we were assigned faced south of the property with a view of the adjacent condominiums. To make matters worse, people staying at Estancia used the grass area below our balcony for dogs to relieve themselves. So, with regard to the message that I received today inviting us back? Our room was that of a two-star property, with a view of dogs defecating below our balcony. There is no way my wife and I will ever stay again at Estancia.

Courtney O.

Yelp

Estancia is a premier hotel through Capital One. Because of a recent $200 credit for premier club stays, my husband and I decided to indulge and do a little staycation here. Estancia is located near the Salk Institute and Torrey Pines Gliderport. We took a short half mile walk to the gliderport at sunset and took in the most beautiful views of the ocean. It was gorgeous. After our walk, we explored the property. Unfortunately, a lot of the property is under construction right now so the lobby is being housed in a makeshift room and the pool and jacuzzi are not open. It's hard to justify the destination fee with these amenities closed, especially on top of the $39 a night self parking charge. Our stay came with a $100 dining credit and free breakfast (up to $80). This seemed like a lot, but the restaurant prices were high and we still needed to cover a significant portion of the bill, especially for lunch. This hotel has a comfortable and oasis-like feel. It felt like a world away from the rest of San Diego. It was lovely to walk around but the property is very small and there isn't a large area to roam. The room was spacious and I loved the styling and modern elements. One strange thing is that someone entered our room in the morning without warning. I believe it was housekeeping but there was no knock or anything to pre warn and they immediately left. A little scary and strange. Overall, I enjoyed the stay. It ended up being pricier than I was expecting even with the included benefits, but nice for a little getaway.

H S.

Yelp

I had very high hopes for this spa, considering it has high ratings and was considered an "Award winning Spa" When I arrived, the excitement grew as I drove through the grounds. Gorgeous, Lucious, green forests and gold courses. As I entered the spa, that is where the excitement stopped. Estancia is one of the smallest spas I've been to in my life and the locker reminded me of the kind you'd see in a 24 hour fitness gym. However, I told myself that I am here for the massage and facial and continued to get prepared. The situation gradually became worse over the next few hours, no water to drink at the water stations, lukewarm tea, constant noise from the "relaxation" room with the staff constantly coming in and out. It was impossible to relax with the chaos and ruckus, one of the ladies at the spa even got up and made a complaint and all they could say is " Sorry, we will be renovating soon". I honestly think if a spa is in this bad of a condition to one cannot relax inside the "relaxation" room, it should be closed until they are ready to provide what a spa typically provides. My massage was the best thing there, although it was noisy and outdoors (no one notified me of this), my masseuse did an amazing job. My facial was lackluster and was rushed, not relaxing at all. After all that, I was ready to finally leave and requested my car with valet, to my surprise! I couldn't find my wallet I keep my car keys inside. I found it broken, underneath the seat and was not notified that they had ripped my key chain off the wallet. It looked like whoever was parking my car had maybe had an accident with my keys but tried to cover it up. I let management know, and well... it's been crickets. They said they will give me an update and I've been waiting ever since. Oh well, I wont be back again. If you're looking for a true spa experience that is worth your time and money then head over to The Spa at Fairmont ground Del Mar. That is where you will receive an award winning spa experience.

Luigi B.

Yelp

(Chris Helmsworth voiceover) The vibe is fab chic hotel in La Jolla! Carlos warmly greeted me in the Feather Room. Nice fireplace and perfect on a chilly night like this. I was famished from travel abroad. And I had to check out the restaurant Mustangs & Burros. Kamron recommended the Tomahawk! Ivan & David served me. So friendly. We chat a bit about books, authors, and speakers! Ivan knows how to seamlessly establish rapport. Wow. I just depend on my towering figure and A-list moviestar status...ahem. The Tomahawk was covered by colorful delish bed of roasted corn, cilantro sunflower seed pesto, queso panela. Beef is what should always be available for dinner! The Tomahawk was cooked to perfection. Succulent. Flavorful. An absolutely hearty 32 oz delight fit for a demigod. The Margarita was delightful! And may I add a virgin. I want all my decisions tonight to be unenhanced by mead. Tahin on the rim was the perfect touch. It's a big mission day tomorrow! The fab accommodations, the delectable cuisine, and the exemplary service put me so much at ease that I was just about to pick up the mic and do impromptu karaoke with the live music performer. Missed my chance! But I'm the demigod of second chances. So will see. N'est pas, mademoiselles et IG supermodels avec la sourir parfait! I love this place! Great party vibe! And so I held off the rain while I dined al fresco. Thanks Carlos, Kamron, Ivan, and David! Would order everything again!

William L.

Yelp

Solid resort, no complaints what so ever. The staff was very friendly, rooms were very nice. Room service is actually better than the restaurants. Price was relatively high, but you get seclusion and privacy. It's a very nice place to walk around although smaller. The grass is fake grass though :)

Calina N.

Yelp

I didn't know there was this hidden gem tucked away in La Jolla! I got to stay here for a night with my boyfriend and our pupper as a little birthday staycation for me. I loved the greenery and hacienda type feel. Not only that but it is literally steps away from Gliderport and the Salk Institute. I can't give it a perfect 5/5 because there were a few minor inconveniences we encountered during our stay: - When we first walked into our room this disgusting stench immediately knocked us in the face (it smelled like someone took a big fart lol). We ended up opening the balcony door to air out the smell. When we checked around the room we didn't see anything in particular that would cause the smell. However, we did close the door to the toilet room and noticed that the smell stopped for the rest of the room. So we think it was coming from the vent above the toilet. I'm not sure how the ventilation system is here but we're thinking it might have been traveling through the rooms. Thankfully the smell disappeared after a while but it wasn't pleasant at all. - There was a ton of construction happening. The pool wasn't available for use and half of the property it seemed like was not walkable. A lot of paths were blocked. It was a little confusing to get around even with a map. Trying to go upstairs to the restaurant from our floor was weird because there would be a stairway to go down but the door outside didn't have a handle to go back up. - We booked a dog friendly room so I was wondering if our room would come with some items to accommodate our pup. I was expecting maybe some poop bags, or dog bowl for water but there wasn't anything of that sort. Thankfully, we brought all that ourselves but you would think maybe there would be something for them. - The spa is supposedly one of the best spas in San Diego but it didn't really feel like that to me. The 50 minute massage was great but also $200...I was expecting there to be more activities in the spa itself. It was limited to a little outdoor area that felt kind of barren. The outdoor couches had dust on them and there wasn't much shade. There was only a steam room and a "resting" type room. Don't get me wrong, the service was great but I was just expecting a little bit more. I would definitely stay here again but probably after they finish the construction. This also seems like a great place to serve as a venue for a wedding or special occasion.

Nina V.

Yelp

We stayed here for a weekend, and upon arrival, we were impressed by how pretty the hotel is. They were still renovating the pool area, so that was unavailable during our stay. However, they offered tickets for complimentary use of another hotel's pool (the Valencia, I think). Walking into the room, I noticed a strong smell. It was very perfume-y, almost like they went overboard with the air freshener. There was also another note that I couldn't quite place my nose on. That evening, the air freshener dissipated and the room basically smelled like sewage. It clearly came from the bathroom because after closing the bathroom door for a few hours, the smell was even stronger in there. I tried to just ignore it and get through the night, but it affected my sleep because I kept thinking how the fumes would affect my health. The next morning, the smell was worse, so we notified the front desk. They offered us another standard room or a suite, and I couldn't pass on a suite. All I really wanted was just another room that didn't smell, no matter how big or small. The suite was fantastic. The bedroom was a separate room, it had a large bathroom and living room, and there was no smell. All in all, we appreciated how accommodating the staff were.

Michael N.

Yelp

Wow - Never before have I experienced a hotel cancelling my reservation the day of my arrival. I have stayed at this property a few times a year as my son goes to school at UCSD. I just received a call and they claimed they had a system error and overbooked many guests. Their offer was to put us in a sister property 20 miles away that appears to be a dump of a property. They had no interest in calling other surrounding hotel properties that are 4-5 star and finding a reservation and paying the difference. That was on us to do. Naturally we found something but are now paying 2x more for this last minute unprofessional behavior. Kai Hope, Eric Jenkins, and the rest of that establishment will never see my business again. Nor should anyone reading this ever consider this location...anyone that can treat their customers this way doesn't deserve to be in business. #CANCELESTANCIALJHOTEL

Jeanelle D.

Yelp

Spent my 37th birthday at the Estancia La Jolla, doing a spa day and hanging by the pool. While the spa was nothing short of incredible & all the spa employees were fabulous... we were absolutely enthralled to spend the entire day by the pool thanks to the bartender Chad, who went above and beyond with creating incredible and unique cocktails for my friends and I. His knowledge of all things behind the bar is incredible and it really elevated the experience at the Estancia pool.

Kelly B.

Yelp

My visit to Estancia La Jolla Spa was pure bliss. From the serene atmosphere to the beautifully designed facilities, everything was perfect for relaxation. The staff were incredibly welcoming and professional, ensuring I felt pampered from start to finish. My massage therapist Morgan provided an exceptional treatment that left me feeling completely rejuvenated. The peaceful garden area was the perfect spot to unwind afterward. I can't wait to return!

Marlayna F.

Yelp

I was super excited to stay at the Estancia! The pictures were an immediate draw! The hotel is quietly tucked away, almost like an jungle oasis! I was greeted by valet, Daniel. The receptionist was really kind and helpful. She drew directions to my room on their map, which was needed. Upon arriving to my private bungalow I was pleasantly surprised! The room was beautiful and peaceful. One downside was the AC every time it turn on. It gave a clacking noise which was a bit startling. I can't wait to stay again!

Araceli D.

Yelp

Mediocre Ass place. Food is uninspired and rather underwhelming. Dinner here was so mundane, not satisfying at all, had to go to the cafe for a snack just to then be served moldy food. Not surprised.

Grace C.

Yelp

Booked an estate king room for my husbands birthday. There was a complimentary champagne which I found surprising. Room was clean but the walls were super thin. We got woken up at 6:15 am in the morning to the neighbors next door laughing like hyenas ! There was also 2 water bottles included with the $39 daily resort fee charge. One of our water bottles seal was broken and looks like a previous person had already opened it and water was not filled to the top. We threw it away immediately and notified front desk and new ones were delivered. So be careful and check before drinking! View from the balcony was great. A skinny tree was blocking the way wish it was cut down. Relaxed with coffee and sat outside. It was a ok experience. Beware of charges on your invoice! Charges such as destination fee supposedly was a normal charge claiming that this fee is required and charged for each customer. Price is expensive but I booked for a special occasion. I don't see myself coming back again due to noise caused by thin walls and sanitary reasons that happened with the water bottles. Staff cleaning the rooms should be throwing the water bottles out regardless if they are opened or not. You just can't tell if the previous guest has drank from it unless the seal is broken. On top of that, husband saw a spider in the room and killed it.

Jessica G.

Yelp

Beautiful property, serene and relaxing. Perfect for a little romantic staycation. Friendly staff and amazing food/drinks. Best pool side margaritas I've ever had!! Will visit again for sure!

Audrey K.

Yelp

I just came back from the most relaxing weekend here. I frequent the San Diego area but this was my first time staying at Estancia. The vibes were immaculate! They recently did a renovation but there were no signs of construction or anything but everything is modern, clean, and just straight up beautiful. From the moment we arrived to the moment we left the staff was incredibly attentive. We were never left wanting something because they were already ahead of the game in providing anything we could need. The food at Greenfinch was SO good. I love an avocado toast and theirs did not disappoint. I tried a variety of drinks from different bars and they were all wonderful. The spicy paloma at the pool really packed a punch. I enjoyed how relaxing everything was. There are gardens everywhere. Lounging areas with fire pits, grassy areas, shaded areas, and secluded lawns to name just a few. I felt that the wishing tree was a nice touch. My husband and I both wrote some wishes and put them on the tree and it was a really nice moment that we had together. We spent some time by the pool and had such a great time. There was music, great drinks, and they even provided some mineral sunscreen which was great because I forgot ours at home. While there was a DJ it definitely didn't give "club vibes". It was upbeat and lively without being wild in any way shape or form. I can't stand loud environments and this was not that. They are also incredibly dog friendly! My little corgi, Franklin, is my child so taking him somewhere where he wasn't just tolerated but welcomed was so nice. They had a little sign out front welcoming all of the dogs staying there for the week with water bowls. They had dog menus that you could order from and even offered pet sitting. Franklin goes with me everywhere so I was so happy that he had a great time too. Any place that loves dogs is good in my book. Overall, I can't wait to go back. You will not be disappointed if you choose to stay there.

Noah M.

Yelp

I would like to say that the renovations are beautiful and the smell in the rooms and lobby are amazing!!!! The staff was super nice, but just unqualified. I wouldnt eat at their restaurants onsite unless you wanted to wait an hour to be served cold mediocre food. The poolside service was also terrible. Waited over an hour for a martini and then it arrived warm, so they took it back and made it again. Another 10 minutes. We spoke to the front desk about it and the food and beverage manager called our room and offered us a complimentary bottle of bubbles which we said wasnt necessary but the manager kept insisting 4-5 times so we agreed. They never brought it. The hotel is definitely family friendly. Meaning kids running up and down the halls starting at 7am. And although aesthetically the renovations are amazing, they did little to nothing to work on sound proofing. So keep that in mind. There is one pool with loungers and cabanas. The cabanas will run you about $400 but its not worth it. You do not have a dedicated server or other amenities other than a TV and mini fridge with sodas. The other lounge chairs around the pool are comfortable and relaxing - if you can grab one. Its kind of the wild west/ hunger games to grab a chair. Normally at a resort of this caliber you would have a pool hostess that will set you up with a lounge chair. But the staff by the pool are kind of useless. Lots of standing around. Lots of confusion when delivering food and beverage. They really need to hire a staff/ operations manager/ trainer. Its kind of embarrassing to watch. Our lounge chair neighbors ordered a salad and when they delivered it to them like 30 minutes later, the server asks do you need utensils? No, ill just dog bowl it. ‍ Oh and the cafe they opened in the lobby had a leak from the ceiling in mulitple locations over the serving counters and instead of closing shop until it was repaired they were serving food and beverage while god knows what was dripping from the ceiling. All in all. The hotel was nice and new and the staff was very friendly, just terrible at their jobs across the board. Lack of good leadership and management. I wouldnt stay here again. Sorry, a complete waste of money for what was experienced.

Trisha D.

Yelp

Amazing local getaway and the new renovation is (chef's kiss). Pluses: - Pool is newly renovated and heated. Pool vibe is kid friendly but not TOO kid screamy loud. You can have a cocktail/mocktail and enjoy a book, but there's a DJ on weekends. Service is top notch at the pool. Was able to get breakfast room service delivered to the pool (no problem). My kids and I felt very royal. - Got upgraded to a refreshed suite. Huge with a giant bathtub. Good pick if you are bringing your kids. - Amazing water pressure. Americans really don't know how good we have got it when it comes to this key point. - Hotel food is pretty good all around. Kids menu not too outrageous in price. Fish tacos yummy.

Denise W.

Yelp

I had a lovely spa visit including a facial and a massage. Both were amazing, high quality service in a beautiful and tranquil setting. Highly recommend!

Denise M.

Yelp

Stopped by for the couples' massage, and it was the loveliest experience. I initially tried to book online and had some trouble so ended up calling, and left a voicemail. The staff called me back and were super nice when I accidentally booked for the wrong day- no fee for having to move it to the next day. The spa is to the right when you turn in at the gate, and yes, the pool is under construction but we didn't intend to use it anyways. The front desk was very friendly when we came in and offered us some yummy lychee tea before leading each of us into the locker rooms. I was asked my shoe size for the spa sandals, and given a robe and shown the amenities and the lockers. No private changing rooms, but everyone seemed pretty chill with the clothing optional space. The massage itself was fantastic, one of the best I've had in the States. We were looked after by Lori and Ronnie, who both did a great job checking in about how the pressure was, and walking us through the process. At the end of the massage, we were asked if we wanted to sit outside in the courtyard by the fireplace, or go inside- we opted for the courtyard, and were provided with flutes of champagne and a chocolate truffle each! The whole space felt very peaceful and inviting, and I loved that there was an outdoor space to relax at as well. We've gone to another high falutin' spa recently, and although the facilities here are a little less private, I prefer Estancia because of their thoughtful touches. For example, by the steam room there is a big bowl of Himalayan sea salt with small plastic containers next to it, so you can bring in some salt for a little DIY salt scrub action when you're in the steam room. There's chilled towels with eucalyptus awaiting you when you come out of the steam room as well. It all felt really intimate and relaxing. There is a 21% service fee at the end, which includes gratuity for the masseuses as well. For $600 total, I do think that the experience merits the price, and we plan to return!

Natalie M.

Yelp

There was many things wrong with my experience here but I'll stick to the main issue. I checked my luggage with the front desk and when I came to get the bags, to my awful surprise they couldn't find our luggage. Not only could they not find my luggage but they questioned if I even checked the bags in, keep in mind I had a baggage claim ticket. The staff was rude and it turned out they gave my luggage to some random guest who had left the resort and no solution was presented to me. It was a horrible experience. They then said they would comp my stay but have since ghosted me, not surprised. Be aware of this place and its lack of professionalism.

Ashley c.

Yelp

My friend and I stayed here for a girl's spa weekend staycation and let me tell you why we'll be coming back every year... The staff is phenomenal. The food is delicious. The views are relaxing. The ambiance is rejuvenating. It rained the day we checked out so we called down for a late checkout so we could enjoy the sounds of the storm outside while laying in bed and sipping our hot coffee. This experience has been worth every penny. We both had 50 min massages and the whole experience was magical.

Scott S.

Yelp

So I stayed here and had a horrible experience. They told me to come back and it would be better. So I called the manager I had spoken to when I was there during thier renovations. Never got the call back I was promised. Twice they did not seem to care about a guest or possibly return guest.

Frances J.

Yelp

I won a stay here from a gala back in September. I figured why not celebrate my 10-year anniversary here? I booked it, was super excited and then a car accident happened the night before with my daughter and grandkids. I text the hotel and was put in contact with this AMAZING, kind, and accommodating woman named Katie who is a front desk supervisor. She contacted the reservations department and canceled my reservation with no fees and let them know i will redeem at a later date. I can't wait to meet her and I can't wait to spend a day/night at this beautiful establishment!!!

Cheryl E.

Yelp

Truly one of the most amazing massages I have had in a while! I highly recommend Danielle for a massage! She has the most unique technique to relieve tension and her pressure is perfect!

Melissa M.

Yelp

I have come to this spa every year for Mother's Day since I moved here 7 years ago. I get a facial, massage, and then spend the day by the pool with my friends. Welp, not this year. Imagine my surprise when I arrived for my treatment on Mother's Day and I was informed that spa guest are no longer allowed to use the pool, it is only for hotel guests... not only that, the receptionist tried to gaslight me and told me it was never allowed. I was upset considering we had no other place to go and already spent $700 on services. Then, when we tried to eat at the restaurant, we were denied because it was a tea service, wouldn't serve us at the hotel bar... then we begged to come and eat at the pool bar, and were denied again through the gate they refused to open. Then I finally "convinced" a bartender to serve me in a corner so the manager wouldn't see me. The pool was a ghost town. It's a shame because they've increased their services pricing, and it completely ruined what should have been a fun day for a group of moms. I'm disappointed that the hotel has become so short-sided that they aren't accommodating their local community. Very disappointed and sad as this was my favorite spot. I hope they can do better.

Jose P.

Yelp

Subpar service which initiates with the front seat staffed with individuals with little training Arrived about 3 pm and was told my room was not ready but cleaners were in the room working received a pass card to the pool and express Ted z short wait over 80 minutes later the room was still not ready ordered an avocado salad as did others in our group took some time but we received a green leaf salad no avocado After inquiring the waiting staff went in the kitchen to retrieve avocados for our Salads The voice in the pool was awful as they were building potholes but failed to advise the clients finally after several inquiries our rooms were ready but requested abd agreed pillows were moved delivered I had requested them and it was confirmed on my texts Requested them again twice but never saw the extra pillows For a high end resort the service is mediocre and the mistakes multiple Great location but staff need lots of testing Hope they improve I would be hesitant to return if the service is not improved

Rob G.

Yelp

We tried our luck again, and to be fair, it must have been a bad hotel weekend on our last trip because our recent trip was a complete 180. Service was 100 percent better and made for a very enjoyable weekend. The new remodel looks fantastic and modern, especially in the lobby and pool.

Jean Y.

Yelp

Beautiful place in La Jolla. Our room was on 2 nd story with a small patio. Huge tile floor was in and out of the whole Estancia. Well kept garden with flowers are so inviting. Fire place with fire was a plus. Yeah it was a bit cool side when we were in La Jolla.

Elsa P.

Yelp

I recently booked a stay with Estancia for two nights (superior room/balcony/garden view). Upon arrival, we were given a room that overlooked a parking lot. The noise from the cars, along with being located directly next to the highway was extremely disruptive and we were not able to keep the balcony door open given all the noise. I immediately requested a room change, and the front desk assured me they would prioritize moving us to the correct room the next day. The following morning, when I inquired about the progress, the staff seemed unaware of the situation and questioned whether my bags were packed as if this would somehow dictate whether or not we could be moved into the correct room. I was again told that someone would reach out to me with an update on the room change. We never received an update, and the customer service experience was disappointing to say the least. Separately, we booked appointments at the spa and the cleanliness of both the men and women's locker rooms was concerning. There was hair throughout the women's shower and both the men and women's locker rooms were out of soap. The quality of the rooms/spa services do not align with their rates. I would never stay here again.

Kevin C.

Yelp

An excellent weekend at the Estancia in La Jolla. Had a corporate retreat weekend that combined the Farmers Insurance PGA Open at Torrey Pines. Spectacular Grounds. Rooms were very nice. Service was fantastic. Really enjoyed the little courtyard for our morning coffee and pastries. Pool are was beautiful and well manicured. Location is hard to beat, within walking distance to the Torrey Pines Golf Corse and the La Jolla glider port. Also Torrey Pines state reserve. Dinner at Burros and Mustangs was good, not great. Food was a little bland. Overall a fantastic weekend. We'll be back!

Melissa G.

Yelp

I've been lucky enough to stay here a few times and have really enjoyed every stay. The staff has always been very accommodating and friendly. Our housekeepers Catalina and Mariana have done an excellent job cleaning our rooms. They are very honest ladies and we really appreciated them. We were able to use the spa during our stay and loved how close our room was located to the spa and pool. We also dined at Mustangs and Burros which had amazing appetizers and desserts. Definitely a nice experience and get away. There are at least two trails nearby that you can go on that lead you to the beach. The trails are about 1 mile each and took me about one hour and 15 minutes total to walk from the hotel to the Gliderport down the trail and back up to the hotel. Definitely a nice work out with gorgeous views topped off by a dip in the hot tub at the hotel. When we departed the hotel, we forgot our wetsuits on the balcony, and the staff was kind enough to locate them for us and offer to ship them back for a reasonable price. Thanks team!

Nicole V.

Yelp

This hotel has beautiful grounds, a lovely pool, and delicious food. The staff is very friendly. The decor / vibe is trendy. The rooms were comfortable and the gym was small but had all the necessities.

Melissa L.

Yelp

Booked a stay here during Covid restrictions. Thus, no cleaning during our stay. Room was a decent size, but in need of updating. It seems guests were spaced well because we rarely bumped into people when leaving. They had hand sanitizing stations, but many were empty when I attempted to use. So that was worthless. Parking lot fills quickly and it can be challenging to find a spot near your room. Did not use many of the amenities on this visit. My overall impression is it's overpriced given that they seemed to have cut costs on their services.

Drew K.

Yelp

Great staycation option in La Jolla, San Diego. The heated, salt water pool was perfect and not too crowded even though the hotel was near full capacity. The coffee shop is open in the mornings with good breakfast/coffee options. And the restaurant opens in the evening with great Mexican food/kids menu options.

Chris W.

Yelp

I hate writing this review but the Spa at Estancia is no longer a 5 star spa or even a 2 star for that matter. Granted the pool area is under construction, but the building and amenities for the spa are rundown and tired at this point. Hopefully they will remodel the spa next. I do have to say that my actual massage was fantastic and Celia is the best. I hope she goes somewhere else to offer her services and I will gladly follow. It all started with the walk to the spa and the normal path to get there is shut down but you only realize this when you walk all the way down to that area and there is just a fence blocking your path. No signs telling you to go another way or warning that the path to the spa is shut down. The only other way to get to the spa is through room access only areas and you can only get there with a key. I was visiting for a spa day and didn't have a room so I had to walk all the way back to the front lobby, according to a hotel employee, and then walk all the way around through the parking lot. They could have just let me in with a key but did not offer. After finally getting to the spa I was greeted with nothing more than "here is your locker number and be in the relaxation room 5 mins before your treatment". The next part is where the real disappointment happened. Part of the fun in visiting a high end spa is enjoying the amenities. Once I got to my locker I noticed that they didn't have any sandals for me and when I asked, they didn't have any available in my size(size 11) so I had to wear my crocs everywhere. No big deal as I love my crocs but it was odd that they didn't have size 11 slippers. The first thing I did after that was head to the showers, the first shower stall I entered had towels all over the floor(they sat there throughout my entire visit) and the pieces to the actual shower were coming off the wall and I couldn't get the temp right. It was either extremely hot or extremely cold so I moved to another shower and was able to make it work. Next I went to the jacuzzi and when I tried to turn on the jets, they would not turn on. I hopped in anyways and started to relax and when I looked down, there was a bandaid stuck to my chest. I quickly threw it out of the jacuzzi and then noticed there was another bandaid floating aimlessly in circles, I quickly jumped out of the water never to return(it is also worth mentioning that the bandaid was still floating in the jacuzzi after I got out of my treatment a few hours later). I then decided to go for a steam and try to forget about the bandaid incident. When trying to enter the steam room you literally have to pull the door with all your strength because the door is literally resting on the floor and rubbing against the concrete and it won't open unless you pull as hard as you can. It feels like the glass will break any minute or especially when you try and get out of the steam room and have to do it all over again and literally kick your way out. All in all, the experience was only saved by the magic hands of Celia but I will not be returning unless serious changes are made. It is also worth mentioning that I brought all of this up with the front desk at the spa and they said they would mention it to the manager. I did not ask to speak with a manger as I am not a Ken and would rather just take my business elsewhere. Horrible birthday experience, Do better Estancia! It is all worth mentioning this was on the Male locker room side of the Spa. The women's side might be in better shape.

Lori C.

Yelp

Wow! Came in for a birthday dinner and drinks, and service was exceptional all the way around! Corey the bartender was personable and quick, and Christopher provided great service at dinner. Nicole was on top of everything and took really good care of us. Food and drinks were excellent too. Recommend!

Sonya S.

Yelp

So this past weekend my husband and I stayed at this resort. We had high hopes for this resort until Saturday Morning when I went to make us a cup of coffee and was greeted by a cockroach!!!! As you can image this set tone for the remainder of our weekend at this place. After breakfast we went to talk to the front desk. We were helped by a young lady named Karen who was super sweet and apologetic however she was only able to " comp" us our breakfast and bought me a iced coffee from the cafe. ‍. I was hoping to at least get our stay taken care of or at least a night. Needless to say WE will not be returning here and have advised our friends to find another resort for a weekend getaway in the San Diego area.

Amber M.

Yelp

We were so excited to stay here for a quick weekend getaway. First, the good things: the property itself is beautiful and very dog friendly which was great because we brought our two small dogs. Beyond that...not much else to rave about unfortunately, for the high price point. Our biggest disappointment was the food. Mustangs and Burros was a complete BUST. We ordered queso thinking it would be melty, hot, dip-able. It was cold, and so hard we had to cut it with a fork. We both ordered different types of tacos; burria, chicken, fish. Each one was SO DRY and flavorless..even the consume served with the burria tasted like water. Tried cutting the fish in the fish taco and it was like cutting a brick. Literally no flavor in any of them. We didn't send anything back or complain, but the sever (second server after our first disappeared after taking our appetizer order, never came back for drink or dinner order) seemed to know something wasn't right and gave us a discount. Spa was OK but the waiting area was very crowded with not enough places to sit everyone waiting. Pool was overcrowded, had to stand around waiting for chairs to become available, drinks way overpriced. All in all, way to expensive for subpar food and service. :(

Minda S.

Yelp

Charlene in housekeeping went above and beyond!! We accidentally left our treasured Dino behind. Charlene took very good care of him and made sure he was safely returned. We couldn't be happier . Thank you Charlene. You're THE BEST

Joni B.

Yelp

I hate writing this review because I've been waiting to stay here for so long and I'm truly disappointed. Unfortunately we weren't notified that the pool and hot tub were under renovation (kinda a big deal). The rest of the property just feels worn down and they still have up what looks like Xmas decorations in one of their restaurants (it's 2/17). The staff had us park where they said it would be right next to our room but it was not even close and we were super confused and lost trying to find our room. When looking for our room I just said "there has to be an easier way" and another guest from her balcony said "I know right? We had the same issue". Needless to say the property needs some attention to keep up to a 5 star standard and maybe that is what they are trying to do with the pool but there will be more work to do and it was very disappointing all around. Oh the gym is tiny and kinda lame (maybe temp given the pool renovation?) ugh anyways...

Cecilia S.

Yelp

I had an amazing experience at this hotel. Everything ran smoothly from beginning to end. I arrived at night, but could tell that the grounds were very well taken care of, which made me excited to see the grounds during the day. Valet and checkin were pretty straight forward. Everyone was very courteous and accommodating. The Estate room was beautiful, clean, and quiet. As predicted, the grounds were beautiful under the sunlight, despite any renovation happening. I had breakfast on the terrace of the Greenfinch Restaurant, which had another amazing view of the courtyard. Overall, I had an excellent experience here. I look forward to visiting again with a longer stay.

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Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa