Looking for an honest L’Auberge Del Mar Beach Hotel review?
Perched along the cliffs above the Pacific Ocean, L’Auberge Del Mar is a family-friendly, luxury resort just a few miles north of downtown San Diego. We’ve been lucky enough to stay at this beautiful coastal California hotel numerous times, and it is always a lovely experience.
On our most recent visit, we were able to spend a good deal of time enjoying the hotel and spa. Typically we are busy down at the beach or trying new fun things to do in Del Mar, so this was a nice change. Here are our L’Auberge Del Mar reviews of the hotel, restaurants, and recreational amenities to help you plan a wonderful stay.
L’Auberge Del Mar Hotel At-A-Glance
- Beach access via a private walking path
- Use of complimentary beach cruisers
- Use of complimentary beach gear
- A nice sized outdoor pool and hot tub
- Recently renovated rooms
- Large bathrooms
- A short walk to shop and restaurants in Del Mar Village
- World class full-service spa
- Helpful and friendly staff
- Valet parking only
- Pricey, but you get what you pay for!
L’Auberge Del Mar Review
Sporting world class views of the stunning Southern California coastline, luxurious rooms, and just steps away from the beach and beautiful Del Mar Village, this chic beach hotel is a truly dreamy escape.
My family and I recently checked in for the perfect weekend, spending time lounging at the resort and taking in all the amenities. The beach is just a short walk away which was really nice, down a beautifully landscaped path that weaves down the cliffs from the resort to the sand. The hotel’s position at the top of the cliffs makes for amazing views, but I will say it is tiring to have to climb back up after a day at the beach – especially you have little kids in tow.
The hotel has 121 guest rooms and suites, each featuring elegant furnishings and marble bathrooms. With a focus on healthy living, the hotel also features the 5,000 square foot Spa L’Auberge, a fitness center, two lighted championship tennis courts, and a pool.
Hotel Rooms
L’Auberge Del Mar resort recently completed a renovation of the luxury hotel’s guest rooms, restaurant, and meeting rooms.
The rooms have been updated with a “coastal chic” decor, with new wall coverings, flooring, and bedding. Some rooms feature a fireplace and all have a 42″ LCD flat-screen TV. The rooms are clean and fresh, but I must say the decor is a little bland compared to the more homey feel they had when we visited before the renovation; there were more blues and warm tones previously.
Accommodations at L’Auberge Del Mar take inspiration from the resort’s seaside location. There are numerous guest room types, and the price of each is generally based on location and view. Room options include:
- Resort King
- Resort Double
- Garden Terrace King
- Garden Terrace Double
- Village King
- Village Double
- Village King Fireplace
- Cabana King
- Coastal King
- Coastal King Fireplace
- Junior Village One Bedroom Suite
- Pacific One Bedroom Suite
- Del Mar One Bedroom Suite
The resort also offers Entertaining Patio Guest Rooms. Perfect if you are traveling with a group or need multiple rooms, this option combines four Village King Fireplace rooms with a large shared patio area with plenty of lounge chairs and tables.
We stayed in a Coastal King Fireplace room on the second floor and loved having the fireplace, as it was chilly at night and it was nice to cozy up and watch movies after dinner. The king bed was super comfy and had plush linens, making it a truly luxurious stay. That said, it would have been nice to have a room with two beds since our son was with us (rollaway beds are $45 per night) but we really wanted a room with a fireplace!
The bathroom was spacious – which is very important if your whole family is sharing the space – and nicely appointed with upscale amenities and a large walk-in shower.
The most popular room types at L’Auberge Del Mar are the Coastal King and Coastal King Fireplace. This is no surprise, considering they offer the best views. These rooms are located on the second and third floors of the hotel, and include private balconies that overlook the pool and Pacific Ocean.
On the flip side, rooms that overlook the village and resort tend to be on the street side. You may find this area a bit noisy, so I would recommend splurging for a coastal room if you are planning a stay.
Dining Options at L’Auberge Del Mar
Adelaide is the resort’s signature restaurant, pairing gorgeous ocean views with coastal California dining.
We had an amazing dinner here. The restaurant offers indoor and outdoor seating off the hotel’s main lobby. For an upscale restaurant, we found it refreshingly family-friendly. The food was wonderful, too.
Adelaide is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Although the atmosphere is casual, the food is anything but! I ordered a salad and was amazed by the bold flavors and unique ingredients.
Time your dinner right and enjoy a breathtaking sunset with your meal.
For late evening cocktails, the Living Room Bar – a lobby bar with live music Thursday through Sunday – is a classy place to grab a glass of wine or enjoy happy hour. During the day, enjoy a drink at the aptly-named Pool Bar (formerly named Bleu Bar), served up with a gorgeous ocean view. The cozy chairs beside the fire pit are the perfect place to watch the sunset after a fun day on the beach.
And finally, Lyric Coffee is the place to go for coffee and morning pastries. It is also where you’ll find the Boutique, a gift shop offering everything from beach clothing to signature spa products and any essentials you may have forgotten to pack.
Resort Amenities Fee
Like most luxury hotels, L’Auberge Del Mar has a mandatory Resort Fee. The current fee is $55.00 per night. This is pretty steep in my opinion, but includes lots of perks:
- Tennis courts and equipment usage
- Access to the 24-hour Fitness Center
- Scheduled fitness classes
- Complimentary beach gear (chairs, towels and beach umbrella)
- Beach cruiser rental (2 hours daily per guest)
- Village Shuttle (two mile radius)
- Electric vehicle chargers
- Free Wi-Fi
- In-Room coffee and tea service
- Seasonal beach valet
- Pool
Location
L’Auberge Del Mar is a luxury beachfront property with a great location. Aside from its proximity to the beach, the resort sits within easy walking distance to the upscale seaside village of Del Mar. Venture out to find lots of dining, shopping, and outdoor activities.
L’Auberge Del Mar is conveniently located near the Del Mar Race Track, Solana Beach, Torrey Pines State Park, the Del Mar Fairgrounds, La Jolla, and Legoland. And though it feels like a world away from the city, the hotel is just a 20-minute drive north of the San Diego International Airport, SeaWorld San Diego, Seaport Village, and downtown San Diego.
![](https://i0.wp.com/sandiegofamilytravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/lauberge-view.jpg?resize=546%2C352&ssl=1)
Final Thoughts: L’Auberge Del Mar Hotel
If it’s a relaxing coastal retreat you’re after, L’Auberge Del Mar might be the perfect hotel for you.
It’s no wonder publications like Condé Nast Traveler and US News & World Report have both named this coastal California hotel one of the top hotels in the area.
To be perfectly honest, with its upscale setting and Living Room Bar prominently set in the lobby, L’Auberge Del Mar leans more toward attracting an adult crowd. However, much like the nearby Fairmont Grand Del Mar, it is perfectly family-friendly and welcomes children (and pets, too, by the way!). So if an elegant beach getaway appeals to you and you have the budget to enjoy it, I highly recommend L’Auberge Del Mar Beach Hotel.
Hotel Information & Reservations
- 1540 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar
- (858) 386-1336
Save This L’Auberge Del Mar Hotel Review for Later!
Planning to visit Del Mar, California? Pin the image below for future reference.
[…] sure to also check out this L’Auberge Del Mar Hotel Review, for another luxurious option in Del Mar but on the […]