Four Seasons Residence Club Aviara

I recently spent a week at Four Seasons Aviara week in May 2018.

I read many glowing reviews of the resort and had very high expectations.

This is a very long review, so I am just going to state upfront that I will NOT be visiting this property any time soon. I made the staff aware of all the issues I had while there and they did nothing to help. This is the biggest disappointment. Had the staff taken more interest in my concerns and issues, I would not be leaving this review.

I own two residencies at Aviara. One would think that they would want to keep owners happy.

Definitely, NOT my experience. And, this was my first stay!

Unfortunately, here is what I experienced:

My stay was in residences 2014 and 2015 in The Summits. I did like this area of the resort.

To me, this is NOT even close to a five star luxury residence, but most certainly geared toward a higher level of laid back California-style client in mind.

I would rate it a four star, at best, and that is assuming that many of my experiences were uncommon.

My friend and I shared a two bedroom, 2 ½ bath lock-off residence. I stayed in the one bedroom and she stayed in the studio.

Perfect arrangement! Both living areas were spacious.

One bedroom:

Has a full kitchen with all appliances you could possibly need: Full size stove, refrigerator, dishwasher and microwave. Coffee maker (with gourmet coffee and tea available), toaster, blender and tea kettle. Glasses (including wine and champagne), dishes and utensils for every possible scenario.

The appliances were very dated. A few minor issues: The refrigerator had an ice-maker that was supposed to be filtered, however the water had an odor, so the filter clearly needed to be replaced. I had to buy a case of bottled water.

I loved the ice cube and water dispenser on the outside, but when getting ice cubes, ice spewed all over the floor. I wound up putting a bath mat in front of the fridge so I didn’t slip on the wet floor. Also, the ice maker was extremely noisy. Had the engineer come by twice to fix it, but as soon as he left it started making noise again. I’m on vacation, right? Why did I have to deal with this??

Bottom drawer of the stove was broken, so when I pulled it out, it crashed to the floor.

The utensil holder in the dishwasher was also broken.

The door of the microwave was cracked in several places.

There was a very large, live centipede in the kitchen drawer where the utensils were… just disgusting! So, I felt that I needed to put all of the dishes, glasses, utensils,etc into the dishwasher to be cleaned. Again, I was on vacation! Didn’t feel like I should have needed to do this. The resort's response was asking if I called housekeeping. Really?? housekeeping let this happen.

There is a large living area with a pull-out sofa, 2 side chairs, fireplace, 42” TV and work area. The work area is missing USB ports, so that was very unusual and disappointing.

The fireplace is an unattractive, cheap black metal. I think Four Seasons could do better. I would love to see it put out heat, but it doesn't. It was just for show.. It is nice for ambiance, but ugly! And, functionality would be great/.

Sliding glass doors allow for a nice breeze, though there is a lot of noise from the nearby traffic from Aviara Parkway and Palomar Airport when the doors are open.

The dining area has a full-size oblong table with six chairs. There is also a breakfast bar with two stools.

There is a half bath in the hallway to the master bedroom, which is perfect for guests to use.

The stackable washer and dryer are also in the hallway.

The master bedroom is very large with an incredibly comfortable bed and pillows! I slept great every night. There is plenty of storage. The master bath is huge! There are marble counter-tops with double sinks, a soaking tub, separate shower and toilet room. They provide shampoo, conditioner, body wash and body lotion that all smell fabulous! The water is soft, which is always a treat.

Studio:

Has an area with a mini-fridge, sink, microwave, utensils and glassware. The large bath has a granite countertop with double sinks, a shower/tub combo and a separate toilet room. It has the same super comfy bed, a pullout sofa, and a round table with 2 chairs.

Due to a bad leg, I chose a first floor residence. I’ll never do that again. I realize it can’t be helped, but the daily housekeeping makes a lot of noise while cleaning and, unfortunately, I also had the misfortune of having a herd of elephants in the upper residence.

If you are looking for quiet and can physically manage it, definitely opt for a top floor!

The terraces are wonderful, with beautiful landscaping all around. The Four Seasons have clearly placed a great deal of thought into creating a private and serene outdoor space for residents to relax in. The studio has a private terrace, the one bedroom has a terrace, and there is a third terrace off the master BR.

Room service is exceptional. Your meal is delivered in a heated container and they set up your table for you. Just be aware there is a $7 delivery fee and 18% gratuity automatically included for In Villa Dining. So, you do not have to add anything, which I did because I didn’t know for the tip, was already included.

Parking is close to villa.

I was planning on visiting the pool area, bud didn’t since I heard a lot of children, and I wanted a quiet place to relax. I am a senior vacation. Not the resorts fault.

Would love to see a recliner in the room! It would have been nice to have a daily paper delivered.

Daily housekeeping is great… if you want it, however, they absolutely DO NOT respect the Do Not Disturb sign. Even though I had the sign out each and every day, they still rang my bell and actually tried to open my door and yelled into the room that it was housekeeping. REALLY??? I wanted my peace and privacy. I even called the front desk to let them know, and the next day, was yet again disturbed!

The free WIFI is ridiculously slow! I would have thought that upgraded wifi would just be included at a resort of this caliber, but they really nickel and dime you, which is a huge disappointment. Free On Demand.

This is not a place for a stay and walk vacations. A car is necessary to get to the area attractions.

Our family absolutely loves staying at the Four Seasons Residence Club Aviara in Carlsbad. It has become a place our kids genuinely look forward to every year and that alone says so much. The spacious 2 bedroom layout comfortably accommodates up to 8 people, which makes it perfect for bringing our in-laws along and truly enjoying multi-generational time together.

The property is beautifully maintained, and I especially love the peaceful walks around the grounds. The food both on-site and nearby, is excellent, and the overall atmosphere feels relaxing yet refined.

What truly sets this place apart is the staff. The service is consistently warm, attentive, and professional. The amenities have been key for us as a family, from the pools to the overall experience, it’s a place where everyone finds something they enjoy.

If you’re looking for a spacious, family-friendly coastal retreat with exceptional service and top-tier amenities, this is it. We always leave refreshed and already planning our next visit.

Four Seasons Residence Club Aviara is nestled on the northern shores of the Batiquitos Lagoon, a protected wildlife sanctuary, and is regarded as one of California’s most precious saltwater wetlands. The lagoon and surrounding hills – abundant with marine life, birds, wildlife and plants – are laced with scenic trails for hiking. To ensure the natural beauty of this sanctuary, half of the land making up the community of Aviara will remain devoted to green space.

Within a tranquil natural sanctuary, the Spanish colonial-style villa combines the effortless lifestyle of Four Seasons with the comfort of a second home. Play Arnold Palmer golf, challenge yourself with unparalleled tennis, or enjoy the on site spa as well as indulge in the area’s finest dining pleasures.

Generously proportioned, the vacation villa surrounds you with premium-quality finishes and furnishings in the finest Four Seasons tradition. Reflecting the region’s history, the design reflects Spanish colonial influences – offering easy California elegance in a soothing colour scheme. At 1,670 square feet (155 square metres) the 2 bedroom villa is spacious, comfortably elegant, and fully equipped and will accommodate up to eight people. The open plan kitchen/dining/living room is perfect for family meals and relaxing at the end of day. The well-equipped high-end kitchen boasts granite counter tops & stainless appliances. Retreat to the master suite where you’ll find a king-sized bed, luxurious garden tub, double sinks, and separate shower. There are separate living and sleeping areas, which provide ample space for your whole family or group. All the creature comforts of home including WIFI, Flat screen TVs and the Four Season’s Luxury bedding in every bedroom. Includes Queen sized convertible sofas.

This is absolutely the most luxurious resort to enjoy the beauty of San Diego and its many attractions - beaches, Sea World, Legoland, nature walks and fine dining.

The Four Seasons Residence Club is a very special resort. It is tucked away in a residential neighborhood. The units are beautifully built and furnished. The service is second to none. We have been owners for about 25 years and during that time, have not once had a complaint about the level of service we receive there. The pools and gym are beautiful, and there is an excellent spa on the premises. We love the restaurant, and eat there often when we visit. The location is wonderful, close to many activities and shopping.

We had a fantastic stay at the Four Seasons Residence Club Aviara with our three kids, and it was perfect for our family. The villa was spacious, spotless, and had everything we needed—including a full kitchen and laundry, which made traveling with kids so much easier.

The pools were a highlight for all of us—never crowded, with plenty of loungers and great service. There were family-friendly areas for the kids to play, but also quiet spots for adults to relax. The grounds are beautiful and peaceful, and the whole resort feels very safe.

Service was top-notch, with every staff member going out of their way to make us feel welcome. The location is ideal—close to the beach, Legoland, and great restaurants, but also a wonderful place to just unwind and enjoy the amenities.

Overall, we highly recommend the Four Seasons Aviara for families looking for a relaxing, upscale getaway. We’d definitely come back!

Four Seasons is known around the world for delivering top-notch quality across the board - and their Residence Club in Carlsbad CA is certainly no exception. In addition to superior amenities such as well-equipped fitness rooms, swimming pools (separate adult and kids), hot tubs, spa services, on-site restaurants, golf and more, the accommodation itself is absolutely second to none. This studio villa has a full-size ensuite bathroom with separate bath and shower, a luxuriously comfortable king size bed, a sitting area with (double bed pull-out) sofa, workstation and 50" flat screen tv. Plus, being a Four Seasons, fresh towels and linens are provided twice a week. Room service is just a phone call away and free Internet is available through the Concierge. Outside the comfort of your home-away-from-home there are a plentitude of things to do. Hiking in Torrey Pines is just a 15-minute drive away or enjoy a stroll through nearby local towns like Encinitas, La Jolla and Carlsbad with their fresh markets, outlet malls, coffee shops and fun, boutique retail stores. Rent an e-bike and go for a spin along the Pacific Coast Highway. Visit LEGOLAND in nearby Carlsbad. San Diego is just 30 minutes south with its many sights and sounds - take a tour on the famous aircraft carrier The Midway or dine in one of the city's many fabulous restaurants. If golf is of interest, Aviara has a spectacular Arnold Palmer-designed course with attractive weekly membership rates and/or daily green fee access. In addition, there a number of nearby public courses to consider. All in all, it's Heaven on Earth! Come and experience it first-hand - you'll love it!