Traded to Four Seasons Aviara San Diego... info?

[CoolDisneyCat]

We've just traded for a week in a two bedroom at Four Seasons Aviara at north San Diego. I was wondering if anyone has stayed there and could give me any info about it. It looks like a really gorgeous place from their website, and it's a Four Seasons, so obviously it's going to be nice, but I'd like some first hand accounts. Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks!!

 

[TravelingJen24]

I've tried to get a website for the four seasons location that we can trade for, but did not see them on the Four Season's site. If you could please post where you found them, that would be great. Thanks.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

We did it through II, not through Four Seasons. You can go to their website at www.intervalworld.com. But you have to be a member of II to log in to the website. Just to clear up any confusion, we didn't use our DVC to trade for it, we used our Marriott timeshare. I'm not as sure of how it works using DVC.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by TravelingJen24
I've tried to get a website for the four seasons location that we can trade for, but did not see them on the Four Season's site. If you could please post where you found them, that would be great. Thanks.

Four Seasons Residence Club, Aviara, North San Diego: http://www.fourseasons.com/residence_clubs/aviara/

 

[MJS]

We stayed there in February for 10 days in a 2 BR suite. It is a beautiful resort. We did not stay there on points, but paid the weekly rate for the villa. What questions do you have?

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

Originally posted by MJS
We stayed there in February for 10 days in a 2 BR suite. It is a beautiful resort. We did not stay there on points, but paid the weekly rate for the villa. What questions do you have?

By looking at the map, it looks like it's pretty spread out. How does parking work? I think I read somewhere that you have to valet, so do you do that in front of the hotel, then walk to your building, or can you park at your building? Also, in the same vein, do they handle your luggage for you up to your villa? I guess I'm asking if it works more like Old Key West or more like the Boardwalk.

Also, we were interested in the spa. Did you get any spa treatments while you were there? If so, what (just out of curiousity)? Do you know where we could find a price list? The prices aren't on the website.

Which set of villas were you in, Summit or Meadows? What kind of view did you have? Also, the restaurants sound wonderful; which ones did you enjoy most?

Did you go up to Disneyland? If so, how long did it take?

Thanks so much for answering all these questions!!

 

[kweaver]

I remember this place coming up as a trade before. Looks heavenly! Check out the reviews at Trip Advisor.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...easons_Resort_Aviara-Carlsbad_California.html

and at Epinions.

http://www.epinions.com/lodg-Accommodations-North_America-All-epi0459/display_~reviews

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

Originally posted by kweaver
I remember this place coming up as a trade before. Looks heavenly! Check out the reviews at Trip Advisor.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...easons_Resort_Aviara-Carlsbad_California.html

and at Epinions.

http://www.epinions.com/lodg-Accommodations-North_America-All-epi0459/display_~reviews

Yeah, tripadvisor is great, but for this hotel all the reviews are really short, like, "Great hotel, beautiful, wonderful service!" Well, yeah, I know that, thanks, people!! The Epinions one I hadn't seen before, and it has some nice, long reviews, so thanks for that link!!

 

[ScottOKW2K]

Originally posted by CoolDisneyCat
We've just traded for a week in a two bedroom at Four Seasons Aviara at north San Diego. I was wondering if anyone has stayed there and could give me any info about it. It looks like a really gorgeous place from their website, and it's a Four Seasons, so obviously it's going to be nice, but I'd like some first hand accounts. Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks!!

I just looked this resort up on the TUG site and I think you will be pleased - it was voted by TUG members who have stayed there as #2 on the Top Ten Timeshare resorts Worldwide (Score 9.91) for 2004. Another Four Seasons in Scottsdale AZ was voted #1 (Score - perfect 10).

Here are some comments from tug reviews that were posted about this resort :

--------------------------------------

I am a experienced timeshare user and have been to some of the best. I read the reviews before we went and it seemed that people were over rating the place especially since it is not an ocean front and the pools did not look that lavish.

THIS PLACE IS AS CLOSE TO A 10 A ANY RESORT CAN GET. I is hard to discribe-- but it is the total package that has to be experienced to be appreciated. All the reviews give you the amenities and things that staff does, but its the way Four Seasons puts it all together without missing a beat makes the difference. It is remarkable and extremely relaxing. To top this perfection, the only thing Fours Seasons cannot control--weather-- is sunny and mild year round.

Just one example since other have done such a good job describing the place. While I have seen more elaborate pools -- it is the experience at the pools that is different here. First the pools are never overcrowded. When you get there, an attendant helps you find a spot and sets your chairs up. They place a terry cloth cover over the cushioned chairs and get you towels. Next they come with ice water. 15 minutes later someone comes with cucumbers for your eyes. Next comes the little frozen towellets to cool you off. Then someone comes with fresh fruit slices. On top of all this there are cabanas (some with tv),and magazines complimentary poolside. The water is maintained at a perfect temp and there is underwater music. Combine this with great weather, fantastic views and impeccable landsaping and it hard to leave your chair.

YOU MUST EXPERIENCE IT TO BELIEVE IT.

-------------------------------------------


(Owner) In a less than perfect world, the Four Seaons Aviara Residence Club is an oasis of perfection. My wife and I tended to be negative about timeshare ownership prior to attending the Four Seasons presentation in February, 1998. We bought four weeks on the spot. We have since bought weeks from Marriott, Hilton, Club Intrawest and Mayan Palace.
All are quite nice, but NONE comes close to the Four Seasons in terms of quality, service and lucury. Rather than repeat what others have accurately decribed in their reviews, we'd like to enumerate some of the little "details" that make the Four Seasons Aviara so extraordinary.

In no particular order:
The almost 1700 square feet of spaciousness in the two bedroom units/
The extra-thick towels. And so many of them.
The wonderfully comfortable mattresses and duvet covers.
The luxurious robes.
The fruit and lemonade at the reception area.
The morning coffee and tea at the reception area.
The "welcome home" salutation from the check-in person.
The dining room table that comfortably seats six.
The Kohler bathroom fixtures.
The L'Occitane amenities.
The work station with convenient internet hookup.
The daily maid service.
The little moist towelette that comes with the morning paper.
The absence of timeshare sales people.
The separate half bath in the living room area.
The double sinks in the bedroom bathrooms.
The call a month ahead of arrival asking if we wish to make certain
reservations.
The three terraces in each two bedroom unit.
A separate "quiet pool" from the family pools.
The glasses of ice water and lemon cheerfully supplied by the pool
staff.
The chilled cucumber slices for your tired eyes in the fitness area.

Yes, many timeshares provide some of the above details. None does them all. And certainly not with the panache of the Four Seasons. If only real life could be as special and carefree as a week or two at the Four Seasons.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

Oh, wow, thank you SO much for that!!! I just applied for membership at Tug, but they haven't processed it yet, and it says they only process the info on weekdays, and with tomorrow being a holiday, I probably couldn't've read that till Tuesday!! WOW I can't wait until October!!!!

Man, not to sound cheap, but do you have to tip the pool guys every time they bring you one of those things? Wow... better remember to bring my wallet to the pool.

I wonder if the calling a month ahead for reservations things applies if you're trading in. I hope so, that would be nice.

 

[MJS]

We stayed in the Summit and had views of the Meadows, golf course, lagoon, etc. Each night we watched hot air balloons flying in the air. Both the Summit and Meadows have concierge services. I think registration was at the Meadows. You do not register at the resort. We then drove back up to the Summit, directly to our villa. There is parking at the villa, and you only walk a few steps to your room. We unloaded our stuff, but they offered to do it. There is valet parking at the hotel, but there is no reason to use it. They have a shuttle service throughout the resort (golf carts) and they will take you anywhere on the property because it is spread out. They run at regular times and have stops all over. We found that they will come directly to the room.

The room is HUGE. Compare to the villas at DVC, the Four Seasons are much bigger and more elegant. There are pictures on the Four Seasons' web site, which also has great info. on the resort. Go to http://www.fourseasons.com/residenceclubs/aviara/index.html
There are floor plans for the rooms there.

We ate in all of the restaurants. The two main ones were good, the California Bistro is more casual. Be sure to make reservations for everything in advance. The have special dining nights, with surf and turf and other themes, and they get quite busy. Sunday brunch at Argyle at the golf course was outstanding.

Call the resort and ask for the concierge at the villas. Have them send you resort information (spa service brochure - yes we did many things here and they were all great). They sent me all sorts of info on the resort, San Diego attractions, shopping, maps, restaurant info, and more. They were great! There is a great nature walk around the lagoon.

Do you have kids? Our daughter had a ball! They did cute things in her room, including letter sponges in the bathtub, spelling out her name. She still has them! Also, she loved Kids for All Seasons, and the tree frogs.

One downside to the resort is its location. It is a LONG drive to San Diego. We bagged I - 5 after a couple of days and used the coast highway - much more fun! We went to the Zoo, Sea World and Coronado Island. We also went to Legoland which is 5 minutes from the resort. We did not go to Disneyland since we went to WDW in April. The concierge has ticket for all of the area attractions. Buy them at the resort, so you do not have to wait at the parks.

One funny thing. My little one wanted to swim, and we braved the cold 70 degrees to take her to the villa pool. We met a family there from our town in MN! Small world!

I have also stayed at Scottsdale, and we loved that resort, too.

I hope you have a great trip!

 

[kweaver]

Here's another well done article about Avaria

http://www.greatestescapes.com/index.cgi?view=article&articleid=162&issue=2000-03

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

Thanks for all your great info, MJS and kweaver! I really appreciate you taking all the time to answer my questions. It's just going to be my DD23 and I, but I almost wish we had younger children traveling with us, b/c I keep reading about those cute sponge letters! My daughter keeps asking if she can pass for 10... no, sorry... Her name is only 3 letters long; maybe they could do it anyway!

I figured the parking situation was probably something like that, and they probably had a golf cart system, but it's nice to know for sure. I've explored their website thoroughly and drooled over all the beautiful pictures. We're definitely planning to eat around the resort, and have at least one meal at Vivace. We can't wait!

Thanks again.