LUXURY PAMPERING AT L’AUBERGE DEL MAR

By Michael Hepworth

Following a $25 million face lift the popular L’Auberge Del Mar is now up and running, even though the new restaurant under the eye of James Beard Chef Paul McCabe won’t be open till November, and a brand new separate spa is due early next year. Location of the hotel is the key here, with the Pacific Ocean on one side of the hotel, and Del Mar Village on the other side. The accolades that the hotel has received are far too numerous to mention her, but needless to say they can expect a bunch more once the new restaurant and spa get into gear.

There is a landscaped footpath that leads directly to the beach, and there are two lighted tennis courts available for individual or mini tournament play. A tennis pro is on call for private or group lessons. There is a state of the art fitness center, and a very popular outdoor whirlpool spa and a pearl-bottomed leisure swimming pool.

Of course the place is exceptionally busy during the Del Mar Racing season in the summer, but outside of that this is an exceptional place to wind down and enjoy the local Pacific Ocean . All you really have to contend with here is the sound of the train that goes by on the nearby track that can be a bit irritating until you get used to it.

The hotel only has 120 rooms including 8 suites, and they are now big on specialty packages, and as a romantic retreat, the L’Auberge will continue to attract guests from all walks of life, including of course the usual splatter of celebrities. The new lobby is an attractive area, and the outside bar area really comes to life at night, and is quite the place for the locals to hang out especially on weekends. It can be a bit noisy on weekends for those that want an early night, but the sound of clinking glasses can be soothing to some.

The Wining and Dining Connoisseur Package sounds like a good one with prices of about $575 per night (double occupancy) for a two day/night package. This includes a special wine tasting on the night of arrival, and on the second night, guests enjoy a private wine dinner prepared by McCabe along with wine pairings. The good thing about this package and all the others is that taxes, parking and tips are included in the price.

The Romantic Retreat Package at $475 per night includes in room champagne and strawberries and dinner for two, and the Pampered Pooch Package is for those who like to travel with their dogs. While the human gets to enjoy two 50 minute massages in a poolside cabana, the canine of the family gets to stay at the Helen Woodward Animal Center in Rancho Santa Fe. Here they will get an oils massage, bathing, grooming and styling, teeth cleaning and a pedicure and manicure.

The restaurant should be something special when it opens judging by the superb lunch I had when I was down there. The lobster bisque gazpacho soup was just right for the setting, and the pastrami sandwich with the crispy fries was the best I have had since a visit to Vancouver . The new restaurant was inspired by New York architect Andre Kikoski, and will feature vaulted ceilings, an elegant fireplace, as well as a wine bar that will offer a glimpse of the open kitchen.

Chef McCabe has been with L’Auberge since 2004, and is well known by the Hollywood crowd having cooked for such luminaries as Barbara Streisand, Gwyneth Paltrow, Meryl Streep and Kevin Costner. He is also recognized as a Chef de Rotisseur and is currently an officer of their San Diego Chapter.

Fact Sheet

L’Auberge Del Mar-1540 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar

Tel- 858-259-1515

Fax-858-755-4940

L’aubergedelmar.com

Valet Parking only-$25 per day.