Rancho Valencia Resort Spa

This was my wife and I’s 2nd stay at Rancho Valencia for a couples getaway. The first experience was 5 star. My poor review this time is very much based on how the resort and their staff reacted to a medical emergency with a 5 year old boy at breakfast. First, the property and rooms are top notch we stayed in the olive grove suite and enjoyed the private hot tub and well sized, well decorated room. The property grounds are super peaceful and quiet. Don’t go hear looking for amenities that will entertain you outside of tennis. The food wasn’t as good this time around. We were recommended the salmon dish at dinner as being out of this world but it was bland and over cooked. The drinks are delicious, but you are going to pay top for them and it will add up quickly. Now my disturbing experience with the staff and management…the morning of 4 11 at 8:30ish Am my wife and I were enjoying breakfast on the veranda. At the table next to us a 5 year old boy was drinking out of a glass note a resort who advertises as kid friendly should offer sippy cups and must have bitten into the glass because it broke and glass got stuck in his throat. When it became apparent that this boy was in trouble and choking, I watched both waitstaff head back to the kitchen. After the staff fled the veranda I was the one who called 911 and spoke to the emergency dispatched. They asked me for an address and I did not know the street address, just the resort name. I walked up and down the hallway twice past numerous staff and pleaded for a physical address I could share with the 911 operators. Silence! No one answers or helped me! There was a woman in a blue pant suit that I asked twice for help and an address and she did not respond to me. Medics finally arrived and whisked the boy off it the emergency room. I then come to find that the woman In The pant suit is the manager on duty, I realize this because after paramedics left, she quickly swooped in and grabbed the broken glass from the table and put it in a bag and left. Now, i do not expect the staff to be trained medic professionals in an emergency, but I do expect a 5 star rated staff to be able to manage and respond to a crisis, they fled!!!!!! Unacceptable. Afterwards our breakfast came out 39 minutes later, was cold, and we were offered no feedback or communication with the incident. How was I the one who had to talk to 911 for 10 minutes while manager on duty stood by silently. Full disclosure, I waited two months to write this review as I gave the GM a couple chances to respond to my request to provide respectful feedback. I have never heard from the resort since my stay. Beautiful rooms and grounds can not be overlooked but you can’t be a 5 star resort and have your leaders and staff flee as a young boy potentially chokes on glass.

I had the pleasure of staying at this property for two weeks and all I could say is wow.It is truly one of the most amazing properties I’ve ever been to in my life.The grounds and the facility are more than incredible and overwhelming with luxurious touches.The food is nothing shy from incredible.Having stayed in luxury properties all around the world, I can say with confidence that this is in my top two favorite hotels I have ever been to.One of the best things about this property is how you’re welcomed at the guard house by the two smiley faces of either Robert or his colleague.Easily one of my all time favorite touches is the complementary newspaper and orange juice which is left on your doorstep every morning.All in all when it comes down to it but really says this property is side is the staff.The following people are the ones who truly made this stay exceptional: Ian Austin Riley Laura Kyla Alexa Felipe from pony room

Everyone is very friendly and help. The Gate security are some of the most friendly people you would like to meet, especially Robert, good guy.I really appreciated the fresh squeezed orange juice every morning!

Best spa experience of my life! Great food at the Pony Room and I love the pool, jacuzzis, cold plunge and steam room

This review is for the spa pool only. Very tranquil, clean, lots of great amenities you can enjoy for an entire day. The gym is fantastic if you're looking to add fitness to your day, I even took a great yoga class in their beautiful studio. Despite having a fantastic facial and relaxing, the pool service was awful. Twice I was laying in a chair and was completely ignored by the staff. The one waitress clearly saw me and made it obvious she wasn't going to serve me. A couple sat down right next to me and got service promptly. Just not the type of vibe I'd feel for spending so much money on the spa services.