When it comes to luxury in Carlsbad, the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort cannot be beat. Formerly a Four Seasons property, the Park Hyatt fully renovated it to provide a Five Diamond resort with expansive 200-acre grounds, plus scenic views at every turn, fantastic dining, oversized guestrooms and children’s programs offered throughout the year.

Upon arrival, valets are your family’s first greeting before you are welcomed into an oversized lobby with dual check-in desks and views of the Batiquitos Lagoon and the Pacific Ocean. Walk past a few of the resort’s signature restaurants before visiting your luxurious accommodations, many with balconies and views of the property, which stretches all the way to the lagoon and features sparkling swimming pools and the only Arnold Palmer-designed, 18-hole championship golf course in California.

The Park Hyatt is a resort that invites your family to truly relax — you do not need to leave the resort to be pampered or enjoy fun. However, should you choose to leave the property, many of Carlsbad’s attractions and beaches are just minutes away, and just down the road from San Diego‘s famed attractions, as well.

The Park Hyatt features 327 guestrooms that were renovated in 2014. Rooms feature one king bed or two double beds with a variety of views, 55-inch TVs, DVD players, free Wi-Fi access, marble bathrooms and some balconies or patios. Mini-fridges are available in rooms by request, as are microwaves, cribs, and rollaway beds (fees may apply).

King and Double Guestrooms
Enjoy one king or two double beds in the 540-square-foot Park Double, Palm Court, Pool View or Panoramic View, all of which offer views of the property and lagoon. Private balconies are included in all.

Park Suites
Park Suites are located on each floor with views of the pool or the Palm Courtyard. These rooms are 855 square feet and offer two balconies or a landscaped terrace. Suites feature a king bedroom and separate living area with a sofa bed (maximum of four people per room).

Park Deluxe Suites
Larger than the Park Suites, Park Deluxe Suites are 1,140 square feet and can connect to a standard room to become a two-bedroom suite to accommodate up to six. The suite features a king bedroom and a living room with a sofa bed.

Park Luxury Suite
These 1,640-square-foot suites feature a formal dining area with seating for eight, a formal living room, and a parlor with a queen sofa bed. The suites also feature pantries, two balconies and balconies or terraces.

Presidential Suite
At 2,140 square feet, the Presidential Suite is the largest at the Park Hyatt. Enjoy two balconies, separate living and sleeping areas, a dining area with seating for up to 12 and two TVs with DVD players.

Camp Hyatt
Available in the summer months, children ages 4 to 12 can enjoy a two-story kids' club for full- or half-day programs. Programs include nature walks around the resort, arts and crafts, movies and playtime at the 3.5-acre recreation lawn. Unfortunately, kids are not separated by age group, and young kids are mixed in with the older kids, which may not bode well for your 12-year-old who doesn't want to hang out with his 4-year-old sister. The resort also offers dive-in movies at the pool during the summer months. The programs are $40 for a morning or afternoon session without lunch, $50 with lunch, and $80 for a full-day program with lunch.

Pools
The resort features two pools, one an adult pool and another a larger family pool with a wading pool and a water playground with splash features. The 3,200-square-foot pool features underwater lighting. A Kiddy Café provides kid-sized picnic tables when enjoying poolside service between 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Cabanas are available for half- and full-day rentals and come with snacks, water and shade. The pools are open daily, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Recreation Facility
A shuttle will transport families to the resort's recreation area, where a 3.5-acre recreation lawn rests beside a sand volleyball court, six tennis courts, bocce ball court, croquet lawn, and badminton facilities. Sand toys are available for the sand box.

Game Room
A game room is available for all guests with a pool table, air hockey, Xbox and Wii games and Foosball. Teens may prefer to hang out in this first-floor area, tucked away from guests and far removed from little kids. The game room is open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. All games are complimentary.

Golf
The Arnold Palmer-designed, 18-hole championship golf course is located near the recreation facility and lagoon, and welcomes the Kia Classic LGPA tournament annually. Guests can enjoy the driving range (included in the resort fee), putting green and the course.

Tennis
The resort features six tennis courts, available for rent at $35 per hour. A tennis academy provides private and group lessons. The tennis facilities are open daily, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The resort features five restaurants and a lobby lounge, with each restaurant offering a kids' menu.

Lobby Lounge
This casual lobby location overlooks the Palm Courtyard and features an outdoor fire pit for cool California evenings. Live music is featured Monday through Saturday with tapas, while afternoon teas and kids' Teddy Bear Teas are available here, as well. The Lobby Lounge is open daily at 2 p.m.

Vivace
For fine dining, this Italian restaurant is located on the lobby level of the resort with terrace dining. Serving dinner nightly, the restaurant is open 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the winter, and at 6 p.m. in the summer. The restaurant features Mediterranean décor to complement its traditional Italian dishes and extensive wine list. The restaurant is closed on Sundays.

California Bistro
The resort's day dining restaurant is the casual California Bistro. Featuring a breakfast buffet and a la carte breakfast menu, the restaurant begins operating at 6:30 a.m. daily. Lunch is offered Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and weekends feature a brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The bistro also provides terrace dining.

Argyle Steakhouse
Located at the resort's golf club, the Argyle Steakhouse welcomes all guests to enjoy a warm, casual environment overlooking the lagoon and golf course. The restaurant is open for breakfast on weekends, 7 to 10:30 a.m., as well as brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Lunch is offered Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and dinner is available 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The restaurant is closed on Mondays.

Ocean Pool Bar & Grill
For laidback lunches poolside, the Ocean Pool Bar & Grill provides casual outdoor dining as well as poolside service from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The menu features sandwiches, burgers and snacks, with beverages served until 5 p.m. daily.

Room service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

All About the Extras
Babysitting Services
The resort has a list of recommended babysitters through a trusted agency; contact the concierge for help securing babysitting services.

Complimentary DVDs and Board Games
Concierge has a collection of DVDs and board games for families to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis.

Resort Fees
The resort charges a $30 resort fee that provides free Wi-Fi, tennis racquets, pool towels and other amenities.

Infant and Toddler Amenities
The resort partners with Babies Travel Lite to arrange for infant and toddler gear to be waiting at the resort, in your room upon arrival.

Pet Policy
Pets are welcome at the resort and the concierge will provide trail maps for exploring the grounds and the lagoon. A non-refundable fee is applied to all rooms with a pet ($150).

Parking
Valet parking is available for $35 per night.

Check-In/Out
Check-in is at 4 p.m. and check-out is at 11 a.m.

The Art of Smart Timing
Park Hyatt is located in Carlsbad, California, which is located in Southern California and experiences sunny and mild temperatures year-round. The resort is busiest in the summer months and during the holidays.

Getting There
The Park Hyatt is about 45 minutes from San Diego's International Airport and an hour from Orange County's John Wayne Airport. The resort will arrange for limousine service to the hotel and offers both Enterprise and Hertz rental car options from the hotel so guests can enjoy time away from the resort.

Getting Around
The resort is secluded and located away from the beaches and area attractions. Rent a car through the hotel (or at the airport) to enjoy visits to attractions. On property, the resort features a complimentary shuttle to and from the main resort and the recreational areas.

For Mom and Dad
The Aviara Spa is 15,000 square feet filled with whirlpools, saunas, steam rooms, 20 treatment rooms, and shower and locker areas. The full-service spa provides massages, facials, body treatments, couples' treatments, nail services and a hair salon. A 24-hour fitness center is connected to the spa with cardio and weight-training equipment. Guests can purchase a day pass to the spa to enjoy the solarium, steam and sauna rooms for $20.