Hotel rating: 4
Chain: Relais & Chateaux
Number of floors: 1
Number of rooms: 49
Year opened: 1989

Rancho Valencia is a secluded hideaway offering privacy, relaxation and recreation on a very intimate scale. Tucked in a private canyon in Rancho Santa Fe, the resort is just minutes from the seaside towns of Del Mar and La Jolla. Acres of year round flowers and lush landscaping surrounds 49 luxurious suites. Suites start at 850 square feet and are either studio or one-bedroom, and all offer fireplace, private garden patio, spacious bathroom with walk-in closet, wet/mini-bar. Some suites offer private whirlpool spas on the patios as well as steam shower and jetted tub. The Mediterranean-Spanish décor features colorful hand-painted tile work, open-beamed ceilings, plantation shuttered windows and terra cotta tile floors.