South Coast Winery Resort and Spa

We came from Chicago for my 45th birthday and left pretty disappointed. At the pool the next day, there were over 20 boys who looked about 12, apparently in town for a soccer tournament. It was a beautiful pool, but even noise-canceling headphones didn’t make it possible for us to stay poolside. It might work for families, but our experience wasn’t right for a romantic celebration. Dinner the first night had already gone badly. Nobody greeted us at the bar, and the staff couldn’t explain the special drink beyond saying it was “like something with coffee.” After we sat down, it took 10 minutes for anyone to greet us. When we asked about gluten-free food, our server suggested salad with croutons, then returned another 10 minutes later still unsure what was available. The appetizer was good, but after waiting another 10 minutes for someone to check on us, we paid and left for pizza. We own a small business and know poor reviews can have an impact, so I hope this helps them improve the experience.

The mountain view or vineyard rooms were really nice, and I’d consider staying in one again. Our first room had no hot water, a broken heater, and no do not disturb sign. We moved the next day, and the replacement room had no problems. The hotel refunded the resort fee, and the maintenance team was great. Breakfast was good, with very good service, and I liked the restaurant’s atmosphere. But the woman serving wine in the tasting room wasn’t welcoming or friendly at all. We visited several wineries, and this resort treated us the worst. I wouldn’t return to that tasting room.

Loved the pool, but my spa experience wasn’t great. I bought a ring at the spa gift shop to celebrate time with my sister, then wanted to exchange it for a smaller size an hour later. Manager James said rings couldn’t be returned once tried on. He was rude and wouldn’t accommodate me. There was no sign saying jewelry was final sale if you tried it on, so be aware of that before shopping there. The front desk manager, though, was lovely.

The spa was so relaxing, and the rooms were cozy and comfortable. As the owner of Performance360 gym in San Marcos, I really needed somewhere comfortable to decompress. We loved the stay, and I can’t wait to return.