Villa l'Auberge - any info?

I am totally new to TUG and this is my first thread. We are considering Villa l'Auberge for a week in summer 08 and I can't find any info or reviews. Anyone have any opinions or advice?
Pat in Scotland

Welcome - You have to be a TUG member to access the review pages - where is this resort located?

It is in Del Mar California across from the beach. Very nice area. The only issue is the train that rolls by in front of the resort. I have not stayed there but have seen it and heard great things. I would stay there in a heart beat especially during summer.

The good, the bad, and the ugly...

This resort is a very mixed bag. It is located in the quaint village of Del Mar, CA. You can walk to the shops and restaurants as well as the beach. Unfortunately, the traffic between Del Mar and San Diego, to the south, as well as Carlsbad, to the north, is horrendous. But Del Mar is very nice.

The units at Villa L'Auberge are very small. Some might say tiny. They are elegantly decorated, but they are not spacious. There are only 12 units...6 in the front building and 6 in the back building. The front building has a sweeping ocean view. But the view is marred somewhat by train tracks, power lines, and an old motel and restaurant. The back building mainly has a view of the cramped parking lot and the front building.

You have access to the amenities and grounds of the L'Auberge Del Mar Resort and Spa. However, there is a steep hill and some very unattractive (and unaffiliated) condos between the Villas and the resort. The Villas are not actually on the grounds of the resort...anything that says they are is misleading.

The train tracks are heavily used and are located right in front of the units. I mean, you could just about jump off the balcony of the 2nd floor and land on the top of one of the train cars. It is noisy, and it is not exactly the romantic setting that one might expect. But there are certainly worse places to stay.

In summary, Villa L'Auberge has some charm. But it also has some drawbacks. If traveling all the way from Scotland, I think I might be a bit disappointed.

Steve

Thanks

Thank you so much, guys, I didn't expect replies so quickly! Would we be better to look at the Welk Resort?
Pat

I am an owner at Villa L'Auberge and think the last post is overly negative IMHO. Yes, much of what was said is accurate - and it is not the best choice for a family due to the unit size and limited planned family activities - but for a couple it is quite romantic. Most of the units (which have just been renovated and upgraded) have wonderful ocean views - great for watching the sunsets. It is true that the trains are nearby and loud but you get used to them and I actually enjoy listening to them. You have full access to the gorgeous L'Auberge Del Mar hotel, grounds, tennis, workout facilities, restaurants and pool and you're within easy walking distance to Del Mar Plaza and the charming shops and restaurants in Del Mar. We own at both Four Seasons Aviara and Villa L'Auberge, usually book back to back summer weeks, and while the 2 weeks are entirely different experiences (1 week at a luxury 5 star resort followed by a charming week at the beach in Del Mar) - we actually look forward to and enjoy each week equally. I would strongly recommend Villa L'Auberge - for a couple looking for a visit to a romantic, charming and wonderful beach Southern California town in a very comfortable timeshare!

To answer your most recent post - if you're a couple - I would very definitely choose Villa L'Auberge - if you're a family I'd look at Carlsbad at one of the following: Grand Pacific Palisades, Carlsbad Seapointe, or Carlsbad Inn as I'd rather be near the coast than inland at Welk.

Couple

We're a couple in our 60's - but young at heart!

Steve1000?

Can I ask you where the Four Seasons Aviara is? Is it possible to trade there thru RCI? (RCI is our only trading company)

Four Seasons Aviara is located in Carlsbad, CA. It's a gorgeous resort...the best in Southern California...and the #1 timeshare worldwide according to the TUG Ratings. But it trades through II rather than RCI. The 2nd best timeshare in Southern California is Marriott's Newport Coast Villas in Newport Beach. But, unfortunately, it too is an II resort.

With RCI, you might try Wave Crest. It is located in Del Mar, like Villa L'Auberge, but it has a better location with unobstructed views of the ocean. Wave Crest truly is romantic. Carlsbad Inn is also a good choice.

To answer your question, Welk Resort in Escondido has much bigger units than Villa L'Auberge, but it overlooks the freeway in a rather dry inland valley. Since there are just two of you, I would pick Villa L'Auberge over Welk.

Steve

More advice, please!

Since we will be coming all the way from Scotland, we thought we might have a 3 wk trip. Maybe one at Welk, one at Wave Crest or Villa l'Auberge and maybe fly down to Cabo for a 3rd wk, from SD. Is there enough for us to do and see in the SD area to justify taking 2 timehare weeks (we are on weeks, not points) Thanks for all the great advice already
Pat

I should have mentioned

We have been in the SoCal area before. Have been in LA before, so would not want to return there without a reason! Have had 2 timeshare trades to Palm Springs - fantastic! Don't mind at all returning to Newport Beach, Long Beach, or any of the places south of LA. We took a daytrip from Palm Springs to SD and always said we'd return to SD and spend more time there.

There is plenty to do in the San Diego area for 2 weeks! Many attractions - Sea World, the S.D. Zoo, Wild Animal Park, the beach, Padres baseball game, Old Town and many other great areas to explore. Also, you're not far from Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Disneyland, etc. I think you would enjoy spending 2 weeks in the S.D.area. We have been going annually for several years and still have places to see and things to do that we haven't gotten to yet. It is a great area with many sights and activities!

Thanks

Thank you so much, Steve. We have owned our timeshares for many years, but have just found out from a friend in Denver about TUG - great site and fantastic information. Thanks again
Pat

Steve said:

With RCI, you might try Wave Crest. It is located in Del Mar, like Villa L'Auberge, but it has a better location with unobstructed views of the ocean.
Steve

Click to expand...

Wave Crest is a very nice resort with unobstructed ocean views and is closer to the ocean than Villa L'Auberge but doesn't have the amenities, is not as upscale and is a longer walk from the shops and restaurants at Del Mar Plaza. The choice between the two would depend on what one is looking for. Summer availability is very tight at both resorts.

Hi Pat

I see you are getting lots of great information here at TUG. Isn't it a great forum? People go out of their way to share good travel/timeshare information. Good luck with your planning!

I have never stayed at Villa L'Auberge but from what I understand I would take it in a heartbeat. Del Mar is very nice. I would also recommend Carlsbad Inn (We traded in there and liked it so much we bought a unit). We really like the community of Carlsbad. I would also recommend Coronado Beach Resort we just completed a week there and really enjoyed it. Another resort I would consider is Carlsbad Seapointe. All these resorts are managed by Grand Pacific Resorts and they do a very good job in my opinion. I hear the Welk Resort is nice but it is away from the beach and for that reason we would choose these ahead of it. Others may differ in opinion. I would not call the rooms at the Carlsbad Inn or Coronado Beach Resort exceptionally large but we have taken my 13 year old son and a friend with us to both and the size was what we felt adequate. Location on both were Exceptional. Join TUG and read the reviews.