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Cape Rey Resort fire pits make a get away warm and cozy.
It was a guilty pleasure to spend a night away from home in the middle of the week. So close and yet so far away! I drove north from downtown San Diego for meetings and pulled into the Carlsbad Cape Rey resort before returning. What made it doubly sweet was that my beloved joined me for dinner and a romantic evening. Mixing up the schedule can be such fun and this mid-week get away had us smiling.
The Cape Rey is set across from the beach on Pacific Highway 101 in Carlsbad but south of the busy downtown business district. From our room, I watched the sun set over the ocean and woke the next morning to admire a peachy sky as dawn broke. The resort is laid out to take advantage of the views and most rooms face the waves.
A room with a view.
If I’d arrived earlier the kitchen would have gladly packed a picnic lunch and pointed out the best beach spot to enjoy it. What a beach it is too! When conditions are favorable surfers skim the waves. A State campground butts up to the strand and before leaving I watched dolphins surfing but they were camera shy.
For those of us needing more luxury than camping offers, the Cape Rey has lots to offer. The wide entry is set with soft lighting and comfortable alcoves. Several bikes wait for riders near the front door. The large pool is poised for perfect afternoon sun-bathing. There are terraces to lounge on and several fire pits perfect for cozy conversations.
Ferdinando inside Chandlers
I especially enjoyed Chandler’s restaurant and bar. The decor is warm but not in the over-crowded style of many bar/restaurants. At dinner, we sat side-by-side in a cozy corner booth where we could people watch. There were locals and business clients in conversational clutches at tables and counters. The staff was cordial and genuinely seemed to like their jobs. I was able watch them interacting. How well everyone gets along speaks volumes about the management.
The shimmering Starry Night Cocktail
I ordered a cocktail that actually shimmered. The ‘Starry Night’ is a blend of Absolut Mandarin Vodka, Viniq Liquer, Lemonade and Proseco. It was a mellow Martini, filled with a dancing Viniq mist that swirled in the Proseco bubbles.
Breakfast, welcome gift and dinner bites at the Cape Rey Resort & Chandler’s Restaurant
Next we shared a plate of fresh Burrata Mozzarella with vine ripened Heirloom Tomatoes. It was artfully plated with arugula, grilled vegetables and asparagus spears. A side of herb bread and cheese crusted cracker triangles made it almost a meal in itself. But we managed to finish that along with a Spinach Quinoa salad before our Wild Mushroom Pizza arrived. I have a weakness for wild mushrooms (see my previous post about hunting them locally) and this was a slice (well, three) of bliss. Just enough garlic Alfredo sauce was dotted with smoked Gouda, Beechwood and Oyster Mushrooms. I’ll exercise it off tomorrow, I told myself!
Morning came too soon and while I elected to work out in the gym and tour the Spa, my beloved soon headed out to his office. For breakfast we found that Teri, the Cape Rey chef, had filled the slim menu with traditional options alongside creative, light and healthy choices. We sipped a Healer Smoothie full of peaches, ginger, turmeric and pea protein (one of eight to choose from!) and shared the Farmer’s Sunrise Biscuit plate.
The sun was overhead before I pried myself away from the Cape Rey. On the ride home it was easy to smile. Romance, beauty, great food and drink – What’s not to love in a get away?Disclosure: I was a guest of the Cape Rey Hilton Resort for my room and breakfast but as always opinions are my own.
Get away links:
- Cape Rey, Hilton Resort: Reservations, Menus and events
- Meet Chef Teri http://caperey.com/restaurant/meet-chef-teri/
- Twenty nine days of romance: http://caperey.com/activities/29-days-of-romance/
What’s nearby:
- Gemological Institute of America’s Museum
- Legoland Theme Park and Aquarium
- Museum of Making Music Website
- Del Mar Racetrack, concerts, events and county fair
- Palomar Airport – Bi-plane rides
- Hot air balloon rides – One of several companies
- Carlsbad Village – Restaurants and galleries
- Oceanside Pier, paddle boards and events – Chamber website
- North County Bike paths interactive map
I hope that you enjoyed this review and will share it with friends. Here’s a Pin too!
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What a perfect thing to do int he middle of the week… so lucky to have it so close! Wonderful view! Need to do this every once in a while! 🙂
You’re so right that we need to take breaks every once in awhile. It’s too easy to get stuck in patterns and then wonder why we feel dull!
I can see why you lovebirds enjoyed your getaway. Cape Rey Resort looks great. And what a treat to make go mid-week. We should all do that once in a while — for romance or just to escape.
Cathy, thank you. Ain’t love grand?!
What a nice little getaway! Love it when you can find a quick place to unwind close to home.
Couldn’t agree with you more. I need to do more of these!
That cocktail sounds magical! Was it delicious as well? This sounded like an amazing little getaway 🙂
So yummy. I prefer a lighter martini and this was perfect. A touch of citrus and the mellow flavor of Viniq. It was a wonderful and brief get away.
Your romantic getaway speaks volumes, Elaine. I admire the work you put into your relationship, and even better that you were even able to get it to do double-duty by blogging about it as well. 🙂
We like to stay at Hilton properties, but due to our location most of ours are on the US East Coast. A bartender in Atlanta introduced me to honey-flavored vodka (it tastes a lot like honeysuckle!), and now I’ve got a new idea: I’m definitely going to buy Viniq for our next party and make that cocktail.
Linda, thank you so much for the sweet response. Relationships take work to keep them going, don’t they? This was ‘work!’ But then that’s my passion – writing and my sweetheart, so they’re welcome tasks. I don’t drink much vodka but had to try the Starry Night. I hope you find Viniq. The martini was delicious, light and so pretty. My picture doesn’t do it justice.
Cute place. The food looks nice and your room spacious. I am a fan of Carlsbad and have stayed at the Four Seasons and La Costa. Headed back in that direction in March and so excited. Glad your romantic getaway was nice. 😉
I look forward to seeing you at WITS, Melody. Wonder which place you’ll be laying your head?! There’s so many lovely places in O.C.
What a lovely spot. 🙂 I’d be hanging around that fire so often. And that Starry Night Cocktail is so pretty!
It was a night to remember.
Oh this looks like my sort of place! Love it 🙂
I’m sure you’d enjoy the Cape Rey. Nice spot and nice people.
What a perfect quick getaway! That sparkling martini looks delicious too!
I have friends out in the San Diego area and this looks like a great resort of a girls’ weekend!
That’s a great idea. Your gal pals could hang at the resort and explore the area too. Lots to do in San Diego’s north county.
Very beautiful resort, Elaine. For me lodging is very important when I travel. A hotel can make or break the deal, so I appreciate a nice one like this.
Thank, Anda, so true that lodging can make or break a trip. I think you’d find the understated elegance at Cape Rey very enjoyable.
It’s good to have a break on home turf sometimes isn’t it, and often more relaxing than actually holidays! This looks like the perfect place for that, and have to say I’m in love with that shimmering cocktail, think I’d travel there for that alone, so cool!
Cheers to that idea, Heather!
We will be coming down the US West coast, Oct. 8 to 29!!! Thanks for this.
Lovely to hear, Carol. Anytime is perfect for the West Coast!
What a gorgeous hotel. I would love to stay there for the ambiance and the view!
It’s a sweet space. I hope you can visit one day.