The Lodge at Torrey Pines

Although the hotel emits a lodge atmosphere, it's an upscale and refined one; dark wood pervades the lobby with vaulted ceilings and large hanging yellow lanterns. Clusters of rocking chairs, a green-tiled fireplace, and gorgeous stained glass doors are also in the space. Greenery fills the walkways that lead down to Torrey Pines Golf Course, a famous course that hosts the PGA Farmers Insurance Open each year and where guests get priority tee times. Being that The Lodge is adjacent to the Torrey Pines State Reserve, the hotel and its rooms are designed and decorated to reflect the surrounding area. There are two restaurants on-site, both with indoor and outdoor seating -- the fine dining A.R. Valentien and casual The Grill. A.R. Valentien has a homey atmosphere with large booths, patterned carpet, flowers on the table, and Tiffany-style lighting fixtures; it also has a cozy lounge with a fireplace. The Grill has a large moose head behind the bar and outdoor tables next to the putting green.

The Lodge at Torrey Pines is perched on the Pacific cliffs in La Jolla, about 20 minutes north of San Diego. The area provides guests with endless outdoor options, such as golfing at the well-known on-site golf course, and miles of hiking, biking, and walking trails at the Torrey Pines State Reserve -- 2,000 acres of protected Torrey Pine trees, and miles of pristine shore. For wining and dining options in downtown La Jolla, or Del Mar to the north, guests will have to drive.La Jolla is an affluent seaside community north of San Diego, home to restaurants, shops, mansions, a famous golf course (right on-site!), coastal bluffs, and a beautiful beach.- 25-minute drive to San Diego International Airport

• 90-minute drive to Los Angeles International Airport
• 5-minute drive to Torrey Pines State Park
• 8-minute drive to University of California San Diego
• 10-minute drive to Del Mar Beach
• 12-minute drive to Del Mar Race Track
• 20-minute drive to Del Mar Country Club
• 15minute drive to Rancho Santa Fe Polo Fields
• 15-minute drive to The Grand Golf Club
• 15-minute drive to La Jolla Country Club

Rooms at The Lodge at Torrey Pines are spacious and decorated in earth tones -- carpets in olive and tan; beds with crisp white bedding and floral print bedskirts; and wooden furniture throughout. Brown leather seating and Tiffany lamps elevate the spaces and some have fireplaces. The big bathrooms have either shower/tub combos or separate walk-in glass showers and tubs but the floral wallpaper is dated. Plush robes, light-up vanity mirrors, and luxury toiletries are standard. All rooms have work desks, flat-screen TVs, Bose wave stereo systems, coffeemakers, and stocked minibars. Most rooms have a balcony or patio, but views vary and the best overlook the golf course and adjacent ocean.

Many guests at The Lodge are golf enthusiasts who want the chance to play where Tiger Woods won the 2008 U.S. Open. Guests get priority tee times at The Torrey Pines Golf Course, which is built along the coast. There's an outdoor swimming pool that's heated and has speakers underwater; a hot tub is next to the pool and there's ample loungers. There are two restaurants -- the fine dining A.R. Valentien serves farm-to-table dishes and The Grill has a range of eats available. The expansive spa has both a men's and women's sauna and steam room, a relaxation lounge, hydrotherapy room, treatment rooms, and a nail salon. There's a fitness center that has several cardio machines with personal TVs, strength-training machines, and free weights. The Scripps Library has a pool table, books, and board games, and croquet is available most mornings on the terrace. There's free car service within a five-mile radius, but with only one car, it may not be available. There are also meeting rooms and a gift shop at the hotel.