Rancho Valencia Press and Awards
Rancho Valencia is honored to be recognized for warm, uncompromising service and the experiences our team creates in the lovely enclave of Rancho Santa Fe. Discover the latest press and awards below.
For press inquiries, please contact:
J Public Relations | 619.255.7069 | ranchovalencia@jpublicrelations.com
For marketing inquiries, please contact:
Rancho Valencia Marketing Department | 858.756.1123 | ranchovalencia@jpublicrelations.com
Awards & Recognition
U.S. News & World Report | 2026 Best Hotels | #2 Best California Hotels
U.S. News & World Report | 2026 Best Hotels | #2 Best California Resorts
U.S. News & World Report | 2026 Best Hotels | #4 Best USA Resorts
U.S. News & World Report | 2026 Best Hotels | #8 Best USA Hotels
Forbes Travel Guide | 2026 Star Awards | Five-Star Resort
Forbes Travel Guide | 2026 Star Awards | Five-Star Spa
AAA | Five-Diamond Winner 2026
Modern Luxury San Diego | The 2026 Best of Travel Awards | Best Hotel for Spa Lovers
Travel + Leisure | T+L 500 | 500 Best Hotels in the World
Wine Spectator | 2026 Restaurant Awards | Best of Award of Excellence, The Pony Room
Ranch & Coast | Best Restaurants 2026: Readers’ Choice
Travel + Leisure | 2026 World’s Best Awards | #14 Best Resorts in California
OpenTable | 2026 Top 100 Hotel Restaurants in America | The Pony Room
Condé Nast Traveler | 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards | #4 Best Resort in Southern California
U.S. News & World Report | 2025 Best Hotels & Resorts | #1 Best Resort in California
U.S. News & World Report | 2025 Best Hotels & Resorts | #2 Best Hotel in California
U.S. News & World Report | 2025 Best Hotels & Resorts | #6 Best Resort in the U.S.
U.S. News & World Report | 2025 Best Hotels & Resorts | #9 Best Hotel in the U.S.
Forbes Travel Guide | 2025 Star Awards | Five-Star Resort
Forbes Travel Guide | 2025 Star Awards | Five-Star Spa
AAA | Five-Diamond Winner 2025
Organic Spa Magazine | 2025 Wellness Travel Awards | Best Solo
Modern Luxury San Diego | 2025 Best of Beauty Awards | Best Hotel Spa
Modern Luxury San Diego | 2025 Modern Luxury San Diego Awards | Best Hotel for Spa Lovers
Travel + Leisure | T+L 500 | List of the World’s Best 500 Hotels
The Hollywood Reporter | THR Travel Awards 2025 | Best Hotel
Wine Spectator | 2025 Restaurant Awards | Best of Award of Excellence
Travel + Leisure | 2025 World’s Best Awards | #5 Best Hotel in California
Travel + Leisure | 2025 World’s Best Awards | #12 Best Hotel in the U.S.
OpenTable | 2025 Top 100 Hotel Restaurants in America | Top Hotel Restaurants in California
Condé Nast Traveler | Top 15 Resorts in Southern California 2025 | #12
Organic Spa | 2024 Travel Awards | Most Romantic Hotels
U.S. News & World Report | 2024 Best Hotels | #2 Best Resort in California
U.S. News & World Report | 2024 Best Hotels | #2 Best Hotel in California
U.S. News & World Report | 2024 Best Hotels | #5 Best Resort in the U.S.
U.S. News & World Report | 2024 Best Hotels | #14 Best Hotel in the U.S.
Forbes Travel Guide | 2024 Star Awards | Five-Star Resort
Forbes Travel Guide | 2024 Star Awards | Five-Star Spa
AAA | Five-Diamond Winner 2024
Travel + Leisure | T+L 500 | List of the World’s Best 500 Hotels
Modern Luxury San Diego | 2024 Modern Luxury San Diego Awards | Best Couples Getaway
Elite Traveler | 2024 Top Wellness Suites Awards | Top 50 Wellness Suites: The Spa House
Loverly | Best Wedding Venues in the US 2024-25 | The Best Wedding Venues in the West
Travel + Leisure | 2024 World’s Best Awards | #2 Best Resort in California
Travel + Leisure | 2024 World’s Best Awards | #11 Best Resort in the U.S.
Condé Nast Traveler | 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards | #6 Top Resorts in Southern California
Ranch & Coast | Best of Ranch & Coast 2024 | Best Restaurant
Ranch & Coast | Best of Ranch & Coast 2024 | Best Local Spa
U.S. News & World Report | 2023 Best Hotels | #1 Best Resort in California
U.S. News & World Report | 2023 Best Hotels | #3 Best Hotel in California
U.S. News & World Report | 2023 Best Hotels | #6 Best Resort in U.S.
U.S. News & World Report | 2023 Best Hotels | #13 Best Hotel in the U.S.
Forbes Travel Guide | Five-Star Rating Award 2023 | Five-Star Resort
Forbes Travel Guide | Five-Star Rating Award 2023 | Five-Star Spa
AAA | Five-Diamond Winner 2023
Travel + Leisure | T+L 500 | List of the World’s Best 500 Hotels
California Wedding Day | Best of 2023 | Best Resort
Ranch & Coast | San Diego’s Best Restaurants 2023: Editor’s Pick | Tried and True Favorites
Travel + Leisure | 2023 World’s Best Awards | #2 Favorite Resorts in California
Travel + Leisure | 2023 World’s Best Awards | #7 Favorite U.S. Resorts
Travel + Leisure | 2023 World’s Best Awards | #64 Favorite Hotels in the World
Ranch & Coast | Best of Ranch & Coast 2023 | Best Local Spa
Ranch & Coast | Best of Ranch & Coast 2023 | Best Hotel
Condé Nast Traveler | 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards | #13 Best Resort in Southern California
U.S. News & World Report | 2022 Best Hotels | #1 Best Resort in California
U.S. News & World Report | 2022 Best Hotels | #1 Best Hotel in California
U.S. News & World Report | 2022 Best Hotels | #3 Best Resort in U.S.
U.S. News & World Report | 2022 Best Hotels | #4 Best Hotel in the U.S.
AAA | Five-Diamond Winner 2022
Travel + Leisure | T+L 500 | List of the World’s Best 500 Hotels
Forbes Travel Guide | Five-Star Rating Award 2022 | Five-Star Resort
Forbes Travel Guide | Five-Star Rating Award 2022 | Five-Star Spa
Travel + Leisure | T+L 500 | 500 Best Hotels 2022
Wine Spectator | Restaurant Awards 2022 | Best of Excellence
Modern Luxury San Diego | San Diego’s Finest Awards 2022 | Best Hotel Spa
Trips to Discover | Top 15 Resorts in California 2022 | Spa and Wellness Retreat
Smart Meetings | Smart Stars Awards 2022 | Best Executive Retreat
Travel + Leisure | 2022 World’s Best Awards | #5 Best Resort in California
Forbes Vetted | Best Hotels in San Diego 2022 | Best Luxury Hotel
Sunset Magazine | 2022 Sunset Travel Awards | Where to Stay
Del Mar Times | Best of North Coast Readers 2022 | #1 Day Spa
Del Mar Times | Best of North Coast Readers 2022 | #2 Hotel
Condé Nast Traveler | 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards | #4 Resort in Southern California
Forbes Travel Guide | Top Achievement for COVID-19 Health & Safety Standards | January 2021
U.S. News & World Report | #1 Resort in California | February 2021
U.S. News & World Report | #4 Resort in the U.S. | February 2021
U.S. News & World Report | #1 Relais & Chateaux Hotel in the U.S. | February 2021
Travel + Leisure | List of the World’s Best 500 Hotels | February 2021
Forbes Travel Guide | Five-Star Resort | February 2021
Forbes Travel Guide | Five-Star Spa | February 2021
AAA | Five-Diamond Winner | March 2021
Modern Luxury San Diego | 2021 Best of San Diego | Best Resort: Spa and Fitness Programming
Modern Luxury San Diego | 2021 Best of San Diego | Best Overall Bar
Travel + Leisure | 2021 World’s Best Awards | #2 of The Top 15 Resorts in California
Travel + Leisure | 2021 World’s Best Awards | #4 of The Top 15 Resort Hotels in the Continental U.S.
Travel + Leisure | 2021 World’s Best Awards | #35 of The Top 100 Hotels in the World
Ranch & Coast | 2021 Best of San Diego Awards | Tied for #1 Best of Travel
Ranch & Coast | 2021 Best of San Diego Awards | #1 Best of Fashion and Beauty Local Spa
Ranch & Coast | 2021 Best of San Diego Awards | Tied for #1 Best of Dining Bar/Nightlife
Condé Nast Traveler | 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards | #2 Top 15 Resorts in Southern California
Sunset Magazine | 2021 Travel Awards | What to do: Spa and Wellness Retreats
Visit California | 2021 Travel Awards | What to do: Spa and Wellness Retreats
U.S. News & World Report | #1 Best Resort in California | January 2020
U.S. News & World Report | #1 Best Hotel in California | January 2020
U.S. News & World Report | #4 Best Resort in the U.S. | January 2020
U.S. News & World Report | #6 Best Hotel in the U.S. | January 2020
U.S. News & World Report | #1 Best Relais & Chateaux Hotel | January 2020
AAA | Five Diamond Winner | February 2020
Forbes | Five-Star Resort | February 2020
Forbes | Five-Star Spa | February 2020
Ranch & Coast | Best Restaurant Bar | April 2020
Travel + Leisure | #2 Best Resort in California | July 2020
Travel + Leisure | #11 Best Resort Hotel in the Continental U.S. | July 2020
Tripadvisor | 2020 Tripadvisor Traveler Choice Award Winner | August 2020
Ranch & Coast | Best Travel- #2 Best Local Hotel | October 2020
Ranch & Coast | Best Dining- #2 Best Bar/Nightlife, The Pony Room | October 2020
Ranch & Coast | Best Fashion & Beauty- #1 Best Local Spa | October 2020
Forbes Travel Guide | Health Security Assessment Focus | December 2020
AFAR | Best Hotels in San Diego | January 2019
Forbes | Five-Star Resort | January 2019
Forbes | Five-Star Spa | January 2019
Robb Report | Best Fitness Retreats- Wellness Collective | January 2019
U.S. News & World Report |#1 Best Resort in California | February 2019
U.S. News & World Report |#1 Best Hotel in California | February 2019
U.S. News & World Report | #5 Best Resort in U.S. | February 2019
U.S. News & World Report | #9 Best Hotel in the U.S. | February 2019
Meetings & Conventions | 10 Top Wellness Resorts | March 2019
San Diego Magazine | Best Health Retreat- Wellness Collective | April 2019
San Diego Magazine | Most Luxurious Hotel | April 2019
San Diego Magazine | Best North County Hotel | April 2019
Modern Luxury San Diego | Best Longevity Program- Wellness Collective | May 2019
Sunset Magazine | Top Wellness Resorts Worth the Splurge | May 2019
TennisResortsOnline.com | #2 Top Tennis Resort | May 2019
Forbes | 2019 World’s Best Hotel Rooms | May 2019
Travel + Leisure | Best Hotel Amenities- Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice | June 2019
Modern Luxury San Diego | Best Dishes in San Diego- Wild King Salmon at Veladora | July 2019
Travel + Leisure | #2 Best Resort in California | July 2019
Travel + Leisure | #6 Best Resort in the U. S. | July 2019
Travel + Leisure | #72 Best Resort in the World | July 2019
San Diego Magazine | Best Wine Dinner | July 2019
Forbes | Best Boutique Hotels in San Diego | July 2019
Forbes | Best All-Inclusive Resorts in San Diego | July 2019
Condé Nast Traveler | Best Hotels in San Diego | September 2019
Condé Nast Traveler | Best Spas in San Diego | September 2019
Condé Nast Traveler | #8 Best Resort in Southern California | October 2019
Ranch & Coast | Best Local Hotel | October 2019
AAA | Five Diamond Winner | January 2018
Forbes | Five-Star Resort | January 2018
Forbes | Five-Star Spa | January 2018
GayTravel.com | Best Luxury Resort 2018 | January 2018
Sunset Magazine | Top 12 Spas in the U.S.- The Spa at Rancho Valencia | January 2018
Condé Nast Traveler | Best Hotels in San Diego | February 2018
Ranch & Coast | Best Hotel Restaurant- Veladora | February 2018
Del Mar Lifestyle | Best Day Spa- The Spa at Rancho Valencia | February 2018
U.S. News & World Report | #2 Best Resort in California | February 2018
U.S. News & World Report | #4 Best Hotel in California | February 2018
U.S. News & World Report | #6 Best Relais & Chateaux Hotel | February 2018
U.S. News & World Report | #17 Best Hotel in the U.S. | February 2018
San Diego Magazine | Best of North County- Mixology Masterclass | March 2018
Condé Nast Traveler | Top 10 Resort in the U.S. | April 2018
Organic Spa | Top Wellness Destination Spas | April 2018
TennisResortsOnline.com | 2018 Top Tennis Resorts & Camps | #2 Top Tennis Resort
AFAR | Best Luxury Hotels in San Diego 2018
AFAR | Best Wellness Destinations in San Diego 2018
Travel + Leisure | 2018 World’s Best Awards | #9 Best Hotel in California
Ranch & Coast | 2018 Best Of Awards | Best Local Spa
Ranch & Coast | 2018 Best Of Awards | Best Local Hotel
Ranch & Coast | 2018 Best Of Awards | Best Local Sommelier
Visit California | Top California Yoga Retreats 2018
San Diego Union-Tribune | 2018 Best Of Awards | Favorite Day Spa
Forbes Travel Guide | 2018 Luxurious Hotels | One of the World’s Most Luxurious Hotels
Vogue | The Most Beautiful Gardens in North America 2018
Condé Nast Traveler | 2018 Readers’ Choice Awards | #3 Top Resort in Southern California
Corporate & Incentive Travel | Best Wellness Meeting Destinations 2018
AAA | Five Diamond Hotel | January 2017
Virtuoso Life | Best Wellness Resort | January 2017
Modern Luxury San Diego | Best of San Diego- Villa Renovation | January 2017
CNN | Best Wellness Retreats- Wellness Collective | January 2017
Popsugar.com | Best Destination Spa in the U.S.- The Spa at Rancho Valencia | January 2017
Forbes Travel Guide | Best Destination Spa in the U.S.- The Spa at Rancho Valencia | January 2017
U.S. News & World Report | #1 Best Hotel in California | February 2017
U.S. News & World Report | #9 Best Hotel in the U.S. | February 2017
Ranch & Coast | Best Restaurants 2017- Veladora | February 2017
Modern Luxury San Diego | Best Massage Therapists in San Diego- Juliana Bruni at The Spa at Rancho Valencia | March 2017
American Spa | Best Wellness Programs- Wellness Collective | April 2017
Luxury Travel Advisor | Best Babymoon Destinations | April 2017
DuJour | Best Father’s Day Getaways | May 2017
Weddingbells | Best Destination Wedding Spots | May 2017
Modern Luxury California Weddings | Best Wellness Wedding Destinations- The Spa at Rancho Valencia | June 2017
Organic Spa | Best New Wellness Program- Wellness Collective | July 2017
Robb Report | Best Hotel Amenities- Porsche Partnership | July 2017
Elle Décor | Best Summer Getaways | July 2017
Forbes | Five-Star Resort | November 2017
LaJollaMom.com | Best Luxury Hotels in San Diego | May 2017
TripAdvisor | Top 25 Luxury Hotels in the U.S. | June 2017
Condé Nast Traveler | #10 Top Resort in the U.S. | November 2017
Condé Nast Traveler | #13 Top Resort in Southern California | November 2017
Town & Country | #14 Best Luxury Spa in the World | November 2017
Town & Country | Best Wellness Retreats- Wellness Collective | December 2017
Modern Luxury San Diego | Best of San Diego- The Pony Room | January 2016
AFAR | Best Spa in the World- The Spa at Rancho Valencia | January 2016
AAA | Five Diamond Winner | January 2016
Andrew Harper | Top 20 U.S. Hideaway | January 2016
Andrew Harper | Top 20 Spa Resort | January 2016
Ranch & Coast | San Diego’s Best Restaurants- Veladora | February 2016
San Diego Magazine | Best Breakfasts- Veladora | February 2016
U.S. News & World Report | #15 Best Hotel in the U.S. | February 2016
U.S. News & World Report | #3 Best Hotel in California | February 2016
U.S. News & World Report | #3 Best Hotel in Relais & Châteaux | February 2016
Forbes | Five-Star Resort Winner | February 2016
The Hollywood Reporter | Best Spa Getaways- The Spa at Rancho Valencia
Forbes | Top Family-Friendly Destinations | April 2016
Modern Luxury San Diego | Best Spas in San Diego- The Spa at Rancho Valencia | May 2016
Robb Report | Best Mother’s Day Getaways | May 2016
Popsugar.com | Best Healthy Hotels and Resorts | June 2016
Robb Report | Top Spas in Southern California | July 2016
Travel + Leisure | #4 Best Hotel in California and #1 in Southern California | August 2016
Travel + Leisure | #15 Best Hotel in the U.S. | August 2016
Travel + Leisure | #50 Best Hotel in the World | August 2016
Ranch & Coast | Best Destination Spa in San Diego- The Spa at Rancho Valencia | August 2016
Town & Country | Best Luxury to Play Croquet | August 2016
San Diego Magazine | Best Dishes in San Diego | August 2016
Condé Nast Traveler | #4 Top Resort in Southern California | October 2016
CNN | Best Wellness Resorts- The Wellness Collective | December 2016
Press
Forbes | September 24, 2026
5 California Resorts Pairing Championship Golf With World-Class Wine
Forbes Travel Guide names Rancho Valencia among five California resorts where championship golf and world-class wine share the same trip.
Also in Forbes: Millennials Are Embracing 'Nano-Retirements.' Luxury Travel Brands Are Paying Attention, March 10, 2026.
Condé Nast Traveler | October 6, 2026
Top 15 Resorts in Southern California: Readers' Choice Awards 2026
Readers of Condé Nast Traveler voted Rancho Valencia the #4 resort in Southern California in the 2026 Readers' Choice Awards.
Also in Condé Nast Traveler: 21 Best Hotels in California for Wine Getaways, Ranch Life, and Endless Ocean Views, August 6, 2026.
Travel + Leisure | July 7, 2026
Best Resorts in California, World's Best Awards 2026
Travel + Leisure readers placed Rancho Valencia #14 among the best resorts in California in the 2026 World's Best Awards.
Also in Travel + Leisure: These Are the 8 Best Trips to Take in Your 60s, from Ranch Stays to River Cruises, May 24, 2026.
Town & Country | March 31, 2026
A Snob's Guide to Escaping L.A. for the Weekend
Town & Country picks Rancho Valencia for the weekend escape from Los Angeles.
Men's Journal | January 18, 2026
Travelers Are Ditching Souvenirs for Skillcations. Here Are My Favorites
Men's Journal names Rancho Valencia among the writer's favorite places to come home with a new skill.
Veranda | June 1, 2026
Explore 31 of the Most Beautiful Tennis Courts in the World
Veranda counts Rancho Valencia's courts among the 31 most beautiful tennis courts in the world.
Parade | September 10, 2026
35 Soothing Spa Getaways That'll Help You Relax, Recharge and Reset
Parade names The Spa at Rancho Valencia among 35 spa getaways worth the trip.
PopSugar | Updated September 2026
17 Hotels Doing Wellness Travel Right
PopSugar lists Rancho Valencia among 17 hotels doing wellness travel right.
Time Out | August 13, 2026
Want to Take a “Racquetcation”? These U.S. Hotels Are Ready for You
Time Out calls Rancho Valencia an easy place to find out what the padel fuss is about.
The Points Guy | January 3, 2026
Book With Points at These 10 Wellness-Centric Hotels for an Active Start to 2026
The Points Guy picks Rancho Valencia as one of ten wellness hotels to book with points.
Sunset | January 17, 2026
Deep Rest Mode: Here's Where to Go When You Need a Reboot
Sunset names Rancho Valencia a 2026 Wellness & Beauty Awards winner in the Best Restorative Resorts category.
Also in Sunset: The Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in the West Have Everything from Doggie Tapas to Pooch-Inclusive Weddings, updated June 2, 2026.
Observer | January 23, 2026
The Most Romantic Hotels in California for an Unforgettable Getaway
Observer lists Rancho Valencia among the most romantic hotels in California.
Tasting Table | October 6, 2026
Tequila Brands Bartenders Say Are Worth the Upgrade
Tasting Table turns to The Pony Room's lead bartender for the tequilas worth the upgrade.
Also in Tasting Table: The Absolute Best Tequilas for Ranch Water, According to Experts, August 3, 2026, and 12 Cocktail Trends Bartenders Want to Leave in the Past, May 24, 2026.
The Takeout | August 6, 2025
The Best Hotel Restaurants in the US
The Takeout names The Pony Room among the best hotel restaurants in the United States.