L’Auberge Del Mar Review: A Top Boutique Hotel with Our Benefits

4 / 5

This boutique hotel near the beach feels like a private estate but you’ll want to know how to select a room and book with our benefits.

Last updated: February 1, 2026

Katie Dillon

L’Auberge Del Mar is a popular coastal hotel in the heart of Del Mar Village, best chosen for its walkable access to the beach, restaurants, and shops. I book it most frequently for couples, short getaways, and travelers who prefer to stay in the center of town rather than at a large resort.

Before booking, there are a few practical details you must understand that can meaningfully shape your experience.

I speak regularly with the hotel about room locations in detail. This guide covers what to know ahead of time, how to choose a room, and how to book with VIP benefits, so you can decide whether L’Auberge Del Mar fits your trip.

Your Access Virtuoso VIP Rates

Reserve online with our Virtuoso benefits (use number of adults traveling):

A $100 resort credit.
Daily breakfast for two ($30 per person for up to two people).
Upgrade at check-in, subject to availability.

Book on Virtuoso

1540 Camino Del Mar Del Mar, CA 92014

858-259-1515

lauberdelmar.com

What I love

Located in beautiful Del Mar Village with a private path to the beach
Beach valet service during the summer months
Rooms have private terraces or balconies, some with ocean views and fireplaces
Ocean views from the pool, lobby, and several seating areas
Two championship tennis courts
Adelaide restaurant with al fresco dining and Lyric Coffee for grab-and-go
Luxury full-service spa

Good to Know

The neighboring property, Villa L’Auberge, is undergoing renovations through early 2026. Ask for a room in the West Building or away from the east side to minimize potential noise
Rooms with views of the ocean are partial ocean views (not full ocean views)
Rooms facing the parking lot can have street/car noise
The pool is on the small side but has cabanas
Can have events that impact noise levels in some rooms
Valet parking only
Most rooms do not include a bathtub and the kings are narrower, but longer California Kings

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Guestrooms, Suites, and Specialty Rooms at L’Auberge Del Mar

When choosing between L’Auberge Del Mar’s 121 estate-style accommodations, the biggest factors tend to be room placement, sensitivity to activity, and how much time you plan to spend on the property versus in the village.

The hotel sits on a busy corner of Del Mar Village, so guests who understand what they’re booking ahead of time tend to be very happy with their stay. This information you won’t find on the hotel website, as it’s a compilation of our hotel correspondence and client reviews.

No matter how you book, request a quiet room.

What Every Room Includes

Approx. 300–325 square feet for standard guestrooms (suites are larger)
One California King bed or two double beds, depending on category
Marble bathroom with rain shower and bathrobes
Flat-screen TV, minibar, in-room safe
Coffee and tea service
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Desk seating and an iron with an ironing board
Rollaways only in king rooms (additional fees apply)

A Quick Guide to Choosing Your Room

There are always exceptions, but here’s a good rule of thumb.

Quietest standard room: Garden Terrace Room (they face away from the pool, restaurant, and city but rather toward the spa, tennis courts, and property landscaping on the first floor)
Ocean views: Coastal Room (partial ocean views, some can get ambient noise from pool and restaurant activity)
Fireplace + privacy: Coastal Fireplace Room
Pool-adjacent setting: Cabana Room
Light sleeper: Garden Terrace Room
Need more space: Village Suite or Pacific Suite
Group stay: Entertaining Patio Specialty Rooms

Resort Rooms do not have balconies and typically face inward toward the resort rather than the village or coast.

~300 sq ft · California king or two doubles
Located on upper floors with a more internal orientation
No outdoor space
Best for: Guests who want the lowest entry point into the property and plan to spend most of their time outside the room

Garden Terrace Rooms face interior landscaping and terraces and often include a patio or balcony.

~300 sq ft · California king or two doubles
Interior garden orientation
More separation from street activity
Best for: Guests who value a quieter setting without paying for a view

Village Rooms overlook Del Mar Village and place you in the center of the action.

~300 sq ft · California king or two doubles
Located on mid-level floors
Private balcony facing the village and Camino Del Mar
More exposure to daytime and early morning activity
Best for: Guests who want village views and walkability and are not sensitive to street noise

Village Fireplace Rooms add a cozy touch to the standard Village Room layout.

~300 sq ft · California king only
Located on the upper floors
Private balcony facing Del Mar Village
Marble gas fireplace
Best for: Couples who want a fireplace and don’t mind village activity

Cabana Rooms feature patios with views of the pool and resort terraces.

~300 sq ft · California king only
Located on the ground level
Cabana-style patio near the pool area
Closer proximity to daytime pool activity
Best for: Guests who like being near the pool and don’t mind activity during the day

Coastal Rooms are the ONLY room category for guests who want an ocean view. The resort is across the street from the beach with some pretty trees in the view.

~300–325 sq ft · California king or two doubles
Located on mid-level floors
Private balcony with partial ocean views
Views may be framed by trees or nearby buildings
Best for: Guests who want a partial ocean view without booking a suite

Coastal Fireplace Rooms combine partial ocean views with added privacy and ambiance.

~300–325 sq ft · California king only
Located on upper floors
Private balcony with partial ocean views
Marble gas fireplace
Best for: Couples who want a quieter coastal room with a fireplace

Village Suites offer more space and a separate living area.

~500 sq ft · California king bedroom
Separate bedroom and living room
Private balcony facing Del Mar Village
Some layouts allow connecting additional bedrooms
Best for: Families or longer stays who want more room to spread out

Pacific Suites provide true suite separation and additional flexibility.

~600 sq ft · King bedroom
Separate living room
Partial coastal orientation
Some suites include sofa beds, fireplaces, or multiple balconies
Best for: Guests who want more space and separation than a standard room
Note: These suites do not connect. If you have family or friends traveling with you and you want this suite, they can block rooms near it for them.

The Del Mar Suite is the largest accommodation at the hotel.

~1,200+ sq ft · King bedroom
Located on upper floors
Multiple balconies with coastal views
Separate living and dining areas with wet bar
Best for: Guests who want maximum space or plan to entertain

These specialty rooms are designed around shared outdoor space.

~300 sq ft per room · King only
Four rooms connected by a large shared patio
Village-facing orientation
Designed for social use rather than privacy
Best for: Group trips, celebrations, or friends traveling together

If you need a bathtub:

Pacific Suites and the Del Mar Presidential Suite have soaking tubs separate from marble stall showers
Jr Village Suite has a tub/shower combo
Garden ADA rooms (2 beds and King) and Cabana ADA King have tub/shower combos
All other rooms just have marble stall showers

If you need connecting rooms:

Connecting rooms are by request, but the team we work with does its best to prioritize.

Garden King connecting to Garden Doubles (1st floor)
Garden Doubles connecting to Village King (1st floor)
Village King connecting to Village King Fireplace (2nd floor)
Coastal King connecting to Village Doubles (2nd floor) – A team favorite because it has an amazing huge wrap-around balcony
Jr Village Suite connecting to Village King (with option for 3rd connecting room to Resort King) – This faces the city

Dining at L’Auberge Del Mar

While there’s quite a bit of walkable dining, you have excellent choices on the resort.

Adelaide

Adelaide is the hotel’s signature restaurant that is strictly ocean-forward.” The kitchen sources ingredients from the Pacific coastline—ranging from Baja California up to the North Salish Sea—so expect a menu that goes beyond standard Cal-Mex to include cold-water seafood and sophisticated, vegetable-centric dishes.

The dining room now spills out onto a massive al fresco deck equipped with wind barriers and heaters, making it a viable open-air dinner spot year-round.

Pro Tip: Weekend brunch here is a major local scene. You absolutely need to reserve a table in advance, or you risk being shut out of your own hotel’s restaurant during prime time.

The Pool Bar (Formerly Bleu Bar)

The outdoor covered pool bar with stools waiting for guests.

Longtime guests might remember Bleu Bar. That branding has largely been retired in favor of the simpler Pool Bar. The vibe is sun-soaked sipping. Think frozen cocktails, frosé, and shareable bites like chips and guacamole delivered right to your lounge chair via the poolside concierge.

The Living Room Bar

This remains the central hub of the property. It feels less like a hotel bar and more like the salon of a wealthy friend’s coastal estate. It’s the best spot for happy hour and features a weekend lineup of live music.

Lyric Coffee

Recognizing that not everyone wants a sit-down breakfast, the resort added Lyric Coffee in the lobby. Crucially, they partner with Bird Rock Coffee Roasters (a San Diego cult favorite that is down the street from my house), meaning you can finally get a high-quality latte to go before your morning beach walk.

L’Auberge Del Mar Hotel Amenities

Resort fees at L’Auberge include access to a spa, two pools, lit tennis courts, beach valet service, and private beach access. A business center offers 24-hour access. The resort also has complimentary Wi-Fi, including in rooms and suites.

Complimentary newspapers are available daily at the concierge desk. Electra beach cruisers can be rented for use on coastal bike paths, and the Village Shuttle offers free service within 1 mile of the hotel.

Spa L’Auberge

Spa L’Auberge is situated in a beach house with ten treatment rooms, his and hers herbal-infused steam rooms, and a quiet relaxation room with refreshments.

A private, open-air relaxation space features a cozy fire pit and comfortable seating. The couple’s suite treatment room opens onto a private garden terrace with a deep soaking tub.

Rated among the Top 25 Spas in the US by Condé Nast Traveler, you can expect luxurious and personalized ocean-inspired spa services like Deep Sea and Ocean Hydration facials, sea salt body treatments, sea stone massages, and beach and surf spa packages.

Resort Swimming Pool with Views

View over the L'Auberge Del Mar pool deck to the ocean at sunset.

At the heart of the resort is an outdoor swimming pool with cushioned lounge chairs, double loungers, and sun beds. Guests who reserve cabanas receive poolside food and beverage service.

Though the pool itself is small (definitely not for laps or much of anything), ocean views provide a relaxing experience. A large whirlpool spa is steps away. Both pool and whirlpool are equipped with ADA lifts.

L’Auberge Del Mar Activities

The fitness center at L’Auberge is also not enormous, but it is equipped with everything necessary for a good workout. Open 24 hours a day, the gym features a few treadmills, stationary bikes, and elliptical machines, as well as strength-training machines and free weights. It also has medicine balls and yoga/stretching mats.

The center is stocked with exercise towels and a large water jug with taps for both hot and cold water. You may want to bring your own reusable water bottle, though, since only small, cone-shaped paper cups are available.

Tennis buffs will appreciate two lighted championship tennis courts at L’Auberge Del Mar. Bring your own racquet, or ask for complimentary racquets at the concierge desk.

During summer, L’Auberge Del Mar provides complimentary beach valet service and beach gear. Or, guests can grab their complimentary beach gear and head to the Del Mar beach across the street via the resort’s private footpath. This is one of San Diego’s best beaches and a big reason why people stay here.

Del Mar Neighborhood

The two biggest seasonal attractions in San Diego make this coastal neighborhood a summertime favorite (and also a bit congested traffic-wise).

The San Diego County Fair, located on the Del Mar Fairgrounds, is a three-week, family-fun extravaganza in June.
It’s closely followed by the Del Mar thoroughbred race season that runs from mid-July to September, and Bing Crosby fall racing.

L’Auberge Del Mar sits in the middle of the most popular things to do in Del Mar, positioned between the ocean and Del Mar Village. The location is one of the hotel’s strongest assets, especially for travelers who prefer walking to driving once they arrive.

Just across the street is Del Mar Plaza, a compact outdoor shopping center with boutiques, galleries, and restaurants. From there, most of the village unfolds on foot, making it easy to step out for meals, shopping, or sunset views without committing to a car.

Dining is a neighborhood strength. Jake’s Del Mar is a long-standing local favorite for oceanfront dining and a lively happy hour, while Pacifica Del Mar offers a more polished steak-and-seafood experience with outdoor seating and sunset views.

For travelers visiting with children, Del Mar also has a handful of low-key, walkable activities, including the Free Flight Exotic Bird Sanctuary, Powerhouse Park, and beach rentals and surf lessons from Rusty Del Mar. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a short drive away for coastal hikes and ocean views.

L’Auberge Del Mar Reservations

Through us, you can book into L’Auberge Del Mar with Virtuoso amenities.

Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Daily Full breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom, served in Hotel Restaurant ($60/day total)
$100 USD equivalent Resort or Hotel credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
Bookings of 2+ nights in our Jr. Village One Bedroom Suite or higher categories will receive an additional $100 Resort or Hotel credit (for a total of $200 during stay)
Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi

*When searching rates, do not input children ages 17 and under as they will be priced as adults. I’m notified when you book and will add them after I contact you about your reservation.

BOOK ON VIRTUOSO.COM

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Katie Dillon

Katie Dillon is the founder of La Jolla Mom, a trusted travel resource for exploring San Diego—both with kids and without—and for luxury hotel stays worldwide. A professional travel advisor and former expat in Hong Kong and London, she’s uniquely qualified to review hotels with the discerning eye that comes from years of living in a Four Seasons. A San Diego local for over three decades, she’s active in the tourism community, a certified San Diego destination specialist, and a longtime member of attractions like the San Diego Zoo and LEGOLAND California. Her readers benefit from exclusive hotel privileges, verified theme park ticket discounts, and booking tools that simplify planning.