Cal-a-Vie Health Spa

Cal-​a-​Vie used to be my go-​to place for rest, relaxation and pampering. I’ve been may times over the year and up until the last time, thought I would return for many more. But after my last visit, I doubt I’ll ever go back.
There’s a laziness and lack of «guest-​first» service on the part of the staff that ruined the experience for me and my guest: Instructors that failed to show up to teach, reaching voicemail instead of the front desk, spa or scheduling office, being up-​sold additional services without being told there was a higher prices, being told by a massage therapist, despite my request for deep work, that it was against her philosophy.
And the food. What happened? When Chef Steve Pernetti left, so did the quality and taste of the food. Pernetti had the ability to make the lowest calorie cuisine taste rich and decadent. Now the food tastes bland and watery. My table mate actually ordered salt and olive oil from the waitstaff in order to try to coax taste from the food. It was awful. In the past when I made a special request from the kitchen, it was accommodated consistently. This time, I had to make the same request every meal; otherwise, the staff forgot.
The grounds are immaculate, as is the facility over all. But the quality has swindled across the board, and for the $$$$$$ it costs, I’d rather spend elsewhere.

Last Saturday attended a fantastic event at the Vista Valley Golf Club and part of the perks offered was a tour to the fairytale facilities of Cal-​a-​Vie. I was expecting just a normal spa, even if more luxurious than the norm. However, what my girlfriends and I saw was a gift to the senses!
This place is phenomenal in each corner! 32 villas in 200 acres of beauty, with a wind mill and a non denomination chapel for weddings (imported stone by stone from Dijon, France, ouch!) and L’Orangerie (huge multipurpose room) another import from Europe with all the décor and the furniture and painting, a beautiful implant in the heart of San Diego North County.
The whole ensemble is very nicely designed, landscaped with vineyards, lavender fields and glass in emerald green. I could not image a better location for a dream escape. I read that Condé Nast traveller magazine named this spa as 2^nd best in the world… I cannot believe is not so well known among San Diegans, we have it so close yet it seems so exclusive.
Now…let me start saving to get one week or so of full relax there! The ladies showing the property were super friendly and no sales pushers at all, very classy experience overall, and we were transported in shuttle bus from the Vista Valley Country Club and back. Totally a place to be if you can afford it.

could not ask for more than this heavenly haven of pure perfection, relaxation and activity that this Spa Resort offers. Been to other resorts but none claim this degree of pampering and self indulgence as Cal a Vie offers. if you feel depleted and need to emerge replenished, this place is a great fit. From the first moment I arrived to the moment I left, I felt like a crowned queen with staff willing, caring and very able. From the early morning hikes, the dance classes, gyrokenesis, piloxing, shread and tread, water spinning, wreath making, massages, facials, wraps and oh the food, simply sublime!

This place was beautiful and amazing… but if it wasn’t for the staff and some guests, I would have given this place five stars. The people were extremely snooty and that made me very uncomfortable. I understand this place costs an arm and a leg but that is no reason to walk with your nose in the air and make someone that really worked hard for this vacation like they were garbage. I would have rather taken my money elsewhere and had a real vacation. Sorry Cal-​A-​Vie but I’ll pass next time!

This place is amazing. Completely relaxing and therapeutic! And the staff does everything right. What a treat! Thank you on behalf of the Rancho Santa Fe Unit of Rady Children’s Hospital Auxiliary.