Ever since the pandemic, mothers around the world are double and triple tasking to keep their families mentally and physically healthy. They are the ultimate Lifestyle Enhancement Directors of the world. Not only are many moms working from home, taking ZOOM meeting, cleaning, shopping, and cooking while safer-at-home, but also being cheerleaders for their children who are distance learning. It’s a full time job more than ever.

Hotels are offering specials to give moms a relaxing temporary escape from the demands of modern motherhood, even if it is just for 24 hours.

I recently had the opportunity to take a Momcation at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in Carlsbad to see and experience the $50 million dollar renovations, plus interview Bravo Top Chef superstar Richard Blais.

First thing about Momcations, they should be less than a two hour drive from home, and from Los Angeles, the beach town of Carlsbad offers a laid back vibe. Those mom’s longing to fly to Hawaii or Cabo San Lucas will discover the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort offers many of the same vacation experiences.

Located 7 miles from Ponto Beach in the beachside town of Carlsbad, overlooking the Aviara Golf Club, Batiquitos Lagoon nature preserve and out to the Pacific Ocean, the hotel’s transformation appeals to all of your senses. I first noticed its signature scent, and then the ocean breeze feather touched my skin as I entered the lobby. The open and spacious areas offer art and beauty everywhere I looked.

The redesigned ‘Living Room’ reflects a multi-million dollar home-like feel with a flickering fireplace, stylish metal doors, light wood flooring, comfortable sitting area and books to peruse at your leisure.

ff the lobby is a the new Ponto Lago restaurant on the third level. It’s the resort’s signature restaurant offering breakfast and dinner service out on an oceanview outdoor terrace. Executive Chef Pierre Albaladejo offered me a taste of some of his new menu items. He shared how his new restaurant got its name, “Ponto is named after the beach just miles from the resort, and Lago pays homage to the nearby nature lagoon.” This restaurant also has two private interior dining rooms that can accommodate 12 guests on one side and 20-30 guests in the other secluded area.

Even though the resort closed in March 2020 due the pandemic, Chef Pierre and his team started R +D for the new menu at Ponto Lago and Pacific Point Lobby Lounge. “It’s California cuisine with Baja CA twist, that is refined and not pretentious. I’m inspired by the cuisine from Valle de Guadalupe cooked over a wood fire, while using local produce and flavors,” said Chef Pierre. Guests can sit to enjoy a mezcal or tequila tasting flight in the evening and fresh squeezed juice flight in the morning to add to their mimosas.

Bravo’s Top Chef Richard Blais is soon opening a new restaurant concept, Ember & Rye, overlooking the 18th green at the Aviara Golf Club. This is an ideal spot for a romantic meal sitting out on the outdoor terrace, taking in the views, while enjoying wood fire grilled proteins, vegetable dishes and a stellar retro-meets-modern cocktail list.

Nathan the food and beverage director is offering an exciting cocktail program that includes yuzu jalapeno popsicles, mezcal boba tea, and a special coffee and rye concoction.

Park Hyatt Aviara offers 327 well appointed guest rooms and 43 oversized suites, including the Palmer Suite with its own putting green. My Momcation room was #501 offering a super soft Hyatt king size bed with luxury linens, a marble bathroom with a step-in shower, soaking tub, a super plush bathrobe and luxury bath toiletries. Sliding glass doors led out to a private balcony with two chairs and a table for al fresco dining, morning coffee and view gazing.

I donned a bathing suite and visited both of the brand new water edge pools. The family pool with dual water slides was empty, due to pandemic travel restrictions. Hopefully with COVID vaccine administration, families will arrive by Spring Break to play at the water play park, and sit in the beach area with sand and play toys. Cabana rentals come in two sizes, and the fire pit area offers complimentary s’mores.

The new zero edge adult pool offers sweeping views of the Aviara golf course canyon, Batiquitos Lagoon and the Pacific Ocean in the distance with multiple seating options and semi-private cabanas. I sat in the bubbly hot whirlpool tub and looked up at the stars appearing after sunset.

Afterwards, I visited the elegant Pacific Point Lobby Bar to order a light dinner to take back up to my room. I got back into the world’s most comfortable robe, turned on the television and enjoyed a rotisserie chicken, kale and broccolini wrap out on my balcony, before coming inside to watch Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper in “A Star is Born.” The beauty of a momcation, is I watched the entire movie without any interruptions, and I had the television clicker all to myself.

The next morning I work up when my body was ready to wake up, and went for a walk down to the Batiquitos Lagoon nature preserve and back. It was a three mile walk offering various picturesque stops along the route.

I stopped at Aviara Market off the lobby of the hotel to order a green salad smoothie, banana nut muffin and large coffee to take up to my room before meeting Chef Richard Blais.

The 90 minute interview was enlightening and will be published in an upcoming post. Afterwards, I packed and was ready to drive back home to share my experiences with my family.

From atop the highest ridge, overlooking Carlsbad’s natural beauty, Park Hyatt Aviara is the idyllic spot for a Momcation, romantic Valentine’s Day weekend, Spring Break or summer getaway. Special deals are available on the website.