We were in the mood for a staycation earlier this month and decided to take a drive up North to celebrate our anniversary. It was such a unique experience for San Diego County and we keep talking about going back to this hidden gem! Keep reading for an honest hotel review for the Lakehouse in San Marcos.
Hotel Review for The Lakehouse in San Marcos
I first heard about the Lakehouse a few years ago when my previous job booked it for a holiday party venue. Since then, so much has changed and has been added to the area so I was dying to check it out! We were absolutely blown away by the atmosphere and activities – it totally exceeded our expectations! This property really felt like a luxurious summer camp for adults, so let’s get into it!
LOCATION
The Lakehouse Hotel & Resort is nestled in San Marcos (about 40 mins from downtown San Diego) & it’s easy to get to (but feels so private too!) The location is right in between Interstate 5 and Interstate 15 at 1025 La Bonita Drive San Marcos CA 92078.
AMENITIES
The pools are a big draw to the hotel and luckily many of the rooms are pool facing! There is plenty of chairs, firepits, and even a bar to really get the full pool day experience!
The St. Mark golf course is also a huge draw to the hotel! The semi-private par 71 course has stunning backdrops and spans 6,400 yards.
On the course is The Grill, a 10/10 restaurant perfect for the whole family to come and hang out. We ordered brunch to our room from The Grill and it agreed it was the best food we’ve ever had at a hotel! Check out the spread below:
The golf course also has the Tap in Tavern, overlooking the 9th hole. We didn’t get a chance to check it out this time, but they have loaded french fries and street-style tacos we agreed to go back for!
There are so many amazing things to check out but you CAN NOT miss the lake itself! The marina is absolutely stunning and makes you forget you’re anywhere near a beach town. It definitely feels like you’re in the mountains, far away from home!
You can get a gondola ride, rent kayaks, love boats, and stroll along the marina. Maybe even stop at Amalfi for handmade pasta and a Capri Spritz!
More on Amalfi later!
ROOMS
We stayed in a Pool View Studio on the first floor. I’m still shocked at how affordable the stay was. Our room was so spacious, well decorated, super clean, and had the softest bed sheets!! What really gave us the wow factor though was the standing tub in the bedroom! We had a full shower too BTW!
I really liked the location of the Pool View rooms since we had easy access to parking, the lobby and the marina were just a few steps away!
RESTAURANTS
There are so many great spots to grab food here and we spent the majority of our time at the nearby restaurant Amalfi Cucina! It’s a massive restaurant right on the water that handmakes their own pasta! We are suckers for Italian food, so I made a reservation for dinner.
We were lucky enough to get a table inside looking over the water! I ordered the Capri Spritz, charcuterie board, and branzino special. Tim ordered a pizza and loved it!
HERE’S A SNEAK PEEK OF THE DINNER MENU:
This place is a must and I can’t wait to return and order the pasta or gnocchi!
LOBBY
The lobby is super cute and there are two things to remember when you check in!!
- Ask about the beach cruiser rentals:
2. Ask for a Smore’s Kit:
These are $5 and so worth it! The pool has a bunch of fire pits to use these and this definitely gives the ‘summer camp’ vibes we were looking for!
My Impressions On The Lakehouse Hotel & Resort
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THE LAKEHOUSE HOTEL:
The amenities are so unique and really create the experience of being outside of San Diego County. The beach is always amazing, but sometimes you want a totally different atmosphere and this is it! I also love how easy to get to it was! The marina, brunch from The Grill, and dinner at Amalfi are all worth the trip out on their own. It’s super affordable for what you’re getting and there’s nothing else like it in Southern California.
I also loved having free wifi & photo ops!
Overall Review
I would 100% recommend it to anyone wanting a relaxing getaway with incredible food! I’m not much of a golfer but this would be even better! Book your stay at the Lakehouse Hotel & Resort here and be sure to use code SOCIAL for 15% off the best rate!
Would you go? Check out more Southern California getaways here!
