Tuscany Hills Retreat

The Tuscany Hills Retreat is more of a woodsy retreat than a resort or hotel. In fact, the new owners that took over the property in April 2015 have changed the name from "resort" to "retreat." (Some signs still say "resort," but they are slowly changing.) It is a tranquil place situated on a three-acre property with gardens, greenery, and scrub all around. The covered walkway to the main building is stone, and there are stone pathways to each side. Inside, the lobby has a fireplace and multiple seating areas with classic cream-colored chairs, a dark red couch, and exposed wood beams. Check-in is seated at a desk, and European-style art hangs on the walls. To one side, coffee, water, juice, and snacks are set out for guests, but the lobby isn't open in the evening. Behind the lobby, there are simple wooden tables and chairs on the stone terrace for guests to use, and there is a fire pit there as well. Views are of hills in the distance. A bridge crosses a small pool empty of water. It is a quiet place with sounds of birds and frogs chirping. Nature lovers and golfers should especially find this property appealing, and the hotel sees mainly couples and single travelers. 

The Tuscany Hills Retreat is located on a remote three-acre property in the foothills between Escondido and Temecula. It's next to the Castle Creek Country Club and overlooks the golf course there. There are nice homes situated around the course, and condos and apartments are in the area as well. Views are of dry scrub hills all around. San Diego International Airport is 45 minutes away via Interstate 15, and Los Angeles International Airport is about two hours away. Carlsbad State Beach and San Diego Safari Park are about a 30-minute drive away. 

The inn is in the process of renovating its guest rooms. As of mid-2015, 13 have been completed. All have microwaves, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi, and some have furnished balconies. Renovated king rooms have travertine tile floors, flat-screen TVs, and bathrooms with granite countertops and updated fixtures, along with shower/tub combos; views are of the pool area and gardens. Furnishings are different in each room, ranging from carved wooden headboards in the updated rooms to blue-trimmed balcony doors in others. Queen rooms are small and have not been renovated, and are quite dated with old-style tube TVs, dingy carpet, scuffed paint, and brass bath fixtures in bathrooms with shower/tub combos; views are of the golf course. 

The long, rectangular outdoor pool is suitable for swimming laps. For those who prefer to relax, there are four soaking pools that are heated to 90 to 104 degrees fahrenheit. The peaceful pools are surrounded by greenery and rock terraces. The dry sauna has a Himalayan salt lamp to purify the air. Lounge chairs and umbrellas are available for relaxing poolside, and there's a cabana as well. A tiny spa with one treatment room offers massage services. The event space with a fireplace opens onto the pool and gardens -- it's a nice spot for receptions, reunions, meetings, and retreats. The fitness center is closed for renovations, with no date set for reopening. The inn offers tours to nearby breweries and wineries, as well as hot air balloon rides.