This haven for golf and tennis enthusiasts (and corporate retreaters) on a 400-acre spread is about as plush a ranch as you're ever likely to encounter. The 144 guest suites are arranged in low-lying condolike clusters on the rolling hills; each suite features cathedral ceilings, a wood-burning fireplace, a well-stocked refreshment center, two TVs, three phones, a private deck, and a richly appointed bathroom. Some of the pricier suites come with a dining area and a kitchenette. Guests use the whirlpools located throughout the resort. You might need that whirlpool after a full day of activities at the ranch: golf at the Pete Dye 18-hole course (renovated in 2007), tennis on one of a dozen clay and hard-surface courts, guided nature hikes, biking, nearby horseback riding, workouts with a personal trainer at the fitness club, or a dip in one of two swimming pools. When you're ready to relax, you can also indulge in a facial or a manicure offered in-suite, or perhaps a couple's massage followed by champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries. The ranch has three restaurants, including the signature restaurant by Michel Richard, Citronella, a masterful blend of French and California cuisines. In 2008, Carmel Valley Ranch debuted a completely transformed main lodge.