850 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad, California, United States | (618) 248-8274
Short drive to the beach, and free shuttle within a five-mile radius
Large outdoor pool and
whirlpool with lounge chairs
Free breakfast including
omelets, sausage, and cereal
Fitness center with cardio
and weight machines
Free on-site parking
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Pets welcome (for a fee)
No direct beach access
Room decor is dated and
bathrooms are in need of a refresh
Resort fee tacked on to rates
Breakfast earns mixed
reviews and only paper plates are provided
Some complaints of insects
Exuding more of a motel
feel than a resort vibe, the three-pearl Carlsbad by the Sea Resort may still be a good pick
for families looking for affordable lodging. The hotel has 150 rooms with mini-fridges, microwaves, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi, but decor is dated and rusty hinges and chipped vanities signal that bathrooms are in need of an update. On the plus side, the property has a fitness center, a whirlpool, free parking, and a free shuttle, so families will be encouraged to get out of their rooms, anyway. There's a resort fee that covers Wi-Fi and the daily buffet breakfast, but the food earns mixed reviews, the breakfast room can get
crowded, and only paper plates are available. Guests wanting to be even closer to the ocean should compare rates with Ocean Palms Beach Resort, a tropical-themed, mid-range hotel across the street from the beach.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Motel-like property that's popular with families
The white-and-blue Tudor-inspired Carlsbad by the Sea Resort looks
like a charming, seaside cottage from the outside. Inside, the lobby is dated, with brown leather sofas on a faded rug and a bright-red wall behind the front
desk. Outdoor walkways connect rooms, and palm trees and rose bushes decorate
the grounds. While the hotel has meeting rooms for business travelers, it's particularly popular with families, and the pool area can get busy, with lots of children playing. Breakfast can also be a lively affair as the breakfast room can get crowded, but the space's tall ceilings help create an open feeling.
Location
Near an outlet mall, a short drive to the beach
Carlsbad
by the Sea Resort is not -- as the name suggests -- right next to the sea; it's actually around a five-minute drive to the nearest sandy stretch of beach. There’s
also a golf course within a five-minute drive, and Legoland takes seven minutes to reach by car. The hotel is across the street from an outlet mall
with some fast food options, and down the street is a P.F. Chang’s and King’s
Fish House. The busy street the hotel is on has easy access to the freeway,
putting downtown Carlsbad within a 10-minute drive and the San Diego International
Airport within a 40-minute drive.
Rooms
Classic rooms with plenty of amenities but dated decor
Rooms at the hotel have typical chain-hotel decor, with dark patterned carpets, white walls, and dark wooden furnishings. Abstract
art and red-and-gold bedding add color to the space, but their patterns can feel loud and dated. All rooms
have several amenities including 32-inch LCD TVs with cable and pay-per-view
channels, microwaves, coffeemakers, and mini-fridges. Some also have patios or balconies. Bathrooms have large mirrors and
tub/shower combos, but the sloppy caulking and chipped vanities could use a
refresh. Signs in rooms announce prices of towels and washcloths, warning that items are inventoried daily -- which guests may resent.
Features
Large outdoor pool and whirlpool, free breakfast buffet, and area shuttle
Carlsbad by the Sea Resort
has an outdoor pool and whirlpool with cushioned lounge chairs. The hotel tacks on a resort fee, which includes a breakfast buffet with items such as omelets, sausages, cereal,
fruit, and bagels. There’s a fitness center with cardio and weight equipment and an Internet corner with one computer and a printer. Meeting rooms are available for private events of up to 300 guests. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, and there's plenty of on-site parking. Guests that prefer not to drive can make use of the hotel's free shuttle, which makes trips within a five-mile radius. Pets are
allowed for a fee.
