751 Raintree Dr, Carlsbad, California, United States | (618) 248-8274
Bright, modern budget hotel, a 10-minute walk from the beach
Spacious rooms with
mini-fridges and microwaves
Attractive, heated outdoor pool and hot tub
Fitness room with modern equipment
Convenient snack and drink purchase area
Large meeting room in basement
Coin-operated laundry facilities
Free buffet breakfast
Free parking and Wi-Fi
Not right on the beach
The immediate area isn't the most interesting
This Holiday Inn Express is a bright, simple, budget-friendly chain hotel within walking distance of South Carlsbad
State Beach. Mini-fridges,
microwaves, and coffeemakers are standard for budget hotels in this area, but the 120 rooms are far more stylish than the competition. Other value-adding features include an outdoor pool and hot tub, plus freebies like breakfast, parking, and Wi-Fi. The property is a clean
and affordable option for families visiting LEGOLAND or for travelers
conducting business in Carlsbad. For rooms that are larger and include kitchens, travelers could consider the Homewood Suites by Hilton Carlsbad, though it's a bit more expensive and farther 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
Bright, modern, and simple chain hotel aimed at budget travelers
Housed in a three-story adobe-style building, this Holiday Inn Express opened in 2013 and embodies the brand's reliably sharp and simple style. The lobby
is bright and welcoming, with a vaulted ceiling and shiny marble floor. The breakfast area is adjacent to the front desk and has a variety of tables of varying heights and an entire wall of windows. This
area serves as the primary lounge space. There's plenty of on-trend decor throughout common areas, from pebbled walls to soft purple and green hues, and there's even a cozy space for guests to read the paper next to a fireplace and flat-screen TV. In short, the look punches well above the hotel's budget category. The majority of guests are families
visiting LEGOLAND and business travelers.
Location
Off I-5 in Carlsbad, a 10-minute walk from the beach
The hotel is just off I-5, next to a Motel 6, a Ramada, and a Benihana restaurant. There is a strip mall with a grocery store and other small
stores and cafes across the street, but other than that, the area is mostly residential and there's not much to see or do within walking distance. The exception is South Carlsbad State Beach, which is a 10-minute walk from the hotel, but getting there requires crossing some busy streets (alternatively, it takes two minutes to reach by car). LEGOLAND
is an eight-minute drive from the hotel, while Carlsbad Poinsettia Station -- on the San Diego area commuter rail -- is a
15-minute walk or a three-minute drive away. It will take 30 minutes to drive to La Joalla, and it's a 40-minute trip into San Diego and that city's international airport.
Rooms
Spacious and stylish rooms with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and microwaves
Rooms are fresh and modern and some have nice
views of the distant beach, albeit with the parking lot and busy street in the
foreground. Sage green accent walls look sharp next to dark patterned carpets, contemporary metal lamps, and dark-wood furniture. Boldly striped headboards and curtains complete the look. All rooms come with large flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, microwaves, coffeemakers, ironing facilities, individually controlled air-conditioning units,
safes, and desks. Note that suites do not feature separate bedrooms, but rather are larger rooms with sofa beds, coffee tables, and wet bars. Other rooms have some form of small seating area, usually a chair set next to the window. Bright and clean bathrooms match the style of the main rooms, with stylish gray tile floors, spacious granite countertops, large walk-in showers, and toiletries.
Features
Free breakfast, Wi-Fi, parking, and pool
This Holiday Inn Express offers a free continental buffet breakfast that includes an abundance of carb-heavy options like pancakes, cereals, and pastries alongside eggs and meat. There's also an outdoor heated pool and hot tub. The area is clean and surrounded by contemporary lounge chairs on a concrete desk. The modern indoor fitness area has treadmills, an elliptical, and a stationary bike plus a small selection of free weights.
The hotel has an event room that can hold up to 50 people plus a computer station for anyone who needs it -- keep in mind that Wi-Fi is free here, though. Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks are available for purchase in
the lobby and there is a coin-operated laundry room. On-site parking is free.
