CARLSBAD BY THE SEA HOTEL $199 ($̶2̶9̶4̶) - Updated 2019 Prices & Reviews - CA

3.5

#32 of 40 hotels in Carlsbad

Location

Cleanliness

Service

Value

Enjoy your best vacation - a vacation in Carlsbad California is like no other in the world. And choosing Carlsbad by the Sea Resort guarantees the perfect location for a fun-filled experience for the whole family. LEGOLAND(R) California Resort is located just a mile away and Carlsbad by the Sea Resort is a designated LEGOLAND "Preferred Hotel." We offer special packages that include hotel rooms, tickets to the theme park, and a shuttle ride to the entrance after you enjoy a full American breakfast. Carlsbad by the Sea is centrally located to everything the San Diego region has to offer. You are only 30 miles from the San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Zoo's Safari Park and SeaWorld. Pristine Carlsbad beaches or a game of golf are just minutes away. Spend time relaxing at the resort, walking on 22 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, and playing and exercising in our year-round outdoor heated pool, Jacuzzi and fitness center. And when it is time to dine, More than a dozen popular restaurant choices are within walking distance.

Full view

Property amenities

Parking

Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)

Pool

Fitness Center with Gym / Workout Room

Breakfast available

Golf course

Free shuttle or taxi services

Business Center with Internet Access

Free internet

Wifi

Public wifi

Internet

Hot tub

Outdoor pool

Heated pool

Breakfast buffet

Vending machine

Shuttle bus service

Meeting rooms

24-hour security

Non-smoking hotel

24-hour front desk

Express check-in / check-out

Laundry service

Self-serve laundry

Room features

Non-smoking rooms

Suites

Family rooms

Air conditioning

Desk

Coffee / tea maker

Flatscreen TV

Hair dryer

Housekeeping

Private balcony

Safe

Seating area

Telephone

Wake-up service / alarm clock

Microwave

Refrigerator

Good to know

HOTEL CLASS

HOTEL STYLE

Family

Languages Spoken

English, Spanish

Full view

88Good for walkers

33Restaurantswithin 0.3 miles

5Attractionswithin 0.3 miles

Contact

850 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad, CA 92011-4443

Getting there

Carlsbad Airport3 mi

San Diego Intl Airport28 mi

See all nearby hotels

Nearby restaurants

See all nearby restaurants

Nearby attractions

The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch

3 minGardens

Carlsbad Premium Outlets

5 minFactory Outlets

Spirits in Stone Gallery

4 minArt Galleries

Seacoast Gallery

6 minArt Galleries

See all nearby attractions

746Reviews

18Q+A

100Room tips

Many rooms need renovation

We had read the reviews but stayed here to use the shuttle to get to Legoland. Shuttle and parking by the room were the best parts. They are renovating some rooms, but they put us in a room with the following: refrigerator did not work, A/C did not work, clock was not set, lamps broken or missing. They did fix the above, but next morning, the sink backed up and overflowed. Breakfast was crowded and not appetizing. Best thing was that the manager applied a discount due to the sink issue before I asked.…

Date of stay: July 2019

Value

Location

Service

Trip type: Traveled as a couple

CarlsBAD by the Sea

We booked this hotel for a two night getaway to Legoland. It is really more of a motel although the signage states “resort”. There is nothing “resort” about this place. THE GOOD: The front desk staff is very friendly and courteous. We used their free shuttle to Legoland and this service was excellent. The free breakfast is the standard “free” breakfast- eggs, sausage, potatoes, breads, yogurt, juice, coffee, etc. The potatoes were very tasty. The free wifi was good although I still used a VPN to secure my connection. THE BAD: The room is sparse. We had a deluxe room... no armchair, no coffee table. Just a bed, desk and office chair. Only one waste basket and it was in the bathroom. The microwave did not work. We tried to use the microwave on the last day and an interesting smell emanated from it- our food never got warm/hot. There is A/C in the room but you cannot go lower than 72 degrees. We like to set our A/C at home at about 67 degrees at night. Our nights were somewhat uncomfortable. THE UGLY: Avoid the pool area. The pool tile has minor cracks on it. There are several places along the bottom of the pool where the plaster has sharp edges pointing up. If one were to glide their foot over them, one is very likely to get a cut. The pool vacuum lines are exposed - a big no-no. If these are left on after a cleaning, by accident, it could easily cause a lot of harm to someone especially to kids. DO NOT GO INTO THE JACUZZI. It is disgusting. I wouldn’t let my dogs into it. The floor has black ridges. It looks like dirt. Not sure what it is. There was actually dirt on the bottom of the jacuzzi and it looks in terrible shape. No one is picking up used towels from the lounge chairs and there is no where to put your used towels. We took ours back to our rooms. Other guests were using their balcony to put their towels out to dry as there was no clothesline inside the rooms. On the last day I wanted to use the phone to call the front desk and ask about the checkout process- surprise... the phone did not work. We always assume that the room we get, when we check-in, is the best one available for our category. We had the best category so I’m curious to see what a standard room would be like. Of all the times we’ve been to Legoland and San Diego we’ve stayed at Sheraton or Hilton properties. I’ve asked my wife to remind me of this trip if I ever try to go off-brand again. …

Date of stay: July 2019

Trip type: Traveled with family

Yikes what a disappoitment

This is a very old and tired place in dire need of everything......except I must say the staff was exceptionally friendly, accommodating and helpful. The rooms are quite old, our shower had evidence of mold, the air conditioning while it would turn on would never get cool. All of the exterior doors were retrofitted with anti-pry hardware making you wonder if this was a safe place to stay that coupled with the broken interior latch and the sliding doors that are retrofitted with make shift locks make for some worrisome nights. The exterior gutters were filled with debris to the point that plant growth has flourished and hangs down the gutter line. The breakfast while free left much to be desired. The breakfast room was much to small for the number of guests and the selections offered were all refrigerated and unappealing. The packets of instant oatmeal might have been the best. Most mornings we opted to walk across the street to purchase breakfast. Think carefully before choosing.…

Date of stay: July 2019

Rooms

Cleanliness

Service

Trip type: Traveled with family

Dear Guest, Thank you for your feedback and your recent stay with us Please accept my sincerest apologies for your experience. We value our guests and I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you in person regarding your experience. I may be reached at 760-438-7880. Sincerely, Collin Ross General Manager

Quiet older hotel

We stayed at this hotel with our daughter, her husband and grandsons age 7 and 6. This hotel is an older style hotel with exterior corridors. The rooms are large and were clean. Nothing fancy by the price was excellent so it was better that we thought it might be. There is no elevator so for us we didnt know that before hand or I would have asked for the ground floor as my husband doesnt do stairs well. The breakfast room was being revenovated at the time so I cant say what it is normally like. Pool area was well used every evening even theough the weather wasnt great. Overall for the price a nice stay. Convenient location to Legolnd…

Date of stay: March 2019

Rooms

Cleanliness

Service

Trip type: Traveled with family

Room Tip: Great location for Legoland. No elevators

See more room tips

Great for a short or a long stay

This hotel is well equipped for families traveling with children. The WIFI works well and the pool and hot tub are added amenities. The close proximity to Legoland also makes it a great option for those in town for this purpose. The nearby attractions like the ranunculus fields and strawberry picking make this location attractive. Starbucks and shopping across the street are also pluses.…

Date of stay: April 2019

Rooms

Service

Sleep Quality

Trip type: Traveled with family

Hello KavitaD, We're so glad you enjoyed your stay with us! Our location and amenities do make our hotel a great choice. I'm looking forward to when you an come back and visit again! Cheers, Colin

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PRICE RANGE

$150 - $315 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)

ALSO KNOWN AS

carlsbad by the sea hotel carlsbad, holiday inn carlsbad, carlsbad holiday inn

FORMERLY KNOWN AS

Holiday Inn Carlsbad by the Sea

LOCATION

United StatesCaliforniaCarlsbad

NUMBER OF ROOMS

141

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Carlsbad by the Sea Hotel

Carlsbad by the Sea Hotel

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