Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
For generations, families visiting San Diego's North County for fun and relaxation on America's greatest beaches have enjoyed staying at the Ocean Palms. Our casual Carlsbad resort is ideally located along the coast in Carlsbad Village, home to one of Southern California's best collections of shops and restaurants. The Ocean Palms offers a wide choice of Carlsbad accommodations. From comfortable budget rooms to luxury suites, 1, 2 and 3 Bedrooms, some with ocean views, every room offers a fully equipped kitchen. Enjoy the laid back atmosphere and the lush landscaping. We love families who can't get enough of the beach, so we provide free beach chairs, beach towels, boogie boards, and surfboards. The beach is right across the street, and the charming Village of Carlsbad is just a block away. Welcome to your beachside home away from home. Come to the Ocean Palms, where cool Pacific breezes sweep across the enchanting Village of Carlsbad.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
Powered by AI
Nestled in a prime location, Ocean Palms Beach Resort is celebrated for its proximity to both the beach and downtown Carlsbad. The resort's amenities receive high marks for their family-friendly offerings and ease of access to local attractions.
Guests commend the friendly staff and the relaxed, tropical atmosphere that pervades the updated rooms and communal spaces adorned with lush greenery and cozy fire pits. The resort is consistently lauded for its cleanliness and modern touches, although a few guests have noted some rooms could benefit from decor updates and maintenance.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Welcoming
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Reasonable
Cleanliness
Immaculate
Service
Friendly
Amenities
Well-appointed
Was this helpful?
Tripadvisor is not responsible for this summary or the opinions in it. For more information, please read the traveler reviews and learn more about how the site works.
Having lived in Carlsbad for 6 years I wanted my in laws, who would visit the first time, to truly understand how amazing and beautiful this little city was. I asked friends around and again and again Ocean Palms was recommended. I reached out to the hotel and while all the bigger chains around (Sheraton,Omni, etc) said I could “buy a gift card” via a rote response, Barry from Ocean Palms contacted me directly. He asked questions like “how would they feel about being on the street” (by the ocean with a porch) or “how are they with stairs” as they were elderly. So I bought a gift certificate there. When we got there the hotel (which I’d never been in) is an adorable tropical paradise. My father in law spent each night by the firepit. The suite was large enough it allowed us time to have dinner as a family more than once after a long day touring San Diego county. I would pop out to get ice cream at Handels and bring it back or the gourmet strawberries from the strawberry shack next door. We were so impressed with the entire staff and the property. The Ocean Palms really is the perfect place to enjoy Carlsbad! THANK YOU!
Read more
Date of stay: March 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is our second time staying at Ocean Palms and we will be back for many many more. There are so many great things about this place I don’t know where to start.
Ok first off, when you book a stay here, they call you the moment your room is available in case you want to check in. This is the ONLY place I’ve ever stayed in my life that does this.
The facilities aren’t brand new but boy are they clean! From dawn til dusk Ocean Palms staff works tirelessly to make sure everything is up to snuff for their guests. The location is perfect, a 30 second walk from your room puts you right on the pristine Pacific Ocean as well as miles of clean public beach. Included in your room rates are access to surfboards, boogie boards, chairs, umbrellas, and all the towels you’ll need.
When you’re done playing in the waves, check out any one of a dozen amazing restaurants or local shops within two or three blocks of the resort. Or if you can’t find what you like (I doubt it), just drive out of your free resort parking down the Coastal Highway til you do.
And now we get to the best part…the staff. It is a pleasure to interact with all the staff, but especially Beau and Jose. Stop in for a free cup of Starbucks coffee in the lobby and chat with them about anything the area has to offer. We even got a crash course in surfing and boogie boarding from Beau. When they’re not there, just talk to Samantha, Ruger, Ashley or Barry and they will take care of you too!
So if you’re looking for the best relaxing SoCal vacation, take our word for it…this is the best bang for your buck. You can grill with the family, chill by the campfire, soak in the hot tub, and there’s no extra resort fees for anything! It’s no wonder half the guests that come here are repeat customers 10+ years in a row. There’s just no place like it. See you all next year!
Read more
Date of stay: October 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A lot to digest? Read an AI-generated summary of recent traveler reviews.
This is the BEST beachfront resort for family gatherings. Our family gathers here annually in October and this is the most welcoming and staff friendly location. Family owned and operated, the hotel is located at the top of the stairs to beach access and steps to the village of Carlsbad. The rooms are just beautifully appointed and the grounds are like stepping into a tropical paradise. BBQs are provided throughout the grounds, pool, spa, secluded lounge areas and that magnificent Pacific Ocean at the front door. I can never say enough about the family that owns and operates this little gem, they are just the best. One of the sons, Beau, even acted as photographer to preserve the weekend for us. This should be a top destination for families.
Read more
Date of stay: October 2020
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My husband surprised me with a staycation for our anniversary. It was a beautiful surprise! Why have we never stayed here?! Directions, check-in & parking we’re easy. The grounds were very clean and so incredibly close to the beach (steps away)! We were able to go on a morning run and even caught up with the Carlsbad marathoners (all before breakfast). We headed back to our room but not before grabbing a piping cup of coffee from the very cute reception area. The young man who helped us was so dang kind and helpful. Impeccable service (service is a big deal for us).
Our suite was stocked with all the kitchen essentials, the decor was absolutely adorable and the room was very clean. We had all one could need, less groceries to prep a meal. Pots, pans, knives, cutting board, plates, bowls, dish soap, dry rack, cutlery, a fully functioning oven/stove and the table setting was cute too! *Bonus- We had a lovely sunset view, too. We were a stones throw distance from some restaurants and the aroma of delicious food and sea breeze filled the air. As a lover of all things food and ocean, I was in heaven! There was no shortage of places to choose from for food, bars or entertainment. There is something for everyone. The weather was perfect and lots of people/families were out walking the town. Although my husband and I were alone this trip, I know our teens would have enjoyed the staycation too; proximity to the beach and restaurants they be able to walk to and still be able to keep a watchful eye out.
I think this could very-well be our new favorite staycation spot! Give it a stay, you won’t be disappointed! I hope you love your stay as much as we did. Can’t wait to visit again.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Me and my family just finished up a 4 day stay at the Ocean Palms resort and could not have had a better time. For starters, it is literally right across the street from the beach access on both ends of the property which was a huge plus, and to top that off, it’s walking distance to all of the best restaurants in town. The property is a full city block of land with palm trees and tropical plants all around it and the inner section has an awesome pool area, bbq’s, lounging areas, and an awesome fire pit area that gets lit up every night after sunset. We had a two room deluxe suite with street access and it’s own front patio area which was perfect for coffee and donuts in the morning and cocktails at night for sunset. The rooms are perfect sized and it also had a full kitchen which is a plus with kids. It has ac for the hot nights and tons of windows for the ocean air. The front desk staff was amazing every time I needed anything and the cleaning staff was on point when needing towels or trash taken out. Definitely recommending this place to friends and family and will definitely book another stay in the future.
Read more
Date of stay: October 2020Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was my second time visiting the Ocean Palms Beach Resort, and they again blew my mind with the consistency and impecability of cleanliness, service, quality and value. The rooms are specious, comfortable, cozy, functional and beautiful. Such a great vibe from the greeting to the beach and back. It's perfect for families as well as a romantic or weekend getaway. Best place in Carlsbad for sure!
Read more
Date of stay: January 2020
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
After all our canceled events and trips this year we needed a little getaway. We arrived on Sunday 8/30 around 4pm and given how close the property is to the beach, parking was a little challenging. The hotel ha@ a small lot for maybe 8 cars but there is a ton of parameter parking on the streets around the property but since it not exclusive hotel parking it gets taken up by beach goers. There is 3 min parking in front of the hotel to drop off luggage and check in which we realized after parking and walking 2 blocks with all our stuff. Later that evening and the rest of the days, parking was not an issue. Our room for the first 3 nights was great. We had the luxury mini suite which had a king bed, bath with jetted tub and separate shower and a full kitchen. Very comfortable and roomy. We were on the 2nd floor near the pool. Room has AC and ceiling fan and the door can split to just open the top half. Room and Property was very clean and they follow all the covid guidelines. It was pretty quiet too. Our room had an adjoining room and the people next door played music and talked loud so I think we heard more of them because of that adjoining door, but they were respectful and were not loud after 10pm. The property is accross the street from the breach so not a lot of beach views but its a quick walk to get to the beach. The hotel offers chairs, umbrellas and towels free of charge which was so nice. We ended up staying 1 extra night and had to switch rooms since our room was taken. It was a smaller room but still comfortable. Full but smaller kitchen and for some reason no microwave. Bathroom had a corner shower and no tub. It was nice to have a table and chairs where we could eat since a lot of our meals were to go, but there were also nice spots to sit on the grounds to eat or relax. A couple fireworks are lit at night too. Lastly it is in a great location and walking distance to the cute Carlsbad area...lots of restaurants, coffee shops and shops.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Best quality stay I’ve had in many years. Front office staff went above and beyond to accommodate me. The room was first class to go along with the service. The location was extraordinary to the beach and very easy to walk to many restaurants and attractions in the Village . The maid service worked around my schedule so I didn’t have any unnecessary disturbances. I went for lunch and came back to a perfectly clean room .. thank you Ocean Palms staff for making my visit a time to remember!!
Read more
Date of stay: June 2021Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My wife were to host 4 other couples from around the U.S., so I started researching Carlsbad hotels more than two years ago. Then the pandemic. Barry, the manager, was more than accommodating as we had to re-schedule twice. I selected Ocean Palms because of its amazing location, and the creative aesthetic touches in the rooms and around the grounds with palms, flowers, fire pits, gazebo, and fountains. It has clean, unique boutique-style decor, with marble and stone counters in all the rooms. Because we needed a place for 10 of us to meet, we also got the Molokai suite, with a front patio facing the beach, with a jacuzzi and Weber grill. The suite's solid dutch doors are typical of the dozens of little touches in the rooms that most hotels wouldn't invest in. Our guests noticed and loved all these little surprises. These things make Ocean Palms different than the chain hotels. The other great things about this place are the perfect location and the very attentive and helpful staff. Within easy walking distance are several restaurants, bars, and the best independent bookstore in Southern California (Farenheit 451). And...beach access is right in front of the hotel...with stairway down to the sand. Over the course of the two years waiting for our stay, I got acquainted with a few of the staff, and Barry the manager. They treated me really well and, according to the reports of our guests, treated them very well too. Ocean Palms is really a jewel...glad we found it. There is no way we would visit Carlsbad and stay anywhere else.
Read more
Date of stay: April 2022
Rooms
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Early Sunday morning we were on our way to Carlsbad and Beau from the Ocean Palms Beach Resort called and said our room was ready and we could check in early. Early morning check in, and he called to let us know, this was a first for us! Friendly and efficient Beau continued to be best throughout our stay. The hotels's location was perfect; we walked to the beach, shops and restaurants and we especially enjoyed the night time ambiance with fire pits ablaze and cosy chairs set up for relaxing. We highly recommend this clean, charming hotel.
Read more
Date of stay: March 2022
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect nightly room rates, including any mandatory fees. Taxes not included. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
