By Nellie Day
The Carlsbad Inn
beach resort is a small coastal hotel that boasts gorgeous ocean views and extra amenities, such as kitchenettes, fireplaces and jacuzzi tubs. This Victorian-style hotel also contains a few suites for business travelers, which can also come in handy for families, being that Carlsbad is the home of Legoland and is relatively close to all the attractions that
San Diego and Orange counties have to offer.
Wows and Woes
This property is surprisingly big, with an expansive outdoor area that includes a pool, adult jacuzzi and a large grassy knoll. It's also walking distance to the beach and to Carlsbad's main street.
Carlsbad and its surrounding area contains numerous hotels and hotel chains that can easily outdo the Carlsbad Inn. Some of the larger chains, such as Hilton, have built luxury resorts in the area, while discount chains, like La Quinta or the Hampton Inn, are less expensive.
Insider Tips
Definitely take advantage of the hotel's outdoor area. The pool is lovely, and the fact that the jacuzzi is adults-only is even better. The stroll to the water's edge is also gorgeous and very peaceful. If you have kids, bring Frisbees, footballs and other outdoor toys so they can utilize the grassy area. Parents can save money by storing leftovers in the in-room fridges and by preparing food ahead of time on the stoves.
Author's Most Memorable Moment
The outdoor area was the most memorable for me. When I first arrived I thought the property's exterior looked a bit run down so I was a little disappointed. After walking around to the back of the property, however, I could see that this impression didn't extend to the rest of the property. Everything looked very bright, fun, festive and relaxing--and it stayed that way regardless of what we were doing.
Bottom Line
This hotel's great for families and outdoor lovers who don't want all the gimmicks that usually go along with holiday travel and "beach resorts."
About the Author:
Nellie Day is a freelance writer based out of Hermosa Beach, CA. She has her Master's degree in broadcast journalism from USC, and Bachelors' degrees in English and sociology from UC Irvine. Ms. Day's work can regularly be seen on newsstands, where her specialties include weddings, pets, real estate, electronics, product reviews, business, architecture and design, Southern California, food and wine, and travel and tourism.
