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With its prime seaside location on the northwest end of San Diego County, the Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort & Spa has been steadily building buzz since its summer 2012 grand opening. Understandable as this property is located directly across from Ponto Beach, offering gorgeous panoramic ocean and sunset views, and is also close to a litany of popular activities and attractions, including an array of award-winning golf courses. The Hilton Carlsbad is also less than 10 minutes from the LEGOLAND California Resort and is within a 30-minute drive to other favorite Southern California destinations like SeaWorld, the San Diego Zoo, the Wild Animal Park, Seaport Village, and Balboa Park. Even Disneyland is a comfortable 45-minute drive away.

Property Points

The contemporary-styled Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort & Spa has 215 beach-chic rooms and suites with many that have a partial ocean view or full ocean view as well as balconies with outdoor seating. All of the clean and comfortable rooms and suites are well appointed with creature comforts. The oceanfront guest room has a king or two queen beds, or a king with sofa bed, as well as a mini-refrigerator, in-room coffee maker, 42” flat-screen television, in-room safe, iron and ironing board, two plush robes and sets of slippers and in-room food service availability. The oceanfront king corner suites range in size from 850 to 1200-square feet and have spacious living and dining areas, one bedroom, large balconies, large work desk, microwave and all the other amenities of the regular guest rooms.

Photo Credit: Hilton Carlsbad

Property amenities include an ocean-view swimming pool and hot tub with live music on weekend evenings, outdoor fire pits and lounge seating, a state-of-the-art fitness center with both free weights and cardio equipment, and several complimentary beach, sports and local transportation programs.  The resort also has a host of complimentary offerings, including a 24-hour business center, Internet service, weekday copies of USA Today and the local paper on the weekends, same-day laundry and shoe shine service, and specialty coffee service in the lobby each morning.

Dining-wise, the Hilton Carlsbad also hosts Chandler’s Restaurant & Lounge, a stylish eatery quite unlike your typical hotel restaurant, which offers California coastal cuisine from breakfast through dinner. Among other points of interest, the restaurant boasts three outdoor seating areas, two sharing a fire pit, as well as a lively bar that features inspired signature cocktails.

Also on-site is the 5,600 square-foot Ocean Crest Spa that beckons guests to relax and unwind with a variety of massage, facial, and body treatment options as well as manicure and pedicures, all using organic, natural, and pure products with many from the sea. The spa has seven  treatment rooms (including a couple’s room with tub and private outdoor relaxation area), two steam rooms, and both indoor and outdoor relaxation areas.

Pleasure Packages

With all of the spa and golf possibilities, it’s no wonder The Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort & Spa offers “pleasure packages” dedicated thereto. Two packages of related note are the “Spa and Stay Package” and the “Golf and Beach Package.”The Spa and Stay Package, which currently starts at $249 per night, includes overnight deluxe accommodations and a $100 voucher to use at the Ocean Crest Spa. This provides a way for couples to enjoy a romantic getaway with a couple’s massage or a spa manicure and pedicure to name just two of the many spa services available.

The Golf and Beach Package, which currently starts at $335 per night, includes a one-night stay in deluxe accommodations, one round (18 holes) of golf at award-winning Aviara Golf Club (named by Golf Digest and Golf Magazine as one of the best resort golf courses in America), a golf cart that features a GPS system, unlimited use of the practice facilities and complimentary range balls, and complimentary transportation to and from Aviara Golf Club. You can also rent Callaway clubs and golf shoes for added convenience if you could not bring your own equipment or do not own any.  As is usually the case with special resort packages, blackout dates do apply so do inquire.

With a remarkable view of the Pacific Ocean, spectacular South Carlsbad State beaches just a short walk away, and a range of accommodations and amenities that ensure guests are comfortable and cared for, the Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort & Spa has duly elevated hospitality standards in North County San Diego scene.

***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above may have been provided at no cost and/or arranged to accommodate this review, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way as per the disclosure policy on our “Legal” page***