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Reviews of Carlsbad by the Sea Hotel 3 stars

850 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad, CA 92011, United States

#43 of 54 hotels in Carlsbad

Guests' Choice

Review score

Based on 1102 hotel reviews

7.4

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    7.6

  • Comfort

    7.7

  • Location

    8.7

  • Facilities

    7.4

  • Staff

    8.4

  • Value for money

    7.4

  • Free WiFi

    7.5

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Showing 1 – 25

  • Reviewed: 25 August 2025

    8.0
    Easy trip and check in and out was easy
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Courtyard 2 Queens Terrace
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    I would walk the floors and my socks or feet would get dirty

    Location was nice the room were spacious and I appreciated having a patio

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 18 August 2025

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Courtyard 2 Queens Terrace
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Great location, comfy beds & pillows

    N/A

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 16 August 2025

    6.0
    Pleasant
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Family Suite
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Noise from freeway, fridge and AC

    Location

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 14 August 2025

    8.0
    We had a great time during our stay and truly enjoyed our vacation.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Courtyard 2 Queens Terrace
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    We liked the location because it is close to Legoland, the beach, shops, and outlet stores.

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 7 August 2025

    8.0
    Family fun
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Standard King Room
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    It was a little dated and they didn’t have a continental breakfast.. also our patio didn’t come with patio furniture when all the others one did

    Location and style, we have little girls so being bottom floor with the grass was great. The were able to run around. Also love the food hall

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 29 July 2025

    8.0
    Great spot to stay when visiting Legoland.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Courtyard 2 Queens Terrace
    • Stayed 2 nights

    There is no breakfast at the hotel, but there are many locations nearby (fron fast food to sit down breakfast). We've been here a few times, and the biggest complaint is bugs. Each time we've been here there's been bugs in the room.

    Super close to the theme park, shopping and the interstate. The shuttle is a big plus with this property (even if the hours of the shuttle are annoyingly short). The rooms are spacious. It appears the bathrooms have been remodeled recently.

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 12 July 2025

    8.0
    Certainly! Here’s a short and positive review based on that: ⸻ Beautiful Renovation! This hotel has been recently ren
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Standard King Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    One thing to note: our room didn’t have a phone, and we looked everywhere. I know the hotel is going through renovations, so that might explain it, but it was still a bit unexpected. Still, we enjoyed our visit and would consider staying again.

    Perfect Location for a Legoland Trip! We had a great stay at this hotel! One of the best parts was how incredibly close it is to Legoland—less than 10 minutes away, which made it super convenient, especially after a long day of walking and having fun. Being able to get back quickly and relax was such a bonus. There are also plenty of restaurants nearby, and the outlet mall is right across the street—just a short, easy walk. It made grabbing a bite or doing a little shopping really convenient. The parking is great- you park right in front of your room if available! There’s a little patio out in the back and it’s a big beautiful green area perfect for toddlers to run around and in the morning.. Overall, the location couldn’t have been better. Highly recommend for anyone planning a Legoland trip!

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 9 July 2025

    6.0
    Pleasant
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • King Studio with Sofa Bed
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The first room i had was nice and big. It was amazing. But at 7 or 8 am I start hearing loud noises. Drilling, sawing, jackhammer, banging. They were doing more remodeling. When you're on vacation, that's not what you want to wake up to. My child has autism and is sensitive to sound. She was upset, having a breakdown. The staff did move us to another building without any issues. I am thankful for that. The rooms were not real clean. The floors were really dirty. If you walked around without your shoes, your feet were black.

    The rooms have been remodeled, heated pool, jacuzzi. Location is good. The staff was great.

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 7 July 2025

    7.0
    Enjoyed our stay
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Courtyard 2 Queens Terrace
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    It was still being remodeled we could hear water pipes rushing water at night one of the AC units was super loud they lacked in towel service

    Walking distance to outlets and food mall very close to LEGOLAND

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 30 June 2025

    7.0
    Location location location
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Double Room with Balcony
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The beds were not comfortable 🙁

    Location

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 24 June 2025

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Deluxe Double Room with Balcony
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nobody checked and kicked people out after the pool had closed, and unfortunately, there was a group of five adults drinking at the hot tub well into past midnight, and with our balcony facing the pool, we were stuck hearing them

    Rooms were clean and comfy

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: 23 June 2025

    8.0
    Very good
    • Family with young children
    • Deluxe Double Room with Balcony
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    No water !! There should be complimentary water for guests.

    Very accessible and clean rooms.

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 18 June 2025

    7.0
    Property was clean but fairly certain not up to fire code by not ensuring properly working smoke detectors. For the pri
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Courtyard 2 Queens Terrace
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Had no smoke detector in room when we arrived. Informed front desk and sent maintenance to install one about an hour later. Realized that no light was ever on the alarm, so we are fairly certain the one they came and installed was not functioning anyway. Would have been nice to offer some sort of complimentary breakfast for the price.

    Good location and shuttle service to Legoland. The pool was warm most nights and plenty of restaurants nearby. The staff was very friendly.

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 6 June 2025

    8.0
    We enjoyed our stay
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Courtyard 2 Queens Terrace
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The jacuzzi needed to be upgraded and the jets had little power. It also needed to be cleaned.

    Was in a convenient location Price per night was reasonable Upgraded rooms were nice

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 3 May 2025

    7.0
    Loved the black out curtains.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • King Room - Disability Access
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Seemed clean

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: 26 April 2025

    7.0
    Clean and friendly staff
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Double Room with Balcony
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Please change box spring for the bed it's too loud when you move

    Nice big room, location, friendly staff

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: 22 April 2025

    8.0
    Happy
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Double Room with Balcony
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Very close to freeway! Very close to LEGOLAND! Very close to The Flower Field! Very close to Outlet!

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: 20 April 2025

    6.0
    Great location but unpleasant experience
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Double Room with Balcony
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    There was noisy construction in the facility and the room had an unpleasant smell.

    It is in a great location, near shops and places to eat.

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: 9 April 2025

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Deluxe Double Room with Balcony
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The primary deficiency was insufficient staffing, resulting in a 30-minute delay in check-in at 4:00 PM, as our room was not prepared upon arrival. Furthermore, pool towels were unavailable due to the staffing shortage.

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: 4 April 2025

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Courtyard 2 Queens Terrace
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    No ice machines!

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: 24 March 2025

    8.0
    Great location and updated rooms
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Double Room with Balcony
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Beds were very hard. Some rooms are quite a walk from the parking lot. No elevators for rooms on the second floor.

    We love this location in Carlsbad. Close to shopping, restaurants, and even Costco! Very close to Legoland, but still close enough to visit attractions in San Diego or on the coast. The rooms were recently updated and felt significantly fresher than the last time we stayed here. They are more spacious than the standard two-queen hotel room. The daytime staff was very friendly and helpful.

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: 20 March 2025

    7.0
    good value for overnight stay
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • King Room - Disability Access
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    fitness center was out of order

    location

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: 17 March 2025

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Courtyard 2 Queens Terrace
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The pool was closed no mention of this when booking. I always like to use the pool and hot tub and neither were available.

    The location was perfect and the amenities around the hotel were also a plus. Transportation to Legoland and back was another great experience.

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: 16 March 2025

    7.0
    Overall acceptable stay
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • King Room - Disability Access
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    No soap dish, seat in shower was non-removable, shower knobs seemed in an awkward place. Kept bumping it with my elbow. No soap holder in bathroom or towel racks closer to sink area. Entrance door frame was cracked and looked shoddily repaired. Room smelled like fresh paint and/or mold. Closet door stuck. Bathroom door did not close/latch completely. Room was located next to maintenance area and I was not informed upon check in.

    Rooms were clean, beds were comfortable, bathroom was spacious. Amenities were convenient(fridge, microwave & coffee maker). Housekeeping came at a need only basis.

    Stayed in March 2025

Showing 1 – 25

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