Hotel Review: Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa

Hotel Review: Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa

The Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa is a lovely hotel located next to Legoland California in the coastal community of Carlsbad, California, just thirty minutes North of San Diego.  The hotel is the ultimate California beach getaway offering relaxation, adventure, and fun in Southern California.

Hotel Overview

The Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa is located right next to the Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa up on a hillside on the backside of Legoland California.  

Most guests who stay here would likely be visiting Legoland, as the private back entrance is perfect for getting into Legoland without long lines.

We stayed at the Westin Carlsbad Resort for a long weekend birthday trip and enjoyed easy access into the back side of Legoland California, an entrance exclusively reserved for guests staying at the following hotels: Westin Carlsbad Resort, Sheraton Carlsbad Resort and the Hilton Grand Vacation Club Marbrisa. 

Overall, the resort feels luxurious and modern, with a coastal theme and color palette featured throughout the different common areas.  

Westin Carlsbad Entry

Sheraton Carlsbad Entrance

If you're trying to decide between the Westin or the Sheraton, my opinion is that the Westin Carlsbad Resort feels a little more luxurious than its sister hotel next door, the Sheraton Carlsbad Resort, although the pool area at the Sheraton seemed a little more family oriented.  The Westin Carlsbad is also a little closer to the private Legoland entrance for resort guests. 

Westin Carlsbad Lobby

Sheraton Carlsbad Lobby

Amenities you'll enjoy on property during your stay here include:

• Oceania Pool

• Firepits & Outdoor Games

• Ocean Pearl Spa
• Fitness Center

• Shared charging ability between the Westin and Sheraton Carlsbad

Parking options here include self-parking, located right in front of the resort that runs $28/night or valet for $35/night.

There is a Resort Fee here as well that is $25 per night and includes the following items:

• 24-hour heated swimming pool 
• 24-hour Jacuzzi
• WestinWORKOUT Fitness Studio
• Private entrance to Legoland California Resort
• In-room Starbucks Coffee
• One bottled water in room
• Unlimited local/800 calls
• Complimentary shuttle service within a five-mile radius
• Complimentary beach trolley during the summer months
• One complimentary gelato dessert
• Beach chair rental
• Beach towel rental
• Daily bike rental
• Enhanced Wi-Fi

In my opinion, this resort fee really doesn't cover much, as most the items listed by the resort hotel are pretty much standard things you would expect at a Westin hotel.  The beach items, while nice to be offered here, likely go unused as most guests would be staying here to go to Legoland, as the resort is at least a 5-10 minute drive away from the beach. 

Accommodations

The Westin Carlsbad Resort features 208 guest rooms (19 suites) with rooms spread out across the property.  Rooms with an ocean view would be located in the main tower building past the pool.  

For our stay here, we were in a traditional guest room with 2 King beds and a small balcony.  Room decor is modern and coastal inspired with a blue/green color palette.

Dining

There is one main restaurant onsite at the Westin Carlsbad Resort, but you can also dine at the next door Sheraton Carlsbad Resort.  Since we had breakfast included (Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Status), we enjoyed breakfast at each of the resort restaurants to compare the two.

• 20Twenty
• Coastal eatery featuring Southern California classics with locally sourced ingredients that is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• The Marriott Bonvoy breakfast benefit here is a continental breakfast option, shown below, or if you'd like to order something else, you'll get an $18 credit.  Total benefit would be $36 towards breakfast.

• The Break
• Located poolside and open seasonally

• The Marketplace 
• Grab and go option with snacks, small bites and coffee options
• 7 Mile Kitchen 
• Located next door at the Sheraton Carlsbad Resort next to the main pool area and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

There are also lots of dining options available within a short drive from the resort at the Carlsbad Premium Outlets and across the street from those outlets.

Overall Impression

Overall, the Westin Carlsbad Resort is a great choice for a family vacation to the San Diego area if Legoland and the San Diego Safari park are at the top of your list to visit.  The only better option for a Legoland visit would be one of the Legoland hotels, that would likely cost a lot more.

If you're trying to decide between the Westin Carlsbad Resort versus the Sheraton Carlsbad Resort and the prices are very close to each other, I would definitely pick the Westin Carlsbad if you prefer a more luxurious modern decor, closer walk to the private Legoland entrance and more modern rooms with views. 

 

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