Close to both the beach & LEGOLAND California, this hotel makes an ideal home base with affordable rates & family freebies.
West Inn and Suites is a boutique hotel with a comfortable elegance and warm and friendly staff; everyone from the front desk clerk to the breakfast host offers an easy smile to guests. The hotel is ideally located just two miles from LEGOLAND California, four blocks from the beach, and a five-minute drive from Carlsbad, a quaint SoCal beach town which boasts seven miles of uncrowded beaches.
Where to stay in Carlsbad?
West Inn and Suites offers 86 rooms, most of them equipped for families. We stayed in a spacious family suite that included two king beds, a sitting area, and a small kitchenette with a mini refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker. The hotel does its utmost to cater to families from the small bathroom stool to help little ones reach the sink to the swim diapers provided at the pool. You can choose from a long list of movies and board games available at the front desk to use during your stay. Chilled milk and freshly-baked cookies are served nightly at 8 p.m. just off the lobby. The hotel also provides turn-down service, complete with macarons. Rates start at $159/night.
KidTripster Tip: You need to opt for turn-down service when you check in. However, remember to remove your “do not disturb” shell from your doorknob, or the staff will not enter your room in the evening.
KidTripster Tip: You say it’s your child’s birthday? Let the hotel know when you make the reservation. You’ll arrive to a room full of balloons and a birthday cake!
KidTripster Tip: Even fido gets the royal treatment here. The hotel welcomes your dog (any size) with a special sign with his name, doggie beds, bowls, treats, and specially-formulated calming aromatherapy for the room. There’s a dog run and park on the property. Know that your pet is not supposed to be left unattended.
What to do in Carlsbad?
The hotel has a large, outdoor, salt-water pool, complete with swim noodles and floaties for small children. It was warm enough for my kids to use in December! There’s also a 104-degree hot tub and ping pong table next to the pool. The pool area would be perfectly serene, if not for the Interstate-5 traffic noise just over the wall, but I doubt your kids will even notice.
If you’re looking for more serenity, head to the beach. You can walk or hop on the free hotel shuttle. Plus you can order a free, beach pop-up party! What’s that, you ask? The hotel staff will arrange to bring everything for your family’s ultimate beach day, including sand toys, boogie boards (my kids’ favorite), umbrellas, chairs, and towels.
KidTripster Tip: The pop-up party is available throughout the year, but it’s best to make the request when you book.
For more on other off-site attractions in Carlsbad, including LEGOLAND California, water sport rentals, and The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch, click here.
KidTripster Tip: It’s best to buy your tickets for LEGOLAND in advance on the park’s website to take advantage of any special offers. However, if you’re purchasing tickets less than seven days in advance, you’ll get a better deal at the hotel front desk. Also, you’ll receive a second day free, so that you can take advantage of the water park and SEA LIFE Aquarium. For a full review of LEGOLAND California, click here.
Where to eat in Carlsbad?
A breakfast buffet is included in your stay. Hot options rotate daily, so you’re never stuck eating the same thing every morning. You’ll also find yogurts, oatmeal, and breads plus juices and coffee.
While not part of the hotel, Bistro West sits right next door and is a convenient choice. It’s an upscale restaurant that touts farm-to-table cuisine from its own 3-acre farm. The atmosphere is elegant with a ceiling-to-floor wine wall but still relaxed enough for families. In addition to the typical kids’ menu fare, the restaurant offers pint-sized spaghetti and meatballs, filet mignon, and grilled salmon. Remember you can skip dessert and head back to the hotel for milk and cookies.
Getting to West Inn and Suites
West Inn and Suites is located 33 miles north of the San Diego International Airport, so if you’re flying, you’ll need to rent a car. However, once here, feel free to take advantage of the free hotel shuttle which will drop you off and pick you up anywhere you’d like within five miles of the property, including LEGOLAND.
For the Top 10 Plays in San Diego, click here.
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This writer received a discounted stay for the purpose of this review. However, all opinions expressed are solely her own.
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