Holiday Inn Carlsbad By The Sea

This is our second time staying at this hotel when we takes the kids to Legoland. We love the location because it is close to Legoland and the Outlet Mall. Great for a Quick getaway. The rooms are good size and clean.

Great place to stay for families. Holiday Inn has done some marvelous upgrading.

The pool was open, but we didn't use it. (Several recent comments said it was closed.) Staff was very friendly. Bed was comfortable; I got a good night's sleep.

The hotel is in a good location with easy access to interstate 5. There is a outlet mall across the street and several places to eat and shop in the area. The hotel itself was nice for the price we paid. The rooms do not have windows facing the parking lot, but does have a sliding door that goes to a small patio. We had a good time there.

This Holiday Inn has been well-maintained and the rooms are updated or are in the process of being updated. The mattress was very comfortable. The refrigerator and microwave were appreciated. Our favorite part was the lovely enclosed courtyard outside of our patio. We sat there every evening with my mother-in-law drinking a glass of wine and unwinding after our busy day. The young woman who checked us in was one of the friendliest and welcoming clerks we have ever met. read more

This is the worst experience. The hotel was closer to a motel 6 than a 3 star hotel. It was unsafe and I couldn't stay there. The pool was empty, the lobby so small people were waiting outside, no common areas, the door in the room was broken and you could see outside through the break. The room smelled, the doors faced the parking lot and even the rooms that had a gate had the back sliding glass door without a gate and facing a busy street. read more

Disappointed by the lack of pool since this was one of our stipulations. I even called the hotel directly to request adjoining rooms from my Priceline reservation and was not told that the pool was closed by either.

A little pricey for what you get, but overall my experience was a good one. Also, I'm a single woman traveling alone, and the staff put me right above the office so I'd feel safe - truly great customer service, and just plain human warmth.

Overall it was very comfortable. We were next to the lobby, but never heard any noise. The grounds were pretty and well kept. If the pool had been operating, or were at least told it would not be available before arrival so we didn't mention it to the kids, the trip would have been ideal. (they were in the middle of a 3-week refinishing project).

Great hotel. My only problem was not being able to use the pool & spa. That was a MAJOR disappointment.