Best Things Nearby:
The resort is across the road from the ocean and a lovely beach (and a nice sidewalk just above the beach). San Diego is nearby, and you can get there on the Coaster train faster (and cheaper) than driving. Legoland in Carlsbad is great for little ones. Making Music Museum & Gemological Institute are also in Carlsbad (near Legoland). In season, the flower farms should be gorgeous.
Best Things About the Resort:
Comfortable, close to the restaurants, pubs, shops, and Coaster train station. Many and varied activities for the whole family and all activities at the resort are free, including two free VHS films per night from a pretty good selection (DVDs cost $1 a night).
Resort Experience:
We exchanged into a one-bedroom unit on the top (third) floor with a balcony that overlooked the pool and patio area. The living area had a comfortable sofa-bed couch (I don't know how comfortable it would be if needed as a bed) and a nice easy chair with a good reading lamp. There was a dining table with four chairs and nice lighting, as well as a breakfast counter/bar. It had a full kitchen and was fully equipped with all the appliances and nice pots, pans, casserole dishes, etc. Each unit also has a washer/dryer tucked away in a closet. Laundry, dish, and dishwasher soap, plus paper towels, are all provided. The bedroom had a king bed. There were TVs in both the living room and bedroom. The VHS/DVD player was attached to the living room TV. The first morning, we looked high and low for a light switch to turn off a kitchen light before we left for the day, and we then realized that the lovely morning light was coming from a skylight!
The lobby of the resort is very welcoming, and since we were there in a chilly December week, the fire in the fireplace was really nice, as were the holiday decorations. Check-in and check-out were very smooth and fast. The front desk staff were always glad to give us tips, maps, and driving directions to different points of interest (from Indian casinos and restaurants to the "Coaster" train station, shops, and museums).
There is a gated underground garage where there is no charge for parking. The resort has two elevators and loads of luggage carts—no need to wait until one was available! The resort has two different sun/viewing decks with lounges and tables and chairs on the third floor. I found that the one by the solarium seemed to have the better views. We frequently went there at sundown to sip champagne while enjoying the gorgeous sunsets and watching the surfers.
- Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
- Activities: Excellent
- Amenities: Excellent
- Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
- Family Friendliness: Excellent
- Service: Excellent