Sheraton Carlsbad review - next to Legoland

[CoolPool]

I don't know where to put this but I thought I'd write a review for the heck of it.

We stayed here this past weekend. It is universally given a 3.5* rating. The hotel consists of a series of buildings that stretch out above Legoland which is to its west. Its easily seen on several of the rides from Legoland and there is a separate entrance to the park for this hotel. Driving; its up Cannon one stoplight beyond the Legoland turn off. Loads of parking everywhere; to the detriment of the appearance of the place. Landscaping is politically correct water-wise California but its a bit immature at this stage.

Since its is new its quite clean and fresh inside the rooms. There are flat screen TVs and other nice touches. Starbucks coffee in room. The hotel is clearly catering as much to business conferences as it is to Legoland goers as it has ample desk space and a lounging chair but not a table. There is a small empty refrigerator in a cabinet; nice not to have to reteach your kids the hands-off policy for stocked overpriced snacks and drinks.

There is a large free form pool. No water slide or other water feature. There was a guy bringing people drinks to the pool. There is a large spa/hot tub. There were a few games out for kids on the grassy areas and I saw teens playing table tennis.

Ok: bottom line. Its nice and new. Is it a $200 a night place? I don't think so. Its not resort enough and owing to the business clientele its a bit sterile feeling. Its a shame they didn't try to go more resorty for families. Frankly there just wasn't a whole lot of EFFORT put into this hotel given its location. Somebody at Sheraton dropped the ball. Maybe stay here on points or try to get through Hotwire or Priceline but don't overpay expecting a resort vacation environment.

Comparison: Grand Pacific Palisades. GPP is also next to Legoland but its has a more resort feel. There is a water play area for kids onsite. There are more activites going on. However, the hotel rooms here are very dated and ugly. Its a shame they didn't brighten these rooms up when they renovated.

And that my friends, was my impression here for the historical record. April 2009.

 

[brergnat]

Let me ask you this: Would you go here with your spouse for a weekend getaway WITHOUT YOUR CHILDREN? Does your opinion of the place change if you are looking at it from the perspective of a visitor WITHOUT children?

DH and I have an anniversary coming up in June. We were thinking of staying here over the weekend just because it's a hotel close enough to home that we can drive (about an hour from where we live) but far enough to be a "getaway", AND it has a Spa onsite where we could get a "couples massage". The pool looked nice in photos, and the rooms looked nice as well (really, we just want a room with a nice bed, if you get my drift).

We considered this hotel because we are Starwood Preferred Guest members, and want to stay at a Starwood property to get points, and this is one of only a few within our home driving radius that has a spa onsite and we really don't want to shell out $$$$$$$ for the St. Regis Monarch Bay.

We're familiar with Carlsbad (I used to work at GIA) and know we can have a nice romantic dinner in town, and just spend the rest of the weekend hanging out at the hotel, having spa treatments, lounging by the pool, etc. Or, is it overrun with familes? We'd be there in late June.

 

[CoolPool]

I would not characterize it as a romantic destination. Its cheek to jowl with Legoland. Because its so new it has kind of a barren feel. A lot of the clientele looked like business people there for a meeting and families. Its does not have that lush, bursting with flowers and fertility with lots of nooks and crannies for quiet encounters kind of vibe I think of when I think of "romantic."

Maybe my view might be different from yours though! If you are getting a good deal and its the best option it might be worth a try.

Anything in San Diego/La Jolla with Starwood??? Palm Springs (okay, granted, your eyes will burn in the heat in June)???

 

[brergnat]

I would not characterize it as a romantic destination. Its cheek to jowl with Legoland. Because its so new it has kind of a barren feel. A lot of the clientele looked like business people there for a meeting and families. Its does not have that lush, bursting with flowers and fertility with lots of nooks and crannies for quiet encounters kind of vibe I think of when I think of "romantic."

Maybe my view might be different from yours though! If you are getting a good deal and its the best option it might be worth a try.

Anything in San Diego/La Jolla with Starwood??? Palm Springs (okay, granted, your eyes will burn in the heat in June)???

Yeah, I get what you're saying, but we really want to go to the San Diego area, and of the Starwood properties (we want to stick with one of those...trying to rack up as many points as possible), the only ones with a spa ONSITE (this is critical) are this one and the St. Regis Monarch Bay. The St. Regis is not overly pricey as far as the ROOM goes, but the spa is ridiculously overpriced, and they nickle and dime the HECK out of their guests. DH and I aren't really the clientele that frequent the St. Regis, so I think we'd feel out of place there.

Just really looking for a room to sleep in and a spa to get a couples massage. We'll go elsewhere to dine. Palm Springs is too far for this particular trip.

Thanks for your feedback.