Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach, a Hilton Resort and Spa

The grounds at Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach are enhanced with stone walkways, colorful flowers, and pine trees. Inside, the lobby has a rustic yet contemporary feel, with natural stone columns and a wood-grain front desk mixed with mid-century-style pendant lights and wood wall panels freckled with copper dots. But busy patterned carpet and promotional posters detract a bit from the elegance. Fruit-infused water near the seating area is a thoughtful touch. The resort attracts both couples and families with kids, and there are lots of special amenities for children, including free sand buckets and a kids' pool. 

Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach is located across a busy intersection from a sandy stretch of beach, but it’s in an upscale residential area and not within walking distance of much else. The hotel has a free shuttle that carries guests within a five-minute radius to spots such as Legoland. It’s a five-minute drive to the San Diego Coast Express Rail, and the San Diego International Airport is within 45 minutes by car. 

Rooms at the hotel are spacious and contemporary, with and neutral, earth-toned palette set off by the occasional turquoise accent. Simple platform beds are paired with white leather headboards and crisp white bedding. Dark wooden furnishings are brightened by white teardrop lamps or yellow ottomans. And framed photos of seaside locales bring a hint of the shore inside. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, iHome radios, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. Rooms with furnished ocean-view balconies are also available. Bathrooms have dated granite countertops, but walk-in showers sport attractive white subway tile, though they lack shelf space. Bathrobes and Peter Thomas Roth toiletries are provided. 

The hotel has an outdoor pool, a children’s pool, and a whirlpool with lounge chairs and cabanas. During the day, poolside lounge chairs are stocked with fresh towels and there are fire pits surrounded by couches and chairs for evening lolling. The hotel hosts live musical entertainment on weekends. The restaurant on-site has a large selection of wine and offers happy-hour specials and theme days, such as “On Tap Thursdays” when guests can try local brews. Picnic meals and beachside dinners can be arranged for a fee. The resort also has a 24-hour fitness center with a variety of exercise equipment including weight and cardio machines, and yoga classes are also offered. Bicycles can be rented on-site. Other amenities include a modern spa offering facials and massages and a ballroom that can be divided into five smaller meeting rooms. Team-building exercises including culinary competitions can be arranged for a fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property and small dogs are allowed for a fee.