Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Carlsbad Beach

Housed in a three-story adobe-style building, this Holiday Inn Express opened in 2013 and embodies the brand's reliably sharp and simple style. The lobby is bright and welcoming, with a vaulted ceiling and shiny marble floor. The breakfast area is adjacent to the front desk and has a variety of tables of varying heights and an entire wall of windows. This area serves as the primary lounge space. There's plenty of on-trend decor throughout common areas, from pebbled walls to soft purple and green hues, and there's even a cozy space for guests to read the paper next to a fireplace and flat-screen TV. In short, the look punches well above the hotel's budget category. The majority of guests are families visiting LEGOLAND and business travelers.  

The hotel is just off I-5, next to a Motel 6, a Ramada, and a Benihana restaurant. There is a strip mall with a grocery store and other small stores and cafes across the street, but other than that, the area is mostly residential and there's not much to see or do within walking distance. The exception is South Carlsbad State Beach, which is a 10-minute walk from the hotel, but getting there requires crossing some busy streets (alternatively, it takes two minutes to reach by car). LEGOLAND is an eight-minute drive from the hotel, while Carlsbad Poinsettia Station -- on the San Diego area commuter rail -- is a 15-minute walk or a three-minute drive away. It will take 30 minutes to drive to La Joalla, and it's a 40-minute trip into San Diego and that city's international airport. 

Rooms are fresh and modern and some have nice views of the distant beach, albeit with the parking lot and busy street in the foreground. Sage green accent walls look sharp next to dark patterned carpets, contemporary metal lamps, and dark-wood furniture. Boldly striped headboards and curtains complete the look. All rooms come with large flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, microwaves, coffeemakers, ironing facilities, individually controlled air-conditioning units, safes, and desks. Note that suites do not feature separate bedrooms, but rather are larger rooms with sofa beds, coffee tables, and wet bars. Other rooms have some form of small seating area, usually a chair set next to the window. Bright and clean bathrooms match the style of the main rooms, with stylish gray tile floors, spacious granite countertops, large walk-in showers, and toiletries.

This Holiday Inn Express offers a free continental buffet breakfast that includes an abundance of carb-heavy options like pancakes, cereals, and pastries alongside eggs and meat. There's also an outdoor heated pool and hot tub. The area is clean and surrounded by contemporary lounge chairs on a concrete desk. The modern indoor fitness area has treadmills, an elliptical, and a stationary bike plus a small selection of free weights. The hotel has an event room that can hold up to 50 people plus a computer station for anyone who needs it -- keep in mind that Wi-Fi is free here, though. Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks are available for purchase in the lobby and there is a coin-operated laundry room. On-site parking is free.