Grand Pacific Palisades Hotel, Carlsbad

The resort advertises that is steps from Legoland and it literally is. I think it was the best value for a place to stay that is conveniently close to the theme park. They had a great deal that included a two night stay and two Hopper passes for Legoland and Legoland Waterpark, which covered my wife and I since the tickets for the kids were relatively cheap. We had a great trip overall, the kids really enjoyed the pool and game center. I would recommend any family that wants to come to Legoland to take advantage of their deal!

When my husband called at 1PM to confirm we woudl be there to check in that afternoon they said they were "under-departed" and wouldn't have a room for us. I don't get out of all the people and all the rooms how they choose a family with a 3 & 5 year old to go looking for a new place to stay. They made it sound like they had a reasonable solution to stay at their "other resort" which is in my opinion a rathole called the Southern California Beach Club and would have just gone home if I knew that ahead of time - but it was bed-time for my little one so I didn't have a lot of choice in the matter. The Grand Pacific looks like a nice place but I don't know they never let me inside despite paying over a month ahead of time for my stay.

The hotel has a decent location, especially for those wanting to go to Lego Land. But it's nothing special. The room was OK, the amenities were OK, everything was no better than "OK." When we went, it was off season and one of the pools was closed. Not a big deal b/c we weren't there for that, but keep in mind that they did nothing to make up for that loss. I'm from Carlsbad (now live elsewhere) and know the area very well. You can do better, you can do worse. You'll pay more to stay closer to the beach, but it's worth it. There are poor restaurant choices here, too. You'd do better in downtown Carlsbad in the Carlsbad Blvd./Carlsbad Village Drive area. This place is only a good deal if you get a discounted rate or some special deal (but remember, that special deal may be b/c a pool is out or they're remodeling).

We have stayed at the Grand Pacific Palisades twice. Both times the purpose of the visit was to go to Legoland. In that respect, we feel this is the best hotel. During our first visit it was the only hotel in easy walking distance of Legoland. Now there is another hotel with park entrance, but we still felt Grand Pacific Palisades had a more 'kid friendly' feeling. We love the kid pool and the game rooms. We also love the colorful decor of the rooms. Our first visit we stayed in a standard hotel room with two queen beds and small fridge and microwave. However, we discoverd that we didn't love the restaurant on the hotel grounds so this time we stayed in a two bedroom condo so we could just get groceries and cook in our room. We LOVED the condo! It was very roomy for 3 adults and two kids. It also had two full bathrooms. We used the hotel's free shuttle service to go to the grocery store and to the outlet mall. Overall, our visit was wonderful and we hope to do it again. However, we did notice some aspects of service seem to have declined since our last visit. Upon arriving in our room we discovered it was only a 1 bedroom, not a two. So, I called the front desk and they said they showed my reservation as being a one bedroom. I told her that I brought my print-out from booking online and she said I would need to come down and show that to the manager. Good thing I brought that print out with me! The manager did move us to a two bedroom, but said he wasn't quite sure what he was going to do when the next people who had reserved a two bedroom showed up. Next we had plans to use the free shuttle service to go to a local coffee shop/kid place (Playwerx), however they said the shuttle wasn't running that day! I had called the day before to request the ride and they said 'no problem'. So, we ended up getting a cab. We asked if we could have a second coffee pot and was told 'no problem' but it never showed up. The next day we asked a different person for a coffee pot and he said 'I'll send it right up' but it never came. In our opinion, it would have been better if they would have said 'I'm sorry, we don't have any extras' than to say 'yes' but then NOT bring it. However, that's a minor issue. We were not told that housekeeping does not come to the condos, but we did not receive housekeeping service once in our 4 night stay. We had to call and ask for more towels since no one came. Someone did show up as we were packing to leave on the 5th day. I noticed a room service tray that someone left outside their door for pick up and it was there for 3 days before some finally took it away. Not a major issue, but it was a slight bummer to walk past that tray of old food several times a day, especially when thinking about how we paid more money to be at this location. The day we went to the outlet mall they said that the shuttle wasn't running AGAIN and I asked what was going on. She just said they were short staffed. They finally agreed to drive us to the outlet mall since it was so close. This hotel is not a 'luxury' resort by any means, but we do feel that it is very family friendly, comfortable, and convenient. Since we were going to Legoland, which closes at 5pm that time of year, we needed a hotel with plenty for the kids to do in the evening. The adults also enjoyed the massage therapy. The benefits definitely outweighed the negatives, however, if we go to Legoland again I am not sure if I would stay here or try somewhere else for comparison sake.

This was our third time to visit in a 4 year period. I would give it a 10 every time. My husband has a business meeting there and I go along for the ride. I'm all about clean and this place is immaculate. The rooms are very clean and the pool, hot tub is very clean and inviting. I can't wait to return. Everyone at the desk was friendly and helpful. This is a beautiful hotel. We had no connections with the time share, but the hotel experience was great. I liked the two different pools for adults and children.

In advance, we booked a rm w/ 2 dbl beds and upon arrival we were given a rm w/ 1 dbl bed for my husband, myself and 2 children. Imagine the frustration we've encountered when we were told that they don't have any other rms available even though our printed reservation showed a rm w/ 2 dbl beds!!!!!! In addition they claimed that there were no notations included in the reservation even though we had the printed info stating otherwise. Poor, poor customer service! We will definitely NOT return!!!

First off these guys have a nerve calling it a resort. This is a timeshare/hotel. You need a telescop[e to see the ocean but they bill it as a panoramic view. You are not allowed to use the nicer of the two pools on sie if you have children. So everyone jams into the SMALLER family pool and you can't move in it as a result. Then to add insult to injury get this THERE IS NO RESTAURANT at the so called resort. You can schlep next door to a lousy pub for a burger or head off-site. Do yourself a favor go elsewhere

The location for the hotel was one of the best things about it - within minutes of Carlsbad Premium Outlets, Legoland, Carlsbad State Beach, and overlooking the Flower Fields. The views were gorgeous, and the room itself was roomy, clean and a great value. That said, breakfast was underwhelming - continental breakfast with overcooked boiled eggs. We also had to sit through a torturous presentation by the hotel staff - entertainment, activities, and some Q&A for the owners of time shares. The hotel staff did not engage the audience well, and most of the guests could not hear what was being said. That was the low point of our time spent at the hotel, which was otherwise pleasant.

Oh, my God, did we have a ball. My husband actually approved and he always finds a negative in everything (bless his heart). Every single individual that worked there was so nice and helful it felt unreal. The fact that the place is so upscale yet so family oriented and down to earth. I have been thinking of looking into a family vacation spot for us. We are a big family with adult children who also vacation. This is definately the place. I can't get into details of all the great experiences we had because there were so many in 3 short days. We actually called in sick and stayed one more day. I told everyone. My co-worker already booked her family vacation and they can't wait. Thank you so much Grand Pacific...

We stayed here for a week in April-the weather was nice, but could have been warmer...did not deter us or especially or kids, from enjoying the pool. The pool and WATER PARK, are GREAT GREAT GREAT!!! I have never seen this done so well in any hotel. My husband and I took turns watching the kids in the family pool area (with jacuzzi there to warm me up) while the other one lounged in the adult pool with a glass of wine in that jacuzzi overlooking the ocean. Only thing missing was a babysitter... There was also a really nice playground when we didn't want to deal with the pool. Grounds large and well maintained. Husband liked the gym and super big adult pool. Although very family oriented, also recommend for singles-brewery next door, and nice adults only pool/jacuzzi. Unit itself was very well decorated, no noise, good light control, well thought out. Free computer use in lobby. Conceirge very helpful. Legoland was great for all-will definately go back. Recommend train ride to Del Mar or Seaport Village-cheap commuter train, kids loved and easy to use. Seaworld also terrific. If going to Seaworld, since they have a couple nice aquarium exhibits (sharks, sea-tube you walk under, separate fresh water aqarium) no need to go to Birch Aqarium also-kind of redundant. Carlsbad outlets nice. Good beaches, and not too crowded-with easy parking. Will definately go back.