Best Western Carlsbad By The Sea

United States , San Diego - CA
Carlsbad By The Sea, 751 Macadamia Drive
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100 reviews shown

8/10

Excellent

28 Jun 2026

Djamila

Nothing

8/10

Excellent

27 Jun 2026

Patricia

Great outdoor pool and delicious hot breakfast. Very helpful and congenial staff! TVs did not work!

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

26 Jun 2026

Mary

The staff was very nice and helpful. Did not care for the same old food being served everyday for breakfast. A different variety of food would of been great

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

26 Jun 2026

Kristina

All the staff was very friendly and helpful. The rooms were very clean. The beds were comfortable. The pool being heated was awesome for night swims. The breakfast was delicious. We will definitely be returning.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

25 Jun 2026

James

Cool people. Very helpful

10/10

Exceptional

25 Jun 2026

Cathylene

The staff was very helpful, my room was clean and the hotel was close to everything.

Family_with_children

2/10

Poor

24 Jun 2026

Jason

No hot water!! Flashing yellow light all night on smoke detector.
Refund request already submitted.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

23 Jun 2026

Micaela

Good breakfast, great heated pool

10/10

Exceptional

22 Jun 2026

Joshua

Staff was friendly. Breakfast was great.

Friends_and_family Family

2/10

Poor

20 Jun 2026

Dick

Property was very tired. Mattress was old.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

19 Jun 2026

Diana

The staff were exceptionally helpful and friendly. The beds were not extremely comfortable. The pool and hot tub were nice. Breakfast was great.

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

19 Jun 2026

Richard

We were greeted and the front desk staff was very engaging with us to see all our need were meet. It was greatly appreciated.

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

19 Jun 2026

Renee

Awesome stay

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Jun 2026

Aaron

Like how my suite was at the bottom floor in front of the pool and spa, staff was super friendly, free breakfast for guess was awesome and convenient..Overall I rate my stay a 9.5/10..!! 👍

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

17 Jun 2026

Destiny

It was the perfect stay for our family vacation. Staff were great. Kids loved the pool. Definitely will be staying again.

Family_with_children

2/10

Poor

17 Jun 2026

Cassie

We left after 10 min. The room smelled terrible. My daughter climbed up onto one of the beds and it was wet. There were cars in the parking lot with car covers on them as if people were living at this motel. As we were in the lobby explaining why we were leaving, there was another person complaining someone had just walked into his room, because his room door didn’t lock!
Staff did not want to give me a refund, did not want to provide managements phone or email until I wouldn’t leave without it. I did receive a text later that day saying they would refund 3 of my 4 nights. However, they charged Best western “policy” nightly prices for the one night they wouldn’t refund, not the hotel.com price we originally paid.
This hotel is an absolute disgusting joke and I wouldn’t stay next door, let alone inside one their rooms. Steer clear.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

17 Jun 2026

Abraham

Hotel was Okay . Breakfast was okay too . Nice staff

Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

15 Jun 2026

rich

Location of property is directly next to interstate 5 the road noise is consistent 24/7.. sea is about a 2 miles immediate area there are no restaurants have to drive Carlsbad villages about 8 miles up coast.there is a bed western there recommend use that one if you want convenice

Self

8/10

Excellent

15 Jun 2026

Cybele

The location was great,close to the beach and restaurants.

Friends_and_family Family

2/10

Poor

14 Jun 2026

Efrain

You're better off sleeping in your car.

Pet

8/10

Excellent

13 Jun 2026

Silvia

It was okay. The pool area was really nice and the staff at the front desk were friendly. What I didn't like was the noise from the freeway and the rooms were kind of dark. Housekeeping only came by every other day and I got fewer and fewer towels each time.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jun 2026

Tamra Jean

We loved this hotel. It was very convenient to Legoland and the beach. Nice breakfast was served. The pool and hot tub was nice. A very special thanks to the night maintenance guy that got the bubbles working on the hot tub while we were there.

Family_with_children

2/10

Poor

11 Jun 2026

Steven

No water. The carpet stunk and was musty. Holes in furniture. Don’t stay here. Horrible. Stay at HI on corner. Better choice.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

10 Jun 2026

Joellen

Could not find an ice machine anywhere. Need more of them.

Partner

2/10

Poor

09 Jun 2026

Magdalena

There was a BLOOD!!! smeare on one of the doorframe to one of the bedrooms, there was hair in one of the bathtubs and one of the rolls of toilet paper was moldy. I told the front desk about it and the employee came to the room to wipe away the blood and sincerely apologized for it. He also let me know that they were fully booked and had no other rooms. We did a thorough search throughout the suite and that was the only visible blood stain we found, so we decided to stay since it we got in too late to find boarding elsewhere. The mold and hair were in the same bathroom and we didn't see them until late. We sent an email to the company that night, and they replied the next day around 12:30pm while we were at Legoland. He asked us if we wanted the room cleaned? Also, the breakfast was pretty decent, with a waffle maker. One of the employees was running around frazzled and pretty rude, making comments to the guests, like \"can you wait\" as they reached to pour out some batter while she was near. Mind you, there's a line for the waffles and breakfast stops at 10 am, so people are trying to be as speedy as possible so others can get their breakfast. She also nearly bumped into my child as she rushed past to slam a cabinet door. Someone in line, whom she chastised for making 4 waffles for his kids, asked her if she was having a rough day. He was trying to get her to calm down. Anyways, I won't be staying at another Best Western after this...the blood was something wholly terrifying.

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

09 Jun 2026

Ernie

Clean room, good breakfast selection, friendly & helpful staff

Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

07 Jun 2026

Leslie

The staff was very helpful and welcoming

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

07 Jun 2026

Brandon

If you plan to use the kitchen be prepared to bring cooking tools and dishes. Otherwise it was great!

2/10

Poor

07 Jun 2026

Desiree

0/10. Would not recommend. I paid for two rooms both smelled like mildew, both had mold on the walls. Carpet was wet! I woke up feeling sick with a headache, feeling nauseas & dizzy!! I wasn’t the only one feeling this way either. I contacted two different companies for a refund or at least a partial refund for BOTH of my rooms & I have to wait atleast 24 hrs to hear back from you guys.

Friends_and_family Family

2/10

Poor

06 Jun 2026

Irlene

I went down there for a funeral. Tried to get a room last min online. I book at the wrong Best Western in Carlsbad. I noticed as soon as I booked it and showed a family member they noticed it was the wrong location. So I called the hotel
Right away and told them it was the wrong location to cancel it. They are still charging me full price for that error I made.
Be careful this mistake cost me a lot.

Friends_and_family Family

4/10

Poor

05 Jun 2026

Sinziana

Front desk lady was not super welcoming. The room smelled so horrible I can’t even describe. I asked for another room and Sergio was accommodating. The second room smelled too but I guess not that bad. All my clothes and belongings smell sooo bad as I got home because of the room. Also I didn’t feel safe walking around. There a lot of people just living in the hotel, people smoking outside and looks like some weird people live there. Breakfast was ok… but again with that smell they shouldn’t be able to allow people to stay, I never experienced a smell like that in any hotels before to the point all my clothes now smell. I won’t be staying there again.

Pet

10/10

Exceptional

04 Jun 2026

Mark

The staff was very helpful. The breakfast was always delicious and hot. The location was very convenient to the beach. I really enjoyed my stay.

6/10

Pleasant

03 Jun 2026

Gretchen

The hot tub was not working & rooms by highway extremely loud, had 2 move to inner pool area , rooms were clean & pretty sound proof

Family

10/10

Exceptional

03 Jun 2026

yongshi

6/10

Pleasant

01 Jun 2026

Carlito

The hotel room is outdated. Anyway it’s clean. The continental breakfast is just ok. The location is safe anyway.

Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

01 Jun 2026

Jerry

Breakfast was just Okay. I’m a yogurt fan and they were out of yogurt for two days.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

31 May 2026

Gabriela

Everything was quick and easy! Loved this location and would definitely stay again!

Family

10/10

Exceptional

30 May 2026

adriana

Just a little more option on the breakfast and the ladies on the breakfast dont close the yougurt area to early was open only for less then an hour 2 days in row. Jacuzzi is not working its just hot water on the Jacuzzi

Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

30 May 2026

Nancy

Needs updating and was quiet. Conveniently located

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

29 May 2026

Debra

Great staff. Loved the space.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

28 May 2026

Sergio

Great breakfast, helpful staff

Family_with_children

6/10

Pleasant

27 May 2026

Vanessa

old rooms but they were kept clean, good breakfast, helpful staff.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

25 May 2026

Justin

The staff were great - rooms clean, breakfast was good- gets very busy go early. Pool and hot tub was great. Walking distance to beach and stores!

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

25 May 2026

Veronica

Fine

Family_with_children

6/10

Pleasant

25 May 2026

Christina

The room had a musty smell all the time. The bed was not comfortable. The breakfast was okay. There were options for breakfast.

8/10

Excellent

23 May 2026

Wallace

Good breakfast and close to the ocean

Partner

4/10

Poor

22 May 2026

Katelyn

The room was cleaned the first day we were there. But then the rest of the three days we were there, we had to ask them to come empty the trash cans and get fresh towels. The water took a couple of minutes to warm up to wash hands or take a shower. They let people stay in the pool past the 10pm curfew. I called around 10:30 and they didn’t ask them to leave until 10:45. The people were loud. If they had been quiet, I wouldn’t have minded them being in there past curfew. The breakfast food was alright. I did ask for a crib and they said they would bring it right over. I never got it. We were exhausted from traveling and just put our toddler with one of the other kiddos on their bed.

Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

22 May 2026

Lynne

The location is very noisy - next to a very busy highway. The room was adequate. The breakfast was very good. It was close to the Pacific Coast highway for easy access to the beaches.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

22 May 2026

Pauline

I don’t know why Expedia booked me an accessible room when I didn’t request one. That might be the issue with the smoke detector. Every 5 seconds it would flash a light. I had to sleep one direction, otherwise it kept me up at night. The bathroom door wouldn’t close all the way. After a couple of days, I realized it was because it was coming off the hinge. I called the front desk. They immediately took care of it. I did appreciate that. The hotel is close to a freeway. Very loud freeway noise. I had to use ear plugs to sleep. My room never got cleaned. My daughter booked a suite for her family. It only got cleaned once. She had to call the front desk to have the garbage taken out and to get fresh towels.

The breakfast was good. Just like a typical hotel breakfast. Grandkids liked the pool. It was clean and warm.

It is close to Legoland, the Flower Fields, the beach and other locations. I felt safe in the area. My room had a separate sitting area from the bedroom. That was nice.

I spent my last night in the Best Western in Old Town, so I would be close to the airport. Much better experience there.

Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

21 May 2026

Maria

Our room was clean. Smelled a bit musty but was okay. Staff was great! Enjoyed the breakfast daily. The downside is that our room door and window was on the freeway side. Loud and noisy. Did ask to be on the opposite side of freeway, upon check in, but were told no rooms were available at the time we checked in.
My husband and I joked that the hotel should be renamed Best Western Carlsbad by the Freeway.
Overall, it was a nice and decent stay…

8/10

Excellent

17 May 2026

Pamela Richmond

Breakfast was wonderful with good variety and the breakfast room was light and airy! Room was clean and comfy. Would give 5 stars except hotel sits right on I-5, so constant traffic noise.

10/10

Exceptional

17 May 2026

Xela

Amazing guest experience. All workers were helpful and attentive. The room was clean and well stocked.

Friends

6/10

Pleasant

16 May 2026

Lori

Breakfast just ok. The room was big with full refrigerator and microwave but the couch was very uncomfortable. The beds were very comfortable and the bathroom was good size , the worst part was that the very noisy fan is connected to the light and you can’t shut it off unless you are turning off the light.
They had a coffee maker with pods but it did not work.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

15 May 2026

Janice

Perfect for family trip to Legoland.

Family_with_children

6/10

Pleasant

12 May 2026

Heather

The room was clean and everything worked for our single night stay.
The room that had the two beds, the door wouldn't close because it rubbed the bed. They had converted a single room with dinett to a two room extended stay style room.

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

11 May 2026

Jazmin

Everything was great

Partner

2/10

Poor

08 May 2026

Anna

DO NOT STAY HERE! Traffic noise horrendous, people walking by room were noisy at 6 am in the morning, hot tub jets not working, scratchy sheets, no separate switch for bathroom fan (noisy), not close to the ocean, breakfast staff started early putting food away, bathtub and shower combination old, but most of all a very noisy property for $311 for two nights!

Partner

8/10

Excellent

07 May 2026

Brady

Clean room

2/10

Poor

06 May 2026

Frederick

Rooms were old and stinky

Self

4/10

Poor

06 May 2026

Gabriela

Hotels.com pictures is not reality. The hotel looked unclean. The area seemed unsafe. The hotel itself was ick. We had to kill a spider on our bed. Definitely would not come here again. I felt gross staying here .

Friends_and_family Family

2/10

Poor

04 May 2026

Pouyan

Too much noise which woke me up in the middle of night and could not fall back sleep afterwards

10/10

Exceptional

04 May 2026

Cynthia

The breakfast had all that was needed. The pool towels were not replenished and those had to be requested. We also had to request the items for the kitchen. I also called the front desk around 8:00pm and there was no answer. Overall it wasn’t too bad.

Family_with_children

6/10

Pleasant

02 May 2026

Pablo

All parking spots were dirty and hallways, pool was not clean, sand and vegetation debris, some homeless in erea of property, curtains didn’t close properly had to put towels to cover light from hallway .

Partner

8/10

Excellent

02 May 2026

Christopher

Average conditions but close to few restaurants and beaches. Easy access to highway.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

01 May 2026

Andreea

The check in was very easy and smooth , the room was clean and spacious . The breakfast area was clean and the food was delicious . The property was well maintained and the price of the room was reasonable .

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

30 Apr 2026

Pollette

Absolutely loved the room and property super clean very lovely and for the price I definitely recommend!

10/10

Exceptional

30 Apr 2026

Sergio

Room was clean and the staff was helpful.

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

30 Apr 2026

Andre

Sergio was an excellent help with our check in. The pool and hot tub were relaxing. The hotel room was clean and comfortable. These are the reasons why we visit this location every year.

Friends_and_family Family

4/10

Poor

30 Apr 2026

Vicki

Our room was shabby and terribly musty. We had the window open as far as it could go and we could not freshen the room. It smelled like there was mildew somewhere. We left with a musty smell in our belongings.

The hotel is close to the beach so we had a lovely walk. But the hotel needs COMPLETE RENOVATION. would not recommend as is. Star rating should be lowered. I would give it a 6 or lower.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

29 Apr 2026

Kevin

Great stay, better than the Hilton Garden Inn I stayed at last time that was 1 mile away. Free Parking and good breakfast.

Family_with_children

2/10

Poor

28 Apr 2026

Annie

Misrepresentation of room accommodation

Family

4/10

Poor

27 Apr 2026

Celeste

This hotel needs upgrades! The windows are single pane and you literally can hear EVERYTHING! be prepared to get no sleep! We also had a room with a kitchenette, however, it came with no pots or pans, no silverware, no dishes, nothing! So, you're on vacation and I guess they want you to buy all kitchenware in order to be able to utilize the kitchenette???? makes no sense! completely pointless to reserve a room with a kitchenette that you can't use!

Family

10/10

Exceptional

27 Apr 2026

Maria

We enjoy the. Stay.breakfast was really good.the staff very kind.we really recommend it

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

24 Apr 2026

Mary Catherine

Excellent

10/10

Exceptional

23 Apr 2026

Theresa

Perfect location for us

Partner

4/10

Poor

23 Apr 2026

David

choose to cancel and forfeit one night fees because of condition of hotel and poor room condition

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

21 Apr 2026

Juan

The pool was nice breakfast was good

10/10

Exceptional

20 Apr 2026

Carlos A

Everything about this day was wonderful.

Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

19 Apr 2026

Tanisha

Great location. Nice staff.
Very humid in the rooms.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Apr 2026

Nathan

Great value, helpful staff, comfy bed, clean room. Recommended.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

15 Apr 2026

Ellen

Family_with_children

4/10

Poor

14 Apr 2026

Jazmine

My family stayed April 2026 and enjoyed it. Hated that they

8/10

Excellent

13 Apr 2026

Katie

Very friendly staff, nice pool area that my kids enjoyed. Property is on older side but was clean.

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

12 Apr 2026

Margaret

We had a great stay, it was a great base camp for Legoland and the beach.

8/10

Excellent

11 Apr 2026

Odessa

Breakfast was adequate and rooms were clean. Would recommend for budget-friendly traveling.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

11 Apr 2026

William

Best Breakfast menu.

Family

6/10

Pleasant

10 Apr 2026

Marion

Front desk staff was delightful. Our room was clean. Outdoor pool clean. Breakfast was very good. We had a suite...however absolutely no kitchen supplies were in the room. We had to give a deposit for paper plates. No dish towels, sponge, nothing.
Very disappointing.. This hotel is very old and worn. For the great location it was worth it.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

10 Apr 2026

Elizabeth

Great service, perfect location for visiting Legoland and beaches nice spread for breakfast

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

10 Apr 2026

Dannielle

Poolside great and breakfast is awesome

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

09 Apr 2026

Cindy

Outstanding staff and communication. Location was just a few miles from the beach and other attractions. Bed was comfy and shower had amazing water pressure.
Breakfast was great with lots of different choices and I felt very safe there traveling alone. I will return the next time I am in Carlsbad. Thank you so much to everyone!!

8/10

Excellent

09 Apr 2026

Ma Kristine

I did not use the laundry cause it it only until 9pm. Nice big beds

10/10

Exceptional

09 Apr 2026

Cynthia

Clean rooms close to Legoland. It's the one hotel we try to get every time we go to Legoland. The staff is super friendly. There is a laundry unit which makes it very convenient.

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

06 Apr 2026

Uylisa

Wonderful stay

Family_with_children

4/10

Poor

06 Apr 2026

Melissa

The lights went out on our first night there electricity was out for about 4+ hours

10/10

Exceptional

04 Apr 2026

Victoria

Great place

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

04 Apr 2026

Christopher

Room was very nice and clean. The breakfast eggs were way to watery. Pool was great!

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

01 Apr 2026

Michelle

From the moment my family & I checked in, I had a great experience. I was greeted by Sergio he was very helpful & polite. The room was clean & bed was very comfy. The microwave & fridge came in handy. My grandkids had a blast in the pool & hot tub. The complimentary breakfast was so delicious, they served eggs, potatoes, sausage, waffles, cereal, fruit, yogurt. I can go on & on. Overall my stay was awesome. I will definitely be coming back the next time the family is in Carlsbad for legoland.

4/10

Poor

31 Mar 2026

The road noise is a problem for light sleepers. Also the hot water did not work properly in the room. Had to let it run for 15 minutes or longer before I was warm

Partner

4/10

Poor

30 Mar 2026

Minely

Overall we had okay experience. The couple of reasons are: the TVs were old and the channels were not working properly due to the remote not working and it did not have any apps like netflix.

During our stay, the staff also accidentally gave our key to new arrivals and they opened the door but thankfully our door was locked so the staff was able to give us a new key but it was not professional and it was uncomfortable.

However, the breakfast was good. The staff was kind enough to accommodate and give us late check out because of our incident with the key.

6/10

Pleasant

30 Mar 2026

Whitney

Breakfast was good but not super happy with no hot water for a shower on the last day, all soaps and shampoos way too high for kids to reach.

Family_with_children