Build the perfect family vacation at these hotels near Legoland California
Legoland California is the ultimate theme park destination for families with kids ages 2 through 12. With a theme park, water park and aquarium, it'll take more than one day to do it all. So, you'll need somewhere to recharge before another day of family fun.
Related: 8 best theme parks in California for thrill-seekers and families
Legoland California has two on-site hotels that are easy choices for location and theme park perks. There are also other nearby hotels that also offer Legoland benefits and, in one case, close proximity to the beach. If you are looking to book with points (or earn a few), many of these hotels also participate in popular hotel loyalty programs.
Here are six of the best hotels near Legoland California.
The Legoland Hotel and Legoland Castle Hotel are just steps away from the entrance to Legoland California. That's just one of many benefits of staying in an official Legoland hotel.
The hotel has various Lego-themed rooms, including Lego Friends, Lego Ninjago, Lego Kingdom and more. No matter the theme, each room has a separate sleeping area for kids with bunk beds and Lego bricks to play with. There's also an in-room scavenger hunt with fun prizes kids can keep.
There are a lot of other Lego-inspired touches throughout the hotels, like soft Lego bricks to play with at the pool, nightly character meet-and-greets and storytimes, and indoor and outdoor play areas. Hotel guests also get a free full breakfast buffet and early admission to Legoland during their stay.
Room rates start at about $200 per night. Discounted room and ticket packages are also available.
The MarBrisa Carlsbad Resort is a sprawling 43-acre property within walking distance of Legoland California. The hotel, along with others in the area, even has a private entrance you can utilize for quick and easy access to the park.
The hotel has plenty of on-site activities to keep you busy when you aren't at Legoland, like two lagoon-style pools, a splash pad for kids, a playground, a nearby spa and golf course, and multiple dining options. Because the resort is so large with so much to do, there is a shuttle service to help you navigate the grounds.
Most of the hotel's rooms are condo-style suites with full kitchens, a dining table, and separate living and sleeping areas.
Room rates start at around $150 per night.
The Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa is one of four resorts surrounding Legoland California that has a private entrance to Legoland reserved for guests. You can walk to the entrance (it's near the back of the park) or drive to the parking lot in the provided lot.
The hotel's heated pool has a waterslide, and the on-site restaurant offers poolside patio dining. There's also a coffee shop serving Starbucks coffee and gelato. Upon check-in, children receive a coupon for a free scoop of gelato.
Guest rooms are bright and spacious, and some have views of the Pacific Ocean. In addition to standard rooms, the Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa offers suites with one king bed in the primary bedroom and two twin beds in the second bedroom.
Room rates start at about $200 or 40,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
The Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa is within walking distance of Legoland California and shares a private entrance on the back side of the park with other area hotels. Many guest rooms overlook Carlsbad's beaches, and the ocean hues and beachy ambience spill over into the room decor.
Adjacent to the hotel's large lagoon-style pool and hot tub, you'll find an outdoor recreation area with pool tables, table tennis and cornhole. During your stay, you can also visit a nearby Crossings at Carlsbad golf course. Or if you're feeling sore after running around Legoland with your kids all day, you can indulge in a massage at the Ocean Pearl Spa.
Room rates start at about $230 or 40,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
The Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad Beach is about a 10-minute drive from Legoland California. However, the budget-friendly price and location steps from the beach make the short drive worth it.
Guest rooms have laid-back coastal decor, and some have views of the pool or the ocean. As a member of the Hilton family of hotels, the Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad Beach also guarantees connecting rooms; this can come in handy if you are traveling with older children or a large family.
The hotel also has an outdoor pool and hot tub, an on-site bar and restaurant, and a 24-hour shop with snacks and drinks.
Room rates start at around $160 or 46,000 Hilton Honors points per night.
Bottom line
There are plenty of hotels in the Carlsbad area that put you close to the beach, Carlsbad's famous flower fields and its many golf courses. If you are looking for an option close to Legoland, you'll be happy to know there are plenty to choose from, most of which also have theme park benefits and family-friendly amenities.
Related reading:
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.