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
Rewards
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.