hotel solea Archives - NEW L.A. Parent

The newly renovated Carlsbad hotel combines family-friendly rooms and amenities with a private entrance to LEGOLAND California Resort.

The lobby welcomes guests with serene colors inspired by the sea, sand and sun. PHOTOS COURTESY ELENA EPSTEIN

An amusement park getaway is the classic family fun adventure — the rides, the character meet and greets and all the novelty sweets. And as every parent knows, there is another side to this adventure — the long lines, the meltdowns, the sensory overload and sun exhaustion. The trick we found to make the overall experience more relaxing and enjoyable is to mix in some luxury and respite. Yes, you can feel like you went on a leisurely getaway even if a beloved amusement park is the focal point of your itinerary.

The new Hotel Solea (part of the Marriott Bonvoy Autograph Collection) in Carlsbad has it all covered when it comes to taking the amusement park experience to a whole new level. Having a pool to splash around in, a quiet nook to create whimsical crafts and a place to savor a bowl of freshly made pasta among olive trees will completely elevate your LEGOLAND California Resort experience.

This design-forward hotel opened this past spring with a focus on creating the perfect spot to relax as a family and easily explore one of SoCal’s favorite amusement parks. The space used to be the Sheraton Carlsbad Resort. Following a multi-million-dollar renovation, the property now features a brand-new look with 201 modern guest rooms and suites, many with a balcony. As an extra bonus, resort guests have access to a private entrance to LEGOLAND, just a few minutes away.

Key Takeaways

Hotel Solea is a newly renovated, 201-room hotel in Carlsbad, California, and part of Marriott Bonvoy’s Autograph Collection.
The hotel offers resort guests a private entrance to LEGOLAND California Resort, just minutes from the property.
Family-friendly features include family suites, a pool, Pacific Kids Club activities and on-site Italian dining.
The hotel is well positioned for exploring Carlsbad Village, the Flower Fields, local beaches and other coastal communities in North County San Diego.

Our room at Hotel Solea with botanical wallpaper and a cozy sitting area.

The Vibe

No generic rooms here. Think your style-savvy friend’s guest house with a custom botanical-print wallpaper accent wall and soft shades of dusty blue, lavender, taupe and cream. The seating area’s coral and blush-toned pillows add a fun beachy feel. The sculptural pendant light’s layered flower pedal design adds to the room’s intimate and relaxed feel. Suites are designed specifically with families in mind, featuring a king bedroom area and a separate room with two twin beds.

From the minute you walk into the lobby, you notice the design elements incorporated throughout the resort. Vaulted wood ceilings, oversized ceramic planters and serene colors inspired by the sea, sand and sun. Ample seating areas and charming art pieces displayed on floating shelves makes you want to linger and relax.

The pool is kid-friendly with a beautiful deck, towering palm trees and lots of lounging options, including some with fire pits. While we took an evening stroll after dinner one night, we saw several families gathered — kids playing and laughing in the pool and the parents talking and relaxing nearby on the lounge chairs. A perfect way to end your LEGO-inspired day riding the Galacticoaster, swaying with Captain Cranky and soaring through the air on Cargo Ace.

Kids and families can also enjoy the hotel’s Pacific Kids Club, which offers an array of creative craft activities, LEGO bingo, mini golf challenges, meet–and–greet with animal pals, family movie nights and more.

An Italian Feast

Verise is the lovely restaurant at the hotel featuring handcrafted pastas, wood-fried pizzas, fresh seafood and other regionally inspired modern Italian favorites. Dozens of oversized pendant lights suspended at varying heights welcome you in. We loved how modern and thoughtfully designed the space felt, while being completely relaxed for families with young kids.

We sat outside surrounded by olive trees while enjoying creations inspired by the flavors of Central Italy with a SoCal twist. Think marinated artichokes, fresh focaccia, burrata with beets, cacio e pepe with truffle and branzino with capers and olives.

Seasonal menu items are curated by Chef Riccardo Bilotta (of two-Michelin-star Il Pellicano in Tuscany) and (three-Michelin-star El Celler de Can Roca in Spain) who work in close collaboration with the Hotel’s Executive Chef Jason Luke.

Nearby Attractions

In addition to LEGOLAND, the Flower Fields is a must-see when they bloom each spring. Carlsbad Village is an adorable and walkable area with lots of unique shops and restaurants, just blocks from the beach. There is a dedicated trolley at the hotel that takes guests to the village throughout the day.

Of course, you have lots of beaches to choose from while in Carlsbad. Travelling south will give you miles and miles of gorgeous SoCal sandy strands and dramatic cliffs and bluffs. Take a drive and explore Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar, Torrey Pines, La Jolla, Pacific Beach and Coronado. Each one has its own personality and beach vibe.