Between the centers of Carlsbad and Encinitas, and 30 miles north of downtown San Diego, the full service Holiday Inn Carlsbad-By The Sea is well positioned for travelers along I-5, or visiting the nearby beaches, shopping malls and theme parks, which include Legoland 2 miles east. The hotel is next to exit 47 of the interstate, less than a mile from the coast, and just across the street from the 90 stores of the Carlsbad Premium Outlet Mall. It has a spacious, tree-lined site with extensive gardens and a large outdoor pool, plus other amenities of a hot tub, fitness center, convenience store, restaurant/lounge and free 5 mile local area shuttle. All 149 rooms (on 2 floors) contain a microwave and refrigerator.

Best Western Beach View Lodge has a fine location near the center of Carlsbad, CA, and about 200 feet from the beach, close enough for the ocean to be seen from many of the 41 rooms, and from the hotel's outdoor pool, courtyard & sundeck. Besides the sands, many shops & restaurants are an easy walk away, and other sites along the coast are easily reached via interstate 5, 0.8 miles east via Carlsbad Village Dr. The largest of the 21 California Missions (San Luis Rey de Francia) lies seven miles to the north. Room rates at the Best Western Beach View Lodge are traditionally quite reasonable compared to other oceanfront hotels around San Diego.

The Courtyard hotel in Carlsbad has a rather out of the way location in the coastal hills at the edge of a business park next to McClellan Palomar Airport, though still less than 3 miles from the Pacific Ocean, interstate 5 and the town center. The main local attraction is Legoland, 3.5 miles by road. The hotel is a 3 story building of 139 rooms & 6 suites, all clean and comfortable, and with a particularly tropical courtyard garden at the rear, in the middle of which is an outdoor heated pool & hot tub. The one dining outlet on site is the Courtyard Cafe, open for breakfast; the nearest full service restaurants are a mile or more away.

Like the other Marriott hotel in Carlsbad (the Courtyard), the Residence Inn is situated a few miles from the Pacific coast in the Carlsbad Business Park, on hilly land close to the local airport - at the corner of College Blvd & Faraday Ave, 2.5 miles east of I-5 exit 47. This extended stay hotel has 121 one- or two-bedroom suites, all with a complete kitchen including a dishwasher. Complimentary food is provided twice a day; a hot breakfast, and the manager's evening reception. The accommodation block is built around 3 sides of an enclosed garden containing an outdoor pool, hot tub, and plenty of palm trees.

The two main attractions near Carlsbad's Quality Inn hotel are Legoland (4 miles) and the state beach (3.5 miles). Formerly a Holiday Inn Express, the property is part of a small group of hotels along Avenida Encinas, just west of I-5 exit 45, on the south edge of Carlsbad - in a residential area though one block from a large shopping center. The hotel grounds, which include an enclosed courtyard garden and outdoor pool, are enlivened by a few palm trees and other exotic plants, in keeping with the mild climate. Services at the inn include free continental breakfast, a business center, guest laundry and a microwave & refrigerator in each room.

Formerly a Super 8, the newly renovated Comfort Inn near Legoland has a good location at the edge of a residential district alongside interstate 5, about a mile south of Carlsbad town center and 3 miles from the popular Legoland California theme park. The nearest restaurants are a short walk south along Tamarack Avenue, which leads to Carlsbad State Beach less than one mile away. The hotel is a compact building of 3 floors and 46 above average-sized rooms (containing microwave & refrigerator), built in a square around a small courtyard, with a heated outdoor pool at one corner. Free continental breakfast is served.

Recently acquired by the Rodeway Inn group, this medium sized (60 room) motel provides budget accommodation to Carlsbad visitors, with amenities of free continental breakfast, an outdoor pool and guest laundry. All rooms contain a refrigerator/microwave, and are accessed via exterior corridors, lining the central parking area. The motel is built along the eastern I-5 frontage road half way between exits 49 & 50, an easy 3.5 mile drive from Legoland, and walking distance (one mile) from Carlsbad State Beach.