Once again, we find ourselves in Southern California in January. This time we are on a week-long road trip from Oregon to Arizona. The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Carlsbad Beach was selected for this hotel’s proximity to Carlsbad State Beach.
We were visiting family and stayed at this IHG hotel for its proximity to downtown Carlsbad and because I have Platinum Elite status in the IHG One Rewards program. For membership in this free program, this meant I received points for my stay, complimentary wifi, a room category upgrade, and early check-in, if available.
This Holiday Inn Express & Suites Carlsbad Beach hotel was built in 1987. The 3-star hotel featured 120 rooms, of which 22 were suites. The 3-story hotel was a little dated, but met my criteria of clean, affordable, and, in our case, a large room.
Like most IHG hotels, properties are being renovated one wing, building, or area at a time. I’m told the lobby was renovated in 2019, and the swimming pool area was renovated in 2025.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Carlsbad room categories
There were standard rooms and 22 suites at this Carlsbad, California hotel. I had reserved a standard king and was fortunate to be upgraded to a king suite. All rooms included new bedding with white duvets and 4 pillows. All hotel rooms included flat-screen televisions, internet access, and a mini fridge, microwave, and Keurig coffee maker.
Our king suite also included a sofa bed. Our king bed only included a nightstand on one side of the bed. My husband used the wood coffee table in front of the sofa bed as his nightstand. That meant we also only had one lamp, for reading, on my side of the bed. Fortunately, there was an electrical outlet on his side of the bed to charge his phone.
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The bathroom included a shower with wall-mounted Dove bath amenities. There was a single sink, as well as 2 white bath towels, a cloth bathmat and a hairdryer.
Our room #322 looked out to the parking lot and Benihana Restaurant. I’m told some 3rd floor rooms have sunset views.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Carlsbad Beach hotel amenities
The Carlsbad, California hotel included a fitness center, as well as laundry facilities on the 3rd Floor. The fitness center offered filtered water if, like me, you prefer to drink filtered water. There was a snack market by the front desk where you may also purchase bottled water, laundry detergent, and such.
The outdoor swimming pool with an adjoining hot tub was heated year-round. I imagine this pool to be more popular in the spring, fall, and summertime.
Express Start breakfast at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Carlsbad
Hotel guests expect a free breakfast included with their stay, especially when traveling with kids and youth sports teams. On our stay, the hot breakfast buffet of scrambled eggs, bacon, and the pancake machine were popular with the lacrosse players. There were also bagels, muffins, cinnamon rolls and hot oatmeal, in addition to apples and oranges. Juice was available, as well as fresh-ground Costas coffee and hot water for tea or powdered hot chocolate.
Room rates ranged from $159 – $509 depending on the season and the events taking place in Carlsbad and the surrounding areas. Pets are not allowed at this Holiday Inn Express. Parking in this open hotel lot was $13 per night.
Check rates for Holiday Inn Express & Suites Carlsbad Beach online at Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda.com, or Hotels.com.
If you are looking for a more expensive hotel in the San Diego area, read my InterContinental San Diego hotel review.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Carlsbad Beach hotel review and all photos by Oregon-based travel writer Nancy D. Brown. Nancy paid cash for this hotel review. As always, all opinions are her own.
