After spending 3 days at Disneyland with my multigenerational family, we continued the theme park adventures and drove to LEGOLAND Hotel in Carlsbad, California. From the moment you step into the LEGOLAND world, the 3-story, 250-room LEGOLAND Hotel California is all about the kids – and the LEGOLAND theme park is literally mere steps from the hotel.
Arrival
Enter the main entrance of the LEGOLAND Hotel in California, and you’ll see how much it is about kids (ages 2-12). The entire building is LEGOs, and my grandkids are running around excited to see the life-size characters crafted from Lego bricks. Enter the hotel by walking beneath a giant Lego dragon and voila, the lobby is another Lego adventure.
Check-in was a breeze as the entire lobby is a Lego themed playground, the “Castle Play area.” Kids play at various stations, all within eyesight of the front desk. We arrived late morning, so our room wasn’t available. However, the receptionist checked us in and gave us our key. The new technology allows them to continue check in remotely once room is available, and then text us when it’s ready! We were able to check in a couple hours later, by 1 pm.
Accommodations
Here’s the cool part. We gathered our luggage which was stored in valet, and headed to the elevators. Guests can choose themed hotel rooms: Pirate, Adventure or Kingdom Our room was on the Adventure Floor, a Raiders of the Lost Ark adventure-esque setting. We stepped into the elevators to be greeted by the ho-hum boring music, but the moment the doors closed, the disco ball lit up and Saturday Night Live jammed on the speakers. It set the stage for a fun adventure.
Every room has a separate sleeping area for up to 3 children, with bunk beds and trundle-bed (and their own TV), right at the door, while parents sleep on the other side of the bathroom. The room is adequate, but it was tight for 3 adults and 2 children – I slept on the trundle bed, while my daughter and her hubby slept in the “adult” room.
The kids were all about the in-room treasure chest. Upon check in, they were given a scavenger hunt to keep themselves active, and the answers became a combination number which opened the chest, rewarding them some Lego bling.
Dining
A buffet breakfast at Brick’s Family Restaurant is included in your hotel reservation. The buffet is typical breakfast fare, but it does include a kid-size buffet station with healthy food options. I have to say this was one of the tastiest buffets I’ve ever had! The bonus is that LEGO characters roam the dining area and chat with the kids.
Adjacent to the buffet restaurant is Skyline Café, serving a lunch and dinner menu, as well as full bar. It also services outdoor seating and the pool area. Kids have fun here too as the café includes a LEGO skyline with 35 different scenes.
A casual dining option is also available adjacent to the Castle Play area. Mini’s Lounge offers quick snacks and beverages.
Amenities
The LEGOLAND Hotel is brimming with amenities, including a fitness center, LEGO Event Room, family pool, lounge and so many LEGO models and interactive features throughout the hotel. The hotel can keep active kids busy for hours. There is also loads of built-in entertainment for kids, from Model Building contests to “Hero Training” and “Kids Improv Hour.” We took full advantage of the pool, and the daily Swim-in Movie.
Summary
We fell in love with the LEGOLAND Hotel California. It was a perfect ending to an all-about-the-kids California theme park vacation. Check rates at Hotels.com.
Accommodations & Photos courtesy of LEGOLAND Hotel California.
Diana,
My son is 12 and I think he’d still think this is pretty terrific. We went to Legoland in Denmark–did not stay at the hotel, but were able to see into hotel rooms from one of the rides. I do remember the bright colors. Your post has me salivating for a California vacation.