Today I will be sharing all about both California LEGOLAND hotel choices onsite at the LEGOLAND Resort in Carlsbad. I got so many good questions when my family and I stayed at LEGOLAND’s Castle Hotel a few weeks ago. The most common one was if it was worth the expense? Well, we also stayed at the LEGOLAND Hotel in May of 2018. So now that we’ve stayed at both LEGOLAND California hotels as a family I feel like I learned a lot. Today I’m going to share all about our experience at both hotels and tell you what I really think about the cost.
California LEGOLAND Hotel vs. Castle Hotel
themed rooms and suites
We stayed at the California LEGOLAND Hotel for three nights in May 2018. We needed to book one of their family suites which sleep up to seven. Our suite had a sofa bed, kid’s nook with a bunk bed and trundle bed, and a king sized bed. There was definitely plenty of space for us to spread out in our suite. In addition to the suites they also offer themed rooms that sleep up to five. There are five different themes that you can choose from at the LEGOLAND Hotel: Pirate, Kingdom, Adventure, LEGO Friends, or LEGO Ninjago.
| Read: Your Guide to Stay and Play in Carlsbad, California |
Whereas at the LEGOLAND Hotel there were very different themes to choose from, at the Castle Hotel there were three: Knights & Dragons, Magic Wizard, and Royal Princess. Again, our family size required a suite (called a “deluxe family suite” at the Castle Hotel). Right off the bat I noticed a big advantage here. Both the kid’s room with the bunk bed and trundle bed, as well as a generous sized separate bedroom for mom and dad, had actual doors.
I also preferred the way the room was laid out, allowing for a different placement of the windows. Overall I felt like it was a more efficient use of space in the Castle Hotel deluxe family suites than in the LEGOLAND Hotel.
LEGO magic everywhere
Another big difference between the two hotels was the placement of LEGO bricks in the room. At the LEGOLAND Hotel the LEGO bricks had been in a box you could carry around. At the Castle Hotel the LEGO bricks were kept in the kid’s room in a dedicated play area. I liked that this kept them pretty well contained in one area.
| Read: 5 Reasons to Celebrate Your Birthday at LEGOLAND |
Of course, at both hotels there was an abundance of LEGO models both inside and outside the rooms. They really are impressive to see and definitely add to the LEGOLAND California hotel experience.
Which room is better? Well, in my opinion neither, they have the same essentials, just slightly different. The Castle Hotel has the slight advantage of the doors on the rooms. Other than that, there are mostly the same. Of course, the Castle Hotel certainly looks newer, whereas the LEGOLAND Hotel is starting to show its age.
family-friendly touches
The first time we went to the LEGOLAND Hotel back in May 2018 I was instantly impressed by all of the kid-friendly and family-friendly touches. There was a Kuerig machine that came with hot chocolate pods for the kids. Water bottles and juice pouches were left each time housekeeping came to clean the room. There was a stool in the bathroom at the sink counter and a smaller toilet seat for little ones. There were three televisions in our suite so that kids could be watching something quietly to occupy themselves while we slept in–or tried to anyway.
These little extras extend to both hotels so as far as thoughtful family touches go–you can’t go wrong with either location. The major difference between the two would be the way the family suites are laid out. At the Castle Hotel the main bedroom and kid’s bunk room had actual doors to close them off, which I appreciated.
a scavenger hunt for a daily prize
Both locations also have a fun scavenger hunt for each night of your stay. When you arrive and check in you will be given a scavenger hunt sheet to fill out. Then you walk around the hotel trying to solve clues. These clues will reveal a four digit code to unlock the safe in your room. This safe contains a little LEGO set for every child on the reservation! Housekeeping refills these daily, but be advised that the code doesn’t change (even though the clues do). So if you ever find yourself stuck on a clue just refer to the previous or next night.
fun & exciting common areas at the California LEGOLAND hotels
When trying to decide which LEGOLAND California hotel to stay at the biggest difference to me is definitely the common spaces. The rooms, restaurants, location, amenities–they’re all basically the same with different themes. The major difference is the common areas of the hotel.
| Read: The Ultimate Guide to LEGOLAND California |
I was instantly impressed when we first checked into the LEGOLAND Hotel last year. Even though it was late at night and we were all exhausted the kids automatically started playing in the huge lobby area. You can still check this out in my Instagram “travel life” story highlights! First of all, there were huge bins of LEGO bricks (think of a ball pit but full of LEGO bricks). There was also a small castle to walk through and interact with. A lounge area was next to the play area and was the perfect spot for parents to relax and watch their kids play. It was a place where you wanted to hang out awhile. This is also where little shows and skits are performed.
did the Castle Hotel miss the mark?
Before booking our Castle Hotel trip I read a review that said that LEGOLAND had missed the mark with this new hotel and it had lost some of the magic of the original. I don’t think that’s the case, I just think it’s different. It’s true–when you walk into the lobby of the Castle Hotel it’s not as exciting. For one, there aren’t nearly as many windows so it’s darker. There’s one LEGO brick pit in the center and one slide alongside the stairs. Other than a sad bench along the wall, there’s no space for parents to sit and watch their kids.
not necessarily…
However, the magic of the Castle Hotel can be found outside. In the center courtyard area you’ll find a ton of fun activities to do! There are large, soft LEGO blocks and regular-sized LEGO bricks. My kiddos loved the large playground area, as well as the lawn with outdoor games and the giant movie screen. There’s also a little outdoor stage area where fun skits and activities are held when the weather allows. When the weather is poor (like it was when we were there) these will either get moved indoors or canceled.
The pool area at the Castle Hotel is also a winner. Whether they had more money, or learned from their first LEGOLAND California Hotel experience–the pool is superior at Castle Hotel. Both pools are heated and feature the signature soft LEGO blocks and cabanas for rent. However, the Castle Hotel pool also has a few fun water features and a hot tub. This is really a HUGE plus when staying there in the off season. Yes, it gets cold, even in sunny, southern California!
Consider for yourself–would you prefer lots of fun indoors, or lots of fun outdoors? Also keep in mind that you can walk over to the LEGOLAND Hotel and enjoy their lobby, anytime. We have done that even when we weren’t staying onsite!
is it worth the cost?
This is what everyone wants to know about the LEGOLAND California Hotel and the Castle Hotel. It’s hard to answer though because everyone has different views on what they’ll spend on a family vacation. Personally, our family generally tries to be frugal with our hotel stays. As a large family the cost of a vacation can really add up. We try to save money where we can, especially if we’re only planning to sleep at the hotel. However, I also believe that in traveling you often get what you pay for.
Staying at on-site for your family’s LEGOLAND vacation is an amazing experience. Do I think you need to spend a week there? No. However, if you’re local and want a fun night away staying at one of the hotels would be a blast. Or spending two or three nights as part of your family trip is totally enough time to soak in all the awesome LEGO-ness without completely breaking the bank.
Have you stayed at a California LEGOLAND hotel before?
