Oh, how we love a hotel package that bundles in theme park admissions—as long as as the package doesn’t take us for a ride.
The Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad Beach, north of San Diego, is offering two packages combining admission to Legoland California, located in the suburb of Carlsbad. The 161-room hotel—about five minutes from Legoland—is across the street from Carlsbad beach and has a pool, seasonal dive-in movies and gear (lawn chairs, sand toys, umbrellas) to tote over to the beach. Carlsbad is well located for a SoCal theme park trip: It’s on the northern side of San Diego county, but you're only about 30 minutes or so from SeaWorld and the San Diego, and a little over an hour from Disneyland.
We were more intrigued by the package with a lower rate: The Summer Legoland Resort Hopper package, which starts at $331 a night. The package includes:
- Room for at least two nights (in June, regular rates start at $229/night x 2 nights = $458)
- Two-day hopper tickets for a family of four to Legoland, its adjoining Water Park and Aquarium (worth $99/adult x 2 + $89/child x 2 =$376)
- Breakfast for four daily (worth about $50 x 2 days=$100)
- Free transportation to and from Legoland (always included, but it saves you $12/day compared to driving and parking yourself =$24)
Deal or no deal? Stay just two nights and the package is worth its weight in Legos. When we test booked some June dates, we found a $391 package rate, which easily beats out what it would cost if you booked the components separately. Not only do you save 18% by booking the package, but it includes things you know you'll use. The catch: The deal becomes worse the longer you stay; book three nights instead of two, and your savings go down to a piddling $14 in total.
The Legoland Hopper deal is good for a stay of at least two nights between May 27 through September 5. You can book online—look for the two packages after entering dates—or by calling 760/476-0800.
