Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort and Spa in Carlsbad CA 

The landscape along the ocean and Coast Road in Carlsbad is changing, in a significant way.

The new Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort and Spa is under construction and due to open this June 2012. What was formerly vacant land for years in front of homes along the coast is now an expansive 3-story hotel with ocean views (across the road).

The Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort and Spa is supposedly one of the few hotels west of the Mississippi being built. And it certainly will make a significant impact here in Carlsbad, in many ways.

The Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort and Spa will offer fabulous ocean views, significant meeting room space (25,000 SF), a top-notch restaurant (I’ll be sure to check it out to see if that’s really true) called Chandler’s (with private wine room and 3 outdoor seating areas), the Ocean Crest Spa, a fitness center, pool, children’s splash pool and firepit, and ocean-view rooms.

I can’t help but think how nearby residents must feel. While plans have been in the works for years to develop the Ponto Beach area (the Ponto Beachfront Village Vision Plan was approved by the City of Carlsbad in 2007 – visit this link to see the full plan) with more retail, hotel and commercial areas to develop to the south as far as the Batiquitos Lagoon, some of the residents in the adjacent community (Hanover Beach Colony) now have lost their views, and others are now across a private street from a hotel.

While they were likely not ocean views because of the terrain, they were of open space and sky versus staring at a hotel – low rise, but a hotel nonetheless, with increased noise and traffic.

The Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort and Spa will provide jobs, increased tax revenue for the City of Carlsbad, and amenities for nearby residents to enjoy within walking distance, and is expected to become a popular destination spot along the North San Diego coastline.