The Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort has been an integral part of the Carlsbad Village coastline for 25 years. Any resident or regular visitor would be able to direct you there. Most Carlsbad locals have recommended the charming Inn to visiting family, out of town guests or friends at one time or another. Its vibe is friendly and its status iconic.
But the Inn's owner/developer Jim Watkins and general manager Randal Chapin agreed it might be time for a change.
“I walked through the front doors a few years ago and noticed that we had done everything to obstruct the view of the ocean,” Watkins said. With the layers of paned windows and the wrought iron work around the pool and at the end of the property, he was right.
“Some guests wouldn't realize how close they were to the ocean when checking in,” Watkins said of the obstructed coastal vista.
He wanted that changed, and so Watkins, Chapin and the Carlsbad-based Grand Pacific Resort Management mapped out a strategy to bring the coastline back to the legendary Carlsbad Inn.
The Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort sits on the site of the former Royal Palms, which was a destination resort that included a charming wedding chapel. Over the years, this fell into disrepair, and in 1985, Watkins, a developer and CEO of Winners Circle Resorts International, bought the prime piece of real estate and built the Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort. Within the scope of his highly successful career as a real estate developer, Watkins built his first hotel in 1962 and subsequently specialized in resort development along the California coast. Appreciating the uniqueness of the property's location and history, Watkins had the vision to try something different with the Carlsbad Inn, and it became the first ever mixed-use resort property with a portion of the units sold as vacation ownership condos, and the rest operating as traditional hotel rooms.
Faced with the limitless potential of the picturesque Carlsbad coastline and the widespread affectionate regard for the Inn's nostalgic place in Carlsbad history, Watkins and his team set to work on the Inn's renovations.
By using glass fencing around the property and opening up the lobby his vision is accomplished. “Now when guests walk through the main entrance the ocean is the focal point, as it should be,” Watkins said.
Along with the view enhancement, the team wanted to lighten the property. Taking inspiration from the sunsets viewed from the courtyard the designers used a coral and seafoam color palette for the 60 guest rooms, meeting spaces, lobby and library.
According to general manager Chapin, the reaction from both the Carlsbad community and the Inn's guests has been terrific. “Guests that have stayed with us over the last 25 years are blown away by the changes and can't believe how much it has opened up the property,” he said.
“Of course the Inn has more to recommend it than simply the recent renovations. Regular guests to the Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort return to the charming seaside property for many reasons, not the least of which is the exceptional guest service.
Chapin, who has been with the Inn for 23 years, acknowledges the lure of Carlsbad, but proudly credits his staff for the lion's share of the repeat business. “Location draws people here but our warm and attentive service keep guests coming back,” he said.
“The exceptional service guests receive while staying at the Carlsbad Inn is a long-standing tradition and can easily be attributed to our employees. More than a third of the staff has more than 10 years of service for a total of 496 years. They are committed to conveying that California charm for which the Carlsbad Inn is known.
Chapin's history has given him a unique perspective on the Inn's staying power. “We have hundreds of guests that have made Carlsbad Inn home away from home,” he said. “It is hard to go anywhere and mention where I work without hearing stories of family vacations and fun childhood memories.”
The Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort guests hail primarily from commutable distances — Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego and Arizona. Corporate meetings are a big business for the Inn as well. Meeting planners appreciate the walking-friendly surroundings, the abundance of restaurants and leisure activities, and of course, the amazing views from the Inn.
“We have groups that have been returning for 15 years,” said Chapin. “We can accommodate groups of up to 80 people for retreats, sales trainings or productive think tanks.” Three meeting spaces, one with a full ocean view — can accommodate most any budget.
Weddings are another Carlsbad Inn specialty. The property is particularly suited to boutique weddings for up to 60 guests. “In our courtyard and overlooking the ocean, The Pointe is a gorgeous space for a ceremony,” Chapin said. The reception can be held in the Sunset Terrace or Village Terrace room giving versatility to all brides. “As we like to say, 'Your day, your way.'”
But the Inn's owner/developer Jim Watkins and general manager Randal Chapin agreed it might be time for a change.
“I walked through the front doors a few years ago and noticed that we had done everything to obstruct the view of the ocean,” Watkins said. With the layers of paned windows and the wrought iron work around the pool and at the end of the property, he was right.
“Some guests wouldn't realize how close they were to the ocean when checking in,” Watkins said of the obstructed coastal vista.
He wanted that changed, and so Watkins, Chapin and the Carlsbad-based Grand Pacific Resort Management mapped out a strategy to bring the coastline back to the legendary Carlsbad Inn.
The Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort sits on the site of the former Royal Palms, which was a destination resort that included a charming wedding chapel. Over the years, this fell into disrepair, and in 1985, Watkins, a developer and CEO of Winners Circle Resorts International, bought the prime piece of real estate and built the Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort. Within the scope of his highly successful career as a real estate developer, Watkins built his first hotel in 1962 and subsequently specialized in resort development along the California coast. Appreciating the uniqueness of the property's location and history, Watkins had the vision to try something different with the Carlsbad Inn, and it became the first ever mixed-use resort property with a portion of the units sold as vacation ownership condos, and the rest operating as traditional hotel rooms.
Faced with the limitless potential of the picturesque Carlsbad coastline and the widespread affectionate regard for the Inn's nostalgic place in Carlsbad history, Watkins and his team set to work on the Inn's renovations.
By using glass fencing around the property and opening up the lobby his vision is accomplished. “Now when guests walk through the main entrance the ocean is the focal point, as it should be,” Watkins said.
Along with the view enhancement, the team wanted to lighten the property. Taking inspiration from the sunsets viewed from the courtyard the designers used a coral and seafoam color palette for the 60 guest rooms, meeting spaces, lobby and library.
According to general manager Chapin, the reaction from both the Carlsbad community and the Inn's guests has been terrific. “Guests that have stayed with us over the last 25 years are blown away by the changes and can't believe how much it has opened up the property,” he said.
“Of course the Inn has more to recommend it than simply the recent renovations. Regular guests to the Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort return to the charming seaside property for many reasons, not the least of which is the exceptional guest service.
Chapin, who has been with the Inn for 23 years, acknowledges the lure of Carlsbad, but proudly credits his staff for the lion's share of the repeat business. “Location draws people here but our warm and attentive service keep guests coming back,” he said.
“The exceptional service guests receive while staying at the Carlsbad Inn is a long-standing tradition and can easily be attributed to our employees. More than a third of the staff has more than 10 years of service for a total of 496 years. They are committed to conveying that California charm for which the Carlsbad Inn is known.
Chapin's history has given him a unique perspective on the Inn's staying power. “We have hundreds of guests that have made Carlsbad Inn home away from home,” he said. “It is hard to go anywhere and mention where I work without hearing stories of family vacations and fun childhood memories.”
The Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort guests hail primarily from commutable distances — Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego and Arizona. Corporate meetings are a big business for the Inn as well. Meeting planners appreciate the walking-friendly surroundings, the abundance of restaurants and leisure activities, and of course, the amazing views from the Inn.
“We have groups that have been returning for 15 years,” said Chapin. “We can accommodate groups of up to 80 people for retreats, sales trainings or productive think tanks.” Three meeting spaces, one with a full ocean view — can accommodate most any budget.
Weddings are another Carlsbad Inn specialty. The property is particularly suited to boutique weddings for up to 60 guests. “In our courtyard and overlooking the ocean, The Pointe is a gorgeous space for a ceremony,” Chapin said. The reception can be held in the Sunset Terrace or Village Terrace room giving versatility to all brides. “As we like to say, 'Your day, your way.'”