Overview
Nestled along the shoreline of Oceanside, The Seabird Resort is a charming, beach-inspired estate that captures the essence of coastal living. The resort is perfectly situated amidst the vibrant local scene, offering easy access to restaurants, bars, and a variety of beach activities such as surfing and fishing. The Seabird Resort stands out with its exceptional amenities and modern nautical design, making it a favorite among both locals and tourists.
My family and I were fortunate to experience a stay at The Seabird this past June during our visit to Irvine. We discovered the resort while exploring options to use my Amex Platinum hotel credit and were impressed by the overwhelmingly positive reviews. We booked a one-night stay through the Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) program, allowing us to enjoy the hotel credit and additional benefits.
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Check In
Despite being a busy resort, the check-in process was quick and smooth. We were greeted with welcome drinks of champagne as the receptionist thoroughly explained all the hotel amenities and the additional Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) benefits.
The FHR benefits included a complimentary room upgrade when available, a 4 pm late checkout (which was fantastic for our one-day staycation), a $125 restaurant credit, and an $80 breakfast credit.
Although we were not upgraded due to the busy weekend, we were more than happy with our room and the additional perks. As a special touch, the receptionist handed us a small box of chocolates.
The Seabird’s lobby is one of the coziest we’ve encountered, featuring an array of coastal-inspired paintings and decorations. The seating is adorned with comfortable cushions, and the high ceilings with large windows seamlessly blend the indoor and outdoor spaces.
Room | Two Queen Beds, Poolside
We booked the standard Two Queen Beds Poolside room. Staying true to its nautical design, the hallways leading to the room made us feel like we were on a cruise ship. Upon entering, we were pleasantly surprised by the spaciousness of the room. The entryway was large, providing ample space to clean up and change after returning from the pool or beach. In addition to the queen beds, the room featured a cozy couch with a coffee table. The poolside room also boasted a large balcony with two wooden lounge chairs overlooking the pool and offering a partial view of the ocean.
The entryway console table was stocked with a standard coffee maker and complimentary bottles of water. The mini fridge also contained various food and drink options for purchase. The room was adorned with art depicting swimming pools and beaches, adding to the coastal ambiance. We particularly appreciated the thoughtful touches, such as the clothing hooks near the doorway and on the balcony.
Bathroom
We especially loved the bathroom. A large barn door separated the toilet from the rest of the bathroom, providing privacy and a touch of rustic charm. The spacious walk-in shower featured a luxurious rain shower head and high-quality Apothia Los Angeles shower products. The bathroom also included a well-lit vanity area with ample counter space, creating a serene and functional space to unwind and freshen up after a day of beachside activities.
Amenities
Seabird Resort offers a wide array of amenities. On the third floor, guests can enjoy an outdoor ocean-view pool and a fully equipped fitness center. For those seeking a quiet space to work or read, there’s a hidden library on the second floor, accessible via a staircase directly across from the check-in desk. The first floor houses two dining options: The Piper and The Shore Room. The Piper serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, while The Shore Room is a bar with an ocean view. Additional dining options are available at the sister hotel, Mission Pacific, located just across the street.
We utilized our $125 restaurant credit at The Piper for dinner. We each ordered a main course, slightly exceeding the credit. Overall, the restaurant ambiance was pleasant, but the food was average at best.
For breakfast, we returned to The Piper and enjoyed it much more than dinner. Breakfast is offered as either a buffet or à la carte. We chose à la carte and managed to stay within the $80 credit. I particularly enjoyed the superfood bowl.
Given the hotel’s proximity to the beach, guests are provided with beach equipment and rentals. The resort fee includes access to chairs, umbrellas, towels, and games, which can be obtained from The Rambler, an airstream parked right next to the beach. Surfboard rentals and discounted surfing lessons are also available upon request. For a full list of amenities and activities included in the resort fee, you can visit the hotel website here.
During our stay, the weather was a bit chilly, so we didn’t utilize the beach amenities. We were also occupied all morning watching the Euros. One of the most appreciated benefits of Hyatt hotels is the extensive TV channel selection, ensuring you can always find a channel broadcasting live sporting events.
Lastly, a quick note on parking: The hotel offers valet parking for $47 per day. Alternatively, you can park at the public lot next to the hotel for $5 per day, but you’ll need to walk over and renew the parking pass at midnight. For our stay, we opted for the valet service.
Activities
Oceanside offers an accessible beach with shallow waters ideal for both surfing and swimming. Adjacent to the beach, there are running and biking paths that provide a scenic route for exercise enthusiasts. We took a morning jog and thoroughly enjoyed the refreshing ocean breeze.
The area is rich with a variety of dining and leisure options, including numerous restaurants, bars, pastry shops, and ice cream parlors. We particularly enjoyed the donuts at Parlor Doughnuts and the ice cream at Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream, both of which are worth a visit.
Conclusion
Overall, The Seabird Resort exceeded our expectations. The hotel is both charming and cozy, offering excellent amenities and a prime location for experiencing the unique allure of Oceanside. The city is perfect for a beach vacation, with its accommodating beach suited for all water activities and a downtown area that offers great food and drink options within walking distance. The added benefits from the Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) program significantly enhanced our stay. We look forward to returning to Oceanside and perhaps trying out the sister hotel across the street as well.
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