Name: Hampton Inn Cardiff Beach Encinitas, CA Near Del Mar
Address: 1661 Villa Cardiff Drive, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Encinitas, California, United States of America, Encinitas, California, US
Price range: US$143–US$291 per night
Rating: 8.6

What guests think

At Hampton Inn Cardiff Beach Encinitas, CA, guests consistently praise very clean, comfortable rooms, helpful staff, and a better-than-expected free breakfast, while a convenient location near I-5 makes beach visits and regional drives straightforward.

Recurring downsides include a daily parking fee and some freeway noise or limited walkability. Multiple reviews note occasional musty odors, worn bathtubs, or maintenance issues like squeaky beds and loud AC. Amenities such as a heated pool, hot tub, and a small gym are appreciated, though the pool area and gym hours draw occasional criticism. Overall, it suits travelers seeking a comfortable, good-value base.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

Was this helpful?

AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Facilities

Guests like the heated pool, hot tub, and compact gym (some note a Peloton); laundry and a small lobby market are convenient. The most common complaint is the daily parking charge, with occasional comments about a small or less-inviting pool or hot tub.

Related guest reviews

10

Laura

19 Aug 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Absolutely enjoyed our stay here. The pool is heated and the jacuzzi is really nice. It was nice and quiet at night. The free breakfast in the morning was really good with a variety of good options.

6

Nancy

16 Jun 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The pool is awkwardly located in the parking lot so not convenient to use. Otherwise decent stay for driving thru town and short drive to food/beach.

10

Aurora

29 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Love the room. It was clean, comfy, just the bathroom had a peel off paint (see picture) in the bathtub. Service was great! Breakfast was delicious! Just be advise that there is a parking fee per night. Also, laundry is 24hr open for hotel guests only! Overall, my family and I had a great two nights stay! We are definitely going back to this hotel for our next field trip to southern California.

10

Zualyn

27 Dec 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

The spa and pool were nice. The pool was heated. Breakfast was great. I didn't like that they charge for parking. It should be included in the price.

10

Gabriela

23 Dec 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Parking was easy and not too noisy

10

ROYAL

21 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

The AM breakfast from 6a-10a was very well run by the crew. Plenty of choices, some different each day I was there, 3 nights. Not sure about the waffle maker, she showed me how to make one. Room was clean and roomy and linens and towels etc were fluffy and clean. One issue was that the tub was refinished and apie E of the finish was off, about the size of an apple. The tub was clean though. The parking was 'just' enough for all the guests, but the site was on an incline so door dings might be more common than your flat lot. Didn't get to the pool. A little store on site for water and sodas and many other snacks and such. Didn't like paying for parking. Always greeted when I went in or out. Erroneous $139 landed on my bill, was removed even before I asked. Good Staff. Will stay again.

6

Brianna

24 Mar 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The staff was great and so so nice! 4/5 stars mainly because the hot tub was literally green/brown and I woke up to dogs barking loudly in a nearby room. Not exactly the type of wake up call you want. However, the breakfast was great and we appreciated the staff.

10

Thomas

6 Oct 2024

·

Stayed 5 nights

Excellent staff. Room clean and spacious. Front desk staff personable and professional. Breakfast bar had many options for any diet. Gym has enough to get a good workout including a Peloton if you are a spinner like me. There is a 24 hour taco stand right next door with a mini-mart as well. Ate there a bunch-tasty! Will stay here again on next trip.

10

Allison

30 Aug 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Clean and comfy hot. Breakfast was good! Pool was nice, gym was cool too! Overall, nice hotel experience

10

Kurt

10 Aug 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Great place. I stay here all of the time. Jacuzzi and pool are nice but simple. Breakfast could use a few more options especially on week long stays. $15 parking fee is annoying and kind of a scam

Was this helpful?

AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Cleanliness

Most guests find rooms and public areas very clean and well kept. Several report musty or mildew odors and occasional lapses such as stained linens, urine or smoke smells, peeling tubs, or dirty carpets, plus a few isolated pest issues.

Related guest reviews

8

Chris

21 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Our room was very musty and had a strong mildew odor. We bought a few air fresheners that helped make it tolerable. Overall location was great and staff was nice.

6

Chris

25 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Room smelled of mildew, and felt like a swamp. I am allergic to mold and mildew. Went to gas station next door for scented spray and scented car tree to at least try to cover the smell to make it tolerable. Got a sinus infection by night three from enironment.

6

Patricia

22 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Carpet needs a good cleaning, the bed was confortable, our comforter had a red stain on it, there is a microwave but no plates or spoons to eat with. One of the guys from the front desk called me at 11pm to tell me that since I extended my stay he needed me to bring my credit card to put it on file..

8

Summer

16 Oct 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

It was a nice hotel. There was dog urine in our room athat was not cleaned up, but good for the most part

10

William Roger

15 Mar 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Property was sparkling clean. Friendly staff who were constantly cleaning the common areas. Comfortable, clean rooms.

10

Ann

7 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

For a budget property, this was wonderful! All updated, completely spotless. All the amenities you could hope for if you want a functional stay in the expensive town for a great price.

4

Traci

18 Aug 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Staff seemed lovely enough and were as accommodating as possible. Our first room smelled like urine. I asked to be moved and when we got into the new room it smelled of air freshener & cigarettes. I know they can’t control what previous people have done to the room, but it was intolerable. My daughters and I were supposed to stay 2 nights, but we checked out the next morning. The bathtub/shower was peeling off and our feet were black from carpet. We slept on top of the bedding for fear the linens hadn’t been washed. I already reached out to you, Expedia, and 2nd night has been refunded. Thank you for your understanding.

2

cesar

9 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Bed bugs in all 4 rooms.

10

Kathy

17 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 7 nights

The hotel is immaculate. The staff goes above and beyond. I'm here recovering ftom a total knee and anything I needed had been provided.

10

Kathy

30 Jul 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

This hotel was easy to find, incredibly clean, updated, and a super friendly staff. The beds were comfy and there was plenty of room in the bathroom to get ready. The breakfast offered lots of choices and the eating area was spotless.

Was this helpful?

AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Rooms

Rooms are generally spacious, modern, and comfortable; several mention large TVs and reliable Wi-Fi. Some report dim lighting or loud A/C, squeaky or noisy beds, motion-sensor bathroom lights, and occasional noise from the freeway or housekeeping.

Related guest reviews

10

Angelic

6 Aug 2024

·

Stayed 4 nights

The room was very spacious

8

Patricia

9 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 5 nights

Not too bad, a little noisy, just a place to sleep.

10

Robert

6 Mar 2023

·

Stayed 9 nights

Hotel was enjoyable. Fully renovated. Good location to access highway and get around San Diego. Included breakfast was great. Must tries are the egg white frittatas and chocolate waffles. Wifi was excellent and once connected access remained active for the whole 10 day trip. Huge TV and good options to connect to. Movie channels and internet radio options for music. Will definitely stay again when visiting San Diego.

10

Ann

7 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

For a budget property, this was wonderful! All updated, completely spotless. All the amenities you could hope for if you want a functional stay in the expensive town for a great price.

10

Glenn

16 Jul 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

This hotel is a standout among Hamptons. Large rooms. Great staff. Excellent wifi. Close to freeway but not noisy. Everything worked well.

6

Scott

2 Jan 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

This is a new or newly renovated property and everything great: clean, quiet, nice staff, etc. However, there is one con and it’s a big one. The motion detector lights in the bathroom can’t be turned off. Every time you get up at night you will be blinded and your partner will be woken up. Also, the light sometimes just went on by itself for no reason in the middle of the night. We stayed here on a 14-day road trip involving 9 different hotels. In many ways, our room here was the most attractive of the bunch. However, it was the poorest nights’ sleep.

4

Tae

11 Jun 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

It is extremely noisy as my room faced directly to the i-5. I was hoping the windows were special dual pane but it did little to block the freeway noise.

6

Mark

26 Dec 2022

·

Stayed 19,350 nights

Very decent hotel for the money and friendly staff. Rooms are clean and comfortable. Three issues: the lighting in the rooms is inadequate -- only bedside lamps and a desk lamp. And the fixtures are harsh. The climate unit is super noisy. And there is no seating in the room other than the bed (and a desk chair).

8

Thomas

29 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Everything good except the sqeaky bed

6

Justin

10 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Don’t stay in room 146. It is across the hallway from housekeeping. At 7am I was awakened by houskeeping staff talking loudly and laughing. I arrived very late and needed to get some sleep and it was impossible.

Was this helpful?

AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Service

Service is widely praised as friendly and accommodating across the front desk, housekeeping, and breakfast teams, with smooth check-in/out and helpful problem resolution. A minority report curt front-desk interactions or billing missteps.

Related guest reviews

10

Roy

11 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Excellent service and very helpful

10

Brenda

2 Jun 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

We arrived to the hotel earlier than expected. We were super tired from our long trip. The kind receptionist was able to check us in an hour earlier. We are extremely thankful for that!

10

Scott

19 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Nice hotel, friendly service provided by everyone we encountered (front desk, breakfast, housekeeping), easy check-in & check-out, convenient location (near Route 5, gas, tacos, convenience store across parking lot, less than a mile to the ocean). Pool & Hot tub located steps from the front desk. Potential minor improvements would be more gluten free options for breakfast, and the bathtub liner showed signs of wear. Overall a good experience & good value for the money.

10

Tiffany

13 Jun 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The staff here are top notch....so helpful and friendly! Great clean breakfast. Clean and comfortable rooms

10

Delia

8 Oct 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Everything was great. The breakfast was good, customer service was good, the room was clean. My only complaint is that I was charged for something that I didn’t buy. I noticed it on my receipt as I was checking out and brought it to the attention at the front desk. I was given a receipt showing they took off the charge, however it was still charged to my card.

10

kristen

14 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Everyone was very friendly and helpful. The ladies that served the breakfast were the sweetest.

10

Jennifer

21 Apr 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The check in staff, Brook, was friendly and accommodating.

10

Nada

27 May 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

I loved my stay at Hampton Inn Encinitas. The staff was very caring and friendly, ensuring all their guests’ needs were met. Jose, Brooke, Mallory, and Edilie at the front desk were very supportive, answering any questions I had. The room was very clean and comfortable. The breakfast buffet was great and healthy with egg whites omelettes. The kindness of the staff reflected the generous caring culture of Cardiff by the sea. The Hampton Inn is a great calm place to stay by the beach. Thank you!

4

Robin

5 May 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The fan in the first room was very noisy and wouldn’t shut off. When reported o was given a new room the woman at the front desk was unpleasant and not very helpful or seemed to care

2

Nelida

14 Sept 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

The front desk clerk when I checked in was very unpleasant and NOT friendly at all. She did not make me feel welcome, when she asked questions, her demeanor was as if she was mad at me. The air conditioner is control by management NOT guests and my room was very hot and couldn’t adjust it, my stay was not pleasant at all. They charge $15 per day per parking when it is an open parking lot in the property, doesn’t make any sense at all, there’s not even a security guard! Again, one of the worst places I have stayed.

Was this helpful?

AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Location

Convenient just off I-5 with quick drives to Cardiff beaches, food, and gas, and easy access to area attractions. Some mention limited walkability and occasional freeway noise.

Related guest reviews

10

David

14 Feb 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

5 minute drive to the coast. Food, gas, party store 2 minute walk. 5 minutes from where I have business dealings. Great place!

8

Chris

14 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

it was right next to a major noisy freeway; and a rather older motel with a musty smell

10

Scott

19 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Nice hotel, friendly service provided by everyone we encountered (front desk, breakfast, housekeeping), easy check-in & check-out, convenient location (near Route 5, gas, tacos, convenience store across parking lot, less than a mile to the ocean). Pool & Hot tub located steps from the front desk. Potential minor improvements would be more gluten free options for breakfast, and the bathtub liner showed signs of wear. Overall a good experience & good value for the money.

10

Kandace

29 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

This place was awesome, and very clean. The complimentary breakfast was great, staff were super friendly. There is also a Mexican restaurant next door that was delicious and conveniently located next to a gas station. Right off of the freeway, and only 10 minutes from the beach.

10

Michele

17 Mar 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Easy check in and friendly staff. Accessibility to the freeway was great

8

Jeff

17 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Nice hotel close to the beach and restaurants.

8

Kathleen

15 Oct 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Very nice hotel amd nice to have breakfast, not walkable to much.

10

jaime s

17 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Great breakfast, very convenient off the highway. Felt safe and clean

10

Michele

21 Dec 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

The free breakfast and breakfast staff are wonderful, cheerful and helpful. Front desk staff very nice as well. The food was great! The location is next to the 5 freeway and 101 Coast Highway in Encinitas, on Birmingham. Its a 5 minute drive to the beach. Close to all, and central between North County and Sand Diego. Safe and convenient location, clean and comfortable stay.

10

Debi

14 Mar 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Close to the beach and nice places to eat

Was this helpful?

AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Dining

Breakfast is frequently highlighted for variety and freshness, and the breakfast staff earn repeated praise. A few note basic quality at times, limited gluten-free options, or crowded seating.

Related guest reviews

8

Christina

23 Jul 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

The property was so fresh and clean. It smelled like clean linen in the rooms and hallways. You could see the rooms were well cleaned, they seemed brand new! The only reason I'm not giving 5 stars everywhere is that while breakfast had lots of options and is included, there's not enough seating for the size of the hotel. Because it's a family hotel there were kids making messes everywhere and no one was around cleaning up tables so most seats and tables were full of crumbs. The layout of the lobby is nice for a lobby but awkward for eating breakfast. If you check out the photos, you'll see that there's only a few tables in the breakfast area. Everyone else will be eating at couches unless going back up to the room. Because of this, you'll likely be sitting with strangers too. Everything else was great.

10

Scott

18 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Exceptional value. Great app for easy check in and check out. Quiet room. Breakfast way better than expected.

10

Scott

19 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Nice hotel, friendly service provided by everyone we encountered (front desk, breakfast, housekeeping), easy check-in & check-out, convenient location (near Route 5, gas, tacos, convenience store across parking lot, less than a mile to the ocean). Pool & Hot tub located steps from the front desk. Potential minor improvements would be more gluten free options for breakfast, and the bathtub liner showed signs of wear. Overall a good experience & good value for the money.

10

ROYAL

21 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

The AM breakfast from 6a-10a was very well run by the crew. Plenty of choices, some different each day I was there, 3 nights. Not sure about the waffle maker, she showed me how to make one. Room was clean and roomy and linens and towels etc were fluffy and clean. One issue was that the tub was refinished and apie E of the finish was off, about the size of an apple. The tub was clean though. The parking was 'just' enough for all the guests, but the site was on an incline so door dings might be more common than your flat lot. Didn't get to the pool. A little store on site for water and sodas and many other snacks and such. Didn't like paying for parking. Always greeted when I went in or out. Erroneous $139 landed on my bill, was removed even before I asked. Good Staff. Will stay again.

10

Christy

3 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The breakfast was so good and you can eat very healthy. The staff was so kind and generous and the facility was very modern and clean. Definitely will stay here again.

10

Kathy

20 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

The front desk staff were always welcoming and helpful. The cleanning staff always accomodating and always left nice touches in the room. The ladies who prepared the breakfasts, always courtious and helpful... Everyone was extremely kind.

10

Mohsen

4 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Breakfast was very good and staff who prepared it. Reception was good.

8

Juan M.

14 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

I did not like to pay $15.- a day for parking and the breakfast is to simple or basic.

10

Lynda

17 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Excellent stay. Clean, comfortable rooms and the best breakfast options that were fresh.

10

Veronica

18 Aug 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Enjoyed the great breakfast

Was this helpful?

AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Month	Average price
January	US$133
February	US$167
March	US$181
April	US$183
May	US$191
June	US$240
July	US$285
August	US$202
September	US$158
October	US$174
November	US$154
December	US$135

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8 $182	9 $163	10 $158	11 $172	12 $178
13 $147	14 $192	15 $191	16 $183	17 $214	18 $232	19 $271
20 $144	21 $152	22 $161	23 $151	24 $151	25 $225	26 $229
27 $144	28 $148	29 $143	30 $146

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
				1 $148	2 $175	3 $202
4 $146	5 $153	6 $159	7 $168	8 $191	9 $288	10 $291
11 $208	12 $163	13 $150	14 $150	15 $151	16 $203	17 $246
18 $146	19 $158	20 $158	21 $150	22 $151	23 $177	24 $202
25 $144	26 $149	27 $150	28 $150	29 $148	30 $175	31 $200

Select dates to see prices and availability

Monthly average prices

About this property

Location

Guest reviews

Fabulous

Who stays here?

What guests think

Property policies

Check-in instructions

Good to know

Optional extras

FAQs about Hampton Inn Cardiff Beach Encinitas, CA Near Del Mar

Have a question?

Prices for upcoming dates