The San Diego area is my favorite part of the West Coast, and my favorite part of the San Diego area is the northern part of the county. Stretches of long, empty, cliff-backed beaches alternate between laid-back towns like Solana Beach, Encinitas, and Carlsbad, and it’s all within easy reach of San Diego proper. It’s a delightful area.
A few years ago, when a clifftop Alila Resort opened up just north of Encinitas, I was excited to check it out. I finally had an opportunity to do so recently, when a trip to the area coincided with a soon-to-expire Category 1-7 certificate that I needed to use. I’d heard mixed reviews about the property since it opened, and nothing about my stay gave me any reason to contradict them.
Alila Encinitas Bottom Line Review
Given the location and Category 7 designation, I was hoping to be charmed by the Alila Encinitas. I wasn’t. Let me be very clear: I didn’t have a bad stay. I loved the location, had a great beach walk, and the room was comfortable. However, for me, the hotel, service, and amenities didn’t match the superlative clifftop location. Nor did they feel worth the price. One thumb (partially) up, One thumb down
- Price: A Hyatt Category 7, 25K-55K points/night, depending on season. I used a Category 1-7 free night certificate when I was there in April, 2026. The points price was 35K per night, while the cash rate was ~$650/night for a midweek stay. After various fees and taxes, it would have been ~$800.
- Value: Giving the incredible cash prices, this is usually a decent redemption in terms of cents per point. That said, the experience didn’t feel like a “value” to me.
- Location: The location is beautiful, offering expansive views over the cliffs and coastline. Sunsets are stellar. There are a few eating options within walking distance, and downtown Encinitas is only a short drive away. While the resort’s views are terrific, it isn’t on the beach; you have to walk down a fairly substantial set of stairs to get there. That won’t be a huge issue for many folks, but those who are mobility-challenged should be aware.
- Room: I booked a standard, Lagoon View Room and was upgraded to a ~430 sq ft Ocean View Room. The room itself was comfortable, with plenty of light and a nice-sized bathroom and shower. Unfortunately, the pool was between the room and the ocean view, only one floor down. It made both the room and the balcony feel distinctly non-private. There are some ground-floor and Coastline View rooms that have firepit-festooned balconies that look very inviting. I’d prefer one of those over the ocean-view, pool-front rooms.
- Parking: Valet parking is $60 per night, plus tax; there’s no self-parking. The fee is waived for Globalists on award stays.
- Resort/Destination Fee: A whopping $55+tax per night, waived on award stays. There is a full list of “included amenities,” the most salient being:
- Leucadia Loop transportation service within 3 miles of the property
- Weekly sound bath experience
- Beach access with chairs, umbrellas, and towels
- Daily yoga class (not offered while I was there)
- E-bikes
- 2 welcome beverages (only redeemable at the pool bar)
- 2 welcome water bottles
- Internet: Good throughout the property.
- Service: Oddly subpar from beginning to end. When I entered the hotel, there were two front desk agents, and one was helping a customer. The other was talking to another employee (who appeared to be a manager) sitting in front of him, where guests checking in would sit. I waited for a few minutes behind them while they chatted, without acknowledgment. It was only when the second agent was freed up and greeted me that either of the other two seemed to realize I had been standing there. The pool bar is the only place you can redeem your welcome drinks, so I went there after check-in, an hour before closing. The first bartender told me they’d probably close early, but I could take a drink outside; the second told me they would be open for another hour, so I could stay inside, prompting a consternated reaction from the first guy. They then chatted about how ridiculous it was that they couldn’t close early, and because it was a waste of their time. I took my drink and left. In the morning, housekeeping knocked on the door to change the room over at ~8:30 am, despite my noon checkout. $800 a night?
- Turndown service: None.
- Dining:
- Vaga: Primary hotel restaurant and bar with commanding views of the coast. It serves breakfast from 7:00 am to 11 am M-Th, brunch from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm Fri-Sun, dinner from 5 pm to 9 pm Sun-Th (10 pm on weekends). The prices equal the view, and Globalists or guests with a breakfast package don’t receive access to the full breakfast menu.
- Pocket Pool and Bar: A bar and lounge that serves guests at the pool and also has a small indoor area just behind it. Open daily from 11 am – 7 pm, kitchen from 12 pm – 6 pm.
- Spa: There is an on-property spa, open daily, with a full menu of exorbitantly priced treatments.
- Fitness Room: There is a small fitness area that’s smaller than it probably should be, given the size of the resort. It has a smattering of the usual cardio equipment, plus a stretching area.
- Hyatt Globalist Benefits:
- Room Upgrade: I booked a standard room and was proactively upgraded to a King Ocean View room. It was a fine room, although having the pool one floor down between the room and the ocean did take some of the charm away.
- Free Breakfast: Served at Vaga. Globalists are given a stripped-down “package menu” that doesn’t include several items. You’re allowed to order one entrée, one coffee, and one juice. The outdoor patio was an invigorating place to hang out and get some work done, but the food was mediocre. The “green” juice looked like it had been scooped out of the nearby lagoon, and probably should have been called “brown” juice.
- Lounge: None.
- Late Checkout: When I checked in, the front desk agent told me in advance that late checkout wasn’t possible and that I should ask the next day. When I did, I was told that the latest that could be accommodated was 12:30 pm – an extra half hour.
- Parking: Valet parking is free for Globalists on award stays.
- Would I stay again? No. While it’s a pleasant enough place to stay, the facilities and service on offer didn’t justify the price for me, either in cash or points.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Marvelous views throughout the property
- At low(ish) tide, excellent beach walking beneath the cliffs
- Walking distance to several restaurants, and a short drive or Uber to downtown Encinitas
- There are several very appealing outdoor lounging areas
- Stellar poolside firepits
Cons
- The prices, both in points and cash, seem high for the quality of the property
- I was surprised by how consistently mediocre the service was
- Beach access is via a fairly substantial staircase from the cliff; mobility-challenged folks may have to drive down to the parking area
- I found the pool area (besides the firepits) to be lacking; it felt more like something you might find in a rural Hampton Inn, but plopped on a stunning cliff top
- Based on my experience, the property is extremely hesitant to offer late checkouts for Globalists
- Globalists don’t have access to the full breakfast menu, and neither do folks who are staying on a bed and breakfast rate
Image Gallery
Alila Encinitas Ocean View King Room with Balcony
Alila Encinitas Pool Area
Pocket Pool Bar
Alila Encinitas Vaga Restaurant
Alila Encinitas Grounds and Fitness Center
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The resort looks kind of sucky.
My wife and I were there about a couple week ago for staycation over the weekend. I was able to redeem my Cat7 cert for this stay. I have to agree with you that this hotel is not that impressive. Everything is par/subpar except the location. I would rather use my Cat7 cert next time for Park Hyatt Aviara (which I already had stayed twice using cert) just a few miles inland for better overall experience.
We also stayed there as Globalist on a free night certificate for a staycation.( We live just south of the location) Our experience was similar. No longer is this an adult only property. There were several children when we were there using the very small pool. There weren’t enough lounge chair to support the guests, although several were stacked in a corner. It was hours before we could to track down an employee to set up more loungers. Staffing was an issue throughout our visit. Very few working in the restaurant during breakfast which was the worst food I have had, really not edible, I sent it back, but the replacement wasn’t any better. The property is beautiful and the rooms are lovely, however, the hotel management needs to up the quality of food and service.
The nearby Park Hyatt Aviara is far worse. I’ve stayed at both, and while I’d describe the service vibe at Alila as nonchalant, at Aviara it’s downright hostile to Globalists. They’re both points farms with high levels of entitled guests, but Aviara has apparently instructed their agents to manage benefits by simply refusing them and arguing with guests, while Alila just doesn’t think you’re anything special (you’re not: a large percentage of their guests are Globalists). My concierge had to reach out to Aviara to “remind” them of their obligations, which they’re well aware of, they just try to get away with cutting corners.
I will second others here recommending Seabird and Mission Pacific. I’ve only stayed at Seabird, but while they’re both in a less isolated stretch of the coast, the food and service is far better. You’re also in walking distance of a bigger variety of restaurants, bars and cafes.
We loved our stay at the Seabird last winter. The breakfast was one of the best I’ve had in the States. The surrounding area may not be as beautiful as the Alila but it has that quintessential SoCal vibe. There are two gyms and two pools, as you can access the ones at the neighboring hotel.
Agreed. I’ve stayed at both Seabird and Mission Pacific. My wife and I prefer Mission Pacific because of the easier access to the rooftop pool, but both are fantastic properties in a walkable area.
Couldn’t agree more. The Seabird and Mission Pacific are both terrific, with great food, elite benefits, service, and location. Perhaps my favorite places in California to use a Fine Hotels and Resorts credit.
We just live up the road from the property. We stayed once a few years ago and decided to try it again in a few months.
We have enjoyed the Mission Pacific in Oceanside for our staycations but I was able to book Alila for 30,000 points per night and apply a GOH.
Think again, It’s not worth 30,000 points!
I stayed at this property a few years ago at the tail end of the Covid hysteria. I have a similar assessment. I remember rhetorically asking my wife “How much money do you have to have to pay these prices for this?” As a Cat 4, it would make sense (although our problem now is US hotel prices make everything feel stupidly expensive). I recall being annoyed that they wanted to charge me for the breakfast gratuity. I told them to read the World of Hyatt rules
Stayed there a couple months ago and agree with your review on the whole. Pleasant enough place but nothing special. The pool was the major highlight for us, especially the cold plunge and sauna overlooking the water. It’s shocking to me this goes for even close to the same points rate as the Alila or Park Hyatt Maldives.
Where would you stay instead, in that area?
Mission Pacific in Oceanside.
About 20-25 minutes north in Oceanside, the Mission Pacific and/or Seabird. They are sister properties across the street from each other and right in front of the Oceanside Pier and beach. Food, service, rooms, and location are superb. I love using my Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts credits there.
Wow, maybe things have changed.
We stayed 2 years ago on a SUA, got a suite with a private firepit on the patio and an ocean view. Had turndown with an amenity every night, and the service was some of the best we have ever had at a Hyatt. The employees stopped in the hall and put their hand over their heart and greeted you and let you pass, that kind of service.
Our stay was so magical that we decided we would never go back, because it would be inevitable that it would not live up to the prior visit.
Shocked to hear this review, but, again, maybe things have changed. It’s definitely gotten more expensive, was only a Cat 6 when we stayed, if I recall.
I do agree that the pool is underwhelming for the location 🙂
Wow, yea I think it’s really changed. The staff when we went was all nervous teenagers, we had to ask multiple times for simple things like extra towels or a DND sign because our room didn’t have one.
Lagoon room view? What lagoon?
It’s the bsck bay inlet, also features a highway lol
Oh… THAT lagoon. Yeah… I’d pass on that view.
I enjoyed your review and can appreciate your critiques of the property. We stayed a year and a half ago on a SUA and really loved the property. I loved the adults-only vibe and the warm infinity hot tub and pool and nearby redwood sauna; Encinitas can be very foggy and chilly, and it’s not always a warm scene at the pool. Our suite was gorgeous and we enjoyed the pool overlooking the ocean scene. That being said, we are CA natives and know the ropes of that area. Dine in a number of nearby restaurants; there are resort restaurants and tons of hole in the wall taco, Japanese, Thai, vegan spots. It’s a very special section of So CA culture. Throw in a concert at Belly Up and come back and have drink on the rooftop at Alila, with a moonlit view of the coast. I love that this property still has a small, localish vibe. It’s not overburdened with an endless stream of people yet.
looked into staying there before and passed, gladly. Always thought the neighbor’s house overlooking the pool was odd.
Agree with your assessment. Service didn’t bowl us over. We got a Globalist upgrade to a non-pool ocean view room, which was nice. However, it was an accessible room which we really did not need. The zero entry shower made for some minor bathroom flooding. We found the service at Vaga to be great at dinner but a little underwhelming at breakfast. The view is stunning, though.