Seabird Resort Quick Thoughts
Some hotels just give you a feeling the moment you walk in the door. They're the kinds of places where you connect instantly with the space and mentally enter “vacation mode.” I think I actually swooned when I stepped inside the Seabird Ocean Resort & Spa for a short stay in Oceanside, California, last month. I immediately fell for the charms of the Destination by Hyatt property. Outside, the air is thick with the scent of the ocean spray and the sound of the rolling waves. Inside, a roaring fireplace is the lobby's focal point. It's framed by a gallery wall of coastal artwork hand-picked by the Oceanside Museum of Art. Several seating nooks are outfitted with plush patterned and striped cushions. A palette of blues, yellows and whites is accented by rustic wood, beachy rattan and well-worn leather furniture. The Seabird Resort is a bit maximalist, but that's all a part of its allure. Here are my Seabird Resort quick thoughts.
What Was The Cost Of Booking The Seabird Resort & Is There Is Value In The Price?
The Seabird Resort is a Category 6 on the World of Hyatt award chart. Here is the current award night chart, reflecting the latest pricing after the Hyatt devaluation. Checking the points calendar today, there is solid availability throughout the year for the 20,000- and 25,000-point tiers. Cash rates hover between $250-$450 per night for much of the year. On paper, the hotel does not offer a remarkably good cpp value. However, I do think it's one of the nicer Category 6 properties I've been to and would gladly return in exchange for 20,000 points a night. The Seabird Resort is also bookable with premium hotel programs like Chase's The Edit and Amex's Fine Hotels & Resorts.
| Room Type | Lowest | Low | Moderate | Upper | Top |
| Standard Room | 20,000 | 25,000 | 30,000 | 35,000 | 40,000 |
| Standard Suite | 35,000 | 40,000 | 45,000 | 50,000 | 55,000 |
Quick Thoughts On The Rooms At The Seabird Resort
The property has 226 rooms and 56 hotel suites. The rooms are simultaneously spacious and cozy, making this a nice redemption for families. Our King Bed With Partial Ocean View Room was 381 square feet and included a dining table, mini fridge, and bar and coffee station. We were given complimentary aluminum water bottles upon arrival that could be refilled at water stations around the property. Our bathroom was expansive, with a tiled, walk-in rainshower, double sinks, marble countertops and a separate toilet room with a closing door. Best of all, our balcony overlooked the pool and the ocean.
Quick Thoughts On The Amenities The Seabird Resort Offers
A large pool is framed by blue- and yellow-striped beach umbrellas and chairs. The weather was chilly and dreary during our visit, but the pool is heated year-round to a comfortable 82 degrees. Cabanas and daybeds are available to book here, along with other activities like surfboard rentals, surfing lessons, yoga, crafting sessions and more. With direct beach access, Seabird guests can enjoy complimentary chairs and umbrellas (at a limit of up to 4 chairs, 1 umbrella, 1 sand toy bundle and 1 boogie board per guest room) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. I thought the boogie board amenity was particularly awesome and unique, though it was too cold for beach activities.
The full-service Sunny’s Spa & Beauty Lounge is located onsite, offering facials, massages and body treatments, plus hair and nail services. I always appreciate the option to get a manicure and pedicure at a property, but the menu is somewhat limited. Because I am always on the prowl for a property we could getaway to with our dog, I noticed that the resort is also pet-friendly. Dogs up to 50 pounds are permitted for a nonrefundable $200 fee per stay. See the full pet policy here.
The Seabird has three dining options onsite: The Shelter Club (a casual spot situated next to the pool), The Shore Room (an oceanfront cocktail bar with a short menu of seafood-forward small and large plates) and Piper (a stylish breakfast and lunch spot where Globalist breakfast is served. It also transforms into a bar in the evenings). It shares a dining portfolio with neighboring sister property Mission Pacific Beach Resort. Mission Pacific's lineup is a little more interesting and on-trend than Seabird's. It boasts a Michelin-starred Mexican restaurant Valle, as well as the Instagrammable Rooftop Bar and the colorful Cafe, with a Cali-themed menu focusing on local ingredients. The famous Top Gun house is planted between the two hotels. The sky-blue Victorian-era Queen Anne was seen in the 1986 film and is considered the oldest oceanfront cottage in Oceanside. The house was in the process of being relocated and restored as the sister hotels were opening back in 2021. It has housed a couple different dessert concepts available to hotel guests and other visitors since its 2022 debut. It was temporarily closed during our trip, but a new gelato shop is set to open inside this summer, according to local news reports.
Quick Thoughts On The Seabird Resort's Location
The Seabird is situated in the Oceanside Cultural District, steps from the beach and the Oceanside Pier. It's walkable to a wide selection of restaurants and attractions. Our visit coincided with the Oceanside Sunset Market, which shuts down streets to make space for over 240 food vendors every Thursday. We spent hours walking the stands, eyeing the global bites like arepas, ramen and tea-flavored gelato. We also walked the pier at sunset, watching the surfers riding the waves.
We walked over to Mission Pacific Beach Resort, the Seabird's modern, trendier older sister. Guests at both properties are welcome to enjoy the dining and amenities at either resort, so we took the chance to lounge poolside at The Rooftop Bar. The Mission Pacific is also a Category 6 property, and I could see myself splitting a future trip between the two hotels.
Where Else The Seabird Resort Shines
At check-in, we were welcomed with glasses of Champagne, and we found the service to be consistently warm and friendly throughout our stay. The Seabird also hosts events and has a number of meeting rooms and gathering spaces. The one that is most accessible to everyday guests is the Wood Library, a nautical-themed, 1,565-square-foot space with leather coaches, window benches, long conference-style tables, and hundreds of books for perusing. This would be such a lovely, quiet space for remote work.
Would I Stay At The Seabird Resort Again?
I had originally booked The Seabird on a whim, rounding out the last night of a 3-night trip to California. On our departure day, we had to make our way for the airport earlier than we originally expected—and I felt overcome with sadness to be leaving so soon. I am already plotting how we can get back here for a longer stay—and hopefully with bluer skies than the gray weather we had during this trip. With the property also participating in premium hotel programs, I am definitely keeping my eye on it as the end of the year closes in for any unused credits we may have left.
Inside the The Seabird Resort: ToP Thoughts
I am already looking forward to the day when I see a stay at The Seabird Resort waiting for me in my Hyatt app. The hotel is gorgeous, the service is lovely and the location is super walkable and convenient. Plus, its partnership with the Mission Pacific Beach Resort provides proximity to high-end restaurants and bars and the local treasures like the Top Gun House. Have you been to The Seabird Resort? Let us know your thoughts in the ToP Facebook group.
