HGVC MarBrisa vs Grand Pacific Palisades

[DazedandConfused]

Planning a trip to San Diego area in late September and looking at:

HGVC MarBrisa or HGVC Grand Pacific Palisades 1 bedroom

HGVC Carlsbad Seapointe is already sold out for the dates I want.

Any preferences or opinions for one or the other of these two resorts - just myself and wife, no kids.

 

[mjm1]

My DW and prefer MarBrisa over GPP.

There are two section at MarBrisa- The Cove and The Pointe. Based on our experience, the Cove is harder to get as the lobby and the better pools are there. We stayed in Building 80 in The Pointe last year, which is the newest building. It was OK and very close to the golf course and restaurant at the course. There is a shuttle that goes back and forth between the two section, or you can walk 15 minutes or so to get there. We will be staying in a 1BR in The Cove in a couple weeks and are look8ng forward to experiencing that section of the resort.

Either way, Carlsbad is a nice little city and in a great location to explore the broader area.

Best regards.

Mike

 

[DazedandConfused]

Assuming we will are not interested in the pools, how does MarBrisa (cove location) compare to GPP?

What has the better rooms, amenities, decor, etc

 

[frank808]

Marbrisa has better furnishings. But Palisades rooms are bigger. If you are in the original section of Marbrisa, it is common laundry rooms like Palisades. The newer section of Marbrisa near the big pool has washer and dryers in the room for 1br and larger.

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[presley]

just myself and wife, no kids.

What has the better rooms, amenities, decor, etc

Marbrisa is better for what you want. The newer, more Hilton like rooms are in the new section near the large pool complex. The older, but upgraded no elevator rooms are the ocean view rooms. There's a Sheraton Hotel in the middle of the property that you may enjoy some meals at.

GPP is very family friendly and has lots of kids. There is an adults only pool area and you can get a nice ocean view room. There's a Karl Strauss restaurant in front of it. It's still a nice choice, but if you aren't interested in the pool and you won't have kids with you, I think you'd enjoy Marbrisa more.

 

[DazedandConfused]

I assume MarBrisa 1 bedroom (1KP) is the best one to choose??

 

[Livinlarge970]

Marbrisa! Had a Legoland view and that was fun in the original section. The newer section is by the pool. GPP is older but still nice so if you cant get Marbrisa GPP will be just fine.

 

[SteelerGal]

MarBrisa. We are locally and would go there at least 5x/yr. The Cove is the newer side w/ the pool and slide. Plus the bar. The last couple of times we have stayed at The Pointe. It was perfect during Covid because we literally had the pool to ourselves. We also took the shuttle to the Cove or just walked.

 

[DazedandConfused]

Thanks for your feedback, I will book MarBrisa (cove)

 

[SmithOp]

There is a new restaurant at the north end of the Sheraton hotel, the name escapes me right now, but its right across the street above Marbrisa Cove. Its pool patio dining and great sunset views, we enjoyed it last visit, craft beers and burgers. Look for the discount coupon in your welcome packet.

 

[itradehilton]

Do the TV's rooms in the Cove neighborhood have HDMI ports? We are hoping to hook up our computer and use Netflix.

 

[dayooper]

What are the MF's on a 1 bedroom at MarBrisa and how is the weather in September? Do you get that gloomy fog like early summer? I know the MR's are pretty high, but I'm wondering how high. They aren't listed in the MF sticky.

 

[buzglyd]

What are the MF's on a 1 bedroom at MarBrisa and how is the weather in September? Do you get that gloomy fog like early summer? I know the MR's are pretty high, but I'm wondering how high. They aren't listed in the MF sticky.

September weather should be pretty hot. It’s one of our hotter months. Usually no or very little gloom.

 

[Ben Breier]

I know it doesn't quite answer your question, and I don't recall the exact amount, but we paid roughly $1750 for a 2Bd. Love MarBrisa and we bought there because our daughter lives in San Diego and we can usually get in whenever we want to visit.

 

[DazedandConfused]

With the cash rates so low, it was not much savings with HGVC points, assuming they are worth $.17pp (this is a common figure I use)

4 nights in September for 1 bedroom KB Cove

Cash rate from Hilton website = $865

3,729 points @ $.17 value + $59 booking fee = $693

 

[mjm1]

There is a new restaurant at the north end of the Sheraton hotel, the name escapes me right now, but its right across the street above Marbrisa Cove. Its pool patio dining and great sunset views, we enjoyed it last visit, craft beers and burgers. Look for the discount coupon in your welcome packet.

Thanks for the tip. We will be down there next week, so will check it out.

Best regards.

Mike

 

[BJRSanDiego]

... how is the weather in September? Do you get that gloomy fog like early summer? ...

I live about 15 miles inland from Carlsbad. Mar Brisa is very close to the coast. So it typically gets the coastal influence of the ocean. The weather in San Diego is not "homogenous" - - on the evening news they give four weather forecasts: Coastal, inland valley, mountains and desert. Because I live inland, we get pretty warm in Sept. but it is still nice weather (typically). Carlsbad weather is cooler, typically clear. Actually great weather (usually). Typically there isn't "May Gray" or "June Gloom". Here is a link to their average weather for you to form your own opinions: https://weatherspark.com/y/1833/Average-Weather-in-Carlsbad-California-United-States-Year-Round

 

[BJRSanDiego]

how is the weather in September? Do you get that gloomy fog like early summer? .

A follow-on thought. The ocean temperature in the SD area is, at best, kind of cool. But in late August and September, the ocean temperature reaches its annual peak. Some years it gets up to 73 or 74 F. August and Sept are our favorite time of year to go to the beach (ocean). It is refreshing to be in the ocean, especially on a warm day. Perhaps someone at your TS will leave behind a Boogie board for you to try.

There is a great beach a few miles north (and West) of Mar Brisa, called Carlsbad State Beach. The beach is pretty deep but parking is limited and can be an issue at some times of the day. We have had pretty good luck going in the later afternoon. Sometimes we'll bring a grill and cook some burgers after swimming and watch the sun go down.

State law prohibits alcoholic beverages on the beach. So don't display beer or wine in their original containers. The lifeguards know that if you're drinking from a Gatorade bottle that it isn't a margarita or Singapore sling, etc. (wink). ;-)

 

[dayooper]

@BJRSanDiego Thanks for the info. It’s funny you say cold ocean. Southern Lake Superior gets to a balmy 56 - 58 degrees in late August/early September. Went cliff jumping at the Black Rocks in Marquette. Not me (I jumped in my younger days), but here’s a little short video on the place.

 

[BJRSanDiego]

@BJRSanDiego Thanks for the info. It’s funny you say cold ocean. Southern Lake Superior gets to a balmy 56 - 58 degrees in late August/early September. Went cliff jumping at the Black Rocks in Marquette. Not me (I jumped in my younger days), but here’s a little short video on the place.

I grew up in Minnesota. So, I've had my fill of cold weather. I like 80 plus degree pool water. But 72 degree ocean water isn't all that bad, especially on a sunny day with warm air temps. I think that you will probably love Carlsbad in September. You should start a new thread or expand this one to ask for people's advice on restaurants in the Carlsbad area and things to see and do.