We recently stayed at Grand Pacific Palisades for a little staycation. We've stayed at the resort before and enjoyed the amenities, so we decided to return.
Check-In Experience:
We arrived around 3:30 PM, knowing check-in wasn't until 5:00 PM but that we could use the facilities early. We asked if the room might be ready, and while it wasn't, the front desk said they'd call when it was. At about 4:15 PM, we received a call that the room was ready, so I took my youngest from the pool and headed over. Unfortunately, when we arrived, housekeeping had just started cleaning the room. I walked back to the front desk, and although they apologized, it didn't feel very sincere. They again said they'd call when the room was truly ready--but they never did. Luckily, we had a view of the room from the pool and noticed when housekeeping was done.
Facilities & Amenities:
The elevator was out of service, which made things challenging with three kids, two strollers, and everything we needed for the pool, beach, and Legoland. The staff offered help from maintenance with luggage, which was thoughtful, but didn't fully solve the issue for our situation.
The pool area is family-friendly, with a splash pad the kids loved--even though it's a little worn down. One concern: the pool deck is extremely slippery. We saw multiple people slip and fall hard, which really should be addressed for safety.
The playground also needs some attention--there were cobwebs, broken equipment, and it wasn't very clean. However, the activities room was a bright spot. It was clean, and the activities director was friendly and enthusiastic. There were plenty of family activities offered like birdhouse painting, yoga, chips and salsa socials, ice cream sandwiches, and movies on the lawn. There are also several BBQs available around the property, and you can catch some lovely ocean views.
The Room:
The room was spacious and worked well for our family of five. The kids loved having their own little room with a TV, which made the stay more fun for them. The kitchen was fully functional and allowed us to prepare and store meals easily.
However, the room is showing its age. The floor had packing tape in places to keep it down, the bathtub had a rough patch job, and the coffee maker wasn't great. The TV was outdated--no streaming capabilities, just a DVD player (with a small selection of DVDs available at the front desk). The couch was old and squeaky, and the beds were soft with visible indentations.
Location:
The location is a huge plus. Legoland is an easy 10-minute walk, which made it convenient to come and go for breaks throughout the day. There's also a Costco nearby, several restaurants within a short drive, and Karl Strauss is right across the street. You can easily take the trolley or drive to the beach as well.
Management Follow-Up:
At the end of our stay, we had a conversation with the management team. They were very apologetic and made things right. We weren't looking for anything in return--our goal was simply to give them an opportunity to hear our feedback and make changes. The team received our comments thoughtfully and seemed to take them to heart, which we truly appreciated.
Overall:
We had a good time, mainly due to the family-friendly amenities, great location, and room size. While there were a number of maintenance and communication issues, we left feeling heard and valued by the management. With a few updates and closer attention to guest experience, this resort has the potential to be even better. read more