Kimpton Shorebreak Huntington Beach Resort by IHG

Kimpton Shorebreak Huntington Beach puts you a very short walk from the sand and Huntington Beach Pier. The rooms and many suites have spacious layouts, and some look out toward the ocean or pier. Surf inspired art and coastal colors give the place a relaxed, refreshed feel, with fire pit patios and open-air spaces for hanging out. It has that laid-back beach lifestyle throughout. Pacific Hideaway serves globally inspired food and cocktails, and the property also has coffee and tea in the morning and a hosted wine hour each evening. Guests can use beach chairs, towels and cruiser bikes, and the hotel welcomes pets with treats and other touches. The location makes it easy to dip into the surf scene, stroll the boardwalk or watch the sunset. A stylish, comfortable base for surfers, couples or families visiting Surf City USA.

We had a family trip to the Shorebreak in an ocean-view room with a balcony, and kept finding nice little extras. The room was comfortable and clean, and surprisingly quiet with the windows closed, even though PCH is nearby. I also appreciated the yoga mat. Anna at the front desk and Manuela at the bar were especially wonderful, and everyone we met was friendly, helpful and knew their stuff. We had breakfast at the restaurant twice and tried some small plates one evening. The food was great, and the bartender made amazing mocktails for my daughter and me. We had fun with the ping-pong and foosball tables, and the kids' scooters were a bonus alongside the bike rentals we expected. There was even cold pizza at the coffee bar in the morning. After check-in, the happy hour bites set a nice tone, and s'mores by the fire pits were a great way to end the evening. 10/10, no notes. I'd recommend it and hope to come back. Only wish we'd had longer.

The complimentary cruiser bikes were a favorite. We rode for hours on the beach path, and the hotel supplied a lock so we could stop and shop. There were around ten bikes available, though it wasn't busy when we visited. You can also borrow surfboards and scooters. The hotel is close to plenty of coffee, food and shops, and its main entrance on 5th St made Uber pickups easy since you don't come straight out onto PCH. We had a spacious ocean-view room for our anniversary, with a balcony, seating, large windows and blackout curtains, plus both a bathtub and shower. A sound machine helped us sleep well despite being right on PCH. The atmosphere felt young and party-oriented, and the hallways can get loud at night, though I saw families too. Kel from guest services replied quickly when we said our flight would arrive late, which eased our stress. They arranged welcome prosecco, anniversary treats and an upgrade to an ocean-view room. We loved the quirky touches: record players in the rooms, a huge gym climbing wall, a daily surf report, and cold pizza during coffee hour. The coffee bar has hot and iced choices, oat milk and flavored syrups. The hotel is dog-friendly, with a photo board of furry guests, and there was fresh fruit and complimentary headphones in the gym, plus flavored water in the lobby all day. We missed happy hour this time, but it's a fun extra. Great service and lots of thoughtful details.

We've stayed at Shorebreak a few times, and my wife and kids love the oceanfront rooms. Paying a little extra for one is worth it. The staff are awesome and accommodating, and the hotel manager is great. Anna made sure we were well looked after. We like getting a s'mores kit for the courtyard and having a drink at the bar. Breakfast at the on-site restaurant is hard to beat, with good food and a wonderful waitress. The pier is just across the street. We'll definitely be back.