Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas

My daughter’s 40th . We are locals did shopping and we got a email Our room was ready. I’m sure capacity was 20% on a Monday in Nov. We were greeted coolly and told our room was not ready. I was never asked if we were members ( we are) never given a map of hotel so my daughter and I found our way to outdoor lounge. Disappointed in cleanliness of furniture. We waited an hour and after talking to three people via phone ~ our room was ready. We had to walk back to lobby ( everything was a long walk here ) asked to sit in a chair too low. This employee was enthusiastic and gave us a map of site but still never asked if we were members or could he sign us up ? This hotel is a bit of a maze ~ I think someone should help get you there. Room was just off pool area. Great balcony and we settled in. I had high expectations for this hotel after looking at website and knowing location. Pristine was my expectation. The room was so pleasant but dirty ripped carpet between beds( yuk kept my shoes on) bath was clean. My daughter decided not to dine and went to restaurant Alone. I ordered scallops ~as waiter served them there was slight fish smell as I took my first bite Warm not hot and I chewed and chewed. I picked at them some were like glue when pulled apart. It was over for me. They comped my dinner no questions. I had an excellent cocktail and left. Chairs here are too low for us older folks. I slept well quiet and beautiful view in am. I saw some people in the hot pool at 8am so I thought I would take a dip and enjoy view. Unfortunately after getting there in my suit and robe ~door to pool was locked so when I got back to my room I checked opening time ~ it’s 9am but must be some guests get early access? I then decided to go for coffee and croissants and map said lobby are but it’s not in lobby ~ you have to go outside lobby yes outside and was a bit across parking garage driveway. Unfortunately after this long walk ( yes from pool area to lobby ~ taxing) After I ordered and only had my room key on me I was told it can’t put it on your room and I would need to come back with payment. Can’t too far. We packed and left. Starbucks. Again I found views from our room beautiful and the terrace is very peaceful. Disappointed and hopeful someone will pay attention to this location ~ I’ve had a couple clients get married here and wish I could recommend. We have done a ton of traveling and will stick to Marriott.

This place is an absolute disgrace to the Hyatt brand. I stayed at Alila Marea expecting a luxury resort — instead, I got a flooded bathroom, filthy conditions, and rude staff who lie straight to your face. Our shower kept flooding the entire bathroom floor. I reported it multiple times, and every single time they said, “We’ll send someone right up.” No one came. When “engineering” finally did show up days later, they walked all over the soaked towels, tracked dirt through the bathroom, and then left without fixing a thing. They didn’t even bother to clean up after themselves. Management promised to refund the Hyatt points I used to book this nightmare stay. That was weeks ago. I’ve now had to call EIGHT separate times, and still haven’t been refunded the full amount. Every time I call, I get a different excuse and more empty promises. Cadene was unbelievably rude — told me the refund would be processed and then just never did it. That was already the fifth time they failed to follow through. When I finally spoke with Matt, instead of apologizing, he told me the refund “shouldn’t have been issued” and acted like I was the problem. He said he’d “take care of the remaining 10k points” but was just as condescending and dismissive as the rest of the staff. This hotel is a joke. Zero accountability, zero professionalism, and absolutely no respect for guests. Don’t waste your money or your points here — there are plenty of real luxury properties in the area that actually care about their guests. Alila Marea is the definition of fake luxury — looks nice on the outside, but behind the scenes it’s pure chaos, incompetence, and attitude.

Absolutely stunning property and room. Kind and respectful staff. Excellent food. Definitely worth it - highly recommended.