I’ve stayed in five-star all-inclusive resort suites, filthy hostel bunks, corporate-style hotel rooms, log cabins, Airbnbs, and just about every other lodging style in travel between the two. While each type of accommodation has its benefits, there’s nothing I love more than the local character and charm that can be found in boutique hotels.
Sure, big hotel chains offer the convenience of luxury amenities, but there’s something about smaller, unique properties that adds to the overall travel experience. What I love about boutique hotels is that they immerse you more in the local scene and culture. Or at least that’s what I found when I stayed at Hotel The Green Room in Oceanside, California.
Oceanside itself offers all the laid-back vibes and sunshine you could ask for on a trip to Southern California, but without the crowded beaches and road rage-inducing traffic of Los Angeles or San Diego. Although it’s a bit more under the radar, the town of Oceanside (particularly South Oceanside) is a bustling, up-and-coming area that’s booming – with delicious restaurants, a bustling bar scene, shopping and lots of outdoor adventures.
Best of all, most of these southern ocean gems are within walking distance of each other on the famous Pacific Coast Highway. I was able to experience all of this recently during my stay at The Green Room. The fact that the hotel is within walking distance of everything Oceanside is reason enough to book a stay, but that’s not the only thing that makes it worthy of a spot among “hotels that we like “.
If you’re looking for a carefree beach weekend in California, check out my full review below.
WHY IT’S GREAT:
I’m not an interior design expert or a super HGTV fan, but I can appreciate a beautifully designed space when I see one. That’s what struck me the most about The Green Room, which just opened last summer. The property was originally a former 1950s motel that the owners, who are two nearby residents and avid surfers, renovated and transformed into what it is today. I never thought I would paint an entire hotel jet black, but combined with the chic white window coverings, cedar wood accents, and greenery, it gives an unexpected contemporary aesthetic.
The property is lined with tall fences and hedges surrounding the rooms and the common area, which includes a fire pit, picnic tables, and a cedar hot tub. The trendy exterior decor is so well done that you forget you’re next to a car park at the highway exit. Speaking of the common area, I love that the hotel property itself looks like a generally cool place to hang out. It’s a welcoming environment — from free donuts and coffee in the morning to fellow guests relaxing on their terrace with a drink each evening.
We haven’t even touched on the actual rooms yet, which are designed as stylishly as the rest of the hotel, but I’ll go into more detail about the rooms below.
FOOD AND DRINK NEARBY:
There’s no on-site restaurant, but also no shortage of food within walking distance of The Green Room – taco joints right next door, Municipal tacosat the nearby cafe, Revolution Rotisseriesand the dive bar with live rock music and a slew of men who definitely own motorbikes, For the House. There are endless options along PCH, and each local restaurant and bar has its own quirky character that adds to the vibrant energy of the city.
If there’s one restaurant you absolutely must visit near The Green Room, it’s fine. Wrench and Rodent. Dining somewhere with “rodent” in the name initially baffled me, but the beloved restaurant in the area served up some of the best sushi I’ve had in a long time.
As a starter, roasted cauliflower is a must. It’s full of flavor, tangy but salty, and oddly juicy but in a good way. For the main event, I went for the Chronic Roll (spicy tuna, crab and avocado fried and topped with spicy aioli and sweet citrus sage) and the Dragonfly Roll (spicy tuna and shrimp tempura topped with albacore pan-fried, avocado, citrus soy and garlic pepper). Wrench & Rodent also offers a small selection of plant-based sushi rolls.
Oh, and don’t forget to order a bottle of sake! The restaurant offers a selection of different sake options to accompany your meal.
APPROVALS:
- Free high-speed Wi-Fi
- Private patios in some rooms
- Smart TV with streaming services
- Common household
- Cedar hot tub (up to eight people)
- Outdoor entertainment area
- Grab ‘n’ Go Foam Surfboards
- beach cruisers
ROOM TYPES:
The Green Room offers 12 individually curated bedrooms, each uniquely designed with the ultimate boho-chic and retro-inspired decor and accents. The rooms also feature custom artwork from local artists – mine had an entire mural painted on the wall! There are three room types to choose from, including six deluxe studios, five suites, and one two-bedroom suite.
I stayed in the two bedroom suite, and I’m not exaggerating when I say I was about to move in. “I would live here” came out of my mouth more times during my 24 hour stay than I can count. It was basically a full two-bedroom, two-story house with a full kitchen and lots of open space. If you are traveling with a few friends, this type of room is a great option.
In fact, some people To do move in. With The Green Room’s extended stay options (booked through Airbnb), anyone from travel nurses to international families can reside at Oceanside’s coolest property.
Learn more about The Green Room’s different accommodation options here.
THE BEST THING TO DO WITHIN 5 MINUTES WALK:
You can’t visit Oceanside without spending the vast majority of your time at the beach, especially when you stay at a place like The Green Room, which offers free surfboards and beach cruisers. It is a given.
You can also enhance your daily outdoor adventures by renting an electric bike from SoCal Bike, located right next to the hotel. Added electric-assist motors make exploring the entire city easy and accessible, from bustling downtown streets to the soothing coastal bike path. Plus, the bike rental comes with helmets and locks, so you can make pit stops as things strike your interest.
THE BEST THING TO DO 5 MINUTES BY CAR:
The truth is, you really won’t need your car while staying at The Green Room. But if you really want to venture out, the best thing to do is probably head to Carlsbad Village. It’s a bustling seaside area in the nearby town that offers tons of dining options, shopping, local cafes, bars, and ocean views.
You can pretty much spend an entire afternoon here browsing the many shops, relaxing on the beach, and just walking around the neighborhood while people watching.
BED SET:
I like a bed that makes it almost impossible to get up in the morning. The Green Room’s bed configuration did just that, at least as far as the master bedroom of the two-bedroom suite is concerned. Typical hotel beds can be too soft to the point that you sink into the mattress like quicksand.
What I liked about my bed at The Green Room is that it was actually quite firm, while the comforter, sheets, and pillowcases were deliciously soft against my skin. This level of comfort combined with the soft sunlight and the chirping of the birds outside my bedroom window made for the most soothing wake up call of the weekend.
Evaluation: 8/10
SEXUAL ASSESSMENT:
While the vibe of the property is overall friendlier than your classic idea of sexy, there are plenty of aspects about The Green Room that bring intimacy to the fore. The fire pit provides the perfect opportunity to unwind with your crush, while the hot tub helps things get a little steamier (in more ways than one).
Not only that, but taking the on-site beach cruisers for a spin at the beach makes for a fun and enticing outing. You can also set the mood when you come back to your room using the smart TV. Connect to your Spotify and turn on these sultry tunes to set the mood.
If you need proof of The Green Room’s level of sexiness, know that I spent Valentine’s Day weekend with my SO here and can attest to the fact that the romance was flowing.
Evaluation: 8/10
VIEWS AND PHOTO SPOTS:
As a mostly single-story property right off the highway, you won’t get breathtaking views without a short walk to the beach for sunset. Luckily, the property itself offers tons of camera-ready sets. The bohemian, minimalist aesthetic of every square inch of the property provides endless photo opportunities during the day and once the sun goes down.
Evaluation: 7/10
BEST SEASON TO VISIT:
There’s no bad time to visit California, but I recommend staying at the Green Room in the spring. It will be warm and sunny enough for days at the beach, surfing and bike rides. It gets chilly after sunset this time of year so you can still enjoy the fire pit and hot tub.
IF I HAVE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT ONE THING:
Between the friendly staff, the unbeatable location, and the overall coolness of the property, there’s not much to complain about The Green Room. But if I had to remember one thing, it would probably be that it was a bit difficult to find the address of the hotel. It may not have to do with the hotel itself, but it made the overall experience slightly inconvenient.
It’s probably because the hotel is still fairly new, but it wasn’t showing up on my Apple Maps app every time I tried to get there. So I had to google the address and then manually type in the address. I know, it’s only a few more clicks of the thumb. But like I said, there’s not much else to complain about!
BOOK HERE:
Varieties of room types make it easier to find something within your needs and budget. Plus, The Green Room is priced to match and add free early check-in or late check-out for those who find a better rate than booking directly with them. Rates range from approximately $150 to $300 per night, depending on your room type preference and the time of your visit.
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