Hotel Guide: Kimpton Shorebreak Huntington Beach Resort

Huntington Beach is known for its laid-back vibes and pristine atmosphere. The Kimpton Shorebreak Huntington Beach Resort blends both these aesthetics. It’s just steps from Huntington Beach’s iconic pier.

Modern touches include Peloton bike racks in the gym. But neon and bright floral art make it feel like you are in the 1960s when Jan and Dean and The Beach Boys sang about the city. It has stunning ocean views and feels luxurious, but not frilly. Even for couples looking to escape the stresses of everyday life, there are plenty of family-friendly amenities such as boogie boards and s’mores kit rentals.

Shorebreak welcomes both the pull and push of old versus new. Look at the Bluetooth-enabled music players that are found in every room. This is just one of many unique touches that make the Kimpton Shorebreak Huntington Beach stand apart from the sea of beachfront shops. There are many amenities, but there is very little in the way of nickel and dimes (with the exception of those pesky resort fees).

This is our Kimpton Shorebreak Huntington Beach Resort review. It will help you decide if this is the right spot for your next Southern California vacation.

Information about the Kimpton Shorebreak Huntington Beach Resort

The Kimpton Shorebreak Huntington Beach Resort was opened in 2009. It is a relatively new addition to a city that has a long history of surfing culture.

After a long legal battle, Huntington Beach was recently renamed Surf City USA. Huntington Beach was also undergoing a facelift that went beyond just a new name.

Huntington Beach began building Pacific City in 2004. It is a huge outdoor shopping center that hosts Equinox and top-end restaurants. Another major development project was The Strand, a multiuse project in downtown that included shops, restaurants and offices. It also featured the Shorebreak Hotel, a 157-room boutique hotel operated by Joie de Vivre Hospitality. Since then, the hotel’s ownership has changed and is now owned by the Kimpton Shorebreak Huntington Beach Resort. This resort is part of IHG One Rewards.

Book the Kimpton Shorebreak Huntington Beach Resort at points

You can now redeem IHG points to receive overnight free stays at Kimpton Shorebreak Huntington Beach Resort through the IHG Rewards program .

IHG uses dynamic pricing. Points rates can change by day. However, Shorebreak award nights typically cost between 69,000 to 120,000 points.

On the second floor of the building is the hotel’s lobby. You will need to pass the bike and surfboard storage on the ground floor. This serves a dual purpose: it is a place for you to store your bikes, but also sets the mood for the next experience.

The lobby is playful and mature. You can ascend the stairs or elevator to reach it. You can find fruit-infused water and, depending on the hour, complimentary coffee or adult beverages. There are several lobby activities, including a Pac-Man board, a human-sized Chessboard and foosball tables.

The hotel’s design is vibrant and lively. The hotel exudes relaxed Huntington Beach style but is stylish and elegant. Near the elevator, neon signs display phrases such as “Stay Wild span>

Accommodations

Rooms can be playful and decorated with brightly colored accents.

Some rooms offer ocean views while others have views of the courtyard. Even so, rooms that are the least expensive often have less than ideal views. My room has a partial view of the ocean, which is a right, but it’s just the backdrop to some other buildings that are less chic than stylish.

Although standard rooms are small, they offer enough amenities. The rooms include writing desks, large showers and soaking tubs. Use Atelier Bloem bath products to lather, then dry off with Italian Frette linens and bathrobes.

This location is perfect if you plan to spend most of your time at the beach. It is located in the middle of Huntington Beach.

You can walk five minutes to Huntington Beach Pier. Here you’ll find Duke’s seafood restaurant, named after the surfer legend who brought surf culture to Huntington Beach.

You can also walk to Pacific City for more restaurants and shops.

You’ll most likely fly into John Wayne Airport and Long Beach Airport. Both are less than 30 minutes away.

You may need a rental car depending on your plans. Valet parking costs $45 per night plus tax. There is no standard parking option and no airport shuttle. )

Although Huntington Beach is easily accessible by foot, it is difficult to get around Orange County. Although public transportation is poor, rideshare services exist.

Booking shuttle services to major tourist destinations such as Disneyland is easy (a 30-minute drive).

Food & beverage

Pacific Hideaway is the hotel’s on-site restaurant. It offers both indoor and outdoor seating, with pier views. It’s a relaxed, upscale restaurant that is similar to the rest of the hotel. It features dishes such as Lao sausage lettuce wraps and turmeric roasted cauliflower, chipotle Hummus, and macadamia crunch.

I opted to eat at Duke’s rather than the restaurant. A Hawaii travel geek, it would be remiss of me to not eat a piece of Kimo’s Hula Pie when I visited Huntington Beach. Shorebreak offers complimentary refreshments that are plentiful.

You will receive a complimentary cup of morning coffee and tea. This isn’t your typical drip coffee, but cold brew coffee with your choice of flavored syrups. On request, Nespresso machines can be used in the room.

Every evening, there is a social hour starting at 5 p.m. with complimentary alcoholic beverages. Even non-alcoholic beverages are served in fancy glass bottles. S’mores making is another DIY food activity. Kits including marshmallows and skewers can be picked up by guests. These can then be roasted on the outdoor fire pits at the hotel’s outdoor deck.

Other than the morning social, coffee and evening social, there are plenty of amenities. However, there is a $40 resort fee.

Bikes are available for free, and you should use them to ride the bike path that runs along the Pacific Coast Highway. Children have free access to Micro Kickboard scooters, along with Nutcase helmets.

You can use the beach amenities such as umbrellas, towels and boogie boards. There are lockers for surfboards.

The gym is more like a playground than a gym. Even those who are skeptical of gyms will find it hard to resist the offer. You will find all the standard gym equipment, such as a Peloton bike and kettlebells, at the top of their game, including medicine balls, medicine balls, and kettlebells.

A squat rack and barbell are available in the hotel gym.

The 40-foot climbing wall is perhaps the most charming.

Pets can stay free of charge at Kimptons. There are no restrictions regarding weight, height, or type.

Wag! is available to guests. Wag! Premium is available to guests during their stay. This membership program allows for 24/7 access to licensed veterinarian professionals and dog walking services. Kimpton makes it easy to coordinate service usage, even though there is usually an additional charge. Helping guests book dog walks, and coordinate key handoffs at front desk with the dog walker.

Kimpton is pet-friendly but also very friendly to pet-averse people (and those with allergies). Kimpton Shorebreak can provide allergy-free and pet-free rooms on request.

The most unusual amenity is the record library. Guests have free access to the hotel’s vinyl library because each room is equipped with a record player. My room’s record player kept slipping. Although I didn’t ask for assistance, I’m certain the staff would have replaced it.

Is it worth the Kimpton Huntington Beach?

Although points rates can vary, the Kimpton Shorebreak Huntington Beach Resort may be one of the most expensive redemptions in IHG One Rewards. Cash rates can also vary widely. Nightly rates start at $300 (including taxes and fees) on slow nights but rise to $700 for basic king rooms on peak nights like the Fourth of July weekend.

Shorebreak is one of the most expensive properties in Huntington Beach. It shares many similarities with the Waterfront Beach Resort, which is a Hilton Hotel. They are both similar in price and family-friendly, perhaps best exemplified by the water slide. The nearby Pasea Hotel & Spa as well as the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort And Spa are part of the World of Hyatt. Both of these hotels have a higher price point and exude retro vibes. If you are looking for affordable lodging, head inland.

There are two types of people for whom the Kimpton Shorebreak Huntington Beach is most suitable:

• People who value walking: This location is best for people who prefer to walk. If you plan to drive around Orange County, a central location might be more appealing (with lower parking rates span>

• People who use all of the amenities. The $40 per night resort fee is annoying, but it does cover delightful amenities such as s’mores kit, a rock wall, and beach cruiser bikes. This property may not be worth the maximum value if you don’t want to or don’t have the time. The fee may be worthwhile if you plan to take a relaxing trip and enjoy all the amenities.

• Kimpton’s pet policy for pet owners is unparalleled. According to NerdWallet’s analysis of pet policies in U.S. hotels, the average hotel pet fee is $81.60. This was based on check-in dates for 2023. This hotel is free of charge for pets and can save you a lot.

• For those looking for a relaxed, but luxurious, experience, Shorebreak is a great choice. This property is unlike other summer camps. It has pristine details, retro art, and funky art. If the record player stops working, you can just give it a rest.