Kimpton Shorebreak, Huntington Beach

What is your Priority Club status? Spire Ambassador

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay? For the most part happy with stay, mainly because of the location and price for Memorial Day holiday weekend.

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive? Booked one paid night, one points night. On the last day I could cancel my AAA King suite rate, this hotel offered a Last Minute Deal rate that was much lower. The only bookable room for this and the points night was a Deluxe Queen. Upon check-in, after realizing the front desk agent hadn't mentioned IHG/Spire and was looking for said Queen room (I had to point out my stay was for 2 nights), I asked if an upgrade would be possible for a Spire member. She upgraded me to Deluxe Suite King.

How are the rooms? Description lists this room as 425 sq feet, pull-out sofa, 2 TV's. View was of 5th street (Skechers store, waffle restaurant, milkshake bar), 4th/top floor, very narrow balcony, no chair, narrow coffin-like bathtub, large shower (very low water pressure). There is a partial divider between the living room and bedroom, but it's open--no door. In hindsight, after reading descriptions, I may have preferred an Oceanfront King which sells at a lower rate than the suite assigned to us--we didn't need a pullout sofa--would have liked ocean view. No issues with outside noise, once inside the room it's quiet. Strongly suggest if staying here not to stay in a Courtyard view room.

[If you are Spire]
How was your complimentary welcome amenity? Did not receive, no mention of it by our check-in person. She also was not aware of the secret password deal. A few hours later I remembered we did not receive the raid the bar card, so went down to ask. Another front desk agent said it would come with our amenity that would be sent up soon. In the meantime, we ate dinner in the hotel restaurant. About 8:15 that night I received a text saying sorry for the confusion but Spires do not receive amenities, only Kimpton Inner Circles. In consolation for the mis-information they'd credit $30 off our restaurant bill. After that received a phone call to advise for the secret password offer we could get a movie or appetizer--we just ate dinner! We did not bother with a movie or appetizer.

Did you raid the minibar? If so, what did you take? Hotel stated they would give a $10 credit on the bill for each day for the raid the minibar perk, which they did. My husband opened a $7 bottle of water, that's all we took.

Were you offered a Chef's Taste at Dinner, If so, what did you receive? NA

Did you use the free spa credit / did the hotel participate? If so, was it a good value? NA

What was good and what was bad? This hotel definitely needs to familiarize themselves with IHG. It was annoying to have to keep asking/reminding them. Also, because I had the 2 reservations for 2 nights (paid/points), was told I'd need to come down on the 2nd day to check out & then check back into the same room & get the card re-keyed. OK, I complied. However, I had to get the roomcard re-keyed 6 times within 24 hours, standing in line with people checking in-out! On the 7th time they sent someone up, we got our luggage and then left. Other people were having trouble with their key cards, too.

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return? With all the above said, perhaps I would return. The location can't be beat and I felt the price was good for a Friday night on a holiday weekend. I should mention this Kimpton had more dogs staying than could be counted, it felt like everyone had brought their dog; most seemed very well behaved. The rooms and common areas are carpeted; you can request a non-pet room. Parade of dogs could have been due to the holiday weekend. I'm a dog owner/lover, but would not bring mine to a hotel. The restaurant food was good, reasonably priced; happy hour has some good items. Wine hour had just that--wine (and soda), no beer. "This month is wine, next month is beer." No snacks except for a person walking around offering a coconut shrimp (ok, prevents greedy people from chowing down on the snacks). S'More kits for the evening fire pits. This property can be described as a fun, loud, crowded, youthful place which is no surprise considering the beach location. Should mention--was not charged the resort fee for either night $33.96 even tho it was on my confirmation (score, there).