We spent five days at the Carlsbad plaza during this year's film festival, which is a great time to visit this buzzing spa town. The room was large and comfortable, if a bit spartan. The breakfasts, especially the freshly cooked omelettes, were good. There is a great spa and sauna complex, and links to a clinic next door. The location is good too, both for the town and the countryside. But the whole deal - at £260 B&B for a superior room (that just means a bit bigger) - seemed too pricey. We ate one night in their Asian restaurant - it too was overpriced; and don't be fooled by the pictures of the gourmet La Boheme restaurant - it opens up into a large cafe area. There is a sense that the hotel is trying hard to be 5* - a small box of chocs leaving, fruit in the room were welcome gestures - but the bar is dead, and with a preponderance of Russian guests, too few staff speak good English. If you want a great meal, dine at the Embassy a short walk away. It is by far the best place to eat in the town. Some guide books reckon this place gives the Pupp a run for its money: I'm not so sure.
