A story of two neighboring Hyatts: Mission Pacific Hotel versus Seabird Resort

Residing in Northern California, I find that Southern California not only has stunning weekend getaway spots but is also just a short hour-long flight away. When I discovered that Hyatt was launching not just one but two new beachfront hotels in the area, I knew I had to visit.

Hyatt has recently opened two brand-new hotels in Oceanside, a charming beachfront town located 38 miles north of San Diego: the Mission Pacific, part of the Joie de Vivre collection, and the Seabird Resort, a Destination by Hyatt property. Situated directly across the street from each other, both hotels boast breathtaking ocean views. They are both Category 5 World of Hyatt properties, requiring 20,000 points per night, and offer comparable amenities.

Although Mission Pacific and Seabird share many features, there are some differences that could help you decide which one suits you better. So, how do these two brand-new Hyatt hotels compare, and which one should you choose for your stay? Here’s a detailed analysis based on my recent experience:

Location

The Mission Pacific Hotel and the Seabird Resort sit directly across from each other with ocean views. Sounds serene, right? However, Amtrak tracks run behind both hotels, with the station just behind the Seabird. While this is convenient for trips to Los Angeles or San Diego without the hassle of rental cars or surge prices from ride-hailing services, it can lead to noise disturbances. During my stay, train horns interrupted the peace throughout the day and night.

This issue has been acknowledged since Oceanside has been designated a quiet zone by the Federal Rail Authority. Nonetheless, there is a one-year "break-in" period during which train horns may still be sounded in specific circumstances, including emergencies.

In the "bridge" section of the Mission Pacific, nestled between the hotel's two enclosed wings, the noise level was noticeably higher than at the Seabird. The open hallway allows more sound to travel, and the room doors lack soundproofing.

I’m not a light sleeper by any means—I’ve slept through earthquakes—but when that Amtrak train blasted its horn in the middle of the night, it jolted me awake. I didn’t experience this problem at the Seabird Resort next door, likely due to its enclosed hallways that muffle noise.

At the Mission Pacific, you might find a quiet room if you're situated in the building's enclosed wings. I didn’t stay there myself, so I can't confirm this, but I assume it’s likely true given the enclosed hallways.

Pricing

Both hotels fall under Category 5 in the Hyatt portfolio, requiring 20,000 points per night for a standard room. The cash rates at each property are generally similar, with both often showing the same prices for the same dates.

Type of property and amenities

The Mission Pacific functions as a hotel, while the Seabird operates as a resort. The primary distinction is that the Seabird boasts 65 additional rooms and features an on-site spa. However, it’s important to note that guests of the Mission Pacific can enjoy all amenities at the Seabird, and vice versa.

Your keycard from Mission Pacific grants you access to the Seabird's gym and pool, and you can charge meals to your account at either location, regardless of your hotel. If you're a Hyatt Globalist, you can enjoy your complimentary breakfast at either hotel—I highly recommend the Piper restaurant at Seabird.

Both hotels feature on-site gyms equipped with high-end equipment and a pool with ocean views. The Mission Pacific’s pool is situated on the rooftop, while Seabird’s is located on the second floor.

The gym equipment at both hotels is nearly the same, with the Seabird featuring one Peloton bike and the Mission Pacific having two. Both gyms tended to be empty most of the time due to capacity restrictions, but if you’re eager for a workout, you can easily walk across the street from the Seabird to the Mission Pacific.

Both hotels skip traditional bottled water, providing two complimentary refillable bottles for each guest room instead. You can fill these with either room temperature or chilled water in the ice room.

A collection of retail shops is set to open at both properties, although they were still being built during my visit. While having shops on-site is convenient, it’s not essential since both hotels are just a short walk from numerous other stores if you need anything during your stay.

Workspace

With more people now working remotely and enjoying "workcations" in hotels that offer beautiful views and dedicated workspaces, both hotels provide areas suited for this. The Seabird features a library that doubles as a coworking space, complete with a large central table and a dedicated desk.

The Mission Pacific features a seating area that resembles a coworking space, but it’s positioned between the lobby and a restaurant that experiences good foot traffic during peak hours. If you're seeking a quieter spot to work, you might prefer to stay at or work from the Seabird Resort.

The Wi-Fi at both hotels performed excellently, so connectivity shouldn't be a concern.

Dining Options

Currently, both hotels have two restaurants open, with a third one in the works. I ventured out to enjoy some treats at Parlor Doughnuts and tried a burger at Ty's Burger House. There are plenty of other dining choices nearby, so you won’t be restricted to just what these two hotels offer.

Seabird

The Seabird features Piper, which serves breakfast only and boasts a lovely indoor dining space along with a heated outdoor patio. I’ve mentioned this before — the French toast at Piper is likely the best I’ve ever tasted, ranking it among my top five hotel breakfasts.

Seabird also includes a poolside eatery named The Shelter Club, offering casual dining with food that's surprisingly delicious. This quickly became my preferred lunch spot during my stay at both hotels.

The Shore Room Bar and Lounge is set to open later this year. This beautiful venue in the hotel lobby features cozy seating both indoors and outdoors. Outside, there are fire pits to keep you warm as you enjoy the sound of the waves and the fresh air.

Mission Pacific

The Mission Pacific features a cafe called High/Low located just off the lobby. It operates from 7 a.m. until sunset, serving brunch, lunch, appetizers, and drinks. I ordered room service breakfast from High/Low, but it wasn’t great; the avocado toast came as small strips of bread with just a bit of avocado, and one item I received was not what I had ordered.

Nonetheless, High/Low is a nice spot to relax. They have an outdoor patio facing the pier, which is perfect for people-watching.

Mission Pacific's Rooftop Bar is a trendy hotspot where many locals gather. Located next to the pool, it overlooks the beach. While the food was tasty, the service was rather slow. I also found lipstick on my water glass, and the utensils were not clean.

The dining options and service at Seabird were significantly better than those at Mission Pacific. However, this may change as the hotel matures and opens its Mexican-themed Valle Restaurant later this year.

Accommodations

Both hotels feature coastal-themed rooms, characterized by a neutral color palette accented with vibrant pops of color. However, I found the room at Seabird to be somewhat lackluster; it could really use some colorful artwork and decorative pillows to brighten it up.

In contrast, the rooms at Mission Pacific were exquisitely decorated. They featured a custom headboard, a variety of artwork on the walls, and plush, comfortable seating on the balcony. The ambiance felt more like a boutique hotel, whereas Seabird's rooms had a more generic corporate hotel feel.

In fact, the room decor at Mission Pacific seemed like it would have suited Seabird better, and vice versa.

The mattress at Mission Pacific was incredibly comfortable, allowing me to sleep well despite the Amtrak train horn sounding in the middle of the night. Conversely, the mattress at Seabird felt a bit too springy. If you prefer a firmer mattress, I’d recommend choosing Mission Pacific over Seabird.

Service

The service at Seabird was noticeably quicker and more refined overall. I must mention that the front desk staff at both hotels were exceptional. The differences were more evident in the dining experiences at each property.

I wasn’t impressed with the slow service at the Rooftop Bar at Mission Pacific, nor with how the lipstick on the glass was initially dismissed until I pointed out how noticeable it was. However, the staff genuinely seemed to care about the guests, with everyone from the hotel security to the valets engaging in friendly conversations about their stay.

During checkout at Mission Pacific, I encountered a billing issue that remained unresolved days later. Fortunately, a manager addressed it over the phone and apologized for the inconvenience.

Given that both properties had been open for around a month, I had low expectations and was prepared to overlook some missteps. That said, I truly believe Seabird performed better in terms of service compared to Mission Pacific.

Mission Pacific vs. Seabird: Which hotel should you pick?

Having discussed the similarities and differences between the two hotels, you may be wondering which one to choose for your Oceanside getaway. Typically, I’d suggest opting for the more affordable option since they’re so close to each other and you can access amenities at both properties regardless of where you stay.

However, both hotels are Category 5 Hyatt properties, requiring 20,000 points per night, and their cash rates are mostly the same on the days I checked. Therefore, I recommend selecting a hotel based on your travel preferences.

For families: The Seabird Resort

If you’re traveling with a family, you might find the Seabird Resort to be a better fit. The resort features two restaurants that provide a broader selection of kid-friendly options compared to Mission Pacific, which has a rooftop bar and a single cafe with limited choices for children. Once Mission Pacific opens its ice cream parlor (located in a Victorian cottage featured in "Top Gun"), many families are likely to visit, but it’s just a short walk from the Seabird Resort.

The Seabird also offers a kids club on Friday and Saturday nights from 5-9 p.m. The location may vary, but kids can engage in various arts and crafts activities. The fee is somewhat high at $70 for the first child and $55 for the second.

The resort even provides spa treatments for kids, allowing you to indulge in some well-deserved R&R at the spa without leaving your little ones behind.

For leisure travelers: The Seabird Resort

The Seabird is perfect if you’re seeking a property with an on-site spa. While you can easily walk across the street from Mission Pacific in a minute, some guests prefer the convenience of being right there. Plus, the bathrobes at the Seabird Resort are the best I’ve ever experienced—if it came down to a choice, I might choose the Seabird just for those bathrobes.

Noise level is another significant factor to consider. If you find yourself in a room on the "bridge" side of Mission Pacific (between the two wings), you might hear the Amtrak train horns—though this is infrequent due to Oceanside being designated a federal quiet zone by the Federal Rail Authority.

I didn’t experience this noise issue at the Seabird, even though it’s also located behind the Amtrak station. The difference likely stems from Mission Pacific having an open hallway, allowing noise to travel more easily. In contrast, the Seabird’s enclosed hallway provides better sound insulation. However, if you’re assigned a room in one of Mission Pacific's wings with enclosed hallways, noise may not be a concern at all.

For business travelers: The Seabird Resort

It might seem unusual to recommend a resort for business travelers, but the Seabird offers several amenities tailored for them. The property features meeting rooms and event spaces, plus a dedicated library that doubles as a coworking area.

This makes it perfect for corporate retreats (just a thought) or for business travelers seeking quiet places to focus.

For adults wanting to escape the kids: The Mission Pacific

If you prefer a hotel with a lower ratio of kids to adults, Mission Pacific is your best bet. With its dining options and pool setting, it’s far more appealing to adults than to families. This was clear during my stay, as I noticed significantly fewer families at the Mission Pacific compared to the Seabird.

Concluding thoughts

With all that in mind, I recommend checking out both hotels if you're interested. Each offers its own unique atmosphere, and since they belong to different Hyatt brands, you can make progress toward a Hyatt Brand Explorer award by switching between them.

As guests can utilize amenities at either hotel regardless of their booking, I'd suggest choosing the more affordable option if there's a price difference. Additionally, if you're using points, the Seabird generally provides better value for your investment.