Overlooking Huntington Beach’s 8.5 miles of wide, soft sand and oceanfront, is the Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel. The 12-story resort features 290 oceanview guestrooms and suites, an elevated pool deck with ocean views, award-winning dining, and tons for families to enjoy while visiting Orange County.

In 2014, the resort completed a full renovation of all rooms, and accommodations now feature a Southern California theme.

With its ideal beachfront location and short distance to Disneyland Resort, the Waterfront Beach Resort and its array of amenities make it a great destination resort for families.

Standard Guestrooms
Standard rooms at the Waterfront Beach Resort are 350 square feet in size with either one king bed and one double sofa bed, or two double beds. The first four floors of the hotel are resort view rooms, while the upper floors feature ocean views with sunrise or sunset options. The rooms are outfitted with 32-inch flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi (for a fee), coffeemakers, and feature small balconies.

One-Bedroom Suite
Nine one-bedroom suites offer 650 square feet with separate living and dining areas and a bedroom. Suites provide wraparound porches with oceanfront views. Two 40-inch, flat-screen TVs are featured in the bedroom and living room. A king bed is housed in the bedroom, with a sofa bed in the living room, making these popular options for families. Deluxe options, of which there are three, are 1,050 square feet and feature a second bathroom. Wi-Fi (for a fee) and coffeemakers are also included in the amenities.

Executive Suite
Eleven Executive Suites are studio suites with open living and sleeping areas. A king bed and a sofa bed sleep up to four, although only one TV is offered in the living area. The bed faces the ocean for the best views. These oceanfront suites feature 40-inch, flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi (for a fee), and coffeemakers, and are 550 square feet in size.

Huntington Beach Suites
The resort offers three premium suites: the Twin Dolphin Suite, the Governor's Suite and the Presidential Suite. Located on the 12th floor, the Twin Dolphin Suite is 1,050 square feet and the remaining suites are 1,000 square feet. The suites come with separate bedrooms and living areas with one king bed and one sofa bed, 40-inch TVs, wraparound balconies, coffeemakers, Wi-Fi (for a fee) and ocean views.

Pool
The hotel's large pool is located on the first floor, one floor up from the lobby so that, although the hotel rests on the Pacific Coast Highway, guests in the pool and lounge chairs look out at the ocean and do not see the street. The pool is heated to 78 degrees in the winter and lowered in the summer, depending on the temperatures. Cabanas are available by reservation. It is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Beach Services
With 8.5 miles of beach across the street, a day in the sand is a big draw for families. Families can elect to have a beach wagon complete with towels and chairs packed up by concierge or hire a beach butler who will set up chairs and an umbrella for families. (Both cost extra.) The beach wagons also come with hot dogs and buns, cooking utensils, chips and soft drinks, as well as ingredients for S'mores for the beach's numerous free fire pits. For a little more of a splurge, go for the full butler service that will deliver drinks and lunch.

In-Room Movies
Guests can select from four in-room experiences. The Hollywood Classic, at $20, features a tub of buttered popcorn, peanut and plain M&Ms, a box of licorice, and soft drinks, along with the choice of one in-room movie. You can also try the Sweets in the Sheets in-room movie experience with a dessert platter and carafe of hot chocolate. Dinner and a Movie and Margaritas and a Movie are additional options.

Tennis and Bicycles
The resort has tennis courts and bicycle rentals onsite for families looking for outdoor fun and exercise.

Shades Restaurant & Bar
The resort's feature bar/restaurant is the award-winning Shades. Indoor and patio dining are available for a unique menu with farmer's market ingredients. Don't miss the bourbon-infused peanut butter and pepper jelly sandwiches on Amish bread! Sunday mornings feature a Champagne brunch. A children's menu is available. The restaurant is open 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for breakfast, lunch and snacks, and then reopens for dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Casual meals are served 3 to 11 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and until 1:30 a.m. on weekends at the Shades PM Lounge.

Surf Hero Market and Deli
For grab-and-go breakfast pastries and lunch sandwiches, as well as snack foods and drinks, visit this first-floor market. The market features a full bar and Starbucks coffee and offers an outdoor fire pit with ocean views. It is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Room Service
In-room dining is available daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weeknights, and until 1 a.m. on weekends. A children's menu is available for breakfast, lunch and dinner items.

Dietary Needs
Gluten-free menus are available, and families with special dietary restrictions can let the front desk know at check-in and then receive menus catered to those needs during the duration of their stay.

All About the Extras
Free Shuttle Service
One of the best perks offered by the resort in peak season, Memorial Day through Labor Day, is a free shuttle to Disneyland Resort. Two morning departures take families, at no charge, to Anaheim's theme parks and provide two evening pickup times so families can enjoy Disney without any hassles or parking costs.

Seasonal Activities
During the summer, family-friendly activities are also offered at no additional charge, and include balloon art, face painting, cookie decorating, treasure hunts, fire dancers and more.

Pet Policy
The hotel is pet friendly and welcomes both dogs and cats with beds, feeding dishes, treats and guides to pet-friendly areas, including Dog Beach, Huntington Beach's dog-friendly beach. Pets are $50 each and a five-night maximum stay is allowed. Pets cannot weigh more than 75 pounds.

Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is not free; a daily fee of $12.95 applies.

Parking
Parking is available by valet only, and is $32 per night.

Check-In/Out
Check-in is at 4 p.m. and check-out is at noon.

The Art of Smart Timing
Huntington Beach is a year-round destination, but the resort offers more for families during the summer months, between Memorial Day and Labor Day. If looking for things to do at the hotel, visit during this time. However, if seeking a quieter time in which to stay while exploring the Orange County area, off-peak visits will be less crowded.

Getting There
Just 40 minutes from Los Angeles International Airport, the Waterfront can arrange transportation to the resort from LAX, Long Beach Airport and John Wayne Airport, for a fee.

Getting Around
Parking at the resort is valet only and is $32 per night, but the resort is situated right on the beach and provides free transportation to Disney in the summer -- the resort is 20 minutes from Disney. You do not need to rent a car to enjoy a stay at this resort.

For Mom and Dad
The resort's Pacific Water Spa provides full spa and salon facilities for a relaxing afternoon of massages, facials, body treatments and more.