ZACHARI DUNES ON MANDALAY BEACH, CURIO COLLECTION BY HILTON, Oxnard

The resort sits directly on the sugary sands of Mandalay Beach, offering easy, unfettered beach access. It is a 8 km drive from downtown Oxnard and within 8 minutes of Oxnard Airport and Seabee Golf Course. The location is within a quiet residential area with pedestrian and bike paths along the shore, and a 2 km walk to Oxnard Harbor for additional dining options. A bike path runs between the hotel and the beach. The property is in a gated community, but the beach and pool area are accessible from the public, so exercise awareness of surroundings. For car-free travel, ride-sharing is the main option, though the bike path is excellent for exploring. The beach has natural tar deposits; using provided wipes helps manage this.

Each suite is a two-room layout with a bedroom, living room with a sofa bed, dining area, microwave, refrigerator, and flat-screen TV. The suites are spacious (around 74 m² in some configurations) and have a door separating the bedroom from the living room. Every suite has two full bathrooms - one with a tub/shower combination and another with a stand-up shower - plus dual sinks in the master. Ocean-front suites are on the ground floor with direct views; higher floors are not guaranteed unless booking an ocean-front category, which secures first-floor placement. Rooms facing the pool or garden can also have partial ocean views. Some suites have views that face parking lots or interior walkways, so choosing 'ocean view' or 'ocean front' categories is strongly advised for a better experience. Bed options include one king, two queen beds, or a king plus a pull-out sofa. Cots and pack-and-plays are available on request. Room furnishings have been described as comfortable but can show wear, with sofas and carpets in some rooms appearing tired. Air conditioning is standard, though some units have experienced reliability issues. Soundproofing between rooms is solid, but noise from hallways can be a factor in rooms adjacent to elevators or stairwells.

Ox & Ocean serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with an American menu featuring coastal cuisine and craft cocktails. Breakfast is available at an additional charge of $25 per person, served as a cooked-to-order meal. Lunch and dinner are served from 11:30 am to 10:00 pm daily. Sugar Beats, a converted Airstream food truck located near the pool, offers coffee, breakfast sandwiches, fresh seafood, burgers, craft beer, and adult popsicles, operating from morning until early evening. Room service is available. For a lighter option, vending machines and a sundries shop are on-site. The dining experience has been noted as ambient and the service pleasant, but some find the menu prices high relative to the food quality. Vegetarian options at the main restaurant are limited. Alcoholic beverages are available from the bar at Ox & Ocean and at the poolside.

The expansive heated pool is kept at about 28 °C year-round, open daily from 8 am to 10 pm, with pool towels, sun loungers, and sun umbrellas provided. A large hot tub is adjacent. The 24-hour fitness center features Peloton bikes and LifeFitness treadmills, plus access to outdoor classes like sunrise yoga and water aerobics. A spa and wellness centre offers massage and wellness packages for an additional charge. Beach access is immediate, with gear rentals available from Henry's for surfing, boogie boarding, kayaking, and beach games - up to two hours of rentals are included in the resort fee. Tennis and basketball courts, a game room (The Dive), and an outdoor fire pit for s'mores are on-site. Bicycle rentals are available. Live music is offered on Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons.

Private on-site parking is available for $45 per night (self-parking or valet), with electric vehicle charging stations. The underground garage has a 2 m clearance. Pets are allowed with a $75 per stay fee and a weight limit of 29 kg; the beach is also pet-friendly. Wi-Fi is available in rooms for $9.95 per 24 hours. The front desk operates 24 hours, offering express check-in/out, concierge service, and free luggage storage. Daily housekeeping is provided free, with dry cleaning and laundry available at an additional charge. The property has an ATM on site, a business centre, meeting rooms, and a safety deposit box. Wheelchair-accessible rooms are available. The entire property is non-smoking. Digital Key is supported. The resort fee covers up to two hours of gear rental but does not include other amenities like breakfast or parking.