Top 14 hotels in Carmel: where to relax like in a fairy tale without overspending
On the Monterey Peninsula of California's scenic coast, it's easy to find a sparkling "diamond" that's perfect for a luxurious beach vacation. Its "name," Carmel, immediately sets travelers in a romantic mood, and their expectations are usually justified.
The city, with its winding streets and rich cultural heritage, aptly embodied by the Pacific Repertory Theatre, House of Thor, and Hawk Tower, magically attracts travelers year-round. Be sure to treat yourself to a trip to this fabulous city, but check out the best hotels in Carmel before you go. You don't want to spend a lot of time looking for accommodations but rather book in advance.
Can you already feel the spicy aroma of the sea, filled with the energy of sea breezes? Then let's hit the road as soon as possible.
La Playa Carmel
The first place we want to invite you to is called La Playa. A good hotel in Carmel, with 75 rooms, it boasts a close location to the Pacific Ocean and a decent level of service.
It is perfectly arranged on the site of an old mansion from the beginning of the last century, filled with modern design touches. From the windows of spacious bedrooms, there are marvelous views of the lush garden and serene ocean, which nicely complement the golden land.
After a chic rest in rooms with stylish furniture and pretty decor, guests head to the turquoise pool. Here they enjoy water relaxation, which helps improve well-being and mood. Besides swimming in the pool and the azure ocean, guests are offered other options for a busy leisure time:
- The hotel staff is happy to book excursions for guests to see local attractions, including Galante Vineyards.
- If desired, hotel staff will purchase tickets for exciting performances at the Golden Bough Playhouse.
The hotel offers guests a sumptuous menu with dishes prepared with farm produce, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Vacationers are consistently delighted with airy pastries and wonderful cheese plates, sumptuous salads, and refreshing drinks.
Fragrant breakfasts are served in the cozy library or on the terrace, where guests can not only savor succulent delicacies and drinks but also enjoy the charm of the picturesque surroundings. Bud's Bar and Restaurant serves refreshing, time-honored cocktails and tempting American and international specialties.
Hobo's House
The next great hotel in Carmel we want to take you to has the original name of Vagabond's House. This cozy establishment, erected in a charming vintage style, is located in the heart of the famous California beach town.
The hotel invites guests to take advantage of cozy bedrooms with modern TVs and refrigerators, private bathrooms, and fireplaces. If desired, you can check into a spacious room with a functional kitchenette. The hotel's stone-paved courtyard is complemented by well-maintained garden areas with lush trees, fragrant flower beds, and graceful waterfalls.
If you are planning a trip with your pet, you are also welcome. The only thing to keep in mind is that there is an additional charge for them. According to the rules of the hotel, pets must always be under the supervision of their owners.
On the territory of Vagabond's House, there is a spa hotel, which helps travelers relax completely and achieve mental nirvana. Here you can undergo sessions of toning massages, procedures with magic masks, and scrubs for face and body.
The Vagabond's House is practically a natural environment for artists and creative people, and its close proximity to Sunset Beach and Ocean Avenue stores adds a few more pluses.
Carmel Valley Ranch
If you're looking for a good hotel in Carmel, California, that successfully highlights the benefits of a resort vacation, check out Carmel Valley Ranch. Here, beds with snow-white linens are carefully prepared for guests in 139 luxurious bedrooms that match luxury accommodations.
The rooms with high ceilings and good fireplaces have a weightless rustic atmosphere. The bedrooms are designed for a carefree vacation with a detachment from all earthly things. The bathrooms are equipped with hygiene products necessary for daily face and body care.
The leisure program at the hotel is chic and varied. Here you can hone your skills on a spacious golf course with 18 holes, visit the Aiyana spa center with royal rejuvenation procedures. If desired, guests can practice yoga with an experienced instructor at the top of a picturesque hill. The list of guests' favorite activities invariably includes romantic promenades along Carmel's Pacific coastline.
The Valley Kitchen restaurant and bar serve American-style appetizers and desserts. As an active leisure activity, guests often opt for driving excursions through the picturesque landscapes to observe the local birdlife. Fun master classes on making candles from natural wax and elegant decor from natural materials always give travelers a sea of positive emotions.
Hidden Valley
Among the picturesque Santa Lucia Mountains lurks another gem of Carmel, called Hidden Valley Inn. It's in a prime location, close to the beach town's stylish boutiques and sophisticated restaurants. Here you can enjoy culinary masterpieces on the outdoor terrace or savor elite wines in the chic tasting rooms.
This cozy country retreat in California is ideal for lovers, couples, and lone wanderers who crave adventure by the boundless ocean. Guests are presented with 21 stylishly designed rooms that harmoniously combine elements of luxury and rustic decor.
All rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs, cable broadcasting, and free internet access. Bathrooms with natural-based toiletries act as cozy areas for water relaxation.
Auberge Carmel
Let's continue our journey with a stop at the Auberge, a popular hotel in Carmel, California. This hotel with spacious rooms boasts custom-made beds and exquisite textiles that blend perfectly with the color scheme of the bedrooms. Antique furnishings are seamlessly integrated into the interiors, adding to their country charm.
In the Aubergine restaurant with its excellent tasting menu, guests enjoy a feast for the senses. Grilled meat with a spicy fresh tomato sauce is simply irresistible. Elite red or white wines complement the culinary delicacies perfectly.
Much attention in the hotel is paid to complimentary breakfasts with an abundance of delicacies including eggs, dairy products, and pastries. In addition to its walking distance to Carmel Beach, the hotel has another important advantage - a favorable pricing policy accessible to people with different income levels.
Bernardus Lodge
The level of service at Bernardus Lodge, one of Carmel's top-rated hotels, is constantly being improved. Its rooms are regularly updated and filled with fresh design details.
Modern furniture with ergonomic design and antique attributes of the interiors blend perfectly here. When arranging the rooms, designers draw inspiration from the charm of Carmel's surrounding landscapes with emerald vineyards, the boundless sky with a hundred colors, and the sky-blue ocean. Italian linens and colorful limestone fireplaces complete the picture of undeniable luxury.
The Lucia restaurant serves wonderful culinary creations using fresh meats, fish, juicy vegetables, and fruits. The idyllic atmosphere of perfect relaxation is maintained by the swimming pool and spa with outdoor and indoor areas, where guests are invited into a world of effective facial and body treatments.
At the Lucia Restaurant, a stunning pool, and a spa offering effective rejuvenation sessions, guests are offered treatments using wine grapes and herbs from local meadows and the beautiful coastal area.
The cost of services at Bernardus Lodge may seem a bit steep to travelers, but you will later realize that the hotel's prices are quite reasonable.
Tally Ho Inn
Carmel's top hotels are famous for their stylish interiors and close proximity to the ocean. The Tally Ho Inn is deservedly considered an establishment of this type, as it has long won the love of travelers from different parts of the world.
It offers chic rooms with modern TVs, comfortable mattresses, and Jacuzzis. You can always enjoy a delicious meal and appreciate all the advantages of local cuisine at Il Fornaio restaurant, located across the street. On weekends, the establishment spoils guests with wonderful breakfasts featuring aromatic salads and snacks, vitamin-rich juices, and invigorating coffee.
Highlands Inn
Sprawled across the picturesque hillsides is another gem of the beach town called Highlands Inn. It is a famous hotel in Carmel, California, with chic architecture and divine scenery of the surrounding area.
The 48-room inn has been welcoming guests for more than 50 years. The rooms are elegantly furnished and equipped with new appliances and free Wi-Fi.
The hotel has a lot to offer guests, including a swimming pool, several hot tubs, and a fitness center with Hyatt StayFit features. If you wish, you can always rent complimentary bicycles to explore the fabulous area. The hotel is close to the resort town's stores, restaurants, and gift stores, as well as Carmel River's velvet sand beach.
Villa Mara Carmel
The Carmel Point neighborhood is graced by another shining gem by the name of Villa Mara Carmel. This boutique hotel features 16 well-appointed rooms that have been recently renovated. The establishment's accommodations are for adults only, ensuring a quiet and peaceful atmosphere.
One of the main attractions of this great Carmel hotel is its close proximity to Mara Beach and the city center with brand-name stores and gastronomic establishments. Villa Mara rooms are named after local landmarks or famous historical figures.
The hotel owners put a lot of effort into creating a welcoming atmosphere, and they succeed perfectly. Every detail has its own hidden purpose here. Villa Mara works closely with Lost Art Salon, so its grounds are adorned with stunning works of art.
The courtyard of one of the best hotels in Carmel is perfectly landscaped. There are vignettes for seating, areas for evening fireside gatherings, and gardens with an abundance of flower beds and exotic shrubs.
For a hearty lunch or dinner, Jesena's, the hotel's bar named after the establishment's first owner, invites you to enjoy a sumptuous meal. The luxurious menu offers a rich assortment of crispy pastries and cakes with condensed milk.
Additionally, guests can enjoy amazing coffee supplied by the local company ACME. The tables are always decorated with bouquets of freshly cut flowers and trays of juicy fruits for every taste. The theme of healthy eating is harmoniously complemented by exotic fruit juices and vitamin-rich beverages from Organic.
In the evening, guests are delighted to visit the bar with its extensive selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Here you can taste fine beers, wines of their own production, and delicious dishes of American and international cuisine.
The service staff helps organize an unforgettable leisure time for tourists. Guests enjoy taking Linus bicycles to explore the beach town with its dramatic landscapes.
Hofsas House Hotel
Not far from the cozy restaurants and stores of romantic Carmel lies the Hofsas House, a quiet retreat from the daily worries and anxieties. The hotel offers well-appointed rooms with TVs, cable TV, and free Wi-Fi. Some rooms feature elegant fireplaces and outdoor terraces with magical views of the surroundings.
The walls and floors of the bathrooms are adorned with glossy tiles. For the convenience of guests, the rooms are equipped with a hairdryer, as well as cosmetic and hygienic products for face and body care. An important feature of the hotel is its outdoor heated swimming pool, where guests can bask in the warm sun.
Hofsas House, a popular Carmel hotel, invites guests to relax in the dry sauna or enjoy a cozy seat on the common patio on the 5th floor. Here, guests can sip refreshing cocktails with delicate desserts, engage in hearty conversations, and daydream.
Breakfasts are lovingly served with divine French-roasted coffee, aromatic fruits, and airy pastries from the local bakery. They are served in the traditional dining area or on the elegant patio with magical views of the Pacific Ocean.
Briarwood Inn
Next, we have the Briarwood Inn, a wonderful Carmel hotel with a unique rustic aura. Its rooms are equipped with refrigerators, coffee makers, and private bathrooms. Many rooms feature gas fireplaces and designer furnishings.
The hotel is surrounded by lush gardens with luxurious plants. The Pebble Beach Golf Course is just a few minutes' walk from the hotel, allowing guests to enjoy a true sporting experience. Vacationers can also explore biking and hiking trails for an up-close look at the welcoming city.
Comfort Inn Carmel By the Sea
The Comfort Inn Carmel By the Sea is another highlight of Carmel, showcasing the perks of American hospitality in a picturesque coastal setting. Located close to the heart of the city with boutiques, restaurants, and art galleries, this hotel offers classic amenities such as TVs and refrigerators, along with nice perks like complimentary morning press and flavored coffee in the lobby.
Guests can also enjoy various leisure activities including tours of local attractions like the
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Carmel Beach
- Fisherman's Wharf
- Pebble Beach
Golf enthusiasts will appreciate the nearby Pebble Beach, Spanish Bay, and Poppy Hills golf courses.
Clarion Collection
For accommodation in Carmel, consider the Clarion Collection, situated near the resort town's white-sand beaches, stores, and restaurants. Its rooms are equipped with modern amenities such as refrigerators, irons, hair dryers, and coffee machines.
Guests can enjoy cozy rooms with free Wi-Fi, and in the morning, they are treated to continental breakfast baskets featuring poached eggs, cheese and ham sandwiches, and freshly brewed coffee. Free parking is available for guests with their own vehicles.
Tradewinds Carmel
Tradewinds Carmel, one of Carmel's top-rated hotels, exudes magical energy with its exquisite decor in a subtle oriental style and branded linens. The hotel is conveniently located just a short walk from the town center and is known for its rejuvenating spa treatments and friendly concierge services.
We hope you enjoyed our virtual tour of the best hotels in Carmel with their divine aura. Now, deciding where to stay in this resort city with amazing landscapes will be easier for you.
Have a breeze and a fabulous experience in one of California's popular vacation destinations!
