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    Carmel River Inn

    3.7 (259 reviews)
    ModerateHotels
    Open 6:00 am - 6:00 AM (Next day)

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    esa sheet
    Michelle L.

    booked a cottage for 3 nights at carmel river inn recently and so glad i did i did book through booking.com no issues when arriving and checking in/out the staff at carmel river inn responded in just a quick manner with all my questions beforehand check in/out was easy we did not get the stay at one of the newer cottages, not sure if those are pet friendly or not.. the cottage we stayed in was very charming. although the bathroom was really tiny, esp the shower :( we had our ESA furbaby with us. they are very pet friendly here i really loved staying here. the location was great parking was easy the grounds was very maintained and quaint lots of grassy areas for pet relief room/bed was clean cant wait to visit carmel again and book our stay here!

    Donna F.

    Excellent place to stay! We stay here when we visit our parents and it's just perfect! We usually stay in the hotel part and we love it, you sit out on your patio with the beautiful river passing by. The grounds are beautiful! The rooms are very clean and very comfortable! Now that we have retired we are going to get a bungalow!! The price is right too, and very nice staff. We will be back soon!

    Sabrina T.

    My favorite and most memorable pet-friendly lodge to rest up after pulling a 9 hour drive from San Diego. I've stayed here almost a decade ago and made sure to return. I haven't stayed in the motel complex so I can't comment on those; however, you should opt for one of the cottages. The one I stayed in had a fireplace, fully stocked dishes and cookware, and two bedrooms. I love how cozy and modest it is while providing "like home" amenities. What's also convenient is its proximity to Starbucks, a 24/7 Safeway, and a gas station. It's the perfect place to rest up off the beaten path of the highway 1 because it gives you that feeling of being removed but still near big city creature comforts. When we settled in for the night it was pretty late, so we grabbed some local brew from Safeway along with dinner to cook. We kept it simple and made Annie's mac and cheese but it was nice to get full use of what the place had to offer. My most recent stay was with my husband, my sister, and our dog. A charming cat also appeared while we were socializing outside and it made the experience more whimsical and magical. The cat looked well taken care of and I got the impression that it was a regular to the area. The morning walk around the landscape was charming too. Don't pass this place up!

    Samara C.

    This place is incredible! A true hidden gem in the Carmel & Big Sur area. It exceeded my expectations. Comfy bed, clean cabin, large shower and the coolest scenery outside my "tent"! Highlight recommend for anyone who visits Carmel or Big Sur and wants a little glamping in their life.

    Cozy, private, cute cottage
    Lorraine V.

    Beautiful cabin 10/10. Right of the highway, 4 minutes to the beach. Get lost by the sea at Carmel river inn.

    The Carmel River from our balcony
    Sean H.

    We stayed in the motel portion of the inn on the weekend for a wedding. Cons: Rooms are dated and could use a major overhaul. Shower door was starting to fall off and shower head is very low (had to do squats to wash my hair). Bathroom is small and does not have very good lighting for my wife to be putting on makeup for a wedding. For $300 a night I think it was a little over priced. Had some inconsistent people smoking on the balcony below us and had to close the slider (annoying). Pros: Nice view of the river from the balcony. Loved listening to the frogs at night. Room was clean and bed was comfortable. Some of the wedding party stayed in the new cabins and they were very nice inside. Refrigerator was bigger than average and things got very cold quickly. They have some older cabins but I didn't get a look inside. If I were to stay again I would ask for one of the new cabins

    trail by motel
    Tonya H.

    I was so excited to go to Carmel River Inn. It's hard to find places that accept pets, have areas for pets to hang out (courtyards, balconies) that are spaced apart and have areas to walk your dog. This place has all of that. I stayed in one of the duplex cottages with a small courtyard. I was given Room 55, arriving late on Thursday night. The front desk person told me he turned on the fireplace for me, which was a nice gesture. I arrived at the room and was overwhelmed by a musty stench. It smelled like a room where there had been a water leak and it hadn't been cleaned up properly and promptly. It was so bad I opened every window and turned on the ceiling fan to get the smell out until I finally had to shut them all to sleep. And it was 50 something degrees outside at the time. Friday morning I woke up at 6:30 - also low 50's - and opened all the windows again hoping to air out the room. Leaving all the windows open,I decided to go to the beach and was gone for several hours. When I returned, the stench was still there. I took a shower and realized that all my bathroom towels were permeated with the stench. I was drying my clean body with smelly rotten towels. Blech!! So gross. I checked on hotels.com and saw that several other rooms were available for that night, so I called the front desk. They were accommodating and offered to let me look at a couple of other rooms, one being the duplex next door - Room 56. I tried it and there was a faint smell, but not too bad. It was mostly in the bathroom.This room had obviously sat empty for awhile - there were several dead bugs on the bathroom floor. I got up this morning (Saturday), threw all my stuff in my car and was gone by 7:30 am. I just got home and the stench is all over everything, even the clothes in my suitcase that were not worn. The weird thing is when I arrived Thursday night I was one of the only cottage guests on the property. The front desk person had gone to the room before me. There is no way he didn't smell the awful stench. Why put me in that room when others were available? I paid $560 for 2 nights - $100 of this being the pet fee. I really, really thought this place was going to be great but here I am having to wash and Febreze everything I brought, so I feel very, very disappointed.

    Fill bar style kitchen in our clean and modern room.

    This place is magic. A heated pool, beautiful gardens, community fire pit, exceptional friendly staff, short paths along mature landscape and flowers, and a fairly easy bike ride to shopping, beaches and downtown Carmel. The historic cottages look absolutely retro-awesome - I thought I'd booked one of them, but we were in a modern cottage toward the (still beautiful!) back of the property. The room is large, modern, and has everything we need to eat at the cabin, and we are local to so many great restaurants if we want to go out. What I love is that this truly is a getaway. We felt wrapped in a lovely world and were genuinely able to relax and block everything out (tough for me!) The one con for me is that without the discounts I got through an oft-used booking site, I don't think we could have afforded it. I like this place so much, I'm happy to support them. But I just hope (and I wish this were true at all accommodations) that they offer bigger discounts during off-season. ones that any family can afford. Isn't it reasonable that more people be able to experience lovely accommodations like these?

    Loved this spot!
    Donna L.

    Would definitely go back. Dogs loved the studio bungalow. Fenced in little yard in the back, lots of sunlight and windows, own parking spot. There seems to be an ant issue though.

    Balcony view

    This is a lovely place. For me a great bed can overcome a lot of downsides. Our bed was arguably the most comfortable bed I've ever slept in. The mattress is perfection. The sheets are soft and the pillows were just like I prefer soft but some firmness. My girlfriend who is remarkably in tune with energy feels it has surprisingly clean energy. The rooms are clean and of decent size. There is a balcony overlooking a beautiful stream and majestic tree. At night in the quiet the frogs sing and make a beautiful sound. The only downside's are the shower is about 5.5 feet high and the bathroom could use some updating or modernization. The products could be better as well. In the day you can hear the highway when the sliding glass door is open and the walls between rooms are not really well insulated. For the price points and the ambiance, comfort of the bed I think this is a very nice option.

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    Love! Will stay here again and again. Great for our two dogs and so walkable to key areas we enjoy.

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    Ask the Community - Carmel River Inn

    Is Carmel river in pet friendly? Can my dogs stay?

    Yes, ask for a pet friendly room. The fees are an extra 40$ per nite.

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    Review Highlights - Carmel River Inn

    The cabin we stayed in was located at the east side of the property, and had a great private outdoor patio.

    Mentioned in 39 reviews

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    Stilwell Hotel

    Stilwell Hotel

    (34 reviews)

    Had a pleasant time staying 2 nights here at this boutique hotel with our pup. We got a king sized…read morebed room with a balcony and enjoyed our time. They've designed their hotel to look and feel like a little oasis. The intention was effective because it did feel like an enclosed paradise, quiet and pleasing to the eye. Our service during our drinks and pizza at their cafe and during breakfast time (included in our package) was excellent and staff were really friendly! Complimentary bubbles upon arrival which i love! Dog blankets outside. Good looking bathrooms. Aesthetically pleasing place. Robes and slippers in rooms. Luxurious sheets. My husband didn't love the bed but perhaps he just has a sensitive preference for his back. the rooms were swanky but small but we didn't mind it for 2 nights only. we spent a lot of time enjoying the nice weather outside. Walking distance to many places in downtown and parking at the hotel was included in pricing.

    We usually don't like to stay in Carmel by the Sea since the hotel are older and too much of a Bed…read moreand breakfast charm for my taste . Our go to would be Bernadus Lodge, Carmel Valley Ranch, ventana in Big Sur, so this was a change since it's the newest in town. We Stayed here on a quick getaway for my birthday, a solid new hotel walking distance to the beach, shops and restaurants The bed was very comfortable, high thread counts linen, and ample storage space. I like that it's new and clean. The best part of the stay was their breakfast Buffet, everything you would need to kickstart the day the right way. Cozy, comfortable and chic. Yes, yes, yes! We would come back for sure for a longer stay.

    Villa Mara - Portola room

    Villa Mara

    (31 reviews)

    One of the best! I've summered at Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons and other high-end boutique hotels,…read moreand this one is unmatched! It's intimate, it's private, it's the perfect weekend getaway! I get giddy over complimentary services and these are just a few included with your stay: welcome cocktail, slice of cake in the evening, unlimited loose leaf herbal teas and coffee, freshly baked warm cookies during turn down service, and brunch....The powder room is supplied with Dyson appliances and Le Labo amenities, all while being surrounded by book matched marble showers- if you know you know. The best way to describe Villa Mara is Curated. I truly felt like someone traveled the world and grabbed little treasures and local finds to furnish and add heart to the villa. Good thing I don't live far because I will be a guests again to receive rest at Villa Mara. One of the best birthdays yet, cheers!

    Villa Mara is pure California luxury, and easily one of the nicest boutique hotels I've ever stayed…read moreat. Opened in 2022, it feels brand new yet already timeless, with design that's both elegant and warm. The rooms? Incredible. Heated bathroom floors (yes, heated floors), a complimentary snack bar and fridge stocked with goodies, a sleek Dyson hairdryer, and even a fancy bidet -- every detail has been thought through. Our patio looked out toward the ocean, and at night you could hear the waves. But the real star of the show is breakfast. The coffee is excellent, the quiches are light and flavorful, and the almond croissants... wow. Hands down the best croissants I've ever had. I would come back just for those. Service was top-notch from start to finish. The staff made us feel so welcome -- kind, attentive, and genuinely happy to help. Add in the location (just steps from the beach), and this place checks every single box. If you're looking for a Carmel getaway that blends luxury with charm, Villa Mara is it.

    Carriage House Inn - Fireplace and bay window seat

    Carriage House Inn

    (123 reviews)

    $$$

    Room interiors are nice…read more Easy parking Breakfast quiche is really good. Overall bf worked well. Everyone at the desks was nice Convenient location Massive downside is that our room was 80F even with the windows open and both fans blasting when it was much colder outside Probably a solid choice if you come a colder time Some other inns (eg vagabond) are more quaint Overall just feels ridiculous to spend $500 for a night when it's unbearably hot inside

    Excellent everything!!! I have not stayed in a hotel with the service they gave. I felt like I…read moreWas in a luxury hotel. When we got in, It was about time for the wine social. They had offered us wine (red or white) and a whole variety of snacks that one Can find on a charcuterie board. They also have a coffee machine where they can make you a personal cup of coffee. Shayla had checked us in and showed us to our room and explained how things worked inside the room and where things were placed. We had booked the deluxe guest room. The room had a fireplace and a 2 person tub. The bed had fine Italian linens with down feather topper and pillows. I slept so well from the comfiness of the bed. They also included 2 beautiful robes and slippers. Parking was a bit snug, but there were 2 spaces that fit much larger cars. You can also park on the street as well. Location was excellent as we were just a few blocks from ocean Ave where all The shops were. The breakfast was amazing which included freshly baked quiches, muffins, croissants, granola and yogurt and more. They will bring the breakfast into your room every morning with your choice of time. They will also include two flasks where you can refill water in the station outside. I highly recommend coming here and will definitely visit again.

    Carmel Country Inn - In-Room Breakfast Service

    Carmel Country Inn

    (159 reviews)

    $$$

    We stayed at Carmel Country Inn from Friday to Sunday for a girls' trip, hoping for a relaxing and…read morerestful weekend. Unfortunately, our stay was quite disappointing. We booked one of the double rooms with a fireplace. While the room itself was fine, the walls and ceilings are extremely thin. From around 9pm to 1:00 AM, we could clearly hear footsteps from the room above us, along with conversations. It didn't seem like the guests upstairs were being intentionally disruptive -- it felt more like an issue with how the property is built and the lack of sound insulation. We did call the front desk and asked if they could notify the guests upstairs. After that, they were more mindful of their steps, which we appreciated, but we could still hear them trying to whispering. We chose this property because we were looking for a peaceful place to rest, reset, and enjoy quiet evenings. Unfortunately, that was not our experience. For the amount we paid for a weekend stay, we expected much better soundproofing and overall comfort. Sadly, we won't be returning or recommending this property to our family or friends.

    The most DARLING bed & breakfast…read more I loved the tea, coffee, and variety of delicious homemade cookies in the lobby when you check in. The homemade breakfast is amazing - warm mini-quiches, yummy pastries, yogurt & berries. Don't go crazy on the cookies and pastries here though- I did and experienced the horrible sugar crashes everyday, sob. The rooms are adorable, clean, and updated - with the most cozy beds too. The staff members are also the sweetest. Sandy is wonderful and make sure to say hi to Butters too, her adorable pup. Walkable to downtown Carmel & easy parking.

    Mission Ranch - Outside on the patio (with candles and heat lamps)

    Mission Ranch

    (1.3k reviews)

    $$$

    IG: rs.Albright TikTok: m.Albright…read more We came here in April on a Friday night. It was very cold so we decided to eat inside by the fire. Although, they did have heaters outside and it the view was so beautiful! My fettuccine Alfredo was delicious, definitely fresh and farm to table style. The garlic bread was also amazing. They don't take reservations so be prepared to wait. The parking lot is fairly small as well. The service was amazing and I would come back!

    This is my first 1 star review to ever write. This gets interesting, so if interested read on…read more We attempted to book a birthday celebration for my wife and what should have been an exciting experience turned into one of the worst interactions I've ever had with a restaurant and management.  We were planning a party for 10 adults and 10 children and were shocked when the event coordinator quoted us an outrageous $30,000. Putting aside the price itself, the far bigger issue was how incredibly rude and dismissive she was toward my wife during the conversation. After we expressed concerns, we were referred to the General Manager. I emailed the GM and heard absolutely nothing for over a week despite leaving multiple voicemails. After trying a third time, I finally received a return phone call. I was told my email was never received. We explained how poorly the event coordinator treated us and that we had specifically been directed to management. Initially, the GM seemed understanding. She spoke about how small the kitchen is and how larger parties can impact other guests' experiences. She said she'd try to help, recommend alternative venues if needed, and asked me to email details again. I thought we were finally making progress. Then things somehow got worse. After sending the email, I received what was obviously an accidental phone call. During the call, the GM appeared to be speaking with a colleague and was talking negatively about me for absolutely no reason. I heard comments about how she receives lots of emails and assumes many are spam until someone sends a second email, and that she handles voicemails similarly. Hearing that level of disregard for guests regardless of how serious or beneficial the inquiry might be for the business was honestly shocking. At that point, any chance of earning our business disappeared. Even if I receive an apology, I will never spend a dollar at this establishment. The ownership seriously needs to evaluate the management team because I've never felt so disrespected by a restaurant in my life. Extremely disappointing experience from start to finish. Unfortunately can't say anything about the food and never will.

    Carmel River Inn - hotels - Updated May 2026

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