We chose La Playa Hotel for a special birthday celebration and it exceeded expectations in every way. From the moment we checked in, the staff was gracious, attentive, and genuinely excited to help us celebrate. Our room was beautifully appointed, and the thoughtful touches made it feel truly special. A fruit and cheese plate waiting for us, a handwritten wax-sealed note, and a sense that real care went into preparing the room. Those details matter, and La Playa gets that. The champagne breakfast was a highlight: relaxed, elegant, and set against a gorgeous view of the garden with the ocean beyond. It felt celebratory without being stuffy-classic Carmel charm done right. From start to finish, the experience felt intentional, warm, and memorable. La Playa doesn't just provide a stay-they create an experience. We couldn't have picked a better place to celebrate and will absolutely return. read more

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This was a charming hotel inclusive of old world charm along with modern conveniences. The room was lovely, overlooking water, gardens beautiful and complimentary breakfast buffet outstanding. Specials warm chocolate chip cookie at night will keep folks returning! read more

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Lovely room. Bed and pillows are quite soft. Perhaps too soft for some. Liked the in room tea and coffee. Plenty of towels which is rare in hotels. The breakfast was amazing. Servers, especially Brenda, were all very attentive. Nice to have rides after 5pm to dinner and offer pick ups. Rooms were cleaned daily. Gardens very nice. Pool area very secure. I highly recommend. Bar was super busy. Would stay here again. read more

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We had a lovely stay at La Playa. It was just a 1 night sneak away from real life in the Bay Area but the service was amazing and the Ocean View room was great. I read that they spent $20 million updating the hotel in 2023, which shows. The hotel maintains its historical 1905 charm but there are lots of plugs and technology in the well-appointed 75 guest suites where you want them, and our room was in excellent repair. No stains, no smudges, no tears and no obvious signs of wear. Beautiful. Even the shower was amazing, with perfect water pressure and Le Labo bath products. The location is a block from the mile-plus dog-friendly beach with vistas across the Pebble Beach and all around Monterey Bay. We took advantage of the La Playa free afternoon wine (red, white, rose or champagne), the fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies out 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm and the complimentary champagne breakfast - all were great. After an afternoon of rigorous walking, we also took their free shuttle service to our dinner restaurant- which would only have been an 8 minute walk (up a gradual incline) so the luxury benefit of the branded BMW SUV was an especially nice perk. Everyone at La Playa was so nice, including the other guests. We particularly loved the La Playa close proximity to both the breaking waves of the beach and all the shopping and food of downtown Carmel-By-The-Sea. Highly recommend to all, including the "Bohemians and Vagabonds" to whom the hotel addressed its welcome letter when we checked in )! read more

La Playa Hotel - Champaign Brunch, Lobby Cocktails, Driving Shuttle and Homemade Cookies - Hotels Near Me - Carmel, California

La Playa Hotel is such a charming hotel in Carmel located a couple of blocks from the beach and downtown! The service is extraordinary, they have a nice complementary cocktail social, a champagne breakfast, a shuttle to downtown, and the hotel and rooms are so cute! The hotel is also not too far from the Laguna Seca Raceway! I can't think of anything that needs improvement. read more

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Absolutely in love with this place, the history, the cozy ambience, the amazing breakfast, location, everything about it is perfect! it's like the Château Marmont of Northern California read more

Carmel is an absolute dream! La Playa hotel is a beautiful and historic building in the heart of town. Walking distance from both the beach and downtown area. The hotel is beautiful! The staff at times seemed unfriendly and not what I expected with the price tag. The walls are super thin! You can hear everything'. The room was lovely with amazing decor however lacked closet space. We loved the breakfast, happy hour, and evening cookies. Overall it was a magical stay in Carmel! read more

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This review is strictly about it being a wedding venue, and a beautiful one at that! I recently went to La Playa Hotel as a guest of a wedding and wow, everything is so picturesque, even on a gloomy Carmel day. PROS: + have your whole wedding in just one venue: a stunning reception outside in their courtyard area followed by a cocktail hour on the balcony (seems like it could also be in the courtyard area, they have enough room) followed by the reception in their banquet room and an after party in their bar next door. + Views of the ocean from your reception and balcony space - a beautiful backdrop! + Super helpful and quick staff, servers, and bartenders + of course with any hotel venue, it is super convenient for the bride and groom and their wedding party to get ready onsite CONS: + parking is very limited in the area for guests. I'd recommend taking rideshare if possible. + the balcony as a cocktail hour space can get tight depending on how many guests you want to have there + a truly minor inconvenience, but there's a lot of stairs to get from one place to the next If you're staying there, it's also super close to the downtown area and the beach so it's a pretty central location to enjoy Carmel. read more

Check in was seamless. Excellent customer service. Was told there were wine and freshly baked cookies but never saw anything. Room was small, clean, apx 350 sq ft. Beautiful view of ocean from our window. Wonderful in room bar. Food was fantastic, again servers were professional, polite and friendly. Food was fantastic. Great wedge salad, delicious halibut with polenta and an amazing dessert. The hotel is overall quiet but the people above us were loud and the sounds carried. Breakfast buffet was fabulous. So many choices. Breakfast burritos, muffins, croissants, waffles, omelets, coffee, mimosas, potato's, fresh fruit and so much more read more

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What a beautiful historical property! We enjoyed a room by the pool which had a huge living room, big bedroom and lovely bath. They really spoil you here with wine in the afternoon, warm chocolate chip cookies at night and the most amazing breakfast! They even have drivers to take you to restaurants in the area. The lobby even has a huge bowl of fresh fruit. Definitely worth staying here for a special occasion! read more

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What an amazing place to stay, we were referred by my close friend, we loved every thing about our stay. What a lovely hotel with beautiful view every where you turn. We will be here again. read more

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My wife and I took a quick overnight break from the Bay Area on a Monday evening, returning to Carmel to toast our 20 yrs of marriage. We selected The Playa as this was where many of our wedding guests had stayed. We were glad to see that the original charm of this hotel was retained after the recent renovation. We had great help form Sameel while checking in who directed us to a suitable room. After dinning out that eve, we decided to sleep in and enjoy a wonderful breakfast buffet which was served on the patio. The entire wait staff was fantastic but we wanted to especially note the amazing service and warmth Brenda provided us. She could not have been sweeter or more attentive. Outstanding experience all the way around. Rob S read more

AMAZING HOTEL and stayed here for my wedding weekend! Everyone needs to either stay or visit La Playa Hotel while they're in Carmel. So pretty, quaint, artistic, and moving how the place has been decorated with a gorgeous view of the ocean, upscale bar and fireplace lounge area. The rooms were so clean, an ode to the classy past of Carmel, with modern aesthetics at the same time, making the perfect blend. Plus the breakfast is a must try. I will absolutely be coming back and recommending others. read more

La Playa Hotel - Wedding champagne setup by hotel before arrival! - Hotels Near Me - Carmel, California

We stayed here for our anniversary and engagement. This place is absolutely stunning from the views to (dime time). Michael one of the leads there is so amazing he really made us feel at home. We will never forget our experience here at La Playa hotel. We will continue to stay here and create many more memories. Thank toyou all the staff that made our anniversary/engagement special read more

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Unfortunately, the service we received left us very disappointed. Our server, Vanessa, did not provide basic essentials such as utensils and napkins when bringing our appetizers. I had to get up and find her in order to request them. Throughout the evening, she never offered water, and when I requested it, she only brought one glass and did not extend the courtesy of asking my guest if he would like some as well. No refills were offered either. The pattern continued when entrées arrived--food was dropped off without follow-up, and the server disappeared for long stretches of time. Considering that the restaurant was nearly empty when we arrived at 8 pm (we were the only one having dinner) the lack of attentiveness was surprising. What made the experience worse was the attitude displayed when I asked for such basic requests as water. Given the caliber and pricing of your establishment, I expected a much higher level of service. Unfortunately, this left us with a very negative impression and makes us hesitant to return. read more

Unfortunately you don't get what you pay for here. Spent $3500 for three nights with our dog. Despite their pet friendly claim, it's clear they weren't prepared as we were not given a garden patio room as advertised even though the pet registration form was submitted right after booking. I've never stayed at a "luxury" hotel that charges $250 for a pet fee that couldn't even provide dog bowls, the bare minimum. Some pros: -Breakfast buffet was decent -Great location two blocks from the beach and town Cons: -Paper thin walls you could hear everything -Front desk staff lacked basic hospitality, no offer to help with bags as we clearly struggled -Inconvenient parking lot. It's a trek to get to the front desk, and there are no signs making arrival confusing -Walkways are a hazard read more

We had booked an ocean view king suite and was very much looking forward to sitting on the patio with the ocean in the distance - I brought multiple books to enjoy on the outdoor patio while feeling the ocean breeze and sipping wine. Before we arrived, we were offered an upgrade to the suite - their "best room", in their words. Who could resist - so we took it. The room was on the 3rd floor and the stairs were no problem. The living room had a view of the houses across the street and the bedroom had a beautiful view of the hotel's second story roof and chimney. The red shingles were in multiple shades of red, which accented the brick chimney and red rusted vents. No deck or patio. The room itself was large enough, but very dated - drab and dark. I think next time I will keep the ocean view room. read more

La Playa Hotel - View from bedroom - Hotels Near Me - Carmel, California

La Playa Hotel is the jewel of Carmel by the Sea. From check in to check out the service in every area was fantastic. Great attention to detail begins in the lobby, the reception desk, the fireplace and the cozy alcove. Upon check in we were offered the complimentary afternoon Sangria. After settling into our lovely appointed rooms we relaxed on the patio surrounded by a lush garden sipping our Sangria. The rooms are spacious, a small table and chair, a chaise was a perfect spot reading a book and the rotary phone added to the charm. The Bar/Armoire is absolutely beautiful, be sure to read the cards in the wood box. The bed was comfortable with high quality linens and pillows. I usually prefer my own hair products but La Playa's Le Labo shampoo, conditioner and shower gel were superior to the typical hotel bath products. I ordered the lotion it was so hydrating with a subtle scent. The classic elegance of La Playa is reminiscent of a European style hotel. We walked the path to the pool, the area was of average size but sufficient with a fire pit and lounge chairs with towels. The surrounding gardens were in full bloom with multiple places to relax. Adults and children were enjoying the giant Chess game. Start your day with a Mimosa or a glass of champagne followed by a delicious breakfast buffet. Omelettes and waffles are made to order, try the tasty gluten free carrot muffin and the avocado toast. You can dine in the main space, on the deck or in Bud's. After a day exploring the area the smell of warm chocolate chip cookies upon entering the lobby were difficult to resist. The Mercedes SUV will take you and pick you up for dinner at local restaurants. We enjoyed Bud's Bar in the hotel after dinner for the live music on a Thursday evening. Bring some dimes for "Dime Time" , the bartender rings a bell and for ten minutes cocktails are a dime. If you are a frequent visitor to Bud's you can become a member of their signature cabinet program and keep your favorite bottle in your own personal cabinet. La Playa's location is perfect, a short walk to Ocean Avenue for restaurants and shopping and a quick walk to Carmel Beach. The manager Brett, Kathleen at the reception desk and Michael were professional, friendly and welcoming. We are fortunate to live only a few hours drive from Carmel and visit often, La Playa is a special place that we look forward to returning soon. read more

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Beautiful place. Very elegant, clean, cozy , unique and historical . Le labo in bathroom. Stay there so many times. Never disappointed. Very friendly staff. Very good customer service. Delicious breakfast with amazing view. Please make hot tub. :) read more

The La Playa Hotel is the old grand Dame of Carmel. It is undergone many remodels and upgrades over its 110 year history. The service here is exceptional, the hotel rooms are beautiful, and the little pluses that are included are fantastic. Don't be put off by its location because it's perfect. Lying between the beach and the village is a wonderful location. Their resort fee include so much it's amazing everything from a complementary brunch after your stay to a car service into the village for dinner. A friendly and very knowledgeable staff about the history of the hotel but also that of Carmel itself. We were delighted to stay there this time and look forward to our return visit. Thank you to Kathleen, Don, and the rest of the staff for making us feel so welcome on this special getaway. read more

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This review is purely for the bar, July 2025. Decent drinks but very meh service. For the price, I wish they were more attentive to the customers. We wanted a second round and were thinking about ordering dinner, but it seriously took 20+ minutes to get the bartenders attention. It wasn't even that busy, but they were just super distracted "setting up bar." It was like 7pm. Come on! Get your s---t together! We closed and left. B'bye! read more

I'm all about "stay-cations" in unique and gorgeous boutique hotels. La Playa is a place that one has to experience for oneself. Anyone that takes my word for it will understand upon arrival and throughout the duration of stay. Impressive across the board. *curtsy read more

La Playa Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Carmel, California

Great place, amazing staff and it's very convenient, close to the shopping area, and very close to the beach...

Just beautiful! Great ocean views and only 2 blocks from ocean. The staff is amazing and so friendly. Mike and Chi were so fun and friendly. The breakfast is delicious. Can't wait to go back! read more

This is a really upscale high priced hotel with lots of comfort issues for the guests. This property is over 100 years old and there is no sound proofing, old single pane windows, no window screens, un even floors /walkways....... Lots more problems for safety and comfort. Also, the 20 million dollar renovation was paint, AC/heat and outdoor upgrades. The restaurant was very limited as well. All said not worth the average price of $700 per night. Con: poor comfort, hotel is worn out, not Disabled friendly, poor food, rooms small, no closet space, no parking, cold water pool, hazards outside walking path, price out of sight for value, house keeping substandard... Pros: location, staff, bar entertainment, outdoor garden. read more

The Place is sowuiet and peaceful, staff are all nice and friendly, every staff I encountered are all accomodating. Oceanview room is spectacular and very classy in the inside.Bar and restaurant are a destination to visit. Overall we had a great time and got treated very well. And to add they have a limo service to take you to a restaurant that you want to dine for the night. Its a touch of good hospitality service. Kudos to all the staff and will definitely comeback for a night stay again. The location is great and walking distance to Carmel Beach. read more

La Playa Hotel - Carmel Beach - Hotels Near Me - Carmel, California

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This is probably the most expensive hotel I'll ever stay at! It's hard to believe my room was the cheapest esp. compared to the ones attached to the main hotel building. It was essentially an apartment space, with a living room + a dining table! Amazing! Perhaps because others got an ocean view, while mine had the pool right outside my door. Additional daily complimentary perks include: champagne breakfast buffet, midday wine/sangria/spritz and chocolate chip cookies in the evening. The cookies were meh but let's not pass up freebies when the hotel costs an arm and a leg! For a swanky hotel, I've got two mini gripes. I could hear the people in the room next to me quite clearly, and I could've used more hot shower water. I turned it all the way, it wasn't terrible but not even burning. While I enjoyed my stay, I keep asking - is this place worth its price tag? The property comes with ocean view and access -- barely a minute walk away! I loved that. I didn't walk to downtown but later realized it would've been an easy 8-min. trek. I also loved that they have a shuttle (re: branded SUV) to take you to and from downtown Carmel, as well as pick up your to-go order if you don't feel like venturing for dinner. However it is limited to that area only. Speaking of great service, someone will carry your luggage and walk you to your room once you're checked in! Which was a big help esp. since my room was outside, kindof like an in-law unit :) I would be open to booking here again maybe for a special occasion. I'd equally be open to staying elsewhere in the same vicinity for a couple hundred bucks less! Given the $$$, you almost want to spend as much time at the hotel to get your money's worth hahha. Clearly I'm not used to the bougie life! The public restroom is so fancy you dry your hands with cloth towels instead of paper! read more

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Our first time staying in Carmel by the sea. This hotel has been on my wife's bucket list for a while so we decided to take a last minute trip. We've stayed at many coastal hotels throughout California and we both agree that the staff hospitality and attention to detail far exceeds what we've experienced in more expensive luxury hotels. The rooms were very quaint. The hotel sits about two blocks from Carmel beach. Their gardens are beautiful and you could easily spend hours relaxing in the many cozy nooks. Their complimentary champagne breakfast was delicious. From the omelette bar to the delightful buffet area we enjoyed everything they offered. We will definitely be back ! read more

OMG if I could give 10 stars I would! This place was BEYOND AMAZING & I absolutely HIGHLY recommend! It's definitely worth every penny!! This isn't just a Carmel accommodation, it was an entire getaway experience where we were able to be fully present & just relax & enjoy every minute & detail. I mean EVERYTHING was 10/10!! The customer service was so kind, warming, helpful, amazing--from the front desk to the bell service to the restaurant service & even the car service offered in the evening so you don't need to drive into town & worry about parking! LOVED that added service! And OMG, EVERY single detail in this hotel was so well-thought out! From every inch of the lobby, the different lounge rooms & areas, the room. I adored the room details not just the vintage decor but also the added touches like the letter with wax seal which enclosed details for our stay, a sweet note plus wine welcoming our stay & celebrating our wedding anniversary, even the little paper notes that hotels usually have well it wasn't just a basic pad of paper it was actual like cardstock notes held together with a small gold vintage-styled clip. They really were so intentional with EVERY detail from decor to comforts to necessities to luxury to service! We had a garden & ocean view room & I loved the style of the windows & how they opened up to the sound of the ocean & the feel of the cool ocean air. I loved the way they styled the bar in the room, it is unlike any other I've seen & very much aligned with the theme of the rest of the hotel style & vibe! They even had additional snacks & treats as well as a variety of drinks to offer additionally. Even the detail of the little info cards on the bar was very intentional. They had the BEST BREAKFAST SPREAD I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED IN ANY HOTEL!! They really had EVERYTHING, I wish I had taken videos & pictures of it but I'm such a foodie that I was just really present & enjoying & indulging in everything they had to offer. When you first walk in there's a center table with avocado toast, smoked salmon toast, oatmeal & berries, charcuterie, fruit spread, potatoes with bell peppers & onion, hard-boiled eggs, there were the most extravagant offerings I've seen at a complimentary breakfast! To the right they had tables that offered hot tea, coffee, juices, water, variety of breads & bagels. And then that wasn't even it, you walk out to the terrace & they had a waffle station AND an entire omelette bar with ALL the fixings you could possibly want! AND THEN they ALSO had service where waitresses/waiters would offer drink service & clean up & more. There were heaters outside so it was really nice plus you got the morning sun with the cool morning ocean breeze & the view overlooked the whole hotel garden area plus the ocean. I could've spent all morning there it was absolutely incredible all around! The BEST complimentary breakfast experience I have EVER had at a hotel & especially being a foodie that was definitely one of my favorite things about this place! And then we enjoyed the garden area with the giant chess board & pieces, all the flowers, the water fountain, the lounge area, even the pool was so nice! And in the evening they serve homemade chocolate chip cookies for all the guests too it was delicious & so thoughtful! We only stayed one night but next time will definitely stay longer so that we can really indulge & enjoy all that La Playa has to offer cause it was the most amazing hotel experience HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT IS SO WORTH IT!! read more

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This hotel is an iconic gem! My husband can't stop talking about the beautiful landscaping throughout. Our room opened up to the ocean, it was on the small side which was fine, we spent our time in town, in the hotel grounds and at the ocean. The service and food was excellent, they had a brunch the I could have enjoyed all day! The California movie star vibe was captured perfectly! read more

This hotel is very expensive and the classic rooms are so so tiny. It couldn't even allow a crib to fit in. We stayed for two nights but there is no room service. The front desk never picked up your call, and no one seems like to really care about our experience here. Totally disappointed and will never come back again. read more

La Playa is an AMAZING hotel. It truly is as luxurious as you could get in Carmel. I loved the amenities including the champagne breakfast (which was amazing), the free shuttle to any downtown Carmel location, and the spritz happy hour and cookies in the lobby. We stayed in the poolside casita and it was so lovely to walk right outside our door and be at the pool. The weather cooperated with us for half our trip and we loved laying by the pool and getting some sun. We went to Bud's bar for pre-dinner drinks and while the drinks were tasty, the olive and cheese plate left a lot to be desired for $18. The drinks are around $17-$20 each, but that was to be expected. Overall, I would absolutely recommend as long as you can afford around $1,000 a night (again was for our Honeymoon so we splurged) read more

The hotel room we got was $700+ a night and it was incredibly moldy and smelly and they wouldn't do anything other than send staff to spray Lysol read more

The fact that this place isn't at 5 stars is astounding!!! This is the BEST place to stay in Carmel. Outstanding service staff, the breakfast is to die for, and the overall atmosphere and grounds are STUNNING. The best hotel experience I've ever had by far. Very picturesque. Free shuttle to take you to dinner in Carmel- warm cookies in the lobby, great bar, and the staff is so helpful and welcoming. We come here every Valentine's Day and always love our stay. read more

Absolutely my favorite hotel in Carmel. Excellent staff here. The place is fastidiously cared for. I take my sangria that the front desk just poured and head to the restaurant. The sea breeze is coming thru the window up here on the veranda at the beautiful and historical La Playa. The grounds are beautiful and my imagination ushers in an old film of bygone eras. Days of croquet, long gone laughter and the speakeasy. Our room is clean and well appointed. Michael helps us with our luggage AND dinner reservations. He's wonderful. This place is so peaceful. I'm in need of peaceful. I know what a treat this is and I'm not going to want to leave in a few days. I hope others see this and come enjoy a sweet rest here also. read more

La Playa Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Carmel, California

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La Playa has my heart! The new renovation preserved the old charm while making incredible upgrades to the rooms. The in-room bars are at a level I've never seen before! I love the whimsy and creativity, from the historical welcome letter to the special golden key left in my room to discover a personal locker at Bud's Bar for a night cap! La Playa is wonderful for business meetings, families, and couples get aways. The Carmel sea fills the soul, but again La Playa has my heart! read more

As we arrived we were surprised with a free upgraded to an amazing room with the most beautiful ocean view. We were celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary. In the room a very nice bottle of champagne and a beautiful note welcomed us. The staff in this hotel is incredible. J, Brenda, and others were so welcoming, kind and genuinely welcoming! We were very impressed. Now, the hotel is beautiful, charming, cozy and elegant! Fireplaces throughout, a library with board games, fireplace varanda with ocean views, manicured garden. Super comfortable bed, large bathroom and my favorite Lê Labo products everywhere. 2 blocks from the beach, a few blocks from downtown, absolutely the best location. Breakfast is amazing! Free cocktails Friday and Saturday night! Nightly warm chocolate chip cookies! I can't say enough about my wonderful weekend at La Playa! What a great find! We will be back soon! read more

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La Playa Hotel is a perfect blend of luxury and comfort. Our room had amazing ocean views and was spotlessly clean. The staff went above and beyond, making us feel truly welcome. Highlights: Stunning location Comfortable, well-appointed rooms Exceptional service Delicious breakfast (try the croissants!) Nice touches like Verve Coffee and welcome champagne Whether you're here for a romantic getaway or exploring Carmel, La Playa Hotel is an excellent choice. We'll definitely be back! Pros: Beautiful views, great service, perfect location Cons: None - we loved every minute! read more

You are greeted by staff of bygone charm and a refreshing hotel scent . Few blocks away from Carmel beach, you can hear the waves at night when all is quiet. Lovely intimate inviting garden areas for relaxing and lounging. La Playa hotel is rich in history and was recently renovated reminiscent of nostalgic times. Breakfast buffet and service is remarkable and not to be missed. A must return stay when in Carmel by the Sea. read more

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Given this place was recently renovated, I was surprised to the lack of thought that went into the interior design of the rooms. First, we wanted to book a suite but then had to downgrade because the suite was on the fourth floor with no elevator and one of us was in a wheelchair. The rooms are small. There is no counter space on the bathroom to put toiletries. There's no space to lay out our luggage. The Staff and service were not the greatest. Each time we asked for something, they tell you there is an additional charge. When they say there is free happy hour each day, they hide the drinks behind the reception area. The ADA rooms are also super small and not great for someone traveling in a wheelchair. Honestly, this place is overpriced. Not recommended and will not be back. read more