Main menu

Pages

offers

Monterey and Carmel, two of California's most attractive towns, have ten locations to stay.

10 places to stay in Monterey and Carmel, two of California's most charming towns



Although the distance between Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea is only four miles, each of these picturesque California cities has its own special attraction that attracts families, couples, golfers, and tourists of all kinds.


Cannery Row, the previously rough avenue made famous by John Steinbeck and today crowded with quirky businesses and seafood eateries selling dishes of local calamari and crab, is located in Monterey.


Carmel-by-the- Photographer Ansel Adams, author Beverly Cleary, and actors Doris Day and Clint Eastwood all all lived in Sea, a former artist colony. Clint was previously the mayor of the town. The community is now home to charming boutiques, wine stores, quiet restaurants, and world-famous golf in Pebble Beach, which is just a short drive away.


Each has its own appeal, as do the various options for area lodging. In Monterey and Carmel, the top hotels range from romantic bed-and-breakfasts to family-friendly motels near the Aquarium and a 500-acre ranch in the valley.


1 - The Spindrift Inn is located in the town of Spindrift..

Monterey and Carmel, two of California's most attractive towns, have ten locations to stay.





Category: Boutique

Location : Cannery Row, Monterey

Typical starting/peak prices: $173/ $374

Best for: Couples

Breakfast, wine and cheese reception, and Wi-Fi are all available on-site.

Pros: Most of the hotel's accommodations have ocean views, and the complementary breakfast is a nice amenity.

Cons: The hotel does not have a restaurant or any other on-site amenities.


-- The Spindrift's calm romantic ambiance is great for couples, with 45 rooms and suites, the most of which have ocean views. With the help of the in-room binoculars, see if you can detect local water life like seals and otters.

The Cannery Row Kings are standard rooms with views of the famed street made famous by John Steinbeck. The Ocean View Kings are my favourite because of their comfortable window chairs or private balconies that provide a great view of the water. You'll enjoy elegantly appointed apartments with a subtle European ambiance of rich brocades, dark oak furniture, and sage green and dusty rose tones, whichever option you choose. There is also a wood-burning fireplace in each room.

Every stay includes breakfast, which is the only significant amenity provided. Fruits, cereal, bread, juice, and coffee are delivered to your room on a silver plate every morning. The hotel hosts a wine and cheese reception in the afternoon.

2 - Abrego Hotel

Monterey and Carmel, two of California's most attractive towns, have ten locations to stay.





Category: Mid-range

Location: Monterey

Typical starting/peak prices: $197/$509

Best for: Couples, families, friends, solo travelers

Restaurant, bar, pool, and fitness facility are all available on-site.

Pros: The complimentary on-site parking is a nice advantage, especially because parking in this location may be difficult to come by.

Cons: Rooms might be noisy, and the hotel is located a long way from the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the bay.

-- In downtown Monterey, Hotel Abrego is an economical, clean, and pleasant alternative. It is less crowded and significantly less expensive than its closer equivalents because it is positioned away from the waterfront. You won't have those lovely bay views, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row are roughly a 40-minute walk away, so keep that in mind when making your reservation.

The entry-level Deluxe Rooms are roomy, though basic, if you don't mind the distance. Upgrade to a Deluxe Room with a fireplace for around $10 more, or step up to the next category, the Premier Room, which has a balcony or patio, for about $10 more.

The public areas of the hotel are decorated in a Craftsman style, and there is a huge heated pool and hot tub. Bistro Abrego delivers California cuisine for supper and will soon include brunch to its menu.

There are a number of restaurants in the area, as well as a Pete's Coffee and a Trader Joe's.

3 - Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa

Monterey and Carmel, two of California's most attractive towns, have ten locations to stay.





Category: Luxury

Location: Cannery Row, Monterey

Typical starting/peak prices: $269/$529

Best for: Couples, families, friends

Hot tub, restaurant, exercise centre, spa, and bike rentals are all available on-site.

Pros: The hotel is conveniently located near the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row, making it ideal for sightseeing. After a long day of touring, unwind at the rooftop spa.

Cons: There is no on-site parking. You'll either have to find your own parking spot or pay a steep nightly cost for the hotel's valet service.

-- The Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa, along with the InterContinental, is one of the most popular hotels in the area, located in the middle of Cannery Row, Monterey's famed tourist sector. The hotel is built directly on the water, providing breathtaking views of the ocean and Monterey Bay.

The hotel rooms are decorated in relaxing tones of beige, brown, and cream in a simple, clean, contemporary manner. Upgrade to a higher tier for views of the ocean, bay, or harbour, as well as private balconies or fireplaces. A suite, which ranges in size from 700 to 2,100 square feet and includes a hot tub, a sun deck, and beach views, is the finest way to splurge.

The rooftop spa, which features two hot tubs with water views, is not to be missed. Staff members are available to develop personalised itineraries for your visit at the fitness facility, which is well-equipped with Peloton bikes.


4 - InterContinental The Clement Monterey, an IHG Hotel

Monterey and Carmel, two of California's most attractive towns, have ten locations to stay.




Category: Luxury

Location: Cannery Row, Monterey

Typical starting/peak prices: $285/$556

Best for: Families, IHG loyalists, business travelers, friends

On-site facilities include a restaurant, a bar, a pool, a fitness centre, and a spa.

Pros: The hotel is directly across the street from the Monterey Bay Aquarium on Cannery Row, the city's biggest tourist attraction.

Cons: Parking is expensive on a daily basis, costing $35 for a space a few blocks away or $45 for valet.

-- This is the best hotel to consider if you plan on spending the most of your visit at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, as it is located next door.

When you return at the end of the day, you'll have much to do with an on-site pool, fitness centre, and restaurant, which is significantly more than most in the neighbourhood. The hotel also has its own dock and boardwalk, providing guests with a panoramic view of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

There are 120 rooms and suites, all of which are decorated in the elegant, contemporary style you'd expect from the Intercontinental brand, with comfy mattresses and excellent bathrooms. You'll have to pay more for ocean views, balconies, and fireplaces, which can cost up to twice as much as the entry-level rooms, although being significantly larger.

Families love the outdoor pool and spa, which is a great plus for those with water-loving youngsters. On chilly evenings, the courtyard includes fire pits and is a pleasant spot to unwind.


5 - Old Monterey Inn

Monterey and Carmel, two of California's most attractive towns, have ten locations to stay.





Category: Boutique

Location: Monterey

Typical starting/peak prices: $299/$499

Best for: Couples

Breakfast and a spa are available on-site.

Pros: The hotel has a cosy, romantic atmosphere that couples will like, and the various room styles each have their own character.

Cons: Despite the fact that breakfast is included, there is no restaurant. This motel is not appropriate for families because weekends need a two-night stay and rooms only sleep two people.

-- The Ancient Monterey Inn is a classic bed and breakfast in the heart of Monterey, built in an old 1920s English Tudor townhouse. Patricia Schulz's "1,000 Places to See Before You Die: A Traveler's Life List" included this lovely inn, which has been welcome tourists since 1978. It is a location for couples looking for a particular escape. It is intimate and peaceful, and it is not a place for families.

With enormous worn leather chairs, European-inspired linens, and a varied variety of antiques, the charming guest rooms are both homely and sophisticated. The Brighstone Suite, which has a grand fireplace and soaking tub in the living room and overlooks the garden, to the Library Suite, which has floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, a rustic stone fireplace, and a lovely patio.

Guests can have a delicious breakfast in the dining area or in the quiet of their own room every morning. After that, take a stroll through the lush English garden, which is filled with seating areas where you may sit and relax.

Nightly cheese and hors d'oeuvres are served by candlelight near to a crackling fireplace in the evenings, coupled with house wines from local vintners. There's also a spa where you can get facials and massages.


6 - Cypress Inn

Monterey and Carmel, two of California's most attractive towns, have ten locations to stay.





Category: Boutique

Location: Carmel-by-the-sea

Typical starting/peak prices: $276/$429

Best for: Couples, travelers with pets

Restaurant, brunch, hot tub, complimentary cream sherry (upon request), fresh fruit and snacks, pet blankets and bowls are all available on-site.

Pros: This hotel is pet-friendly and offers a variety of amenities for your four-legged family member. It's also at a fantastic spot.

cons: Outside noises can be heard in some rooms due to their modest size. It's also possible that finding a parking spot will be difficult.


-- Doris Day and dogs are both famous at the Cypress Inn. This quaint Mediterranean-inspired hotel, established in 1929, was formerly co-owned by the Hollywood star and has been a long-time friend of furry family members.

With vaulted ceilings, wood beams, and colourful Spanish tiles, the property exudes old-school elegance. An airy garden courtyard provides a pleasant respite from the city's crowded pavements.

The standard rooms are tastefully furnished with dark wood furnishings, however they are small and boxy. Wood-beamed ceilings, fireplaces, Jacuzzi tubs, and seaside views distinguish the deluxe rooms and suites.

Dogs of all kinds and sizes are welcome on the grounds, in the halls, and even in the restaurant, as the hotel is dog-friendly. The stay includes a continental breakfast buffet, and in the evenings, a locally based food is provided alongside live music. Finish with a complementary glass of cream sherry, fresh fruit, and light munchies.


7 - La Playa Carmel

Monterey and Carmel, two of California's most attractive towns, have ten locations to stay.




Category: Boutique

Location: Carmel-by-the-Sea

Typical starting/peak prices: $278/ $549

Best for: Couples, families, friends

Pool, restaurant, bar, and bike rental are all available on-site.

Pros: The hotel is in a fantastic location, close to both the beach and the village. A pleasant advantage is the enormous central pool.

cons: The ordinary rooms are cramped. You'll need to upgrade to get extra space, which will increase your overall cost.

--La Playa Carmel features 75 refurbished rooms that are nicely furnished with a beach cottage vibe in mind, with wood shutters and wicker furniture, and is conveniently located two blocks from the beach and the village's main street. For a more pleasant stay, upgraded accommodations have ocean views, private patios, and fireplaces.

The hotel's well-kept grounds surround the guest rooms, which include gardens, patio areas, and a large swimming pool, which is a rarity in town.

In the library overlooking the Pacific, a daily champagne breakfast buffet with fruit, pastries, cheeses, and hot entrees is offered, and for an evening cocktail and snacks, head to the bar for drinks in a pleasant bohemian-inspired atmosphere.


8 - Tradewinds Carmel

Monterey and Carmel, two of California's most attractive towns, have ten locations to stay.




Category: Boutique

Location: Carmel-by-the-Sea

Typical starting/peak prices: $316/$493

Best for: Couples

Breakfast and in-room spa treatments are among the on-site attractions.

Pros: Parking in Carmel-by-the-Sea is difficult, but the Tradewinds has its own large parking lot. It's also in a peaceful neighbourhood just a few blocks from the town's main street.

Cons: There aren't many amenities at this hotel, but there are plenty of restaurants and spas nearby.

--The Tradewinds is a great place to stay if you want to relax and unwind while yet being close to the restaurants and shops of Carmel-by-the-Sea.

There are only 28 rooms, each featuring Asian-inspired furnishings gathered from Bali, Japan, and China, as well as custom-made Kimona Balinese robes. With goose-down feather beds, jacuzzi bathtubs, and gas fireplaces, the rooms are luxurious. They're modest in stature and only fit two people, but they're great on comfort.

A lushly planted mediation Zen garden with tall bamboo, tropical plants, a fountain, and a fire pit welcomes guests to unwind in a quiet courtyard. Any stay includes a complimentary breakfast of coffee, juice, fruit, and baked pastries each morning.


9 - L'Auberge Carmel

Monterey and Carmel, two of California's most attractive towns, have ten locations to stay.




Category: Luxury

Location: Carmel-by-the-Sea

Typical starting/peak prices: $364/ $530

Best for: Couples

Spa, room service, breakfast, complimentary valet parking, and local car service are all available on-site.

Pros: Breakfast is included, and there is a Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant on the property, Aubergine. For couples, the hotel is one of the most romantic possibilities.

Cons: The rooms are small, the amenities are limited, and this is not a family-friendly hotel. Furthermore, because there is no air conditioning, summer stays can be extremely hot.

--The L'Auberge Carmel, a Relais & Châteaux luxury hotel, is located in the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea, four blocks from the beach and close to all of Carmel's famous shopping and restaurants.

The modest hotel, which was established in 1929, exudes European elegance and feels like the kind of inn you'd find in a little town in the South of France.


Each of the hotel's 20 guest rooms is decorated with antiques, luxurious textiles, and one-of-a-kind details. Standard rooms are small but well-equipped, with French windows and four-poster beds, drapes, and access to a lovely courtyard.

Fresh baked cookies in the afternoon, complimentary valet parking, and breakfast provided in the hotel's Michelin-starred restaurant, Aubergine, are just a few of the thoughtful extras. The flagship tasting menu, which comprises eight courses of seasonally inspired dishes (at $205 per person), is definitely worth the expenditure on a meal in the famous restaurant for supper.


10 - Carmel Valley Ranch

Monterey and Carmel, two of California's most attractive towns, have ten locations to stay.





Category: Luxury

Location: Carmel-by-the-Sea

Typical starting/peak prices: $434/$660

Best for: Couples, families, travelers with pets, Hyatt loyalists

Golf, spa, restaurants, swimming pools, tennis, pickleball, fitness centre, ranch with animals, and daily activities are all available on-site.

Pros: The resort is enormous, providing activities for all members of the family, including golf, spa treatments, and fireside conversations with a local naturist (complete with s'mores). Members of the World of Hyatt receive a pricing reduction of up to 10%.

Cons: Due to the resort's size, getting around to the pools and spa can be difficult. Visiting Carmel-by-the-Sea or Monterey also necessitates a drive.

The Carmel Valley Ranch is part of Hyatt's Unbound Collection, a collection of upmarket hotels that provide opulent stays in unique locations. The Carmel Valley Ranch, with its 500 acres and a variety of activities ranging from animal meet-and-greets to archery, falconry, and beekeeping, is much more than just a place to sleep.

Three salt-water pools with hot tubs, a large assortment of fitness courses, and a Pete Dye-designed golf course are also available.

From studios to one- to four-bedroom suites, every room is a suite. Each one starts at 650 square feet and includes a fireplace and a private deck. Kitchens and lovely outdoor bathtubs with grape views are available in the larger selections.

Dogs are welcome at the ranch, which provides them with their own beds and a room service menu, as well as plenty of hiking opportunities.

Comments

table of contents title
    close