Hofsas House Hotel
Between 3rd & 4th Ave on San Carlos Street., Carmel-by-the-Sea, California 93921, United States
Why We Like It
Truly family owned and operated (owner Carrie will greet you in the lobby at breakfast time and offer to help you plan your stay in Carmel while her mother pours you coffee and orange juice), it’s clear that the Theis family takes immense pride in their property, and that’s a comforting feeling for anyone traveling on the road. The heated private pool is a rarity in Carmel, and the in-room fireplaces make this inn singular. Take a short walk to Carmel Beach, dry off in the sauna, and continue your journey in Carmel.
Fodor's Expert Review
The first thing you’ll see when entering the highly walkable town of Carmel-by-the-Sea heading south is Hofsas House, a charming but sizable inn with a completely pink exterior. Adorned with Bavarian touches and paintings both inside and out, the inn is family-owned and operated—the current owner and general manager, Carrie, whose grandfather was Fred Hofsas, grew up working at the inn, and the property continues to radiate a familial warmth. Chains and big box stores are not permitted in downtown Carmel, so everything surrounding the inn shares its quaintness and charm. The town is so small, in fact, that they don’t even have individual addresses.
Recommended Fodor’s Video
Room
No two of the 38 rooms are alike at Hofsas House. Clean and cozy, many are outfitted with fireplaces (they come with easy-to-light Duraflame logs), private balconies, and views of the ocean. Some rooms come with full kitchens: a dining area, counter and sink, microwave, refrigerator, coffee maker and oven. Guests can also choose from a bridal suite, or stay in the King Cottage, which was the first cottage Donna Hofsas purchased in 1949. The details and decor are traditional and welcoming rather than minimal and modern, with Dutch and Bavarian accents. Some rooms are dog-friendly.
Bathroom
Amenities include robes, makeup remover wipes, and hairdryers. Some come with both tubs and showers. Note that the bridal suite and king cottage come with showers only. The deluxe suite includes two private bathrooms with two separate vanity areas.
Lobby
You’ll meet other guests as well as the owners at the Hofsas House lobby and check-in area, where everyone comes together for breakfast or to sit by the fireplace and plan out the day. General Manager and owner Carrie Theis will be more than happy to offer suggestions and maps to help you design your stay in Carmel and surrounding destinations. The space itself is small but welcoming.
Pool
Outside is a spacious heated pool available for use by guests year-round.
Spa
There are two traditional European dry saunas where guests can relax.
Dining
Each morning from 8 am to 10 am a continental breakfast is served in the lobby, free of charge. Guests can stop by for pastries from a local bakery, fruit, yogurt, orange juice, and local French Roast coffee poured by another member of the Theis family. After 9 am, guests can request that breakfast be sent to their room. Breakfast is a great time to mingle with other Hofsas House guests who hail from all over the world.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
Right off scenic Highway 1, the inn is located on San Carlos Street in a highly walkable neighborhood, so once you park you can keep your car where it is for the remainder of your vacation and easily access all of the surrounding shops, cafes, and restaurants. A car is essential, however, for reaching nearby attractions like Point Lobos Natural Reserve (11-minute drive) where you can hike in forests and beside the ocean, the Monterey Bay Aquarium (16-minute drive) and nearby towns like Big Sur (one-hour drive to the center) for a day-trip. For golf fans, Carmel is close to Pebble Beach (9-minute-drive). A must-see is the 17-mile-drive (about 15 minutes from the hotel), which travels along the coast up to Lover’s Point. Admission is $10.50 per vehicle, but it’s well worth the cost and detour for its mystical coastal views and to see the ghost trees.
Restaurants
Take your pick of cuisine in Carmel-By-The-Sea: sushi, Italian, Greek, seafood, Mexican, and more are all within steps of the hotel. For dinner, Little Napoli (8-minute walk) serves up tasty traditional Italian fare with a side of warm hospitality in a quaint villa-like space; the wine pairings are local and exceptional.
For lunch, grab a picnic basket at 5th Avenue Deli (1-minute walk) to take with you to Point Lobos or Big Sur.
For breakfast on your way out of town, Hyatt Highlands is a must. A room here is a little pricey, but the breakfast is affordable and lets you experience unparalleled views. You might not know it from the road, but as soon as you set foot in the space you’ll be overwhelmed by the blue-blue ocean views afforded by floor-to-ceiling windows.
Bars
Though Carmel goes to bed early, it still has a scene. Barmel, the town’s only live music venue, has a DJ and live music showcases (no cover) Thursday through Saturday. Brophy’s Tavern directly across from the hotel (1-minute walk) is an Irish pub—perfect for beer-lovers in this wine-focused region.
If wine-tasting appeals to you more than nightlife, stop by a tasting room like Blair Estate (7-minute-walk) to learn what makes wines in this region so special.
