Auberge Carmel
 

Has anyone stayed in or seen this new property- or even eaten in the restaurant? Any help would be appreciated! Thanks.

Where is it?

Sorry to be unclear. It's in Carmel, CA.

My husband and I were there a few weeks ago to see how the old Sundial Lodge looks now that it's had a complete renovation, new owners and a new name-- L'auberge Carmel. (Monte Verde at Seventh)

The Fink's (also the owners of Bouchee restaurant in town) have done a really nice job here. Since the website is not yet finished, I'll try to give you as many details as I can. We were looking to possibly get a room for that night and the gracious front desk person gave us a tour of the whole place.

The hotel was built in the 1920's, and they have kept all the old architectural details. Downstairs, the lobby/restaurant is quaint and old-world with beautiful original French windows, a fireplace and tapestry banquettes. The restaurant itself is small, cozy and very romantic. The menu is a 6 course, prix-fixe tasting menu for about $80. The menu changes often, but the menu I saw from the previous night offered lobster, fois gras, duck, local produce and other luxuries. They told us it really is a tasting menu with small amounts of food, about 4 bites per course so you don't leave the table feeling uncomfortably full. The chef is Walter Manzke, who was executive chef at Bouchee restaurant before he came over here to start L'auberge Carmel dining room. I've heard it's very good.

Downstairs we saw the new wine cellar, a beautiful spot for an intimate, special wine dinner with a few friends. They also have a spotless new kitchen and as we passed through, the smell of bread baking was wonderful!

Up some stairs and surrounding a flower-filled brick courtyard are the rooms, which, in contrast to the old-world restaurant, are quite modern in design. Silk draperies, luxury Euro bedding, new bathrooms, some with either deep soaking tubs, jacuzzis or just a shower, depending on the price of the room, ($225-$450), and flat screen TV's. The color scheme is white, with burgundy & black accents, others have gold or sage accents. Windows are original and small, with shutters, which made the room seem a litle dark to us. Some rooms in the front have larger windows and a peek of the ocean, but the rates on those were in the $400's. We weren't really that interested in a peek of the ocean, as the hotel is just a very short walk to the beach, but you might be.

Also, a continental breakfast of croissants and jam, an egg, fresh OJ and French press coffee is complimentary.

In the end, we headed off to Big Sur that day and wound up staying there a couple of days, so we didn't get back to the l'auberge, but I look forward to at least having a very good dinner there, and maybe staying overnight sometime soon. Hope this gives you some idea of what to expect--the website should be up with pics very soon, keep checking!

Winerycat- Thanks SO much!! This was just the kind of information I'd hoped for. We want a getaway for a few nights for our anniversary and it came down to this or Olema Druids Hall. L'Auberge sounds lovely- and more full service. We haven't been to Carmel in years. I do like light in the rooms so I might have to splurge on the top floor...

Welch, we only saw a few rooms, so you might want to call and find out which ones have the best light, views, tubs, etc. There might be lighter rooms than what we saw, so ask away, no details are too small when it comes to your anniversary--and they're very accomodating.

Another thing, on the dinner menu, if there is something you don't like or can't eat, the chef can substitute with something you do like. I didn't have that problem, though, it all sounded great to me. Hope you have a wonderful time!