We are having a hard time deciding on a hotel in Carmel for 5 nights this May. Both of these hotels look nice, but get mixed reviews, i.e. small rooms and looking tired. Has anyone stayed there lately? Any other hotel recommendations are appreciated. We will have already spent 10 days in Napa at expensive hotels and our budget for Carmel is ideally $250-300 night. Thanks!

We have stayed at La Playa and enjoyed it very much. There is an outdoor pool which is very pretty, the grounds and gardens are gorgeous, our room was small but nicely appointed with an oceanview. The service was very nice, there was a quaintness about the property that I really loved and it's in a great location, in a quiet residential area and walking distance to the ocean and shops.

You may also want to check out the Tickle Pink Inn in the Carmel Highland's area, very pretty views of the coastline here and many nice amenities such as an outdoor hot tub, fantastic breakfast and a wine and cheese reception in their oceanview Terrace Room. Have fun! ***kim***

La Playa is lovely in many ways, although my memory is of very very small rooms.

My daughter just stayed at Tradewinds and really loved the room very much.

Lobuzz, my husband and I have stayed many times during the past 25 years a little southof Carmel, at Highlands, the name of Our place is called the "Tickled Pink Inn", it is called a Motel but it is really special. The rooms are slightly overdecorated, but tha´s part of the charme, after 4 o´clock there is a wine and cheese mixer on the patio overlooking the Pacific, there is a very extra nice Continental breakfast and there is a Jacuzzi hidden on the side of the TPI. Don´t miss the Guest Book in each room if they have been there a while. Try to get a room facing the open ocean on the upstairs. The price range is about what you want if you concider that you don´t really need dinner or breakfast.
Always coming back from Germany for it!

Thank you for these replies. We also just found a lovely place called Carmel Country Inn - has anyone stayed there?

Lobuzz, I don't know Carmel Country Inn, but it is in a nice quiet location. It is not a hotel, with hotel amenities, but a B&B. If you like that idea, look a Vagabond's House. ( www.vagabondshouseinn.com )
Even better location, with their rooms ringed around a central courtyard which has sitting areas, a huge tree, and a waterfall. It is an older place, but immaculately maintained. You can see their olde world charm from the room photos if you like the traditional style.