CARMEL??? WHERE TO STAY
 

Help,
We're coming from TO 2nd week in May would like to spend the weekend in Carmel and the rest of the week in SF. Torn between L'Auberge or Hyatt Highland (was thinking it would be great to sleep at night and hear the waves) any thoughts? Also, I was going to do Sonoma instead of Carmel thought but I think Carmel is the way to go.
Open to ideas if I should be going or staying somewhere else.

What's TO?

TO = Thousand Oaks [I only know this 'cause I used to live there :o) ]

We stayed in Pacific Grove and loved the B&B we stayed in:

http://thesevengablesinn.com/

Beautiful rooms with rooms within hearing range of waves. Excellent breakfast, perfect location.

https://picasaweb.google.com/DebitNM/PacificGroveCA2008

The Hyatt Highlands used to be the Highlands Inn, an historic lodge. It is truly a beautiful property. However, now it is a timeshare, and part of the agreement with the county is that a certain number of rooms must be rented as a hotel. I am not familiar with those particular rooms, but we did visit the lounge/bar/restaurant last year. Have a drink and some snacks in the lounge by those amazing windows and enjoy a truly fabulous ocean view sunset!

I don't know how much wave sounds you will hear at the Highlands, it is not right on the ocean, it is next to Highway 1 and there are very expensive homes that are built on the cliffside on the other side next to the ocean. It is not my favorite place as it is removed somewhat from Carmel and one has to drive to do anything. I prefer being able to easily take a walk along the ocean in the morning and evening. However, it appeals to many because of its "upscale" reputation and especially the view from the lounge.

I am jealous that DebitNM has stayed at the Seven Gables Inn...I used to drool over that place whenever we were there.

Carmel is charming and a much different feel than Sonoma (not to mention a lot closer to home). We used to day trip to both places while we lived in Northern California so I don't have any advice on lodging.

So what are the pros and cons to actually being in Carmel as opposed to Pacific Grove. The last time I visited CA was about 25 yrs ago!

I think Pacific Grove is a bit less "stuffy". I loved the path along the water, the nice town...it was very relaxed. I felt Carmel was a bit - hmmm - stuck up. I am sure others will dispute this, but it is what we felt and saw.

DebitNM,
I checked out Seven Gables yesterday after your post and it is gorgeous. I hadn't wanted to go quite that high on the room rate, but I've just started doing research. Plus having a full breakfast included has to be factored in to total cost. Do they include a flat service charge in addition to all the taxes?

I don't remember there being anything like a flat service charge [do you mean like a resort fee?]Room and all the normal taxes.

The breakfasts are unbelievable. They also serve wine in late afternoon with some wonderful appetizers and then cookies, brownies, milk and cocoa in the evening.

They may have a special rate, call and talk to them and ask. Also, the smallest, least expensive room at this beautiful inn gets the same amenities :) so go for the lowest priced room.

I agree with what DebitNM said. That area of Pacific Grove is my favorite, although we've never been able to get a room at Seven Gables. We did stay at Martine Inn a couple of times and enjoyed the location, even though we did not have a view room. We had a room in the Carriage House in the back, but could just walk outside and be on that lovely trail along the bay. The breakfast room had a perfect view. Near that area, in Cannery Row, we really enjoyed The Clement Intercontinental Hotel. Nice rooms on the water. Even without the ocean view, the rooms were nice and you could enjoy the water views at breakfast as well as walk outside and be close to the sea otters and sea lions.

I prefer PG to Carmel too - but some people absolutely love Carmel. It just depends on your tastes. Carmel is gorgeous, but I find PG to be more laid back.

I probably won't explain this well, but here goes...Carmel is so cute it almost hurts, and compared to PG, is kind of claustrophobic, very compact and closed in. And a little snooty, like Deb said. PG is wide open, gorgeous views pretty much everywhere you look and you will definitely know you are on the ocean.

This thread is making me quite nostalgic...

TO is Toronto, Ontario Canada :))

No thoughts on L'Auberge in Carmel, went on line checked out Seven Gables it looks fab, now more confused than ever and time is running out, I better get booking!!

ha ha

T O, who knew?

Here are some pics and a recommendation for a walk in Carmel (from my trip report three years ago) -

http://www.worldisround.com/articles/344814/index.html
Sonoma to Carmel

http://www.carmelwalks.com/ravesandreviews.htm

I can't speak to the two hotel choices you list or to Pacific Grove, but I was enchanted by Carmel. I'd been to and through Carmel several times over the years but that trip was the first time I stopped. I stayed the first night at the Cypress Inn - and loved it. But I also fell in love with Carmel itself.

I think a big factor in that was the walking tour. I loved going down to the beach to watch the sunset - and the dogs on the dog beach. I loved strolling the shops (and I'm not much of a shopper). I enjoyed it so much I cancelled the next hotel, found a place to continue my stay in Carmel and rearranged my trip to make more time. I was quite literally, enchanted.

It is small. It is quaint. It is...enchanting. There are snooty people there, but I didn't find it a snooty place at all. I think the same can be said of almost any place, if you think about it.

Anyway, casting a vote here for a weekend in Carmel. I'd go back in a heartbeat.

(The pics start with the Sonoma day of my trip. We continued on to the central coast wineries of Paso Robles near Cambria )

here is a link to starrs trip report

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...m#last-comment

We stay in Carmel, but do like going into PG to walk along the ocean and to dine, especially at Passionfish. I prefer Carmel and it has nothing to do with the stores and galleries in the village, in which we do not spend a great deal of time. I have a dog and I love the fact that it is dog-friendly; I like the beaches; the beautiful gardens; the great views; and that away from the Ocean Avenue it is quiet and peaceful. Staying in Carmel also puts me closer to Big Sur.

I just returned from a wonderful trip to Carmel and San Francisco. I will do a trip report and a thank you to all the people, especially imaq and StuDudley, who gave me wonderful suggestions.

I booked my Carmel hotel through Resort2Me.com, a service of the Monterey visitors bureau. The service is free. After listening to my description of what I wanted to be able to do they suggested I stay at the Pine Inn in Carmel. It is located on Ocean Drive and is the oldest hotel in Carmel. The decor is rather flamboyant (consistent with the period of construction), but the rooms are large and comfortable and the bathroom was fantastic. We stayed in room four and it was very quiet. I loved the freedom to walk in the evening (especially enjoyed all the dogs out having their evening walks on the beach). Our rate included a $20 per person voucher for dinner, free parking, free breakfast and free internet. Water bottles were also complimentary and we had a fridge in the room. I had a great deal of difficulty finding a room with two beds as most accommodations are geared to couples, but really lucked out with the Pine Inn. It was great.

I also enjoyed our day in Pacific Grove. The Red House was terrific for lunch. I look forward to another visit.

Have a great trip!

How far is Pacific Grove from Carmel?

I'm not positive, but they are quite close together...maybe 5-10 minutes?

Carmel is next to Monterey which is next to Pacific Grove, probably a total of 6 miles or so. (Technically, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is at least in part IN Pacific Grove)

If you stay on 1 Carmel is below Monterey. If you get off 1 and go around the coast, PG is next to Monterey, then come Pebble Beach and then Carmel. Carmel is south of PG and Pebble; it's about a 10 minute drive taking 68 to 1, it can take as long as you want if you take the 17-mile drive through Pebble.

We have stayed several times at The Highland's Inn, it's a beautiful property and most of the rooms have jacuzzi tubs in them. Another consideration is The Tickle Pink Inn, right next door. It is a smaller property with many nice amenities, they also have beautiful oceanviews there. ***kim*** ((#))

Check out The Mission Inn. It is very special We just were there 2 weekends ago, and this is our 4th time staying there. The only downside to it is that you wouldn't walk to the main shopping are - a little too far, but a wonderful location for walks.

californianative, do you mean the Mission Ranch (Clint's place) or the Carmel Mission Inn (a Best Western)? I think from the description you are referring to the Mission Ranch, which is one of my favorites because of its location away from Ocean Avenue.

Pacific Grove, sigh.

I was there for a long wkd in October. Just beautiful. If I could get a job out there...

I stayed at the Old St. Angela Inn and I will definitely stay there the next time.

http://www.oldstangelainn.com/

Here are a few photos of my stay. I haven't sorted the ones from PG yet. This link is good forever so when I finally get around to posting the PG ones, this is where they will be.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/skywalk...27898936/show/

Still torn between Carmel and PG, will stay for sure at Seven Gables if I do PG. Probably L'auberge if I pick Carmel unless someone can recommend something better, the clock is ticking I better get booking. I do have a question to ask though.... I have a flight out of SFO Sat at 1.
Can I do the drive from Carmel or PG to the airport or should I head back and book a room near the airport. Which place is closer to the airport and how long a drive is it. I would think heading away from that area on a Sat would not put me in heavy traffic. Thoughts?? I will only be staying in this area for one or two nights so I don't mind booking a great room. The water is what draws me to PG.
HELP!!

I agree with you about hearing the crash of the waves. A local friend told me about the Tickle Pink Inn, (named for former State senator Tickle whose wife's favorite color was pink, I believe). It is behind the Hyatt and really wonderful! They have daily wine and cheese which is fun and at night you can hear the surf crash.
Don't miss Point Lobos State Park which is 4 miles south of town and one of my favorite spots in California!
Have fun,

Bonnie

Two weekends ago I drove my sister to SFO from Carmel Meadows (which is just south of Carmel) and it took me less than 2 hours on 1/156/101. If it were me, I would stay in Carmel/PG and leave at 8:45 am or so for a 1 pm flight even it were a weekday and even if I was returning a car. Others might disagree.

If you go to Carmel, drive to the very southern end of Dolores St and stop at the Mission Ranch. Have a drink or bite to eat out on their restaurant deck which looks over a beautiful mountain-ringed meadow towards the sea. One of my favorite places! We stay there for a couple of days each year and if you ask for a meadow view room you can sit and watch the sheep and see the hills and ocean in the background...a bit too far to hear it, though! :)

If you keep going just a bit past Big Sur (30 mi south of Carmel), you'll come to a restaurant/shop on the ocean side...Nepenthe. It's worth a stop for the wonderful view from the ouside terrace of their Cafe Kevah. You don't have to go to the main restaurant, and you don't even have to purchase anything from the Cafe Kevah counter (but you'll want to!) You can just stop by for a quick break and look at the view. The shop below is very cool, too, with lots of local merchandise.

I live very close to the airport, and it has never taken me more than 2 hours to Carmel, so I agree with SAB, leave yourself a reasonable amount of time in the morning, and you'll be fine.

Fortunately arindasue, Highway I just south of Carmel reopened yesterday (for controlled traffic) so the OP may be able to follow your recommendation.

FWIW, attached are links to a couple of pictures showing the view from outside terrace at Cafe Kevah.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

The pics were taken with my iphone.

We've only visited the area once, in May 2008 (when there was a heat wave!); we stayed at the Tickle Pink Inn & really loved it (truly, I still dream about that bed/bedding & will one day order it!). We visited Carmel & Pacific Grove (never made it to Monterey or the acquarium - only there 1.5 days & 1 night), drove down Hwy 1 as far as Nepenthe & had lunch outside there & browsed the giftshop. We thought each area had its own charm, but decided when we return, we'd like to stay at Seven Gables (we actually went in & met some of the staff and management & they were very nice). We loved walking along the running/walking/biking path right by the ocean, enjoyed walking the streets of PG & although we didn't have a meal there, we stopped in a local coffee shop. We also liked that you could walk a path all the way to Monterey & visit the acquarium if so desired. L'Auberge does look very nice if you decide on Carmel.

Thanks so much everyone on your valuable info. So happy I can spend an extra night in the area.

Tickle Pink or Seven Gables any thoughts??

Seven Gables still gets my vote.

I just made my June reservation for Seven Gables over the weekend. :-)