Lodging Prices in Carmel Are Staggering
 

After checking out all the suggested places to stay in Carmel (in town) by the helpful people on this message board, I have concluded that Carmel is for the wealthy only. Even a standard motel room is around $160, once you add on their 10% tax. Really discouraging.

Plenty of places like that in the US (and abroad), Denise. <BR>Keep in mind that many of those who weekend in Carmel drive over from the Bay area, where mortgage payments of $5000 a month are ho-hum. So dropping a few hundred dollars for a little getaway isn't a problem. <BR>Want to hang out in the Hamptons during summer, Nantucket, Aspen in winter, etc, you have to pay to play. <BR> <BR>But you know what? You can find the same beauty Carmel offers elsewhere for less. Or you can visit for the day and stay nearby. Don't let it eat at you. <BR>

Make sure to do a text search as some have posted less expensive places a short distance away.Make sure to check into Asolmar State Beach as well as the area around it there are several little places along the beach route that are less expensive than Carmel.

Sorry that's Asilomar.

Denise, Check out Munras Ave in Monteray <BR>Lots of choice and only a few minutes <BR>from Carmel.Monteray is very nice also.

What did you expect? Carmel isn't some lower income community, it's a very expensive resort community for the wealthy. There are many many cities and towns in the US where you can't get hotel rooms for $100 or less, particularly in expensive urban and resort areas. There are quite a few Best Westerns in that area, if you haven't looked at them; the BW Carmel Mission Inn or something like that has rates about $140-150, but I would consider it a lot nicer than what I'd refer to as a standard motel room. There are some cheaper/moderate motels in Carmel as I've stayed in one and seen others, they may not be the places that people recommend especially on Fodors or even have a web site--I found reasonable cheap rooms just be driving around town and looking for a vacancy about 5 pm when they were happy to rent the room. There are motels in Monterey that are $100-125 (like Super8), you would get a bigger variety there, but if you must stay in Carmel, you have to pay for it because it doesn't have cheap areas.

Check out the prices for the Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur if you want to see STAGGERING. Although, it is a nice place.

We stayed in Pacific Grove instead of Carmel or Monterey -- the prices are very reasonable, it's in a great location (closer to Monterey than Carmel, but not very far from Carmel either), and has more of a real-town feel (less touristy than Carmel & Monterey). We stopped in Carmel for an afternoon for a couple of hours of shopping, and in Monterey one morning just long enough to see the aquarium (which was great) and that was plenty for me.

Check out Asilomar. It is a beautiful conference center which will allow individuals to stay within 1 month if they have availability for about $ 100/night. They have a website so check it out. Also, did you check out the Cobblestone Inn? We stayed there a few years ago and it was very reasonable and nice. Also, I think $ 160 isn't bad! If you want to stay anywhere decent on the Northeast coast in summer you'd be lucky to find a room for less than $ 200! Unfortunately, most places charge that much because they will get it. Good luck!

We live in the area and prefer Pacific Grove over Carmel. Check the prices for hotels on their web site. PG really has more places that overlook the ocean than does Carmel. In fact, I think Carmel only has a few. Plus, PG is very close to Monterey and the drive to Carmel is about 10 minutes.

Hi Denise. I like your post and agree. Just bcs people like to travel and see beautiful scenery doesn't mean we have to be gouged for it. So other people pay the price they may also be like most of America right now and be in debt up to their eye brows and behind in their mortgage. Just bcs "everybody" does it doesn't mean it's a good idea. Those of us who do have the money to spend don't like being taken advantage of. We also don't feel like we have anything to prove. How about looking someplace beautiful where they appreciate your patronage and not just your money. Cambria, Ragged Point, Point Reyes, etc. We are blessed here to have so many beautiful places to visit. We don't have to be taken advantage of. A vacation is about having FUN not doing the "In" thing and going into debt. Chin up and look for where you are appreciated.

Denise, I certainly hope that "most" Americans are not in debt and behind in their mortgages. People that spend money to stay in nice places do so mostly because they CAN afford it, not because they are trying to "prove" something. If you have to go into debt to stay someplace, you certainly cannot afford it, but if you can afford to stay in luxury accomodations, then in my opinion, it's certainly worth the dollars.

Those who are so spoiled that they can not enjoy the true luxuries of life like a full moon and the stars, the ocean, the trees, the laughter of a loved one - deserve to squander their money on things that fade quickly. Make sure you get all your hard work out of every dollar, and not fall for this "luxury" junk which only goes to pad the pockets of misguided people. Above all, go where you are apreciated, and have FUN.

Try the Cobblestone Inn. It's extremely cozy and friendly. Not glamorous, but I have recommended it to friends and they have not been disappointed. It's one of the "Four Sister's Inns". Their website is www.foursisters.com/cobblest.html

Carmel prices are, indeed, high. But, that's the price you pay for staying in the charming little town. Try the Homestead on Lincoln at 8th or Happy Landing which is a "Hansel and Gretel" cottage on Monte Verde Street. Also recognize that most of the inns in Carmel include a complimentary breakfast, so figure that into your pricing. Pacific Grove is charming but doesn't have as much going on as Carmel. That can be good or bad, depending on your point of view. If you're willing to share a bath, Gosby House or Green Gables might come in at your budget and are charming Victorians.Otherwise, Monterey. Instead of Munras Street, which is pretty far from the main part of Monterey, check at the little Otter Inn, two blocks to the Aquarium with free parking or the Travelodge Downtown Monterey. Many of the smaller, less expensive places in Monterey don't have a/c, which you don't need in Monterey for cooling, but if you're a light sleeper, the birds and seals might keep you up.

Carmel prices can be iffy; there is an unspoken two night minimum on weekends, too. We sometimes stay nearby at Embassey Suites, just a short freeway ride from Carmel. Staying at the Carmel Mission Inn is out for us after our car overheated once while waiting for a million tourists to make a green light at Rio Rd. & Hwy. 1! The town has gotten too touristy....and I'm a tourist!

Denise, try Seaside, only a few miles away. Considerably cheaper.