4 Best Hotels in Carmel Valley, The Monterey Bay Area

The spacious guest rooms at this luxury spa resort have vaulted ceilings, French oak floors, featherbeds, fireplaces, patios, and bathrooms with heated-tile floors and soaking tubs for two. Before you even check in, the valet hands you a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. The Lucia Restaurant & Bar, open daily, has seasonal menus that highlight local meats, seafood, and produce. Reserve the chef's table in the main kitchen, and you can talk to the chef as he prepares your meal.

The activity options at this luxury ranch are so varied that the resort provides a program director to guide you through them. Swing from a tree, hike in the woods, meditate on a hilltop yoga platform, or play a round of golf on the 18-hole Peter Dye golf course. Harvest honey at the on-site apiary and lavender field, or splurge on massages in the full-service Spa Aiyana. The main lodge is a slick, contemporary haven with Brazilian walnut floors, custom woodwork, and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame stunning valley views. Rooms have cathedral ceilings, travertine fireplaces, and large decks.

Set on 407 pastoral acres, the former estate of the Crocker banking family has been converted to a luxurious inn. The oak-paneled main chateau holds eight elegantly furnished rooms and suites, and a dining room for guests (nonguests can also dine here by reservation). The property's "cottages" are equally opulent, each with its own luxurious identity. The Hermes House, for instance, has four fireplaces and a 27-foot-high living-room ceiling. Fresh flowers, afternoon tea, and evening champagne are offered daily.

A sprawling collection of ranch-style buildings on 850 acres of meadows, fairways, and lakes, Quail Lodge offers luxury rooms and outdoor activities at surprisingly affordable rates. The resort is a casual, family-friendly enclave with swimming pools, a boccie court, a 9-hole putting green, 18-hole golf course, nature trails, and conference rooms for business presentations, movie nights, and special events. Rooms are decorated with natural fabrics, wooden furnishings, and Spanish accents. All rooms have decks or patios, smart TVs, and spacious bathrooms with deep soaking tubs and separate showers. All suites and some guest rooms have fireplaces. Dine at Edgar's at the golf clubhouse around the corner or in the Covey Grill.