Best Boutique Hotels in Carmel
This guide to the best luxury, boutique, and design-forward hotels in Carmel is manually curated by our editorial team based on first-hand research, verified guest reviews, location analysis, and overall service quality. Each hotel is selected to meet high standards of comfort, authenticity, and guest experience.
Located in Carmel, a few steps from Carmel Beach, Villa Mara Carmel provides accommodations with a garden, free private parking, a shared lounge and a terrace. Featuring a bar, the hotel is close to several noted attractions, around a 6-minute walk from Carmel River State Beach and around 0.8 miles from Carmel Mission. The property has a 24-hour front desk, a shuttle service, room service and free WiFi throughout the property. At the hotel, rooms come with a closet. Complete with a private bathroom equipped with a bidet and free toiletries, all guest rooms at Villa Mara Carmel have a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, and selected rooms will provide you with a balcony. At the accommodation all rooms come with bed linen and towels. Guests at Villa Mara Carmel will be able to enjoy activities in and around Carmel, like cycling. Point Lobos State Reserve is 3.7 miles from the hotel, while Presidio of Monterey Museum is 5.9 miles away. The nearest airport is Monterey Regional Airport, 7.5 miles from Villa Mara Carmel.
Guest Reviews:
- "Cake every night when we got home! Terrific breakfast. Kind staff - went above and beyond to help us with dinner plans. Free bikes also huge perk!" - "Breakfast was incredible! Try the quiche we promise! Bring a bottle of something and enjoy it by the fire at night after a lovely day at the beach and I promise you’ll want your stay to never end." - "We loved the location, service, staff , heated bathroom floors, bidet, quint patio area, very quiet neighborhood. Staff was very accommodating and A++ service from the from desk, to the wait staff, maid service and night guard. Everyone was so warm and welcoming making us feel like we were at home. I could not recommend this place more for a romantic couple get away."
Exceptional
47 reviews
Located in downtown Carmel, Carriage House Inn is within 10 minutes' drive from Pebble Beach and 17 Mile Drive. A free continental breakfast tray and newspaper are delivered to guest suites daily. Featuring a fireplace, each elegant room provides a free snack basket, a flat-screen satellite TV, free Wi-Fi and a mini fridge stocked with free drinks at the Carriage House Inn. Select suites feature a two-person spa bath or two fireplaces. Carriage House Inn offers a free wine and hors d'oeuvres every evening. Hot croissants, quiche, fresh fruit and coffee are just some of the delectable breakfast items provided daily. Monterey Bay Aquarium is 15 minutes’ drive away from the Carriage House. San Jose International Airport is just 75 miles away.
Guest Reviews:
- "So this hotel does not have a pool or a hot tub or a spectacular garden. What it does have is friendly staff, fantastic rooms, great breakfast,, complimentary wine and hors d'oeuvres, and lots of small touches that put it in a class of its own." - "Everything!" - "The Carriage House included a continental breakfast delivered daily to your room. The quiche, croissant and bagel were excellent. One day I requested fresh fruit and they sent some up, although not offered on breakfast menu. We didn't bother with another breakfast and went straight to lunch."
Exceptional
219 reviews
This boutique hotel in Carmel-By-The-Sea, just 1 mile from Carmel Beach City Park, features a stone courtyard. Each uniquely-decorated guest room at the hotel includes a fireplace and modern amenities. A free wine and cheese reception is offered each afternoon. The on-site spa has a variety of massages and facials at The Vagabond’s House Boutique Inn & Spa Studio. An on-site concierge is available. All rooms include a private bathroom, modern design and breakfast in bed daily. Sherry, coffee, free Wi-Fi and plush bathrobes are also provided in each room. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Point Lobos State Reserve on the Big Sur coast is less than 5 miles from The Vagabond’s House. A variety of restaurants are found just 1 block away. Pebble Beach Golf Course is half a mile away.
Guest Reviews:
- "Great space and interior design. Very pretty courtyard." - "Beautiful boutique hotel, very attentive staff. The room was beautifully decorated" - "A great guest house within walking distance of restaurants and the coast. Our room was perfect for 3... two sinks and a decent shower! The simple breakfast brought to our room each morning saved having to find somewhere else. Parking was straightforward either in the parking area or on the street."
Superb
38 reviews
This boutique hotel in Carmel is less than two blocks away from unique shopping, galleries and fine dining and Ocean Avenue, the main street, is just 3 blocks away. Asian fusion decor and premium linens are featured in each luxurious guest room at Tradewinds Carmel. Private bathrooms include custom organic toiletries and Japanese-style bathrobes. Select guest rooms offer ocean views and fireplaces. The concierge staff can help plan activities and tours as well as relaxing in-room spa treatments. Carmel beaches are 10 minutes' walk away. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is 6 miles away.
Guest Reviews:
- "Great location, very cute either way friendly people." - "Great location! Walk to everything." - "The grounds were beautiful and the room was very tranquil. I loved breakfast delivered to our room. I didn’t know that was part of our reservation!" - "Excellent spot in a very desirable location. Everything was walkable and we had parking on site. There is a laundromat next door if you need to refresh anything. The staff was really wonderful and the breakfast was a nice touch. It’s beautifully landscaped, quiet, and everything was A+."
Fabulous
447 reviews
Located in Carmel, California, on a top-rated golf course surrounded by fields and lakes, The Quail Lodge features an outdoor pool, tennis courts and a restaurant and bar. All rooms feature free WiFi. A flat-screen TV with cable channels is provided in all rooms at The Quail Lodge. For convenience, all of the air-conditioned guest rooms include a work desk and a refrigerator. Additional room amenities include ironing facilities and a hairdryer. Set in the clubhouse of The Quail Lodge, Edgar’s restaurant offers indoor or outdoor fireside dining with views of the golf course and the Santa Lucia Mountains. All menu items feature fresh local organic ingredients. Guests can also enjoy classic cocktails, California wines and micro-brews in the Lobby Bar, which also offers a light menu. Join us each morning in the Covey Grill for daily breakfast. A 24-hour reception greets guests of Quail Lodge. Guests can work out in the fitness center. A business center with fax and photocopying services is available. Carmel River Beach is 5 miles away from this resort. Monterey Bay Aquarium is 20 minutes’ drive away.
Guest Reviews:
- "Great location away from business and residential sections of Carmel yet within 4 miles. Well maintained and modern facilities. Located on and integrated with a beautiful golf course. Nine hole complementary putting greens for entertaining activity. Large clean pool with cardio, weight and stretch rooms. On-site bar and small dining facility with patio seating." - "Extremely well maintained, staff was courteous and kind. The bungalow we stayed in had beautiful views and the overall experience was very nice."
Superb
813 reviews
Originally built in 1929, this luxury hotel is within walking distance of the legendary Carmel Beach and offers historic old-world charm, complete with all of today's modern amenities and conveniences. L'Auberge Carmel offers guests everything needed for a relaxing and enjoyable stay. Guests will appreciate in-room massage and spa services, flat-screen TVs, and the on-site gourmet restaurant. Only a short distance from L'Auberge Carmel are many popular attractions. The famous Pebble Beach Golf Course, Monterey Bay Aquarium and a variety of art galleries, shopping centers and restaurants are in close proximity.
Guest Reviews:
- "The service was impeccable. We had our dog with us. He could basically accompany us anywhere, except of course their Michelin rated restaurant. Location great." - "Beautiful small hotel. Charming room, super comfortable bed. Fabulous courtyard where we had our breakfast." - "Beautiful property and got an excellent upgrade to the best ocean view room at a reasonable price$." - "Clean Friendly" - "A charming stay in a charming town & a most charming hotel with a charming staff!"
Fabulous
168 reviews
Just 5 miles from Monterey Bay Aquarium, this luxury Carmel hotel offers a complimentary champagne brunch each morning. Guests will enjoy the outdoor pool complete with loungers. All spacious rooms include free WiFi. A flat-screen TV with cable is featured in each amply furnished room at La Playa Carmel. A mini-bar and coffee-making facilities offer beverage options. Select rooms boast ocean views. Guests can enjoy a gourmet breakfast in the library lounge showcasing views of the Pacific Ocean. The menu includes fresh pastries, fruit and a variety of hot entrees. All-day dining is available. Carmel La Playa is 4 minutes’ walk from the beach. Monterey Airport is 5 miles away. - Restored & Re-storied - $66 ft Renovation completed Fall 2023 - Tastefully enhanced, all while preserving the quiet eclecticism for which this historic institution is known. - Once a luxurious mansion built in 1905 by an artist as a gift to his wife, a member of the Ghirardelli family, for over 100 years La Playa Hotel has been known as the “Grande Dame of Carmel.” - The renovation carefully covered all aspects of the hotel, from the welcoming lobby to the commodious corners of Bud’s bar and the luxuriously appointed guest rooms with sunfilled windows beckoning the ocean breeze. - HD Design Award Winner - Featured in Vogue, NY Times "T List," Travel + Leisure, Dezeen & Condé Nast. Renovation highlights: - Air Conditioning in all Guest Rooms - Custom Barmoire in all Guest Rooms — Offering a specially curated cocktail experience. - Three 1-Bedroom Suites - King Beds in all Single Bed Rooms - Updated Guest Bathrooms
Guest Reviews:
- "This hotel is magic. The beauty and detail from the lobby to the seating areas to every aspect of the rooms, a dream stay." - "I fell in love with a town called Carmel. I'm sure it's because of this hotel. It was a perfect experience. Next time, I will come with my whole family." - "Staff was awesome, grounds are beautiful. The cocktail, cookie hour is great every day. The breakfast buffet is delicious also." - "Charming, amazing place to stay"
Superb
211 reviews
Located on a cliff facing the Pacific Ocean, Hyatt Carmel Highlands offers charming accommodations among pine groves. It features an outdoor pool, 3 outdoor garden spas, and award-winning dining overlooking the ocean. Opening out onto large balconies, contemporary rooms at Hyatt Carmel Highlands are fitted with contemporary furnishings. They are equipped with large HD TVs, iPod docking stations and some include a fireplace. WiFi access is free and a well-equipped fitness center is available. Guests can take advantage of multiple meeting spaces, complimentary mountain bikes, and horseback riding nearby. Guests can enjoy gourmet food prepared with seasonal ingredients at the on-site Pacific’s Edge Restaurant. Drinks and cocktails are served in the lounge bar, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows. Popular nearby attractions include Monterey Bay Aquariumand in Pebble Beach, a 17 miles away from the Hyatt Carmel Highlands hotel.
Guest Reviews:
- "The ocean view! And landscape." - "Great view, nice and kind staff, and super comfortable beds. Everything is awesome. 👌" - "We had an ocean view, and we enjoyed seeing the sunset from our balcony while sipping a glass of champagne! We were celebrating our 70th wedding anniversary and the staff treated us royally!" - "Excellent breakfast taste was right on staff gave unbelievably service." - "Absolutely stunning location" - "The location, view, and service was exceptional."
Good
189 reviews
