Hotels in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

“Tradewinds was perfect for our stay. It is close to town but on a very quiet street. The 1950’s motel is in great shape and they did a wonderful job refurbishing it. Our room had a fireplace. Lines were very nice and towels were thick - and beautiful robes. A basket breakfast was included- a perfect touch.”

“This is a great hotel in the heart of Carmel. Room was well appointed with every item you might need. Service was exceptional ... valet parking, cooked breakfast in room, twice daily maid service. Only reason we didn't leave a 5 star review was the room noise ... on the ground floor so some noise from above and outside. Would definitely stay again.”

“We loved our stay here. The room was very large and quiet. We thought the location was perfect -- you are right at the hub of downtown Carmel, but on a quiet residential street one street over from the shops and restaurants. So you are right where you want to be, but it is also nice and quiet. The breakfast, delivered to our room, was lovely. The service, especially at check in, was 10/10. Bed was a little hard. But would definitely stay here again. Monterey airport was just 15 minutes away.”

“Lovely hotel. Very spacious rooms. Great access to additional facilities, including heated pool, electric bikes, and Pickleball courts. We were here with family of 42 adults and two teenagers. It really provided us with everything we needed. The hotel reception also offer s’mores kits which you can use by the many fire pits in the evening. And the best bit is that the bathrooms have molten brown toiletries”

“Had the most special weekend at Sea View Inn. Just a few blocks from the beach, it feels like a quiet little gem tucked into a peaceful neighborhood by the sea.

The interiors are so charming and thoughtfully done, and the space is perfect for hosting a group. We loved cooking in the kitchen, spending time in the backyard, and waking up each morning to birds chirping and the sound of waves from bed.

Tree-lined streets, slow morning walks, coffee by the ocean… it all felt easy and cozy in the best way. I’m already looking forward to coming back.”

“In General
Somebody on YouTube called Quail Lodge a “hidden gem” in Carmel Valley. I’ve played both, and there’s no contest: Carmel Valley Ranch is the clear champion and one of the most memorable resort courses I’ve ever played.

The “wow” moment hits you the second you step on the 10th tee. The front nine feels like classic American resort golf—beautiful, rolling, framed by oaks and million-dollar homes—but the back nine suddenly transports you to the Alps. Dramatic elevation changes, blind shots, and jaw-dropping views over the valley make it feel like two completely different courses stitched together into one unforgettable ride. Word of advice: take a cart. Walking the back nine is for masochists only.

At just 6,117 yards from the tips, it’s short by modern standards, but don’t let the scorecard fool you. Every shot demands respect—tight lines off the tee (houses lurk close on the front), water, bunkers, and trees placed exactly where your ball wants to go. If you’re not used to mountain golf, the sloping lies and wind will humble you fast. And that’s exactly why we keep coming back.

In Detail
- Condition: Pristine. Tee boxes are carpet-like, fairways are perfectly manicured, bunkers have that fluffy white sand you see in magazines, and the greens… oh the greens. Smallish, severely contoured, and lightning-quick in the breaks. Someone here truly cares—every blade of grass looks hand-trimmed.
- Greens: Not Poppy Hills fast, but sneaky fast and devilishly tricky. Miss in the wrong spot and three-putts come in bunches. Spend serious time on the practice green; it’s huge and rolls identical to the course.
- Clubhouse & vibe: Upscale yet relaxed Carmel style. Staff are warm, pro shop is well-stocked, and the patio overlooking the valley is the perfect 19th-hole spot.
- Practice facilities: Unlimited free range balls (yes, really—as many as you can hit). Only downside: mats only (probably seasonal). No dedicated short-game area that I found, but the massive putting green right in front of the 1st tee more than makes up for it.

Suggestions for Improvement
Range mats vs. grass – If it’s possible even a few months of the year, give us a few grass tees. Hitting 50 balls off mats before a round on this gem feels like warming up on carpet.
Cart-path to parking lot – After the round, build a short paved path from the cart return to the parking area. Dragging bags up that gravel hill after 18 holes on these hills is the only un-luxurious moment of the day.
Ball-mark police – The greens are too good to be pockmarked by afternoon. Station a friendly staffer on a par-3 with free divot tools and a 20-second demo. One Saturday of gentle reminders would fix the problem for the entire season.

Bottom line: Carmel Valley Ranch is a bucket-list must. Short? Yes. Easy? Absolutely not. Beautiful, strategic, perfectly conditioned, and unlike anything else in Monterey. Book it, take a cart, warm up your putting stroke, and prepare to have your mind blown on the back nine. Easily one of the top five resort courses in California.”

“My girlfriend and I came here for our 2nd year anniversary. And we LOVED IT! We loved everything about it. Definitely coming back next year! The driver that they have is insanely chill his name is Chi! Thank you!”

“I am from the Monterey area and worked in Carmel-by-the-sea but was not familiar with Lobos Lodge and I was pleasantly surprised with the well appointed, clean rooms on top of the great location. We would definitely stay here again.”

“My wife and I booked a night here during our honeymoon across the PCH. Definitely a must check out for price/convenience/staff friendliness. They gave us a bottle of champagne in our room when we got there. Easy walking distance to beach/restaurants/shops in Carmel.

The tub and bathroom were great, with heated floors. We loved the robes and bedroom view.”

“Normandy Inn is a cute, practical boutique hotel in a great location right on Ocean Avenue, making it easy to walk to shops, restaurants, and the beach. The room was spotless, and the staff were warm, friendly, and very helpful. I accidentally left smth in my room after checking out, and they promptly emailed me through their lost-and-found process, which I really appreciated. Overall, a wonderful stay, and I'd happily come back!”

“Great place to go relax, enjoy some good food and service and the fantastic views. Feels like a nature hub, close to downtown - and allows for stay in or drive short distance to lots of shopping and restaurants”

“It is a simple hotel/motel. There is plenty of parking around and some parking in the hotel. Parking is free. Room are clean and spacious for 1-3 people. They have a small kitchen. Really like it how close it is to downtown area. About 5-8 min walk. It is a well overall hotel. You get what you pay for and usually with the price of this stay it is right on the money.
Breakfast is very simple and delivered to your room.”

“I just checked out of Best Western Carmel's Town House Lodge and couldn't wait to write a review about the exceptional stay my wife and I had.

We came to Carmel for a midweek staycation focused on wine tasting, good food, and relaxing. When choosing a hotel, it came down to this Best Western and another nearby chain property. I ultimately chose Best Western because the rooms appeared more updated and had a pool. After staying here, I'm convinced I made the right choice.

The experience started the moment we arrived. Marie at the front desk greeted us with a warm smile and such positive energy that it immediately set the tone for a wonderful trip. Great customer service can make all the difference, and Marie delivered exactly that.

Our room was clean, spacious, and nicely updated. The shower, closet, and overall room layout felt larger than expected and made for a very comfortable stay. The pool was another pleasant surprise. It is actually 8 feet deep, which is becoming increasingly rare these days. We also wish we had spent more time enjoying the sun deck and its beautiful view overlooking the town.

The location couldn't have been better for our visit. We were able to walk everywhere we wanted to go, including wine tasting rooms, restaurants, and shops, which made the entire trip stress-free.

Breakfast was another highlight. It was convenient, and saved us from paying restaurant prices, where even a breakfast burrito can easily cost $20+ in Carmel.

What impressed me most was the value. Carmel is a beautiful destination, but it can also be very expensive. This hotel offers an outstanding combination of price, location, comfort, and amenities. My wife and I live only about 30 minutes away, and it's hard to justify some of the ultra-luxury hotel rates in town when this property delivers such a great experience at a fraction of the cost.

If you're looking for a clean, updated, well-located hotel with excellent service and great value, I highly recommend Best Western Carmel's Town House Lodge. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and are already looking forward to returning.”

“We had a lovely stay at Vendange Carmel Inn & Suites. The property is charming, peaceful, and fits perfectly with the atmosphere of Carmel.

Our room was comfortable and the location worked very well for exploring Carmel-by-the-Sea and the surrounding area. We especially appreciated having a quiet and pleasant place to come back to after a day of driving and sightseeing.

The overall experience was warm and relaxing, and we would happily recommend it to couples visiting Carmel and the Monterey Peninsula.”

“My friend and I stayed here during our weekend getaway to Carmel. The room was nice and our balcony gave a great view of the ocean as well. Keurig coffeemaker in the room. Elevator to get to our room was helpful and parking is close to our room.”

“One of the smoothest hotel experiences we’ve had. The property was clean, quiet, and thoughtfully maintained. From arrival to departure, everything felt effortless and enjoyable. A fantastic place to stay and explore the surrounding area.”

“Very clean room, beautiful bathroom. No bugs. Mary was spectacular and helped to book us last minute. This hotel had air conditioning that is hard to find in Carmel! Ice available, water refill station. Breakfast unfortunately not included.”

“Got the 5 days through redweek.com. Beautiful views..no water pressure. So many.people burning wood in their fire places that the air was sooooooooo smoky..we had to close all of the windows.”

“Honestly, a truly great hotel stay. See my detailed highlights for more, but short version, this hotel:
Affordable for the area
In arguably a perfect location (walk-able for most of Carmel, quick drive to Monterey Aquarium and to Big Sur).
Has a hidden gem of a restaurant literally attached to the lobby.
Safe and comfortable rooms, which while small compared to modern hotels, were more than sufficient. We had 2 families, one stayed in a single Queen layout, while the other stayed in the double twin, without issue.
Overall, don't overlook this place, you won't be disappointed.”