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    Carmel Garden Inn

    4.0 (104 reviews)
    Open Open 24 hours
    Updated 3 months ago

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    Reviews With Photos - Carmel Garden Inn

    Inside
    Dani D.

    I took a small one day getaway to Carmel over the weekend and stayed at the Carmel Garden Inn. It was such a pretty room in such a gorgeous area of Carmel, so close to all the fun stuff. However, my allergies were horrible over my stay. I looked under the beds and touched some of the decor and it was all incredibly dusty. However the service was so friendly and it was very aesthetic. I was also able to check in a little earlier. Breakfast was at 8am the next day and when I went at around 8:55-9am the breakfast still wasn't ready. There were a few families waiting around for it as well. A pleasant stay, wouldn't recommend if you have serious seasonal, environmental or dust mite allergies.

    Denise S.

    The location is really close to shops and our room was easy to access. Had no issue with parking I do wish the dog area was filled with grass not dirt but it worked out. I am giving 3 stars only because we got to our room and it smelled entirely of smoke. The cleaning staff did not leave the windows open to air it out the before people who used the fireplace ... so we smelled smoke our entire stay.

    Our cute room, very good color theme and cozy vibe!

    Super cute small hotel! Great for a romantic getaway Very nice owner, very charming rooms and amazing eggs for breakfast!

    Rosemary room, great room with private patio. Visited essential trip to check on my mom in PG.
    Su J.

    Carmel garden inn is perfectly situated. It's a great hotel to stay with your dog. We stayed in a room with a patio and fireplace. Really comfortable and cozy. The afternoon wine and cheese and breakfast were really good. The location is quiet but so convenient to great restaurants and downtown. Nice wet bar and refrigerator. Great staff , very helpful and friendly

    Review of Carmel Garden Inn (September 2025 - Fuchsia Mini-Suite) We stayed in the Fuchsia mini-suite, which sounded wonderful on paper: private patio, king bed with "deluxe linens," wood-burning fireplace, kitchenette, and a "newly remodeled" bathroom. Unfortunately, the reality was very different. The good: * The patio space was nice. * The room itself was large, with a convenient little sitting area in the kitchenette. The bad: * Maintenance is clearly being neglected. It feels like the rooms are just rented out without proper upkeep, yet the rates charged are very high. * The "newly remodeled" bathroom was already showing mold in the shower. The wash basin had been broken and was simply glued back together -- unacceptable for a place at this price point. * The so-called "deluxe linens" were shocking -- our bed sheets were full of holes. * The bath towels were so old that the stitching along the edges was completely frayed. * The patio looked tired and in need of repairs and fresh paint. Most of the plants on the patio were very sad-looking and clearly in need of care and attention. * The inn invites guests to "join us for a glass of wine and light snack in the lobby between 3-5 pm." We went at 4:00 pm and found nothing set out. After asking the very helpful young man on duty, he offered us a glass of red and white wine -- but explained there was no cheese or salami left, only grapes. This was on a Saturday, when the inn was fully booked. Very strange to extend the invitation but not provide what's promised. To make it worse, the wine tasted so poor we couldn't drink it. The bigger issue: On their homepage they highlight all their awards -- six-time winners of the "Best Inn/B&B" award from The Carmel Pine Cone most recently in 2024 and recipients of the Traveller's Choice award,. But honestly, if they want to keep earning awards like these, they really need to do something about the state of the property. Right now, it simply doesn't live up to the reputation they're advertising. Bottom line: This place could be charming, but the lack of care, upkeep, and attention to detail makes it feel run-down and overpriced. At these rates, guests should expect far better than moldy bathrooms, hole-ridden sheets, worn-out towels, tired-looking patios, and undrinkable wine.

    Our dog on the patio at the entrance to the Heather mini suite.
    Dudley F.

    Carmel Garden Inn is the sweetest Bed and Breakfast. Situated in the middle of the "Carmel urban forest" the Carmel Garden Inn is a little rustic and it may not be for everyone...but it IS a LOVELY stay for anyone looking for simple, cozy, charming, near downtown, near parks, with friendly service and very dog friendly. My husband, dog and I were going on a long weekend getaway and found the Carmel Garden Inn during our search for a dog-friendly hotel in Carmel. We loved this place! Check-in was a breeze and the person at the desk greeted us with a friendly welcome, gave us a quick orientation/need-to-know about what's in the neighborhood with a map and walked us to our room. Our doggo was even greeted with a dog biscuit. We stayed in the Heather mini-suite that had all of the spaces a typical mini-suite has to offer plus a gated private patio with a table and chairs. The room had a fireplace that we didn't use, but I'm sure it would be really nice during the colder winter months. The room also had a TV with a Roku device, a small refrigerator, microwave, wet bar, king sized bed and a couch. It was everything we needed for our weekend getaway with a dog. During our stay, the Inn offered a breakfast from 8-10am with coffee, tea, fruit, toast, a pastry and two kinds of frittatas (which were delicious, by the way). From 3-5pm, they offered a self-serve happy hour with wine, cheese, salami, pita, hummus, spinach artichoke dip and grapes. (Pro tip: grab one of the available trays and enjoy breakfast or the wine and cheese on your private patio.) I thought this was a lovely touch. There is a parking lot for guests as well as plenty of street parking. There is a cute market with all of your travel needs and groceries just two blocks away on 6th Ave and Junipero. The downtown area, with restaurants, art and shopping is within walking distance - just a few blocks away. Plus, the area around the Inn is very safe...especially with a police station just down the block. (We live in San Francisco and felt comfortable at the Inn and in the area.) Next time we're in the Carmel/Pacific Grove/Monterey area, this will be the first place we will look into again. Thanks for the great experience!

    Enjoying snackies on our private patio
    Brandie H.

    My husband and I go to carmel frequently (we even got engaged here back in 2020). Although we come to Carmel often, we have never stayed here until recently. My husband, our 3 month old daughter, our dog and my mom recently stayed for mom's birthday trip and it was magical. My mom hasn't really left the house since my dad died 3 years ago and I wanted her to experience the magic of carmel-she reluctantly agreed and I honestly thought she would bail on the trip so I was excited to find out I could potentially cancel without any fees up to a few days before our trip. Good news was my mom didn't bail, so we got to go on our trip and stay here! We really enjoyed the gardens and ambiance and our room was a good size for 3 adults a baby and a dog we also really liked that they had breakfast which was pretty delicious. My mom would wake up in the morning and stroll the neighborhood around the inn and enjoyed it. Our stay was excellent and my mom keeps talking about how much she enjoyed her trip and this place-I am hoping we can make it a yearly tradition for her birthday!

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    We love this place. The staff is awesome, the breakfast is great and the late afternoon cheese and wine are phenomenal. Great place to stay.

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    Page 1 of 3

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    Review Highlights - Carmel Garden Inn

    Not the flashiest, but very hospitable, cozy and the staff is some of the most sweetest people on earth.

    Mentioned in 9 reviews

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    The Vagabond's House - Room #1-Large HD smart tv with Dish HD in every room.

    The Vagabond's House

    4.7(175 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    Wonderful little place! We enjoyed 3 nights here and it was very nice. Cute and quaint, as Carmel…read moreshould be, and the breakfast and evening wine and cheese were the added bonus. For anyone not familiar with the traditional British breakfast of soft boiled eggs in the cups where you crack the top off and slice the toast into little strips for dipping into the soft yolk, this is one of the only places you can get this treat in all of the State of California! We loved the Vagabond's House! The beds were very comfortable, we had an upgraded bathroom and plenty of space. Staff was very nice and helpful.

    My husband and I stayed at Vagabond Inn in Carmel this week, and there were definitely some highs…read moreand lows. The property is really charming and has that classic cozy Carmel vibe. The staff was warm and welcoming, and the happy hour with wine, cheese, and fruit was a great touch. The courtyard with the stone fire pit and waterfall is beautiful and makes the whole place feel extra inviting. You also really can't beat the location--it's an easy walk to the village, shops, restaurants, galleries, and the beach. Our room was updated, very clean, and well-appointed with a fireplace, large TV, microwave, fridge, and a nicely renovated bathroom. Now for the downsides... Carmel happened to be in a heat wave while we were there, and the room was HOT. There's no AC, and the tiny fan they gave us barely made a difference. It definitely made sleeping uncomfortable. But the biggest disappointment by far was the breakfast. For the price you're paying per night, it was honestly shocking how underwhelming it was. The only protein option was hard-boiled eggs (and if you don't eat eggs, you're out of luck). Everything else felt like the bare minimum--mediocre toast, bagels, croissants, granola, yogurt, etc. The yogurt was so watery we couldn't even eat it, and the rest was just very basic and forgettable. We did appreciate that it was delivered directly to our room. Overall, we did enjoy the stay because of the charm, location, and friendly staff, but the heat and especially the breakfast were definite letdowns. We'd consider coming back, but with much lower expectations for the food--and definitely not during a heat wave.

    Photos
    The Vagabond's House - Fresh Flowers in every room!

    Fresh Flowers in every room!

    The Vagabond's House - Room #1 With heated marble floors and shower.

    Room #1 With heated marble floors and shower.

    The Vagabond's House - Room #2

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    Room #2

    Carmel Country Inn - In-Room Breakfast Service

    Carmel Country Inn

    4.5(159 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$$

    We stayed at Carmel Country Inn from Friday to Sunday for a girls' trip, hoping for a relaxing and…read morerestful weekend. Unfortunately, our stay was quite disappointing. We booked one of the double rooms with a fireplace. While the room itself was fine, the walls and ceilings are extremely thin. From around 9pm to 1:00 AM, we could clearly hear footsteps from the room above us, along with conversations. It didn't seem like the guests upstairs were being intentionally disruptive -- it felt more like an issue with how the property is built and the lack of sound insulation. We did call the front desk and asked if they could notify the guests upstairs. After that, they were more mindful of their steps, which we appreciated, but we could still hear them trying to whispering. We chose this property because we were looking for a peaceful place to rest, reset, and enjoy quiet evenings. Unfortunately, that was not our experience. For the amount we paid for a weekend stay, we expected much better soundproofing and overall comfort. Sadly, we won't be returning or recommending this property to our family or friends.

    The most DARLING bed & breakfast…read more I loved the tea, coffee, and variety of delicious homemade cookies in the lobby when you check in. The homemade breakfast is amazing - warm mini-quiches, yummy pastries, yogurt & berries. Don't go crazy on the cookies and pastries here though- I did and experienced the horrible sugar crashes everyday, sob. The rooms are adorable, clean, and updated - with the most cozy beds too. The staff members are also the sweetest. Sandy is wonderful and make sure to say hi to Butters too, her adorable pup. Walkable to downtown Carmel & easy parking.

    Photos
    Carmel Country Inn - Large Cali King Bed

    Large Cali King Bed

    Carmel Country Inn - Dining Room

    Dining Room

    Carmel Country Inn - 2B2B Room

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    2B2B Room

    Carriage House Inn - Fireplace and bay window seat

    Carriage House Inn

    4.6(125 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$$

    Room interiors are nice…read more Easy parking Breakfast quiche is really good. Overall bf worked well. Everyone at the desks was nice Convenient location Massive downside is that our room was 80F even with the windows open and both fans blasting when it was much colder outside Probably a solid choice if you come a colder time Some other inns (eg vagabond) are more quaint Overall just feels ridiculous to spend $500 for a night when it's unbearably hot inside

    Excellent everything!!! I have not stayed in a hotel with the service they gave. I felt like I…read moreWas in a luxury hotel. When we got in, It was about time for the wine social. They had offered us wine (red or white) and a whole variety of snacks that one Can find on a charcuterie board. They also have a coffee machine where they can make you a personal cup of coffee. Shayla had checked us in and showed us to our room and explained how things worked inside the room and where things were placed. We had booked the deluxe guest room. The room had a fireplace and a 2 person tub. The bed had fine Italian linens with down feather topper and pillows. I slept so well from the comfiness of the bed. They also included 2 beautiful robes and slippers. Parking was a bit snug, but there were 2 spaces that fit much larger cars. You can also park on the street as well. Location was excellent as we were just a few blocks from ocean Ave where all The shops were. The breakfast was amazing which included freshly baked quiches, muffins, croissants, granola and yogurt and more. They will bring the breakfast into your room every morning with your choice of time. They will also include two flasks where you can refill water in the station outside. I highly recommend coming here and will definitely visit again.

    Photos
    Carriage House Inn - Room #3

    Room #3

    Carriage House Inn - Nice roomy room

    Nice roomy room

    Carriage House Inn - Room 2

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    Room 2

    Villa Mara - Portola room

    Villa Mara

    4.9(32 reviews)
    1.2 mi

    Love, love, love this beautiful boutique hotel in Carmel-by-the-Sea!…read more Villa Mara is a gorgeous boutique hotel tucked away in a quiet seaside neighborhood. It blends so naturally into its surroundings that we actually drove right past it the first time. I imagine the town has strict design guidelines to preserve the charm of the area. We stayed here for the first night of our Big Sur vacation, and it was beautiful. When we arrived, we were greeted by a gentleman who escorted us to our room. He appeared to be handling everything himself that evening, yet every interaction was warm and welcoming. His hospitality made us feel genuinely cared for throughout our stay. Our room didn't have a microwave, which honestly suited the elegant aesthetic of the room. However, at night we needed to warm our 17-year-old Yorkie daughter's heating pad for about 30 seconds before bedtime, since she's a senior and warming her tummy helps her sleep comfortably. He happily heated it for us each night. We also needed to keep her food frozen, but the room refrigerator didn't have a freezer compartment. When we asked, he kindly offered to store it in their large commercial freezer in the kitchen. Because this is not a large, impersonal hotel, the warmth and personal touches made our stay especially comfortable and memorable. The service was so attentive that it felt less like staying at a hotel and more like being welcomed into a friend's home. In the evenings, guests were treated to complimentary slices of cake in the lobby along with a glass of wine. Our room had a lovely private terrace, and at night, when we opened the window, we could hear the rhythmic sound of the waves crashing as if the ocean were right next to us. It felt almost magical, and we fell asleep with the window slightly open, listening to the surf. The bed was very comfortable, and the TV was great--it had everything we needed. I especially appreciated the Japanese-made air conditioner, which made it easy to adjust the room to the perfect temperature. I was also impressed by the beautiful Waterworks shower in the bathroom--it was exquisite. Every corner of the hotel reflected impeccable taste and thoughtful attention to detail. Another thing that stood out to me was the scent of the hotel. When I first walked into the lobby, I noticed a beautiful fragrance that I believe came from L.A. Lab candles. It instantly created a luxurious atmosphere, and that same refined sense of style extended to the soaps and bathroom amenities as well. Honestly, we wished we could have stayed longer. On our second night we stayed at Alila Ventana, but next time we visit Big Sur, we'll spend both nights at Villa Mara instead. Finally, I accidentally left my white Japanese hair dryer in the room. When I called the next day, a staff member who hadn't been there during our stay immediately knew what I was talking about and kindly offered to ship it back to me. Less than a week later, it arrived safely at my home- thank you!

    Villa Mara is pure California luxury, and easily one of the nicest boutique hotels I've ever stayed…read moreat. Opened in 2022, it feels brand new yet already timeless, with design that's both elegant and warm. The rooms? Incredible. Heated bathroom floors (yes, heated floors), a complimentary snack bar and fridge stocked with goodies, a sleek Dyson hairdryer, and even a fancy bidet -- every detail has been thought through. Our patio looked out toward the ocean, and at night you could hear the waves. But the real star of the show is breakfast. The coffee is excellent, the quiches are light and flavorful, and the almond croissants... wow. Hands down the best croissants I've ever had. I would come back just for those. Service was top-notch from start to finish. The staff made us feel so welcome -- kind, attentive, and genuinely happy to help. Add in the location (just steps from the beach), and this place checks every single box. If you're looking for a Carmel getaway that blends luxury with charm, Villa Mara is it.

    Photos
    Villa Mara - Breakfast

    Breakfast

    Villa Mara - My room - Asilomar

    My room - Asilomar

    Villa Mara - Lobby/breakfast area

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    Lobby/breakfast area

    Le Petit Pali

    Le Petit Pali

    3.7(31 reviews)
    0.4 mi

    We just stayed at Petit Pali on 8th in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It is a lovely property, and there is a…read morelot to genuinely like here. The hotel itself is undeniably charming. They clearly invested a lot of time and money into the remodel (they proudly note the "$20M renovation," and it shows). The aesthetic is cohesive and very modern British country cottage in the best way. Our room was quite large, almost suite-like, with a divider separating the sitting and sleeping areas, a double-sided fireplace, and a TV on each side. Check-in was lovely and welcoming, and we were offered a complimentary glass of sparkling wine, which set a nice tone. They offer complimentary continental breakfast in the morning and a hosted happy hour with wine and beer in the early evening. The staff running both were consistently friendly and attentive, and the quality of the snacks was very good. The community area was small but cozy and there's enough room there to crack open your laptop or read a book whatever you want to do. Evening cookies delivered to your room are also a charming touch. Cleanliness was ok but could be improved. The shower grout had visible mold, which is not something you expect at a hotel in this category. Housekeeping also felt a bit surface-level -- for example, couch pillows weren't straightened when the room was serviced. Small things, first world problems, I know. Storage is a primary area where the rooms fall short. While there were a few drawers, the closet is very small -- essentially enough to hang a handful of shirts. With suits, dresses, and winter coats, there simply wasn't anywhere to put anything, and we ended up draping clothes all over the furniture, which took away from the otherwise beautiful room. Given the generous size of the room, this feels like something management could easily improve (hooks? Coat rack? Armoire?). Also, the nightstands, while attractive, don't pull much weight functionally. There were three small drawers in the room and that was it. We clearly noted we were traveling with a teenager and needed the daybed prepared. Despite that, we arrived short towels and without bedding for the daybed and had to request both. And of course there's no storage in the room so we had to look at extra pillows and bedding piled up in a corner on the floor during our stay. The following day, we again had to ask for a third set of towels. Even the evening cookies initially came up short (two instead of three). Every issue was corrected quickly and politely when mentioned, but ideally guests shouldn't need to keep flagging these things. To be honest, this is not a particularly family oriented hotel, and has much more of a couples vibe, but that's kind of Carmel in general. The bed was also not particularly comfortable for us. The linens were lovely, but the mattress itself was quite firm. That's just a personal preference. TBH the hide a bed was actually softer! In-room amenities were fine. There's a cute small fridge stocked with snacks for purchase (we removed them and used it for our own items). There's no microwave. And there is no coffee in the room -- only tea. While I understand the theme, most guests expect coffee, or at least the option of both, especially at this price point. The gas fireplace was awesome as Carmel is always cold. The hotel is dog-friendly, which we appreciated, though you do pay a premium for your furry friend. Given that, I was surprised there weren't more thoughtful pet touches -- you have to ask for a dog bowl, and there were no treats, dog bed, or similar amenities. The hotel itself felt quiet, which we liked. However, if accessibility is a concern, note that the upstairs rooms do not appear to have elevator access. The location is excellent -- an easy walk to downtown Carmel, shops, and restaurants. Parking can be a bit of a challenge if you plan to come and go because there is no lot - all street parking in a residential area with a lot of parking restrictions during the day, but once parked, it's very walkable. Overall, Petit Pali on 8th is a lovely, well-designed hotel with genuinely nice staff and a great location. With a smidge more attention to housekeeping and storage, it could easily justify its price. Since no one asked for feedback at checkout, I'm sharing it here. I would absolutely consider staying again next time we go to Carmel and I do recommend this location.

    Le Petit Pali in Carmel is a bit of a paradox. On one hand, it's absolutely adorable. On the other…read morehand... well, let's just say the experience doesn't always live up to the Pinterest board. First, the good stuff. The design is fantastic. Whoever did the interiors clearly knows what they're doing. It's charming, colorful, layered with patterns, vintage touches, cute wallpapers, cozy fireplaces. You can tell a talented designer was involved. The vibe is very "European seaside inn meets California boutique hotel." It's stylish without feeling pretentious. The staff was also great. Friendly, welcoming, and helpful. The location is excellent too. You're within walking distance of everything in Carmel, including the beach and restaurants. Now... the reality check. The property itself is basically a refurbished old motel. And while the designers did a heroic job dressing it up, you can still feel the motel bones underneath. I saw another reviewer call it "lipstick on a pig," and honestly that description is painfully accurate. The walls are paper thin. If your neighbor sneezes, you'll probably say "bless you." Our front door was close to parking and we barely slept as there was so much commotion and noise overall. Parking? Technically there is parking, but it's the kind of parking where you feel like you just won the lottery if you get a spot. Breakfast is advertised as "complimentary champagne continental breakfast," which sounds fancy until you realize it's basically coffee and a pastry, or maybe a soft boiled egg and yogurt. It's more "snack before real breakfast" than actual breakfast. Rooms look cute but are surprisingly impractical. There's basically nowhere to unpack. No storage. No space in the bathroom for toiletries. It feels like the designer won the battle but functionality lost the war. Very uncomfortable. Tech-wise the rooms are stuck somewhere around 1990s. The TV is very old school and you can't stream your own subscriptions. There's also no HVAC system or fan, which is be very surprising for a boutique hotel at this price point. They market themselves as pet friendly, but it didn't really feel that way. Yes, they allow dogs, but it costs $150 and there were zero dog amenities waiting in the room. No bowl, no bed, no treat, nothing. So where does that leave us? If you love design and want a cute, Instagram-friendly place in a great location, you'll probably enjoy it. But for the price they charge, it feels grossly overpriced. For what you actually get, this feels more like a $250 a night stay at very best, not the premium boutique pricing they're asking. In short: beautiful design, great location, lovely staff... but underneath the pretty wallpaper it's still an old motel 6 trying very hard to be something else... and failing. We will definitely find a better place next time in Carmel.

    Photos
    Le Petit Pali
    Le Petit Pali
    Le Petit Pali

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    Carmel Garden Inn - bedbreakfast - Updated July 2026

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