We just had a great stay at La Playa Carmel. The photos of the exteriors on the Website are accurate. It is a stunning layout with a lot of space to find a lounge chair or table outdoors and enjoy the amazing environment. However, there are some issues with the rooms, details are below: Location/setting 5/5: The property is only 2 blocks from the beach and is very walkable to downtown Carmel. Parking on the street isn't limited to 2 hours like most of Carmel, so it's pretty easy to park overnight nearby. The gardens/grounds/terrace are all amazing and very well kept. We sat by the pool, in the garden, and on the terrace and really enjoyed the setting at various times of the day and evening. Service/amenities 5/5: The front desk staff was great, along with the restaurant staff. A shuttle is offered to Carmel restaurants if you don't feel like walking in the dark, as the streets don't have many streetlights after dark. Sangria is offered in the afternoon and cookies in the evening. The champagne breakfast is excellent and it's a great way to start the day when you're enjoying breakfast on the terrace with views of the ocean. Rooms 3/5: The rooms are dated, as others have mentioned. We had a partial ocean view, and it was nice to have all the natural light. The room is small, doesn't have A/C, and isn't very well soundproofed. However, there isn't street noise to worry about. We ended up using a fan that was supplied by the hotel and opened the windows because it was too hot at night, and that worked pretty well. The bed was comfortable. If you're okay with the charm and the setting of the hotel and don't require the most modern, inviting rooms, then you'll enjoy the hotel. read more

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The Hotel Was Beautiful from the outside but the rooms need a complete gut. The pictures online are very deceiving. For $600 a night I would have expected a lot of a nicer stay. No room service available, breakfast is "included" but only on the weekends do they provide a chef to make omelets and bacon. You do pay the same with or without the chef so that doesn't make much sense. They do offer sangria from 1-4 and chocolate cookies from 7:30-10:00. We did wish the sangria could have ended a little later since we weren't at the hotel to enjoy it around those times. Outside Views & Customer Service I would give a 5 Star but the Rooms would have to be a 2 at MOST. read more

Yes- it is not the montage, intercontinental, auberge, carmel valley ranch or rosewood.. lame, heartless wanna influencers swipe left... Intellectuals and people who love people, history and botany - this is your refuge. Everyone I met on my trip was a fourth or third time guest... Everyone who works here has worked here a long time and does so because they love the place, history and truly give a damn. The rooms are old fashioned but that is because like a good art deco building or Victorian, they don't need to be updated. They are clean and well-maintained. If you like historical architecture you'll enjoy it. The pool is warm and quiet, the breakfast is delicious and thoughtfully prepared. The bar is iconic, steeped in local artists' stories, and staffed with people who know how to make cocktails. read more

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Nice old fashion place to meet friends for a cocktail Outdoor area protected. Wish the menus had more options read more

The LaPlaya Carmel is established elegance. The staff and the guests, which you will encounter are all aware of how to act accordingly in an establishment such as The LaPlaya. The rooms are elegant. The view of the beautiful ocean and grounds of the LaPlaya are spectacular while still quaint. The places of gathering - such as the breakfast area, bar area, and pool are all wonderful and whomever you encounter there is also wonderful. Everyone is generously well behaved, so that you can enjoy your stay. The LaPlaya Carmel - is a high-end establishment. Sophisticated guests. Sophisticated staff. Your every whim is catered to with a GENUINE smile. The LaPlaya Carmel is truly ENCHANTING especially at night. Quiet, Enchanting, elegant sophisticated. Without pretension. You will feel that you are visiting and leaving acquaintances whom truly care. The staff is beyond any staff that I have ever encountered. I've been to many many resorts and high-end establishments - The LaPlaya Carmel is the best! The pet friendly and accommodating attitude towards our fur babies is amazing! If you want an experience that you will remember for many many years to come - run, don't walk to the LaPlaya Carmel. read more

I stayed in dog friendly Garden Patio room 110. Short walk down to the beach. Delightful garden landscaping and rich history. A perfectly relaxing refuge that I will keep coming back to. read more

Worst cocktails ever. We stopped in here for a drink, hearing that Bud's bar was a great place to go. While The vintage look is aesthetically pleasing, the bartender we had clearly didn't know how to make cocktails. My old fashioned was like drinking paint thinner and my wife's drink was way too sweet. For $16 each, this was a rip-off and to add insult to injury, everyone else in the bar had cookies that were served in the hotel lobby, but by the time we got our check and were able to leave they were all gone. Obviously, there is a lack of training and management oversight. Such a bummer for a classic property like this. Avoid at all costs, unless you like dealing with douche bags of the highest order. read more

Very good experience and location, ocean and garden view with comfortable king bed and tub, attentive and helpful staff, heated pool, quiet. Website FAQ is informative and accurate. Daily housekeeping. Superb breakfast and chocolate cookies. Bud's is good but lots of restaurants nearby. read more

I am rarely compelled to write a review, good or bad, about a stay at a hotel, Airbnb, etc. I feel that I must after this experience in order to forewarn others. We've been coming to Carmel for the last 15 years, we rotate amongst 3-4 hotels that we love, and for whatever reason opted this time to try a new spot. Particularly disappointed as it was a special occasion, my wife's birthday. Pros: -Pretty outdoor grounds and proximity to beach Cons: -Queen standard room with fees and taxes included ends up being approximately $500/night. Room photos on their website are deceiving-- room in person looked like a Holliday Inn Express from the 90s. I imagine being cat-fished might feel this way. Super small, unmaintained and very dated. In all sincerity, the room furniture, decor and general experience felt like a 1/2-star motel....no joke. The furniture in our rooms looked and felt like it was from a Salvation Army in the 60s in the most uncharming way imaginable. And the bath tub was majorly clogged, which was just icing on the cake. Based on all these factors and even the singular "Pro", the Queen standard room should be only going for $200-300/night at most. -$50/night for pet fee is industry standard at 4 & 5- star hotels in California. This usually includes bowls upon request or in-room already upon arrival, along with a few other goodies. This place charges $250 and no bowls or any extras for the pups. -Charge a $39/night "service fee" and was not informed in advance nor at check-in that they are not doing housekeeping at the moment. This would have been nice to know in advance or at check-in for folks staying more than just a few nights. And why are they still charging this fee at the moment when there is no housekeeping the rooms during one's stay? We have friends staying 3 blocks away at a different hotel and they've been given the daily option of whether or not they want their room serviced. In conclusion, first time in my life I have felt cheated by a hotel. If you need a Carmel hotel recommendation, feel free to DM. read more

My husband and I came here for our honeymoon! Beautiful place, champagne breakfast, and cookies in the evening! The service has been absolutely amazing but Don has really been the best! He has worked the front desk every night that we've been here and his customer service is the BEST I've ever experience anywhere. I truly recommend staying here! Very romantic and a perfect getaway! ~The McLaughlins read more

Just had several wonderful days in Paso Robles and then came here. Save yourself a bad experience and stay elsewhere. Just had a negative interaction with the front desk about the heat in the room. Oh this is the second room because the first one was literally a closet with a bed (could not have been king). This "better" room has a wafting smell of urine. I have a call into the travel agent to see if there is anything better we can get to. Next time I will check more recent reviews here on Yelp because we booked this over two months ago. read more

I would not recommended LPC in general, especially anyone wanting to celebrate a special occasion. We got married at LPC 4/3/21 - selecting this venue site unseen due to the pandemic. We had 25 guests, all staying on-site Friday to Monday. Checking-in, my parents-in-law were put in the wrong room, twice. Early check-in was promised and not delivered. We had 30 minutes between getting in our room to unpack and get ready for the rehearsal. Rehearsal appetizers and drinks was scheduled for Buds onsite. Bar staff did not even know about a large party that evening let alone a wedding that weekend. The rooms are dated. No guest service. All suites were filled with trash by the end of the weekend, no help to get more glasses, towels, silverware, fridge was barely cold or big enough. This was NOT communicated at all during any conversation that there would be no service. Please do not rely on COVID here, which I understand, the issue was lack of communication. Breakfast boxes for a luxury hotel as claimed were dismal. Cold, no flavor. For the price of the rooms, this was actually embarrassing to serve our guests. The day of the wedding we were told we cannot dance as a group.The day of the wedding we were also told the table setting needed to be changed. This did not allow for our table flower garland or table runner to be used. We lost more money than I'd like to admit because of this and it changed the look and feel for the entire reception. Please know the table design was approved months before. Again, please for both dancing and tables, do not rely on covid. No regulations had changed between all of the conversations where NONE of the above was mentioned until day of the wedding. If anything, regulations had been eased. We should have known about the tables long ago, same with the dancing. I had confirmed all things on the wedding planner form the week of the wedding. Due to last minute table changes, guests were split that I specifically said not to separate. My Mom and Dad were split, as were my parents-in-law. My sisters were split. A week after the wedding we saw two additional charges for almost $5K. The wedding/event manager barely responded as to why. She said we must have went over on beverages which she never told us we were doing at the time of the event. Outside of the beautiful grounds & amazing reception dinner, LPC did not meet any expectations. I did my best to smile through the questions, hiccups and not let guests see the confusion but a lot of the above could have been avoided with better communication. LPC and Jehan (event planner) should not be in the business of hosting or planning any event. Please note, Brett (GM) did a great job of following up and expressing his disappointment. He refunded us the additional charge and said we could book a weekend at LPC free of charge when we were ready. Though this was a nice acknowledgment, it doesn't change the fact our wedding memory lasts forever and LPC missed the mark on every detail. read more

Bait and switch ! Booked deluxe ocean view on website, drive 300 miles and was put in a back room dump. I guess Carmel charm means old and dirty. For better time go to Spanish bay or half moon. Owners should be ashamed ! read more

The food here is impeccable, the service amazing! I actually stayed at the restaurant for 3 hrs. enjoying the views, along with tantalizing my pallet, as I ordered a little of this, and a little of that from their amazing menu! By far, one of the best restaurants I have ever eaten at! I was so amazed, that I had to thank the head Chef Boris himself! These days it's rare to find such amazing food, service, and beautiful views to go with! I highly recommend this place if you ever come to Carmel! It won't disappoint! read more

La Playa Hotel - Finished off my amazing dinner with this Irish coffee... - Hotels Near Me - Carmel, California

We loved loved loved this hotel! When our other hotel cancelled on us last minute, Robert was able to help accommodate our needs and saved our anniversary trip! Amazing hotel service. Gorgeous grounds and decor. Delicious breakfast. Truly a very special spot in Carmel and we will be back for future stays! read more

My husband and I stayed here for 4 days, during a long weekend. After thinking about this review, I've concluded with "meh" (which is 3 stars to me). Nothing was particularly bad, and we accept the thin floors and walls due to historic & old buildings. But, expectations of La Playa are high due to the very high prices and great website photography and prose. But, rooms are small, bathroom vent didn't work, led lights flicker, hair drier cheap. Breakfast services was ok (but not worth the included cost, in my view). "Champagne" is low end Proseco, amenities in the room are a mix, tho the fresh cookies served every evening are wonderful. It's like this: La Playa messages that it's at the very high end of service and facility. Distinguished. For those who don't mind paying a premium and for those (often like us) who specifically look to pay a premium by choice-because of that was comes with. And in this case, what it comes with is a mix. Some nice touches, and a lot that seem unnecessarily overlooked (or deliberately not focused on). I'd be happy to provide a detailed review for the staff if requested because I'd love for La playa to make it to our always go-to list. Boarder-line disappointment, but also pleasant delight. We will come again for certain, but not as our first choice of availability in Carmel by the sea which remains our favorite weekend getaway. Thank you read more

Really amazing customer service and just can't beat the location. Parking can be a bit of a pain (park in the back), but the free sangria and cookies were top notch. The food in the bar is all really really good- kid loved the Quesadilla, we loved all the desserts, and the breakfast burritos were the perfect touch for a long day of hiking and shopping. The only deduction is for the price you pay...while the grounds, location, food, and staff are all amazing...the rooms are certainly a bit dated. Things could use a more updated facelift here - the mood is in between a beachside motel and a more upscale old B&B...but you pay ritz Carlton prices. read more

We've gotten really spoiled with these corporate holiday getaways every year, I tell ya. From Las Vegas to fancy hotels in SF like The Ritz. It's hard not to get spoiled with the amenities of these places. Our managers' holiday getaway this year was at La Playa Carmel from a Friday - Sunday in early December 2018. THE SHORT: Quaint, charming, lovely small hotel with manicured, beautiful grounds, exemplary customer service from the outstanding, friendly staff. Champagne breakfast is a MUST & an incredible spread is provided with custom-made omelet bar & waffles, shuttle service avail, sangria hour, wine tasting hour, freshly baked cookies & milk in the evening, turn down service w/ chocolates, and firm, comfy beds in smaller rooms. THE STORY We checked & were warmly greeted by the desk staff with sangria (nice touch!), our bags were taken up to our room immediately. We arrive to...a smallish room. We happened to get a corner handicapped room,a bit bigger than the others compared to our friends. I discover later that there is no room service (a nice young man offered to deliver me food from the bar to my room). It's not a close walk to town, though I mapped it at just .3 miles away because at night, it is pitch dark & very hard to see. No room service, no spa, no walking into downtown at night. Now what do I do while my +1 is out with his manager buddiess at a team event on Fri. night & I'm alone & hungry? Remember that La Playa is a BOUTIQUE HOTEL built in 1905. What is a boutique hotel? Well...LET ME SCHOOL YOU: "The main difference between a regular hotel & a boutique hotel is that no two boutique hotels are alike, unlike traditional hotels that are usually chains. Boutique hotels are smaller, they cannot accommodate as many people, but the focus of the boutique hotel is a lot more intimate." So therein is where the strengths of this hotel lies. ENTER TOMMY... While I'm standing in front of the hotel, trying to get my phone to sync w/ wi-fi to call a Lyft (low cell signal in this area), this nice looking young kid comes up to me & says, "Do you need a ride somewhere?" I meet Tommy, who drives the hotel shuttle. "Why, yes I do!" I said. Tommy saved my night - I didn't even know they offered a free shuttle. Tommy drove me into town, I had an adventurous fun exploring downtown Carmel by myself, then I called him & he promptly picked me up, getting back in time to enjoy the evening's freshly baked cookies & milk! THANKS, TOMMY! (I tipped well). :) There are many pluses & delights that you may miss if you're looking for the "big bang" of those glittery hotels. But what they had to offer made for a relaxing getaway for our managers' weekend. Here's what I loved: ~ ROOMS - ok, yes, rooms are on the small-ish side. Remember, this hotel was built in 1905! Pre-super-sizing everything. The bed is on the firmer side, but I SLEPT WELL! Bed is PLUSH & COZY w/ NICE LINENS & PILLOWS. Fridge in room in TV cabinet. Bring your own water, unless you want to pay for the sparkly water in your room. I brought my own fancy toiletries. CAVEAT: If you're on a lower floor, you can hear the footsteps above you, w/ creaking floors. Omg. I wanted to tranquilize the person upstairs, but the footsteps stopped after a while. The floors & walls are thin. So...REQUEST A ROOM ON THE TOP FLOOR TO MINIMIZE NOISE FROM ABOVE. You will thank me..so do message me a thank you. :) ~ CHAMPAGNE BREAKFAST - Their champagne breakfast is the STAR OF THE SHOW! DO NOT MISS THIS! They offer breakfast until 10:30 a.m., indoors or outdoors in the 2nd level. We dined w/ friends daily & it was amazingly satisfying! So much fun to eat and chat & enjoy the view. Fire pit with chairs there, too. Dining area located close to bar. BRUNCH OFFERINGS - All you can imagine! LOVED the SMOKED SALMON PLATTER, frittatas (mini muffin shaped), potatoes & sausages. A shout out to VICENTE AT THE OMELET & WAFFLE BAR, who really kept things going, healthy cereals, breads & spreads with toaster, fresh fruits, prosciutto & cheese, bread pudding, pastries, coffee & juice & more. Presentation of food is beautiful. One could get used to this lifestyle every morning! ~ STAFF was outstanding! TOMMY, AARON, VICENTE, AMIT, LUPE, all made our stay enjoyable & provided super service. They even had umbrellas for us to borrow at the desk when there was a light rain. Shuttle service is a huge plus. If you're looking for a relaxing getaway w/ amazing breakfast, pretty surroundings, & great service in Carmel, check out La Playa. It offers a more intimate focus than huge chain hotels. Personable service, the incredible breakfast will knock your socks off, & it's a charming place to stay. I'd come here again with friends. Thanks for an enjoyable managers' weekend, La Playa! It was a great stay & you charmed us with your boutique hotel-ness & wonderful staff! xo, Cristina Be sure to check out my beautiful photos to get a feel of this place! read more

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My husband and I really enjoyed staying here for our elopement. The bar area and sitting rooms were very inviting. We loved walking around the area and being close to all the restaurants. We definitely recommend this place. The rooms were comfortable with great ocean views. Please be aware that staff can be rude at times about talking in the main sitting area. read more

La Playa Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Carmel, California

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My husband surprised me with a weekend Trip to Carmel for our 11th Anniversary. I had never been to Carmel before and my husband, having spent time there on business, knew it was my kind of town. We stayed here at the La Playa Carmel, and let me tell you...if you want a Storybook Bubble that makes you forget the world... this is it. Everything from the kind & attentive staff, to the lush grounds in full bloom, to the Champagne Brunch (that was FAR superior to any other breakfast/brunch, extravagant or not, that I have ever had), were perfect and made sure any stress or worries were left behind. We brought our 8yr old son with us on this trip for some much needed family time, and admittedly, I was nervous about this. I wasn't sure how kid friendly the La Playa would be, but he was very well received and we felt very comfortable having him there with us. In case you're wondering, he had a blast and would highly recommend the warm Chocolate chip cookies and milk before bed, the waffles for breakfast, playing a game of Giant Chess out back, and swimming in the pool! Downtown Carmel is only about 3 blocks away, with excellent dining and shopping. We walked just about everywhere during our trip. Though I will note, that it does get very dark at night with little no street lights on the way to and from the hotel, and the roads are not necessarily level. I probably wouldn't choose high heels after dark if you are walking. The hotel does offer a free shuttle service to and from town in the evening that is very convenient! The La Playa Carmel has easily made the list of our favorite places to stay & we can not wait to go back! read more

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I frequently visit just to enjoy the great view and cocktails at Bud's Bar. I highly recommend for any relaxing evening. It can be quite romantic with the partial ocean views and sunset views. The ambiance is perfection. The cocktails are made with love, I am sure, because it is great. The cocktails will run about $16 each, but there are plenty of wine by the glass and bottle options, beer and non-alcoholic options to choose from. They do serve food but I have not tried anything off of their menu yet. The menu prices seem reasonable for food, but I tend to always find myself navigating there after I have eaten at home or after brunch elsewhere. One day, I will try and update this review. I am sure there is is a little something for everyone and it would be excellent. The staff are all friendly, professional and overall very welcoming. read more

La Playa Hotel - Sorry about my half gulped drink! - Hotels Near Me - Carmel, California

Nice breakfast and early morning coffee service. Beautiful property and nice service. A little too far from Ocean Blvd. though they have a shuttle in the evenings. But major negatives - there's awful music blasting in the lobby, bar and restaurant that's almost unbearable to listen to all day and night - a very strange playlist and too damn loud. Also the lighting in the lobby and dining/bar areas is really dim. Our "deluxe" room is minuscule with a lumpy, rather uncomfortable mattress. read more

My wife and I have visited LaPlaya several times and our experience has always been excellent. The breakfasts are fantastic, the staff is very friendly and helpful, and Alan, the manager, went out of his way to make sure our visit exceeded expectations. I would highly recommend this wonderful place to anyone. We will definitely be back. read more

I was; not happy at La Playa Carmel. First of all when we arrived in the room there was no where to unpack your suit case. We ask if we could get them and they sent one. My roommate had to use the floor. There was a nice big TV on the wall and ONE CHAIR in the room. The room was large and needed badly a small sofa at the foot of the best, not for just watching TV. Otherwise there was just ONE CHAIR period. We had wooden floors so we could hear every step the people above us we taking. Breakfast was good but the same each and every day. Boring! AND one they they forgot to tell me when I made my reservations was that they were doing major remodeling. It was not the time to be there. Sawing, hammering, etc went on most of the day. With taxes my $850 room was not a place of refuge which was much needed. read more

Our stay here was wonderful! So wonderful that we wanted to extend our stay! We stayed in a poolside casita which was a spacious room with a large bathroom and dressing area. Everything was clean and well maintained. We enjoyed our evenings outside by the pool fire pit. Jesse at the front desk was so helpful, kind, and accommodating upon our arrival. And the lobby smelled like a spa. The staff was responsive to requests (for us it was turning on the fire pit and delivering extra towels). The location is great. We walked a few blocks for coffee, meals & window shopping. There are so many wonderful restaurants and we found that the area was much more child friendly than I expected it to be. We will be making this an annual trip! What a slice of heaven! Thank you La Playa for being so welcoming on a much-needed getaway! read more

This is the best hotel I have ever stayed in. The staff is extremely nice and the rooms are wonderful. The breakfast is fantastic, the view is unlike any other it is wonderful, the staff are all kind and hard working. This is a fantastic hotel. read more

Hello we stayed over the new year. Despite of the power outage and the additional Wi-Fi outage, we enjoyed our time. It gave us an unexpected chance to get off the grid and reflect on 2022. It was a unique experience we will remember. However there were a few things that made us feel uncomfortable. 1. Although 20% student discount was advertised on the website and we confirmed it can be applied when we made the reservation and during check-in, during checkout the front desk told us there is nothing he can do to apply the discount and charged us the full amount. We agreed to resolve it later via phone but so far no one has reached out. 2. There was a WIFI outage. We asked the front desk about it when we had trouble connecting, the front desk told us the Wi-Fi was working and we just needed to keep trying. We tried for a while but in vain. It turned out Wi-Fi had been down until about 5 hours after the conversation. 3. One of our door-keys wasn't setup correctly. When we brought it back to have it fixed the next day, Andrew asked whether we put it next to our phone. We told him we didn't, because we knew the card had not been working since the first time we got it. Andrew said: "yeah I think you did." Although it was a small incident, we felt it was unnecessarily confrontational and accusative. We had a good time overall, and really appreciate all the stuff who worked over the new year. We also got a room with spectacular ocean view. The estate was charming, the breakfast was quint. We also understand power outage wasn't something can be controlled. read more

Absolute Nirvana in Carmel-By-The-Sea Down By The Ocean... SITREP What an absolute delight to experience the La Playa Carmel Hotel to it's fullest. From the beautiful courtyards & lush scenic surroundings to the wonderful room furnishings & hotel décor, to the balls-to-the-wall fun to be had in the "La Playa" Player Bar, there is nothing but a good time on all accounts for everyone in your party. LA PLAYA CARMEL HOTEL METRICS * First, you're by the Ocean. [I could stop there, but I won't.] * Second, you're IN CARMEL, down by the Ocean. [I certainly could stop there, but again I won't.] * Third, you're in a picturesque Maxfield Parrish-like neighborhood community, full of rich traditions, a beautiful tapestry of foliage & flowers, and not the least of which it just smells OH SO LOVELY here! [Nope, I won't stop here either.] Let's face it, JUST ON THE SURFACE, La Playa Hotel has so much going for it, but I would not be doing this hotel's magnificence & secret joys justice if I stopped here. Speaking of which... HOTEL SECRET (OR NOT SO SECRET) JOYS! Delving deeper into the hotel's furnishings, hotel décor, the pleasant customer service of all staff, expansive lush grounds with courtyards & elegant walkways, lots of fun park-like benches & romantic nooks, a wonderful pool, etc. etc., and you'll see why so many people, and so many events are hosted here. SOME HISTORY And to really enjoy La Playa Carmel Hotel is to fully appreciate the amazing history that this establishment has as a true landmark of California when looking back at the fascinating history of this place, most notably that what is now the main entrance & front part of La Playa Carmel, is actually the building that once stood as a luxurious mansion, designed in 1905 by artist Christian Jorgensen as a gift for his wife (who was a part of the notable Ghirardelli family from San Francisco). The vistas and atmosphere expressed by the Jorgensen's hospitality are a reminder of the time when it was more common to bring guests for longer stays and visits, guests that included many prominent artists, musicians & writers, to the Monterey area, a tradition much like Hearst Castle in San Simeon - further on down Highway 1 - in providing these same traditions, though on a larger scale. STAFF APPRECIATION My hats off to the amazing staff of La Playa Carmel Hotel who set-up an environment, from the personable hotel management team of Mary, Jackie, Tracy and Chris, who were all deeply involved in making sure the comfort of we - their guests - was assured. GREAT BAR! I have to give an especially warm kudo to the bartender team of Chris & Chris, who absolutely delighted us with their stupendous bartending & cocktail proficiencies and talents in serving the large throng that gathered here to enjoy the Jan 20 49ers vs. Seahawks game - and what a nail-biting & magical time THAT was for me! (Made even more delightful since my team won! And I think I was the only person in the bar rooting for the Seahawks - HA!) DIME 10-MIN HAPPY HOUR - DOUBLE W00T!! What was especially fun was the "Dime Happy Hour" from 5:00pm-5:10pm when all drinks were just a dime! But the catch was, you had to use a DIME! I was Mr. popular in spite of my team allegiance because I had about 30 dimes in my coin purse, so I could quite ably buy drinks for everyone, usually whole panels of Jameson shots! W00T!! But just a tip, yeeps - just because the drinks were discounted at just a dime at this bar, doesn't mean you don't tip at full price value. Nothing irks me more than seeing people pay a dime for their drink, then shafting the bartenders of any tip. Just sayin. THE LOWDOWN A fantastic, beautiful getaway Carmel-by-the-Sea experience in a gorgeous hotel by the ocean. read more

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This felt like staying in a rich uncle's basement...but for $400/night. The three stars are for the lovely grounds, surprisingly generous boxed breakfasts, and pleasant, hardworking staff. Unfortunately, the website is extremely misleading when it comes to how the rooms are represented. The so-called "classic" (i.e. cheapest) rooms are essentially crappy, dark basement rooms with sub-standard height ceilings (I'm only 5' 2" and I could easily touch the ceiling. My tall brother would never fit in this room at all.) There are no screens in the windows (really? who doesn't put screens in windows?) no AC, and no fan or window in the bathroom. From reading other reviews, it sounds like if you can afford to splash out on a top floor ocean view room, then sure, it's delightful. But the classic rooms? Not worth the price, not even close. Ugh. Even a single more honest photo of a "classic" room would help a lot (the only photo now is a tightly cropped shot showing a bed & the artwork on the wall above it) -- then at least we would know what we were getting into. Hope this helps someone feel more informed & prepared, wherever you end up staying. read more

La Playa Hotel is amazing! It's stunning and the rooms have sweeping views of the ocean and there is an old world charm here. Don Taylor at the front desk went out of his way to help me. He went above and beyond. He is delightful to talk to! And I don't want to leave! What a beautiful place. Thank you Don and La Playa Hotel! read more

There's nothing like staying at an excellent hotel while vacationing...and La Playa is an excellent hotel. Some may disagree with my assessment, so let me throw out a few potential points of contention. ~La Playa is an old building - there are a few creaks in the floors. ~Sounds can be picked up from neighboring rooms if listening carefully. ~TV's are small - I don't watch much TV, so I didn't really care. ~Bathroom was small - I liked it, but a huge luxurious bathroom, it was not. Here's what I LOVED about La Playa: ~AMAZING old building with character, class and windows that open - I could hear the waves crashing at night! ~Location. A bit off the beaten path away from Ocean Avenue and close to the beach. ~Exceptionally helpful and courteous staff. ~Gorgeous grounds - very beautiful and classy (heated pool too!) ~Excellent breakfast - including Champagne! ~Comfortable room with nightstand charging stations (who doesn't hate vintage buildings with ONE outlet inconveniently placed for the modern world?!) ~Classy wood-paneled bar area with excellent service (thank you Valentina!) ~I loved staying at La Playa with my wife - she LOVED it too! On my final morning at breakfast, I reached for a silverware/napkin bundle as another guest was reaching for the same - famous Hollywood actress! She smiled politely and I let her go first (think Desperate Housewives famous! Sorry, I won't give her up, I'm not TMZ!) La Playa Hotel, you are 5 star worthy in my book. I love you. I can't wait to see you again! 5 stars. read more

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From the time you walk in the door, the affable and capable staff at the La Playa are ever available to offer you expert hospitality. They are never far away but never in the way. You don't ever feel like they are hovering for a tip, rather they are simply eager to enhance your stay. Well done! read more

Celebrating my birthday here was the best decision ever. Staff is so personable. Guests were super nice to talk to. Very good "complimentary" breakfast, as were the sangrias and sparkling wine. Too bad we missed the local wine Saturday night. The tranquil gardens were just like the pictures in website. Parking is the only challenge we encountered however downtown and the easy access to beach was only 4 blocks away. Took a quick trip to Monterey Bay (fun town) only 15-20 away. Going back home tomorrow with great memories. read more

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Came for a weekend with a toddler. Decent sized room and clean upon arrival, stocked with towels and hygiene items. Staff was amicable and helpful. The complimentary sangrias were nice along with the breakfast. This hotel is very close to the beach but parking could be a pain. Ask front desk where additional parking is located as there is a small parking area behind the hotel. This was a bit of an oasis in the town. Caution: we went through airbnb and was charged more than what the price was at the hotel website (we paid an Oceanview price for a view of the garage area) but we were somewhat reimbursed for this. read more

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We came here for a quick getaway. Absolutely loved this cute hotel. Sameel @ front desk was very helpful and went out of his way to make sure we were taken care of. It made our experience so much better with this excellent customer service. The ambiance and beauty of this place was so relaxing. Glad we stayed here. read more

Lovely quaint hotel in excellent location. Rooms are in need of renovation for rate charged. The service leaves much to be desired - especially from front desk manager Robert - who was atrociously rude on 3 different occasions during our stay. As an update, I left my hair dryer and flat iron in bathroom (my fault) but of course they didn't notify me... read more

The front receptionists was rude. We asked if we could extend our stay by half an hour. Rudely told no you have to vacate at strict noon. Give a first floor room- and we were told we upgraded you to garden patio view. Well we got upgraded to 600$ per night of no sleep where people outside were so loud till 2 am. Would never come back here or recommend this place to anyone. read more

I am so pleased with my stay at La Playa Carmel. The staff have been efficient, professional, friendly, and fun! Tricia, Marissa, Cecilia, Elizabeth and Mario have made my stay exceptional. The morning coffee, breakfast, sangria and the cookies and anything I needed, I got it. My dog enjoyed his stay as well. I really could go on and on about the comfy rooms, the beautiful courtyard and pool area, but I won't. It's really a place someone needs to experience for themselves. My dog and I walked to the beach everyday, because it's just a few feet away...I don't want to leave this delightful place, but I must. read more

WE LOVE CARMEL.....and I hate complaining, but here it goes. Pros: It's in a great location & staff is nice. Cons: our room smelled like wet dog and none of the windows actually locked shut...they stayed partially opened the entire time. The resort fee is a little ridiculous...there's no elevators, valet etc. I guess the fee is paying for the cookies they give out at night and free breakfast in the AM. Thank goodness we booked through a third party and only paid $160 because this hotel is not worth $500 a night. But be aware! If you book through third party they're going to give the discounted room that stinks. read more

On the advice of a friend with good taste, we decided to stop here for drinks and a bite before our anniversary dinner. We are so happy we came! We felt like we stepped into the past and were surprised not to see Carey Grant sitting by the pool. Such old world charm and beautiful gardens! We loved our Old Fashions and the calamari and burrata were delish! Most of all we just loved the ambiance and scenery! We can't wait to come back! read more