Such fabulous memories of our weekend at the Lamp Lighter / Sunset House! It was my first trip to Carmel and I don't know why it took me so long. Paradise! I surprised the birthday boy with a weekend in Carmel, and I was a little nervous because I didn't know if the Lamp Lighter would live up to my expectations (and all my thorough Yelp research!) When we arrived, I was so relieved...it was everything I wanted, and even more perfect than I envisioned: - A few short blocks from the beach - Clean, beachy Pottery-Barn-esque decor (ie: no needlepoint pillows on the bed, or antique knick-knacks cluttering up the place). - Private entrance and patio (for our room, anyway) = peaceful and romantic. - Wine & Cheese hour in the evening - Steps from Carmel's "Rodeo Drive" shopping district (without the gag-worthy glitz of LA) - If you are a dog-person, there is no shortage of adorable pooches all over this town...at the beach, in the restaurants, hotels, everywhere! This is a great anniversary spot, or excuse for a romantic getaway. The staff and other guests keep to themselves, but you are right in the midst of downtown, so you won't feel secluded. Carmel is just stunning...what's not to love? read more

My first experience with a Bed & Breakfast was in Carmel for our 6 year anniversary. We chose Lamp Lighter Inn based on the reviews, location and price. I've been to Carmel before for the beach and probably walked around but it has been a long while since then. Coming back recently brought back good memories for the both of us. It was also much different this time around as I am older and had more of an interest in walking around the stores rather than playing in the sand. We were able to check in early, which was great! We stayed in the Porpoise room which was nice. I liked the decoration of this room most. It had it's own little private entrance and patio. The room had a flat screen TV, wood-burning fireplace, couch, shower/tub with jets, mini fridge, and was cozy. When we arrived in our room, a decanter of sherry was waiting for us.. which was strong and yummy. I enjoyed sipping on it while getting ready for dinner :) Also, chilled sparkling wine was waiting for us as well as a gift from the inn for our anniversary. Very nice touch. In the morning of check-out, we received a simple breakfast delivered in a basket to our door at the time of our choosing. It was very cute. It consisted of 2 yogurts, 2 muffins, 2 boiled eggs, newspaper and orange juice. I received exceptional service from Ingra? the whole way through. She was so sweet and friendly. Some things to note: - The bathroom is a bit dated and could use a little botox to touch up some areas. It looks a little dreary in there and could use some color. Aside from that, everything was wonderful and we really enjoyed our stay. I would stay here again and suggest it to my friends and family who are in the area. :) read more

Yelp never fails. It's true. The stars don't lie! I absolutely loved my overnight stay at the Lamp Lighter Inn. I came here with my Mom and friend, who were visiting from New York, and they both said it was the nicest place they've ever stayed. It's true, they've got everything going for them. The building is beautiful, rooms are immaculately clean and charming to boot, and the customer service is outstanding. We arrived a bit late, but still managed to get the bonfire kit and had a once-in-a-lifetime night laughing around our beach bonfire. We finished our night with dinner at Dametra, a delicious and fun Greek restaurant down the street. Our trip to Carmel-by-the-Sea was so memorable, a truly magical experience. Lamp Lighter was a perfect choice. read more

Wow - the staff here are so friendly it is incredible!!! From booking (over the phone) through check in, happy hour, breakfast and requested services/assistance in between, we could not have asked for more. We stayed in the Sea Lion room which is on the second floor, perfect for two or three people. It feels like a perfect little beach cabin. Outside is a charming courtyard to enjoy the free but not fancy wine and cheese and a fire pit that roars all night and morning. There are beach chairs you can borrow (you're only 2-3 blocks from the sand) and a Beach Fire kit you can purchase ($35) to supply you with whatever you might want/need to enjoy it. Free wi-fi and parking. Mini fridge in the room and a few 'Honor Bar' snacks ($1/ea ... cheapest I've ever seen at a hotel!) The downside? Plumbing. While the room and bathroom were clean and comfortable, the biggest complaint we had was the water pressure - both in the shower and the toilet. I understand water conservation - but the shower just took forever. And the toilet became a joke. Seriously folks, let me spare you some trouble. Our toilet clogged TWICE in 24 hours - we should have taken the hint that there were plungers next to the toilets already! I'll let you figure out how to deal with it but consider yourself warned. Overall, a wonderful place to stay when you need a getaway surrounded by good company. Thumbs up. read more

Really cute and affordable B&B in Carmel. They're very accommodating, the little outdoor fireplace is great, the location is awesome and the wine & cheese soiree for guests in the evening is super cute. read more

This is THE best place we have ever stayed with our kids, and we travel a lot. We recently stayed in one of the 2 level Tudor cottages and it was perfect for our family of four. The interior was really nicely appointed, and the beds were incredibly comfortable. There is a complimentary breakfast which was diverse enough for everyone in our family (little chocolate donuts for the kids were a favorite), and there was even a complimentary wine and cheese happy hour that takes place around the two outside gas fire pits. It was fun to meet the other guests who were also enjoying the hospitality. And the grounds, while small, were impeccably clean, relaxing and beautiful. The location also couldn't be better, as it is situated about 3 blocks from the beach and 2 blocks from the Ocean Street stores and restaurants. So you would expect this little gem to be astronomically priced. To the contrary, I believe it is very reasonably priced for what you get. I'd give it 5 stars just for the hotel. But what REALLY makes it worth another 5 stars is how incredible the staff is at the Lamplighter! Cindy and Peggy were absolutely fantastic with our young kids - so much so that our kids wanted to say goodnight to them and couldn't wait to see them in the morning. They doted on the kids and really made the stay so much fun for the kids. They were also very generous with the little toys they gave the kids. You could see they genuinely loved kids, which is fairly rare in the hospitality world for some reason. We can't wait to go back and make more memories in Carmel at the Lamplighter. read more

Lamp Lighter Inn - A Lamplighter Inn cottage built in the mid-1920's and is on the protected building list in Carmel. - Bed & Breakfast Near Me - Carmel, California

I was contacted by Bobby, the new owner of the Inn, three weeks ago. He read my original review, told me that the Inn was now under new ownership and that he'd like me to come back and visit them again. I appreciated his email and his desire to make the situation right even though he hadn't owned the inn when we first went and years had passed. He even offered us a great deal. We stayed in the porpoise room which is downstairs in the newly acquired side of the property. It was a lovely room and they provided a nice bottle of wine for us to enjoy. There wasn't much of a view, but it had it's own private entrance and it was nicely kept. The downside: Inga warned us that the upstairs guests had been loud the night before. Unfortunately, they were still there and we heard every step they and their puppy made. This was particularly disturbing at 6am when they apparently were up and getting ready to go. SLAM!!!! woke me from my dreams and the banging kept me awake. This is NOT the fault of the management. The location and inn itself are GREAT! I highly encourage people to stay here. If you are looking for quiet, possibly the second floor or the older rooms of the inn. The management is warm and friendly and definitely worth a visit. read more

Woke up at 8 am to heavy construction noises outside our room (hammering, drilling, banging) Looked out the window and saw two construction workers looking in on me and my husband in bed. Worst customer service ever. The inn refused to change our rooms or at least try to accommodate us in any way. This place is a construction zone. Do not stay here. We were on vacation looking for a peaceful retreat. This is anything but. I have the photos to prove it. The construction is right next to this place. It's as if your bed is in the middle of it all. read more

See all

This place is simply the best. We absolutely loved the otter room. It even came with a wood fireplace, and a little pack of fire starter fluid to help get it started. We stopped by for wine at 5pm, which was free. How awesome is that? The wine was fantastic too. We came for valentines day and we plan on coming again. Wow. read more

I booked two nights here on the way down to Southern California after researching dog friendly hotels in the area. We went with the Katydid room, which was small but cozy and just enough for the three of us and fit our travel budget. The wifey and I had an excellent time here. The staff was kind and immediately offered us a doggy blanket and bowls for our room. Our year-old 80lb lab/shepherd would occasionally bark when people walked by in the courtyard, which concerned me that it would bother other guests or the staff would get upset with us. However, no one approached us or complained and only had nice things to say about our pup. I think if you had a dog that barked uncontrollably it might have been an issue since rooms are in close proximity to each other. Being my first time in Carmel I was relieved that everywhere you would want to go in this quaint, beautiful town is within 5 minutes walking distance and I didn't have to drive at all since first arriving. Clean, kind staff, great location, and truly pet-friendly. I have no complaints with this hotel and will definitely visit again and try one of the larger rooms...if they let us. Hehe. read more

LOVE this place!! Close to the beach, lovely and cozy rooms and patio with lots of seating and fires. SUPER dog friendly too! Water bowls everywhere, doggy treats included with the complimentary wine and cheese, and they give you a toy for your dog. read more

See all

Had an amazing time at the lamp lighter Inn. The staff is super friendly and amazing. They helped us select and make reservations for the entire stay. The breakfast was scrumptious with a vast array of options from bagels to muffins to eggs etc.. They have a fun complementary cheese and wine session in the evenings by the warm fire. The rooms were clean, spacious and super cute with complementary sherry . Thanks you Cindy, Diana and the entire staff of Lamp lighter Inn for making our stay so memorable. Will see you guys soon. read more

This place is so so. There are lots of spider web on the ceiling. They have shutters on the widows which if you forget to close it, your neighbor can you see really well. Also, there is a big window on the side of the wall that has no curtain. So in the morning at 6:00am, the room is super bright. If you like to sleep in on your vacation, this may not be a good place for you. However, if you like to wake up early with a bright light at 6:00am, then this is a place for you. I don't know about you, but I like to sleep in on my vacation. Because they don't have a curtain over that big window in my room, it was so hard to sleep in. Was wide awake at 6:00am with that bright light. Wish they would put something over that window. I told the lady in the front desk about my concern, and she argued with me for a while and didn't do anything about it. :( and the sad thing is she told me other customers told them to take the curtain down, who would want to get a big bright light in the morning in their room during their vacation??? I know she lies. Is this normal??? read more

This is a pretty great spot with a location that is VERY hard to beat. A few steps down the hill and you're at the beach. A few steps up the hill and in your in the shopping area. Hard to beat that. The rooms run the gamut from a little one bedroom with a tiny shower (a nice room though and dark in the morning for those late-risers, it's called Tree Top) to little cottages with a living room and a bedroom and a big bath. Hansel & Gretel and Bluebird are right on Ocean Ave, so you'll have people walking right in front of your cottage and you'll hear all the cars as traffic picks up. Thursday morning is trash day, we found out the hard way. The Hansel & Gretel room is *bright* in the mornings, so if you're not an early riser, this is not the cottage for you. Neither is it soundproof. If you're an early riser, this won't be an issue for you. However, if you're looking to sleep in, pick a room that's more towards the back. Some of the rooms have real-wood fireplaces and big bathtubs to relax in. The staff is attentive and friendly and every morning they bring a basket with some hard-boiled eggs, muffins, juice, and yogurt to you for you to gnaw on as you plan your day. Overall, a great spot. We got Hansel & Gretel for $275/night and felt like it was money well spent. read more

This review is long over due!! I have stayed here twice more since my first review in 2012 and I can't say enough good things about the Lamp Lighter Inn! I absolutely adore this establishment and feel extremely "at home & welcome" each time I stay. On my last two visits I stayed in the "Porpoise" room. I can't recommend this room enough. It has it's own private entrance, patio and calming fountain. It's a very comfortable room and extremely private from the rest of the Inn. If you want privacy this is the room for you. As always, my room was immaculate which is my #1 request. In this room you have a separate sitting area with the most comfortable couch I have ever sat on. In fact, so comfortable I accidently fell asleep on it after a nice long bubble bath in the jacuzzi tub. It's a wonderful home away from home and I have always felt safe and secure at this Inn. Every time I stay here the staff makes me feel like family! Melyssa, Peggy, Heather & Bobbie remember me each and every time I come. Even "Shadow" the cat remembered me and how much she likes to follow me to my room every night after dinner and snuggle at the end of the bed. The staff always has wonderful suggestions on what to do and which restaurants to go to. I highly enjoyed the wine & cheese hour the last time I visited. Bobbie created a beautiful structure (for lack of a better term) that shelters you near the fire pit. It was extremely comfortable and as always the local wine is very good. I enjoyed the new fire pit so much and I stayed for several hours each night with all the other guests. No one wanted to leave and we all kept extending our dinner reservations because the wine and conversation was so good. I met so many lovely guests from all over the world. I'll be back again in 2014! I can't wait!! read more

Wow - what a great place - we were so sad to leave! We started out getting a killer deal thanks to an off-season special. We stayed in the Sea Star. It wasn't our first choice, and we would probably pick a different cabin next time. Apparently there were elephants staying in the suite upstairs! Great ammenities though, and very clean. We let them know our pup would be with us and there was a great dog blanket and treats waiting for her. The bed was huge and comfortable, and although we used the fire place I think there was a little radiator heat in the room because it was warm in the morning. The furnishings are adorable. I would suggest longer drapes on the door window though...they are too shrt and you can see right on to the bed. Awkward... Also, the showerhead should be replaced. It was all over the place! Lovely wine/cheese reception around a beautiful fire pit, great staff who are engaged and genuine. It's only a couple of blocks away from the beach so you really don't have to move your car the whole time you're there. We will be back for sure...too bad it can't be next weekend! read more

We just stayed at the inn and were quite satisfied. The location in Carmel is absolutely ideal. It's a short walk down to the beach in one direction, and two blocks to the shops in the other direction. We almost never needed to drive anywhere. The cottage we stayed at (Bluebird cottage) was very cute. There's a small upstairs loft with two twin beds and a large downstairs room with a king bed. They were very friendly to our two dogs and even gave us two dog-baskets with treats, water/food bowls, toys, and throw blankets for them. They also had free wifi access. They were very responsive to our requests. For example we were leaving really early one morning to drive to Hearst castle. They gave us our breakfast the night before, including boiling eggs for us, so that we would not miss this. Our one complaint is that the bathroom is somewhat old and needs to be updated. The shower took a long time to get hot and the water pressure was really low. Another possible downside is that the cottage is right on Ocean Avenue, so a lot of other tourists are always walking past. This didn't bother us but the noise could be an issue for some people. read more

I have wanted to stay here at the Lamp Lighter Inn for years. I always loved walking by and seeing this adorable and inviting Inn when we visited Carmel by the Sea. Finally after celebrating 40 years of marriage we are here and I LOVE it!! From the wonderful Staff (thank you Melissa and Allison!) to the comfortable, spacious and clean rooms to the lovely wine & cheese reception, this is the most peaceful and relaxing vacation. read more

Stayed here one evening with my finacé. We are local on the Monterey Peninsula, but it is so charming that we wanted to have a little mid-week escape. We LOVED it! The room was cozy and intimate, the king size bed was exceptionally comfortable, and the room was well appointed. The staff is very friendly and helpful, and the grounds are lovely. Conveniently located near EVERYTHING in Carmel. We enthusiastically recommend this spot right in the middle of the most charming town on the central coast. read more

Wonderful place!!!!! Charming cottage rooms. Great breakfasts. Afternoon wine and cheese. Closest lodging to the beach and unreal sunsets in all Carmel. This inn is perfect. Guarantee you will LOVE it!!!!! read more

An absolutle must place to stay. If you come to Carmel to rush around then you have come to the wrong place. The Lamplighter Inn fits in perfectly to the relaxing Carmel theme. The Lamplighter Inn forces you to slow down and enjoy the company of worldly friends you will meet every morning and evening by the "campfire". A generous, fresh, and healthy continental breakfast is a great way to start off your day, and wine and cheese at night is a nice intermission between a day of sightseeing and an evening of fine dining. The rooms are cottage-like and all unique, and I've never seen rooms so incredibly clean. It is clear housekeeping takes pride in their work. Often times, the owner of the hotel (Bobby) will share a glass of wine with his guests and take a genuine interest in the guests themeselves and their stay. The rest of the staff are equally friendly and will go out of their way to make sure you are happy. One thing you will find about the guests at the Lamplighter Inn is the majority of them are repeat customers. This says a lot in a town which tourists have a large selection of hotels to choose from. read more

The Lamplighter Inn truly exemplifies everything that people love about Carmel. The grounds are charming, our room was delightful, and the owners could not have been more gracious. They even lent us their binoculars when they heard we were going hiking at Point Lobos. Sweet! Our room (The Treetop) was fully equipped with everything we needed and more (yay for comfy robes!). The bed was soooooo comfortable. I was worried I would have to pry The George out of it after our two night stay. And they give you a complementary breakfast with the yummiest little homemade muffins! The Inn itself is situated just a few short blocks away from the beach, and a slightly hefty (although short) uphill walk into downtown (which you need to burn off those vacation calories anyway). We could not have been more pleased with our stay here. Can't wait to go back!! read more

Ideal location, great management, comfortable beds, nice room arrangements, close to shops, blends into neighborhood and they have WiFi Carpets are dated and stained, slow WiFi but otherwise great find with nice pricing. read more

Fantastic spot. Our room was light, airy, high-ceilinged, comfortable. Beds and chairs comfy. All the amenities you need - without overdoing it. Ideal location between beach and town. No need to get in the car. Enjoyed the wine and cheese in the afternoon, as well as ample breakfast in the morning. Friendly and very helpful staff. Good vibe with the other guests. I took my 82-year-old mom, and all met her needs and standards as well as mine. read more

Loved our time here over thanksgiving with family and a little yorkie. The staff was incredible and really went way out of their way to make sure we had a great stay. The rooms were super clean and comfy. Each room layout is uniquely charming which makes it interesting and memorable. We thoroughly enjoyed the fireplace in our room and also used the beach bonfire kit for an amazing night by the ocean. The location is perfectly situated between the beach and shopping area, so we ditched the car in the parking lot and lived free for a couple days. We'll stay here every time we come to Carmel. read more

We stayed at this place twice so far ... both times at Garrett Loft in Forest Lodge. Great location, clean and very good customer service. Our room was upstairs with lots of windows and great view... room has a mini fridge, microwave and fire place.... There is an extra little room with a twin bed which was perfect for our 3 year old... free WIFI! Our loft was right on Ocean ave so we could walk to all the shops, restaurants and beach... there were beach chairs and little sand buckets and shovel for kids that they let you borrow for the day. Complementary breakfast: you can either go to the main area and enjoy your breakfast by the fire or ask to get your breakfast delivered (in a little cute basket) to your room. Evenings they host a complementary wine and cheese reception which was very nice and mellow... perfect if you want to meet people and sip your wine by the outdoor fire. I would highly recommend this place... Clean room, perfect location, friendly staff and owner... I would definitely go back there again. Ohhhh... the fix price of the room was $275 but I mentioned Yelp and they brought it down to $180 per night :-) read more

We just got back from our 2nd stay a the beautiful Lamp Lighter Inn in Carmel. This place is just gorgeous, so charming and quaint and bursting with personality from the gracious hosts at the front desk to Shadow the resident cat. Rooms are individually decorated and each has it's own special charm. The inn is well located on Carmel main street and is a very short walk down to the ocean. Parking, breakfast and wifi are all complimentary as is a nightly sunset happy hour and they even have port in your room - lovely touches that make the experience special. The staff were especially kind and generous to us last year during the Napa fires when we had to evacuate our home. We just booked our May and Oct. dates for next year and will look forward to our next visit. We will be life-long guests of this beautiful inn. read more

I'm quite sure I've reviewed previously, but it doesn't hurt to mention again what a great dog-friendly place this is. The little touches .... breakfast and happy hour on the patio, lovely fire pits on the patio and fireplaces in the rooms, the delicious body products, and the friendly people keep us coming back for more. Not to mention - great accessibility to the beach, restaurants, and shops. Love this place. read more

My husband & I stayed at the Lamplighter Inn and Sunset House Suites (just last week) for 3 nights of our honeymoon. We absolutely loved it!! The Inn is so cute- the suites look like little cottages and there's an outside common area in the center of the buildings with candlelit tables, vines, and flowers. So cute & cheery. Our room, the Porpoise Room, was in the Sunset House Suites part of the Inn. Our room was very secluded, around the back of one of the buildings. We had a private patio area right outside of our door. Our room was beautifully decorated & had a gorgeous fireplace. However, we didn't need to use the fireplace or the A/C because the weather was perfect with just the windows opened. They deliver breakfast to your room in the morning in a cute little basket. They served hard boiled eggs, warm homemade muffins, & yogurt every morning (no extra charge for breakfast). The Inn was located in the perfect spot. We parked our car in their private parking lot (big enough for about 4-6 cars) and only used it a couple of times- to visit the Monterey Aquarium & to go to the grocery store. Everything else was within walking distance- shopping & lots of restaurants. The beautiful white sand beach is only a few blocks away, maybe a 2-3 minute walk. The staff at the front desk were all super friendly & helpful. We'd stop by almost every night for their recommendation on the best restaurants within walking distance. We LOVED this inn! read more

See all

I just got back from a night in this lovely inn. I stayed at the Lamp Lighter Inn in the Bluebird cottage. The inn is a breath of fresh air. The cottage is lovely and comfortable. We have a giant breed dog and the staff was so nice about it. Inga helped us book our room we called last minute and they gave us the room for less than the listed rate because it's winter I suspect. It was 73 degrees there today in January. They helped us find a place that delivered food because we didn't think our dog could handle sitting still through dinner. I can't put my finger on it, but everything about this place felt right. I loved it and absolutely will stay again. The shower in Bluebird is small and the water flow is crappy - but I'm sure you can't find a shower on the Monterrey Peninsula without a huge water restricter in it. So, even though I love a good shower, I love a clean pretty room more. 5 stars. Loved it. read more

Visited in late Spring to set up a family gathering for T-day from all over CA. Staff was great, and allowed us to visit two rooms. Reservations for all of Sunset House were made on the spot and completed in an instant. The cat, Shadow, sold us even more, and the dog friendy bowled us over. We arrived the day before T-day and Melissa greated us with a warm smile and the rest of the staff was just as nice. The rooms were great. The amenities were comfortable. Cannot say enough wonderful things about Melissa is wonderful - went out of her way. Bobby was nice. Shadow was great. read more

We just left this morning after 4 nights, sad to leave. I love Carmel by the Sea and this was our 4th time staying at the Lamplighter inn. We love the wood burning fireplace plus the view of the ocean from our room. It's only a few blocks to the beach and the crashing waves can be heard from our room, which is a added perk to me. Comfortable bed, quaint ocean decor, one hour happy hour in evenings with wine, cheese and crackers, breakfast in the mornings. Staff is friendly and helpful, nice grounds with lighting and 2 outdoor fireplaces and of course, can't forget Shadow the cat, who lives here. Awesome cat who will enjoy the outdoor fireplace at your side. read more

We enjoyed our recent stay st the Lamp Lighter Inn. The staff was very friendly, the continental breakfast was convenient and had a nice variety. The location is great...close to town and to the beach. Walkable to most everything you would want to do in Carmel. The only thing I would recommend is you call to get descriptions of the rooms before you book. The bathroom in the Tree Top room was a little small for my husband and I who are 6'3" and 5'7". read more

Spend a couple of wonderful days at the Lamp Lighter Inn.. I would recommend this for anyone that likes a cute place to stay and likes being close to the ocean and to the main street in Carmel. 1 block away from great restaurants. Every night we had Wine and Cheese in front of a great open fireplace. The two ladies that run the place were warm and welcoming - when we left we felt like we were leaving some great new friends. We will definitely stay there again... Thanks for a great Time... read more

Absolutely top notch! Great people to meet from all over and great people running it. Can't wait to retire here.

This is a wonderful location but we had a bad experience. On vacation and stopped on 9 am on a Saturday and very nice staff member said there was a room, took our card and said room ready in a few hours. We went out enjoyed our day and came back at 3 to check in and relax. What a shock when they said they had double booked the room! Was not handled well by staff on duty, she made us feel it was our fault for the error and then just said all we can do is see if any other hotel is available. Remember Saturday night and we needed a pet friendly room! We finally found a room for triple the cost and definitely not as nice, left us with a bad taste in our mouth for this beautiful seaside village, we probably won't head that far up for our next visit. Cambria, cayucos and pismo are dog friendly too! read more

I'M IN LOVE WITH YOU, LAMP LIGHTER! Seriously, Lamp Lighter Inn and it's sister hotel, Forest Lodge, are by far the nicest B&Bs I've ever been to. I really wanted to stay at the Lamp Lighter for my birthday on Saturday based on their spectacular Trip Advisor reviews. They were all booked for Saturday, though, so I spent the first night at Forest Lodge and then moved to the Lamp Lighter for my second night. Yes, I'm weird like that. I was worried that Forest Lodge would be inferior because it barely has any reviews on Trip Advisor but oh my god was it amazing! I honestly can't decide which place I like better, as they both had great perks. For the first night my boyfriend, my puppy and I stayed at the Garrett Loft in Forest Lodge and it was massive. I loved the vaulted ceilings, the free sherry, the huge bathroom, the fireplace, the insanely comfortable bed and the fact that my dog literally had her own bedroom! Forest Lodge is a little bit further from the beach than Lamp Lighter (still only 6 blocks or so, though) but that definitely has its perks, as I slept like a baby that first night. I loved the secluded feeling I got being surrounded by trees and being just one block away from all the hubbub further down Ocean Ave. My only complaint is that I was so confused about finding my room. Check in is at the lamp lighter and Forest Lodge's rooms are labeled on these pretty pieces of wood by the doors. I was wandering around like an idiot for a good 10 minutes before figuring out the whole wood thing. Once I found my room though, I truly had no complaints about my experience. The hotel grounds are beautiful, the room is beautiful, and I loved getting tokens to Carmel Belle for breakfast because they allowed me to order whatever I wanted from a huge restaurant menu. I ended up getting really attached to Forest Lodge and so I got a little nervous about the big move to Lamp Lighter. Again, I was not let down!! Lamp Lighter was a little bit louder since it's so close to the beach and the cute boutiques on Ocean. Also, our room, Sea Star, was smaller than Garrett Loft, though that was because I opted to have a jacuzzi vs a second bed. Our bathroom in Sea Star was clearly redone recently, which was awesome. I loved the faux-cobblestone flooring and that jacuzzi was excellent. Again, amazing bed, more free sherry and overall really high tech room. The owners even gave us an extra bottle of wine on top of the sherry. Also, staying at Lamp Lighter meant that breakfast was delivered to our room in a basket, which was a really nice touch, although, as previously mentioned, I did also love going to Carmel Belle the day before. Really, both hotels are perfect and I have no idea where I'll stay next time. Some other wonderful perks of both Lamp Lighter and Forest Lodge: 1. These hotels are, by far, the most dog-friendly places I've ever been to. BOTH nights we received a bag of treats, a free toy, a food dish and a dog blanket. There was also a water bowl in the courtyard, which was really convenient. Everyone in the staff was so sweet and welcoming to my dog! Truly shocking for me. 2. Free unlimited wine, cheese, crackers and fruit both days! Score. 3. Easy parking at both locations, which is impressive for Carmel-by-the Sea 4. Truly awesome, laid-back staff. Everyone we met was so friendly, helpful and genuine. What a breath of fresh air. 5. Both rooms we stayed in were STOCKED. I was really impressed with the amenities, as the B&Bs I've stayed at are generally pretty sparse as far as the in-room goodies. We had multiple extra blankets, great LCD flatscreen TVs, a fridge, a microwave, hot chocolate and coffee for days, free sherry, free water, cups, two sets of bath products, bath robes, and a whole mound of towels. 6. BEAUTIFUL hotel grounds. Everything is perfectly manicured and the architecture is straight out of a fairytale. Lamplighter and Forest Lodge, thank you for giving me the best birthday weekend of my life! I'll never even consider going anywhere else in Carmel. read more

Ahhhh what a place - I wish I could give it six stars. The best of the best! First, the facilities; each room is different and each has its own charms and uniqueness. Over the course of a 5 day stay, I had the opportunity to stay in both the Lamp Lighter and the Forest Lodge. Each room was fully equipped, well appointed and up to date. Fireplaces, fridges, and well appointed rooms are the standard. Next, the staff; everyone from the front desk to the facility team make your feel like they are there to meet your needs. My trip was very last minute to get away from home remodeling activities. It looked online like there weren't rooms for the days I wanted to stay, but Peggy and her team worked it out. 2 blockers for the water, great breakfast every day, wine and cheese every afternoon, and sherry in your room! They made the stay so enjoyable that I stayed more days than initially planned. On my last extension, the Lamp Lighter was sold out abut they found me a wonderful loft in another property in my price range. Every restaurant I went to gave me a 10-15% lamplighter discount. They made my Westie feel at home with a blanket and a toy PHENOMENAL !!!!!!!!! I' now a loyal customer who will be back again and again. read more

This place is fabulous--but of course I'm biased because I absolutely love the beach and fell in love with Carmel, CA! I was here with a friend on vacation back in May 2013 and we stayed 3 nights/2 days @ LLI. The staff was so sweet and helpful from the moment we called to book! The place is very close to lots of restaurants and shops within Carmel and Monterrey, very close to the beach (although there is not much of a beach-view from the place), and they even have a nice patio with chairs for you to relax after a long day! The resident cat is super sweet and will even follow you up to your room if you allow. If you're looking for a great place to stay in the area, this is it! read more

I wish we had stayed anywhere but here. The only good thing I have to say is that the manager gave us a refund for the 3rd night we were so unhappy. Super expensive and not very professional. Breakfast was what you get at a Holiday Inn on a freeway, dirty corners in the room, cobwebs, dirty spare pillow. And everything is a bit worn and they store stuff all over the place in sight. Really disappointed. Should have gone with Cyrpress Inn read more