Le Petit Pali in Carmel is a bit of a paradox. On one hand, it's absolutely adorable. On the other hand... 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. read more

We just stayed at Petit Pali on 8th in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It is a lovely property, and there is a lot 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. read more

Retro French Sheik! Perfect location, rooms are fabulous, attention to detail was impressive! Great staff! read more

Darling hotel and walking distance to all! Our room was lovely. The breakfast was outstanding as well . Plenty of seating in the courtyard as well! read more

Le Petit Pali - Bed & Breakfast Near Me - Carmel, California

Le Petit Pali is a FABULOUS hotel! It's in a primo location that is walking distance to anything in downtown Carmel. The staff was all super friendly, they give you a complimentary glass of bubbly on check in, and have a daily cookie delivery service to all the rooms! The whole hotel is decorated in such a quaint and cute way, we loved it. We stayed here for our wedding weekend, and got ready in the fireplace suites on the morning of, and it was perfect! They also gave us a free bottle of champagne in our room as a surprise for the weekend :) We will definitely stay here whenever we are back in Carmel! Only thing to be aware of is there is no dedicated parking lot, however that is very very common for Carmel as it's such a small town. read more

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I have been wanting to stay here for over a year now! So glad I was able to finally experience Le Petit Pali on Ocean Ave in Carmel. The atmosphere is so chic and perfect to embrace the vibe of the town. Location is prime for Carmel, walking distance to it all. The beach, shopping and so much more just a couple blocks each way. The room provides a map to show the best stops to enjoy which was very helpful. Booked a King fireplace room which was quaint but very cozy. Everything was clean and stocked well upon arrival. Pricing can fluctuate for the rooms, a little bit on the expensive side but worth it if you can get a good deal. Lots of amenities such as champagne breakfast, nightly cookie delivery, bike rental, beach chairs & towels. Would stay here again for the right price! read more

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magical from start to finish. The property is stunning, cozy, and every single detail is thoughtfully curated, from the luxe toiletries and toothpaste to the breakfast and even the butter. The rooms were beyond adorable and so comfortable. The staff was incredibly kind, warm, and attentive, and breakfast each morning was delicious. Our favorite moments were spending time by the fire with friends, playing games and drinking wine. It is also extremely dog friendly and our dog had the best time. The location is unbeatable and truly made our trip unforgettable. We cannot wait to come back. read more

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This quaint hotel is adorable! The decor is so thoughtful and the details really enhance the experience. Breakfast is served in the morning and it is fresh, warm, tasty and you're greeted with a server. With your stay it is all complimentary. The rooms are spacious and adorned with so many unique finds. The bed was comfortable, the shower was awesome and the options in your stocked fridge do not disappoint. Great for a couple or solo travelers alike. The staff was also very helpful and friendly! read more

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I'm in love with this place! Walking in feelin the love straight out of the gate! The greeting from Katelyn and Steve was outstanding and heartwarming! The complimentary drinks and cookie was a perfect touch! Lobby is cozy, cute and I just wanna hang by the fire all night! The rooms are clean, big and decorated to perfection! The breakfast is wonderful (fresh and using local bakeries) and the rooms are decorated to perfection! I'm in love with this place and can't wait to come back! read more

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If you're fooled by appearances, then this is your place. From the quirky rude woman who checked us in, to the fact that there's no parking, to the fact they were out of slippers, toothpaste, and toothbrushes, this place is completely overpriced for what you get. We would gladly trade the "complimentary" glass of wine at check in for some AC on an 85 degree day. "You can just open your window," we were told, like we're idiots. "Can we talk to the manager?" "We don't have one at the moment." Loud music in the courtyard, barking dogs, lights outside our window all night, it was so unpleasant that we decided to leave two days early. We found an amazing property in a residential neighborhood nearby that was twice as big for the same price. I'd never stay at another Pali hotel and wouldn't recommend it to anyone. read more

The city of Carmel is very peculiar for out-of-towners it seems, so I'm basing this review solely on the hotels accommodations. Overall Accommodations: 8.5/10 Staff & Service: 10/10 Practicality & Convenience: 8/10 Cleanliness: 9.5/10 Modernity: 8/10 Aesthetic: 9.5/10 (if mid-century grandma's house is your vibe) Alright, so overall this boutique hotel is an absolute gem. It's on the newer side having just opened in 2023. They provide a few accommodations in the room like water, tea, cloth steamer, hair dryer, etc. but nothing too over the top. For the price per room, they may be able to offer a little more. You do, however, receive a complimentary glass of wine upon check-in. The staff were all very happy to be there. Everyone was smiling and helpful. They answered our questions about the hotel and the city of Carmel with great depth. Check-in was easy and efficient. They are swift during the breakfast hour to bring drinks and more at your request. Breakfast is really good btw. French inspired with local craft goods. The city of Carmel by the Sea is a small, retirement town with accommodations, restaurants, and shopping that are fitting for an older crowd. Lights go out around the city around 9pm at the latest. Therefore, trying to get a late night bite to eat, have a cocktail, or hanging out after hours is impossible. The front office is also closed, and the hotel staff aren't really available after like 9pm. Room was quaint and clean. Def a boutique style room. Air conditioning was just there for show, not sure it actually worked. But the ceiling fan is fine. Cool weather there anyway. Lastly, Orlando is one of the kindest and most helpful individuals I've come across in hospitality. Whatever they are paying him, they need to double it. read more

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I had to update after reading the other reviews... we visit Carmel frequently and while we typically day trip this was our first time staying for the weekend. While I can't benchmark price in comparison to its competitors, I can share it was a great experience. Was this place once a motel? It appears so. Did it feel that way now? Only in the sense that you exit your door onto an outdoor walkway. If you come here expecting a hotel experience, you may be disappointed. If you're looking for a precious, well thought out gem, that fits in Carmel, this is it. I see that someone complained about coffee. I drank the coffee, received creamer and it was just fine. They also were kind enough to bring it as room service the next morning. All I can say to that is it's harder to get what you want in life with a poor attitude. And parking was quite easy for us but we didn't come to Carmel to complain about walking a couple blocks (in fact we spent our time exploring the village and getting steps in.) My advice is know what you want your experience to be, and seek that out with research. read more

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Such a lovely hotel in an excellent location near the shops and beach in Carmel. The staff were all so friendly and helpful and the little extras (cookies, wine welcome, bikes, and breakfast) made our trip even more special. I'll definitely stay again and will recommend to others. read more

Absolutely beautiful. My 3 adult daughters and I traveled to Carmel for a girls trip and Le Petit Pali just made our trip. Beautiful property and exceptional service. We chose 1 room with a pull out. The pull out was not ideal, a little noisy and not the most comfortable. But rooms are not likely meant for 4 adults. We had a blast together though! Rooms are well appointed-lovely bedding, decor and bathrooms. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. Location is ideal, we never used our rental car, walked everywhere. Really everything we could have wanted for our stay in Carmel. read more

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Cute hotel. Continental breakfast is amazing from the fresh squeezed juice selection, fresh bakery goods, local marmalades, fresh fruit, perfect 8 minute eggs, and champagne. However, what thoroughly impressed me was the fact that I left behind an expensive diamond band and the staff was very helpful in finding and getting that returned to me! read more

TLDR: If you're Black do not stay here! I had previously stayed here in early March this year and had a decent stay. Aside from the stares throughout my time in Carmel. I booked a trip for my mother for her birthday. I mentioned it was her birthday and that she was allergic to alcohol and that I would like them to give them a special welcome. ( I went for my partner's birthday and they did the same for him when we arrived. He is white passing.) The man at the front desk, Scott, checked in my mother when she arrived. He was incredibly hostile. I paid for her stay in full, month's in advance. I put the reservation in her name and and noted that it was a birthday gift for her. He told her she couldn't stay unless the card holder was present and was refusing to check her in. She called me to talk to Scott. He was incredibly short with me on the phone. He told me I had to fill out an authorization form with my credit information so she could be checked in. I filled out that form and sent it immediately. My mother relayed to me that while I was filling out that form Scott firmly told her to go sit in the lobby. I sent over the form within 3 minutes and took a screenshot and sent the authorization form to my mother. She took it over to Scott, who then curtly told her that she needed to wait till he got it on his end. After a long wait my mother was then allowed to check in. Scott then took her ID and examined it thoroughly, held it up to her face, checked if it was real. Only after all of the scrutiny did he decide she could stay. After that entire ordeal, no one offered to help her with her bags upstairs. My mother is 62 years old, gray haired, with a bad back, often clad in a Hamilton shirt and crocs. She is harmless and can't carry a heavy bag up some stairs. She asked Scott to help with the bags, he grabbed her bag walked to her room and dropped it on the doorstep and left. Carmel-By-Sea is probably one of the most racist cities my mother has experienced but Le Petit Pali was unnecessarily hostile toward her. Early this morning as she was sleeping my mother was awakened by heavy knocking at her room door. The previous evening she had put the "do not disturb" sign on her door but the staff ignored it. She woke up to a woman walking into her room under the guise of housekeeping, and checking the rooms status. She asked the woman to leave and the woman left without checking any other rooms on that floor. That is when my mother decided to leave. She felt Le Petit Pali was a hostile place for her and that her safety was in jeopardy. She talked with the manager and while she was waiting witnessed the staff prepare a birthday welcome for another guest. This set her over the edge. She mentioned that I specifically asked for that service to be provided for her and Scott replied, "didn't you get the card in your room?" There was no card. Don't stay at this hotel. I spent 2.5k on my mother's stay only for her to be treated like a criminal because of the color of her skin. In 2024 this is disgraceful. To receive a call with her in tears over a birthday retreat I planned for her is unacceptable. Edit: Also while talking with the manager before my mother left, she found out that the authorization form was never needed to check in. read more

We just stayed here for 1 night on New Years Eve, and enjoyed our stay very much. There isn't enough parking in the tight parking lot if it's a full house, so I would make sure you arrive well before the 3pm check in time to ensure you get a parking spot. Otherwise, you're at the mercy of the public parking space gods. You may have to park several blocks away if it's busy time! Attention to detail was pretty impressive, and love the Diptyque shampoo and body wash in the shower. The complimentary breakfast was decent. Pastries were good but no meat like sausage or bacon. The fireplace in the room really heats the room up. I didn't see any AC so beware if you stay here during the warm summer months! Walls are thin but I didn't hear my neighbors much and slept a lot better than I thought I would given it was NYE. Our room didn't have a sofa but the floor space was barely enough to accommodate our queen size air mattress for our little one. read more

Hotel is beautiful! I would describe the aesthetic as French/Coastal Grandma. We were checked in quickly and received complimentary glasses of sparkling rosè at check in! We planned this trip months in advance and unfortunately the day before our arrival was a big storm that knocked out all of the power in town! We received a call in the morning on our way up saying that there was no power and we could cancel our reservation if we like. It was very anxiety inducing to try to cancel a trip we were all ready on our way to with only a few hours notice. Thankfully, I received another phone call 15 minutes later saying the power had been restored. I do wish they had been a little more honest because not all of the power was restored. In our room the fan light and half of the lights were not working (only the lamps) and our tv was still not working either. The fan in the bathroom went off all night long even though we had every single switch turned off. We also had the room right next to the lobby, so we shared the wall with the lobby restroom. We could hear every single time that bathroom toilet was flushed. We were not offered any discount of any sort despite having a room with only half of the electricity working. This place isn't cheap, so it was a bit disappointing to be charged so much for not a fully operational room. There were a lot of great things about this property and some things that could be improved. Here are some pros and cons: Pros: Beautiful property Complimentary glass of sparkling at check in Bikes available to use around town Champagne breakfast Easy parking Evening cookie delivery Walking distance from everything in downtown Carmel Electric fireplace in room Heated water bottle, hair dryer and straightener, steamer provided Cons: Champagne was flat at breakfast Full electricity not working No central AC or Heating Communication Thin walls read more

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Really lovely boutique hotel. Staff were really friendly. The room was small but well appointed. The bed was really comfortable. Glass of rosé at check-in was a nice touch. The breakfast was modest but everything was super delicious. Would stay again. read more

Loud, moist rooms including bedding due to no humidity control, and old. Yes the decor is cute however don't let that persuade you in staying here. read more

I have stayed in hotels all over the world and this is the first time I am leaving a negative rating. the rooms are expensive but old, not as in "charming", but just old. the noise is intolerable, especially from the I cessant street traffic. our room has thin glass windows and thin walls. there is also noise until 2 AM from inside the hotel. we have to stay here one more night and I am dreading it! read more

Great staff! Very pretty lobby and great location but let's be honest... it's a motel. It seems they did a few superficial renovations but it's definitely a motel. Zero luxury and no amenities like parking. It was cute just not sure it was worth the price. read more

I really enjoyed our stay here. The staff is incredibly polite and friendly. The location is perfect - you can walk to wherever you want to go for dinner/drinks/shopping. The parking lot is small, so park your car early. I dropped one star because of the last-minute-nobody-told-me-not-advertised-not-disclosed "resort fee" of $40. That's nonsense. I would have been happy to have paid $40 more for the room rate, but I don't like sneaky. And I had the hardest time finding the resort portion of the hotel. Wherever the pool and tennis courts are, they're hard to find. read more

Most amazing stay in Carmel. Staff, service and decor was Perfection. Hard to leave... will return soon read more

Le Petit Pali - Patio - Bed & Breakfast Near Me - Carmel, California

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Everything was amazing from the warm staff welcome, cleanliness, the room had a soft bed (more than I would've liked) that was well appointed, and everything else was great. The breakfast was amazing simple but very tasteful and elegant. Location is also great. read more

Very cute hotel. Nice location. Those are the pros. The cons, very expensive for a motel. No air conditioning!!! Just a ceiling fan. No vents for A/C so clearly it doesn't exist. For this price point it misses the mark. read more

I am 50/50 on this hotel. First of all its absolutely adorable. Very European decorated, cute courtyard, rooms are very clean and lots of little details showing how much thought they put into it. I really appreciate these little things as they make a difference. The reasons I wouldn't stay again are just i guess old lady issues lol, well Im 47 but sometimes that feels old. I was definitely not happy there isnt parking. Of course I am not from here and now understand Carmel is tough in the parking department, but I guess this was the first hotel, especially an expensive one, that didn't have parking at all. Several occasions i drove and drove and drove only to have to repark later and find a non restrictive spot. Really a pain if you need to get something from your car or need to organize your things as you do when traveling by car. Also this is not a great pick if you are a light sleeper. Cars and such didn't bother me but the sounds of doors closing, talking and a crying baby were bothersome. Its like being in a house and you hear all the old house noises. Also I wasn't a fan on music being played outside. I mean I love music! But i like to listen to what i want to and also sometimes quiet is nice to come back to after a long day! Just seemed odd to me i can hear the music from my room. Ok i sound like a total karen! But honestly. Lovely spot, but just a few things stopping me from wanting to return for $550/nt. read more

My wife surprised me with a 3 day trip to Carmel and she booked us a room at The Petit Pali on 8th Street. We are surprised that there was no hotel parking available so we unloaded our cases, checked in and had to move the car to a space about 3 blocks away as everything is limited to 2 hour parking. It was hot in the evening but the rooms have no air conditioning but they did have 2 cookies and 2 chocolates were slightly melted by the time we got back from dinner. Morning breakfast was laid out beautifully in the lobby area and the two pastries I had were very fresh and delicious but then I came to coffee, it was like mud, I asked if they had coffee that was not so strong or a light roast but was told no, can we have either half and half or cream again told no, not politely but brusquely and then had the audacity to bring me a card to say hope you enjoyed your complimentary breakfast and please give me a tip! I just let it go. Later that day I asked the front desk if we could possibly get a lighter blend of coffee and either half and half or cream the following morning, I didn't really get a definite answer so the following morning I asked the wait person if they still had the very strong coffee and I was told that was the only coffee they had so we didn't bother. The place is very cute and clean the reception staff is very friendly and polite. The parking is a nightmare and the coffee undrinkable . We travel often and love Carmel but definitely won't be going back to this hotel or recommend it to family and friends.. read more

Lipstick on a Pig is my best description of this place. This is a fairly new property conversion and therefore we relied on 20 reviews posted on Travelocity. They had to have made up reviews. It's in Carmel, but let me warn you. It's way too much money for what you would expect. I wouldn't pay $150 per night for this place. Because it was a weekend, we booked at almost $750 per night for three nights, expecting a very pleasant Inn experience. We left after the second night because we just couldn't put up with another night there. Don't be fooled by their pretty pics. It's a remodeled motel with pleasant staff. The rooms are tiny, no a/c when you need it, no air circulation without leaving your door open, old broken window cranks and original single pane glass windows, only parking for 2/3rds of the facility, no closet space, paper thin walls and nothing but excuses from staff when you can't find parking. Look elsewhere. read more

I don't write many reviews but felt this gorgeous gem deserved one! We stayed here NYE and it was fantastic! I'm already dreaming of returning! Monterey is my hometown and every now and then when visiting we steal away to a night in Carmel. Carmel is gorgeous and many of the hotels are older, and given some of the reviews we were unsure what to expect. We have often stayed at La Playa, CV Ranch and Hotel Carmel but now I think we've found our new favorite spot! First of all, this place has incredible style. Whoever did their remodel/branding is a genius. It's so fun! Everything is incredibly clean, each design detail impeccably and intentionally chosen, the rooms are very cozy, beautiful and comfortable. It's not easy to keep property in perfect shape in a historic town with older buildings and lots of salty air but this is a very well-kept and updated establishment. I was surprised how quiet it was and how well we slept even on NYE. We were given a warm welcome by the person at the front desk and complimentary (generously poured) glasses of rose in beautiful glasses upon check in, there were complimentary drinks and snacks in the room as well as a fully stocked SMEG minibar/fridge. Everything we could have needed was in the room, slippers, robes, ear plugs, Nespresso, oatmilk, the list goes on! After a great night's sleep they let us check out an hour late and breakfast (which was til noon!) was absolutely fantastic, with a generous assortment of pastries, 8 min eggs, fresh bread and whipped butter, Greek yogurt, granola and marmalade and an equally impressive drink selection. They really go above and beyond here, every staff member we came across was so helpful and friendly. I really wish we had checked in earlier and been able to enjoy it longer! Next time we definitely will! Thank you Le Petit Pali for a wonderful stay! read more