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    Tickle Pink Inn

    4.6 (296 reviews)
    PriceyHotels
    Closed 7:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Tickle Pink Inn Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Tickle Pink Inn

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    Reviews With Photos

    Outside of our room
    Kimberly C.

    Intro: I found this hotel through Pinterest as it became popular on TikTok. After seeing the beautiful views each room had, I knew I had to convince my husband to book this hotel for our visit to Monterey/Carmel a few weeks ago in November. We booked an Ocean View Suite (Room 29) and while it was expensive, I think that it was well worth it! Their amenities, service, and little luxuries made our stay so special. Getting there: After spending the day in downtown Carmel, we made the drive up to the Carmel Highlands. The driveway is a bit steep and narrow, so be careful, especially if you're arriving at night. The lobby was easy and there was plenty of parking in the parking lot. The front desk checked us in and gave us a directory and map of the place. And upon arriving to our room, we were greeted with a chilled bottle of champagne, a rose, and fancy chocolates! So sweet! Room: Our room had a small living room with its own TV, a Good size closet with two other pillow options, a big bathroom with a tub and plenty of soft towels, and some amenities. And of course - Our bedroom! we had a large king size bed, two nightstands that had USB ports to charge your devices, and a sound machine. There is a bar, microwave, and small fridge, as well as some plates and silverware to eat any leftovers. They had a nice Nespresso machine complete with instructions, and some delicious tea options. My favorite part was the window seat with the amazing view of the ocean! The windows open which is nice to hear the seagulls yapping in the morning. My husband enjoyed their daily visit. We both enjoyed watching the sunrise and sunsets. Overall, it was pretty quiet, and felt very private. But early in the morning, we could hear a lot of furniture (?) being moved around. I'm not sure where it was coming from, but I assume it was the kitchen since they did have to prepare breakfast which started at 7:30. Just bring earplugs if you're sensitive to a lot of noise. Food: Breakfast was lovely! They had various teas, coffee, juices, freshly made mini egg, frittatas, bacon, pastries, yogurt, oatmeal, and bread. We enjoyed eating on the new glass deck. in the afternoon, they have their wine and cheese hour which is another lovely luxury of this hotel. I really enjoyed having a glass of wine while watching the sunset and spending time with my husband. They don't have a restaurant, but they have a small food menu and bring you something to eat during most of the day. there's also nearby restaurants less than a five minute walk from the inn. Pool: I enjoyed some time at the small pool. It's heated and it was quite warm and sunny, but felt amazing especially coming back to a cold New Jersey. Overall, I absolutely loved this place and would love to come back during the holidays or even the summer or anytime! They think of every detail, provide excellent service and little luxuries. Definitely recommend for a romantic getaway!

    Wine and Cheese Spread
    Kristina M.

    This is a first class place to stay in Carmel. The views are stunning from everywhere on the property. There are fresh cookies in the lobby daily along with a wine and cheese reception in the late afternoon. The rooms are spacious with stunning ocean views. A few things to make it even better are 1) vary the offerings at bothering the wine and cheese reception AND the deluxe breakfast each morning. Having the exact same offerings each day is fine if you're staying a night or maybe two, but when you have a longer stay it's pretty boring. 2) Label the food offerings, especially the juices, to minimize waste and help people navigate their allergies or dietary preferences. 3) Provide serving utensils for each food item to avoid cross contamination. And 4) Replace the awful Nespresso machines in the room with Keurig OR regularly service the machines to empty pods and clean out pod jams which we had to do in several of our rooms.

    Carmel by the sea
    Andre S.

    I randomly bought aThree day stay as a Christmas present for my wife. I did so good my wife loved it! The view was beautiful, wine tasting and cheese every late afternoon, we sat in the hot tub and watched at least 50 wales blow hole in front of us . We were treated to a bottle of bubbly when we arrived! So romantic! Secluded rooms fireplaces ( real oak wood) . When you picture a cliffside Carmel romantic getaway' this is exactly what you want! Great food nearby, the Pacific edge restaurant is a few hundred feet away down the hill. Carmel by the sea lots of chocolate and shops, restaurants and pubs! Did I mention the beaches!! If you love history the mission is a great place to visit. What a beautiful place! And thank you for the great service and memories!

    Cameron D.

    This. Place. Rules. The rooms? Incredibly comfortable, sparkling clean, filled with amenities, surrounded by stunning views. The staff? Second to none. Kind. Accommodating. Always on top of things. They are all wonderful. The vibes? The best. As I said, the most beautiful views of Carmel; an incredible, FREE wine and cheese shindig every evening; free champagne and chocolates upon arrival. My girlfriend and I? Will be back.

    Balcony view at sunset

    This was an excellent stay, the weather was beautiful and the view at sunset was breathtaking! The staff were amazing, they were a big part of what made this stay memorable. I definitely recommend this place for a quiet weekend getaway.

    Angela K.

    We absolutely loved this boutique hotel. I wish we booked more time to actually enjoy more of the amenities. They spoiled you with the little things; champagne upon arrival, fresh chocolate chip cookies, wine and cheese hour and the views! We stayed in room 21 and liked the view but would pay extra to have a better one. We chose to have breakfast on our balcony but if you can wake up right when it starts, i would go to the fireplace in the terrace and enjoy breakfast there. They also have 2 hot tubs to enjoy. We i

    Tickle Pink Room #25
    Jean S.

    Tickle Pink is a hidden gem in the Carmel Highlands!! The rooms, the atmosphere, and the overall experience are magnificent and luxurious! The views of the Pacific Ocean are breathtaking! From check-in to check-out, the experience was top-notch! I have stayed at Tickle Pink about four times and each time has been a 5-star experience. However, during this last visit a couple weeks ago, there were a few things that were different. Tickle Pink has a really nice wine reception from 4-6pm, where you can drink wine and snack on cheeses and crackers. This use to be on their outside deck, however, the deck was being remodeled and the whole area was closed. The staff brought wine and a plate of cheese and crackers to the room instead. What's great about that is that you can enjoy the wine in the privacy of your own porch or room. With the breakfast area closed as well, the staff delivers the food during the time slot you select. There was a menu given during check in, and you select what you want for breakfast. It's different than the usual buffet style in the dining area, but it was nice to have breakfast in bed! Tickle Pink Inn is absolutely beautiful and the best part of staying here is the sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. You can relax on the porch or even in the room, in bed, and see the magnificent ocean views. The room had a fireplace and it was so cozy with the fire lit at night. We received a nice bottle of champagne to welcome us, as well as some chocolates, and cookies at check-in. I loved the pink color theme and all the lovely touches that were added, like roses with breakfast and wine, and the robe and slippers in the room. Tickle Pink is definitely THE place to stay if you want a beautiful, luxurious, relaxing getaway.

    Alejandra D.

    You guys! This continues to be one of my favorite places. It really feels like our little escape from home when we want to get away. The breakfast is delicious (can get it room serviced at no extra fee), the wine & cheese in the evening is great, the welcome champagne and chocolates, I mean, who doesn't love all of this? Their wine & cheese reception is from 430pm-6pm. We've learned if we want to enjoy this in the moment and still have room for a full dinner (app, entree, dessert), then our dinner reservations need to be around 7pm. Or we just get a plate and put it in our fridge for a late night snack :) We were there for 3 nights and I told my husband that I just wanted 1 day to stay-in and enjoy the room the whole day. Enjoy the fireplace, enjoy the terrace and the views. The only time we left the room was to go to dinner :) We called for more firewood and the staff was so kind in bringing it to us, and not just to the door, they came into the room to set it down by the fireplace. The same for breakfast every morning. We switched rooms after the first night. All we had to do was set our stuff by the door and enjoy the day while they took care of moving everything to our new room. I've stayed at other places where they do not do this and make you interrupt your vacation to return to the hotel and get checked-in again and move your own things. We will continue coming here because it's so relaxing and beautiful. I highly recommend getting a deluxe ocean view suite. Just to sit out there with your wine & cheese, or even have breakfast is sooo nice. Side Note: This was our 3rd visit. This place is really romantic and it's designed more for couples than families. In our 3 visits, I saw children twice. So it's rare to see children here. One of the evenings we enjoyed the wine & cheese reception out on their deck. It was just us but then a couple families arrived together with their rowdy children, maybe 8-10 people total. Even though they were in the reception room, we could still hear them on the deck. They all knew each other so it was extra loud. Kids are kids and aren't always well behaved, so it was really annoying how loud they were being when we were just trying to enjoy some peace and quiet. It deterred us from staying there longer. We had to get ready for dinner anyways so we just went back to our room. Please don't bring your children here if they're not going to behave. It's rude to the other guests trying to enjoy their stay.

    Gay C.

    This magical place where we have celebrated our anniversary a number of times continues to be an all-time favorite. The spectacular views are breathtaking, the amenities and service are outstanding. Happy hour and breakfast on the Terrace provided delicious choices. For our 58th wedding anniversary, the staff sent champagne, chocolates and a beautiful rose and take home vase. Special thanks to the staff, Kristy, Ann and others who made our stay Pleasant and personal. We especially appreciated their contacting us about some construction issue and their offer to change our room.

    Evening wine and cheese
    Janie L.

    We have been coming here for years as our little getaway. Even though the price is on the higher side, considering all the additional perks that they include with evening wine and cheese, breakfast and welcome bottle, I think it's well worth it. The Hyatt property which is located right next to it has a much higher room rate without any of the added perks. The rooms are on the older side but they've done a pretty good job upkeeping it and they are slowly making renovations to the place ~ last time we visited they were adding an elevator and remodeling the outdoor patio seating area.

    Jeremy K.

    My wife & I were married six years ago at the Highlands just down the hill from Tickle Pink. Several of our wedding guests raved about it when they stayed for our wedding. We finally were able to experience it & it sure didn't disappoint. Incredible views of the Big Sur coastline. The rooms have so much character & charm. So many special touches during the stay. Champagne & chocolates delivered to your room after check-in, deluxe in-room breakfast served the following morning, & bottomless firewood! We are already looking forward to our next stay to celebrate another year!

    View from our terrace

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    9 months ago

    Great view and food. Would definitely come back when we are in town. It's a great experience if you're in town.

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    11 months ago

    Amazing location, setting, employees and just the best overall experience! We will definitely be back!!

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    7 months ago

    Great views but check ahead of time if any construction will be going on during your stay. You will not get a heads up.

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    Tickle Pink Inn Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Tickle Pink Inn

    Is this for adults only? I have a 3 and 11 year old

    It's more of a romantic place for folks to relax but I have seen some children there.

    Is there a fridge in the room? And what is the check in time?

    We had a fridge in our room. I think check in was 2 pm but u can check for earlier check in options

    Do you accommodate for Vegan dining?

    Hello! We offer an evening wine reception, a deluxe continental breakfast, and room service. Please call our front desk at (800) 635-4774 and they would be happy to assist in answering any questions around vegan options.

    Is it dog-friendly?

    Thank you for your inquiry. Unfortunately, we do not allow pets.

    Do they have wheelchair accessible rooms?

    Yes, please call for availability and rates.

    View All 7 Questions

    Review Highlights - Tickle Pink Inn

    Also, every evening there is a wine and cheese reception on the terrace which was very lovely.

    Mentioned in 36 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Hyatt Vacation Club at Highlands Inn - Partial Dining room area

    Hyatt Vacation Club at Highlands Inn

    (605 reviews)

    $$$

    Thank you Samantha at Sales for giving me the opportunity to explore and understand Carmel Hyatt…read moreHighlands Inn. I liked how you talked to me and taught me even though I don't speak much English yet. We really appreciated the Welcome package and envelope. You are always smiling and the main door where everyone comes in is a very smart and wise place to have you. My daughter needed something to lift her spirits. She's a really special girl and doesn't always "fit in" easily. Well, to be honest, she doesn't fit in most of the time sometimes. We brought her to Hyatt Highlands hoping to give her a good dinner because she hadn't eaten all day, and hoped that she might have a great dinner experience, enjoy the beauty of the scenery. I don't really like the phrase "special needs." I'll just say my daughter is special. She has unusual talents like memorizing a song - the music and lyrics - the first time she hears it. Or, she can handle and love animals that might bite or be fierce to anyone else. One time she saved an Eagle's life. However with people, she sometimes irritates people even with the best of intentions. To be really honest, we've been kicked out before because some places don't really understand her the way we do (her family). So yesterday the sunset was so beautiful. Everyone that had been dancing to TJ's (Pianist) music had gathered in a large crowd taking photos. My daughter is a photographer and also found a spot to take photos of the sunset. Jonathan from the restaurant was so patient with us, and was both professional and attentive to my daughter. I was afraid she would possibly offend him because she can come across a bit direct. But he was patient with her and even though they had never met before, Jonathan seemed to have this natural sense for people. My daughter really wanted dessert. We discouraged her because we thought the restaurant closed. We didn't want to give the staff too much work. Jonathan let her know they'd be happy to get her the dessert she really wanted to make her dinner perfect. (She's polar like that: It's either Perfect OR IT'S NOT!) At a restaurant like Highlands Hyatt, you are lucky to have a really professional staff. Jonathan was a blessing because he apparently is a "pay it forward" kind of person. When you have a special teenager, one of the best things for her is just to have a wonderful sunset, a perfect dinner, a new friend like Jonathan to have a reason to come back. Jonathan exuded a kind of care and patience we needed to give our Family a positive trajectory again. Thank you Jonathan. You're a professional server and your willingness to show care and serve everyone you come in contact with gave us an especially blessed day. You give all the customers your full attention which creates meaningful memories for anyone you take care of at the restaurant.

    Mom started to have medical emergencies. At the ER, they kept her for days; found incidental but…read moreserious issues; been tough financially. We have (a good) history with Highlands because a couple family members love this place and sometimes invite us along. I watched a medical specialist doctor give mom bad news. She cried hard and the doctor was amazing to give her a big long hug from the heart. It's painful to see mom getting bad news and watching your parent cry like a little girl. When you're traumatized, you do some stuff that doesn't make sense. Sometimes God intervenes and just takes you to a situation you can get healing. We ended up randomly at Hyatt Inn a few days ago - drove aimlessly; ended up here. We had no business to be here because we couldn't afford the Hotel nor the Restaurant. We felt out of place. We intended to only try and get some glimpses of the architecture and Seascapes; stay out of the way of paying customers. Samantha (Sales) started talking to us. She made us feel from being intimidated to treating us like VIP's. Samantha found a way for us to get not only a Hotel (which our family members had treated us to before) - but even a Villa. Me and Mom came in for The Tour and the entire Sales staff was really nice and patient, especially to mom. Helping find the restroom and snack bar might seem simple, but my mom's condition requires people repeat things and explain slowly. I just liked how mom could talk to any of the Sales staff, and they helped her like family. Sales allocated 90 minutes for Robin to teach us about Vacation packages. We ended up taking THREE HOURS+ of her time! Then my mom's exhaustion hit and she suddenly needed to rest and sleep. Robin and Mo both showed mom tremendous compassion and patience. I was thinking in my head, "If someone took 3+ hours of my time and suddenly said they need to sleep, I WOULD HAVE BEEN MAD!" Sales was so patient and gave my mom an opportunity to recover and continue looking at packages. Samantha was so detail oriented, she had informed us of the wine tasting. Daniel from sales set a positive and fun tone for everyone at wine tasting. He, the Pianist, & Paul made a great Sales team. I was really focused on taking photos and videos of my mom, because I knew there might not be opportunities forever. I forgot to get wine and even after the event closed, Jonathan was so helpful to let us still get a sample. There were raffles and everyone was delighted how Daniel was super enthusiastic, making drum roll and with the Pianist making excitement from the event. Mom won a raffle (I promise no one knew of our situation). I got the whole thing on video and already put it on YT. What a blessing and precious memory - exactly what we'd hope for in our situation. If you want to test Aaron Dominguez's Leadership and talent to Inspire his staff to treat every person like family, just put a person like me at the best table of the Restaurant. Privately, I was already feeling bad I didn't tip Jonathan for his kind service & going the extra mile at wine tasting. Finances were bad, I cut my own hair and it looks terrible. I'm calling and arranging mom's medical needs, and answering her worried questions over and over. I don't think back on it a lot, but at one time I must have peppered mom with the same questions over and over as a child; now our roles were reversed. I went into Jonathan's section, into Hyatt's table looking completely like a homeless person (yes, with ruffled stuffed bags and everything - I'm really burned out). I know that 99.999% of any restaurant would have had me move on. I wasn't ordering anything, I know I looked extremely out of place, and "my type" can't tip either. Instead of making a person looking like they've been on the street leave, Jonathan (Waiter Food Beverage) just came up to me and assured me that if I needed or wanted to order, he'd be happy to serve me. Yet he let me remain here at their best table to get a breath of fresh air for someone that felt like they were drowning. (I don't even think I realized this until writing this review. I'm really experiencing severe distress). An "additional test" of an Establishment is to show up like me and mom, test everyone's patience, and see if Robin, Samantha, Jonathan, Mo, the Pianist AND SPIRITUAL MASTER Dino Vera, Jessica T (front desk), Daniel, Bryan (bartender), Diego & Lily (Front Desk Reception), Jacob, and Paul will give you VIP treatment when you come in with all the outward appearances of being and feeling like times are at one of their worst. Everyone at Hyatt Highlands Carmel has proven that they consistently give customers their best, even when we might be struggling. Some kind of Magic & Blessing that is pervasive at THIS VERY SPECIAL PLACE. I hope anyone reading, Staff or Customer, can have this highly unusual rare experience of being taken in like Family. At your worst or best, the staff genuinely tries to Uplift & Heal. Thank you Hyatt Highlands!

    Villa Mara - Portola room

    Villa Mara

    (33 reviews)

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

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

    Stilwell Hotel

    Stilwell Hotel

    (40 reviews)

    For me, a 5-star rating is perfect so I don't give many 5-star ratings. Well, the place isn't…read moreperfect, but it's pretty close. It's a new place. It's a very nice place. It's in downtown Carmel and has a good location. It's clean and comfortable. The staff was always friendly and helpful. We'll probably stay there again. That said, here are the few areas we didn't care for. 1) There are lights under the bed that come on when you get out of bed. We don't want lights on in the middle of the night if we need to get up for some reason because that disturbs our sleep. We asked them to disable that after the first night, which they did. 2) The thermostat doesn't seem accurate. It seemed to be 2-4 degrees warmer than the reading. For example, we set it to warm to 68 which is normally cool and comfortable for us, but when it heated the room to 66, it seemed on the hot side for us. We dealt with this by just turning off the heater. 3) There were literally 4 people standing there checking us in. Sometimes between two of them they even asked us the same question twice. We just want to check-in, park our car, and get the key to our room. We don't need 4 people to do that.

    Small but gorgeous hotel. I want to give like a 3.5-3.8, but am doing a 4. While it has an intital…read morehigh end appearance and price point, the Stilwell Hotel lacks the some of the essentials of a true luxury stay. - Staff: during check in, we were helped by a tall blonde young man with a deep voice . He has 0 customer service skills and should not be customer facing. He had minimal eye contact, cold demeanor as if we were bothering him, mumbling, and just overall unpleasant. He had the demeanor of a bro cashier at a GNC. There was a guy next to him which I assume was IT or something since he was messing with something at the front. There was a woman who brought us a welcome glass of champagne, and Angel - who gave us a brief tour and brought our luggage to the room. Angel and the woman were nice. Champagne was good, however I wish they offered non alcoholic options like a juice or sparking cider. Throughout our stay, we encountered many staff on the property in passing - not a single smile from any of them. Even the housekeeping staff at a BestWestern are nicer than the staff here. - Room: gorgeous but small. Booking a room for 2 does not just mean having a big enough bed, but actually room for 2 humans to move around. There is not enough room to lay your luggage out anywhere, and the bathroom was narrow. I would've liked to have a towel bar by the sink instead of having a silly rock be what holds the towel up. The room is aesthetically stunning and the bed was very comfortable. I loved the ambient lighting options and motion activated under-lighting. I liked that we had a balcony. I enjoyed the soaps / lotions, as well all the nespresso in the room. Air conditioning worked well. Room was very clean. - Parking: parking was easy in the day. We lucked out at night but guests arriving after 8pm had nowhere to park, which we witnessed first hand. We saw a guest told the staff "the lot is full", and the staff said "just take the EV spot". What about your guests with EVs who need to charge their cars for the night? On another day, a large car was parked in the entrance into the hotel (not the street) and stayed there for 15 min which blocked entry for everyone else - i wish the staff came out to inform the guest that they couldn't leave their car the. The main lot is very tight with slim spots and awkward parking angles, but the back lot was good . While this wasn't an issue for me, I can imagine coming off of a long flight, finally getting to the hotel at night, and being frustrated at the lack of available parking. - Breakfast: this is the main reason we wanted to stay here. The breakfast itself is good, not great. The French toast, juice, chia pudding and eggs are best things - everything else is okay as I found some things to be stale such as the waffles and muffins. I did enjoy how the food is displayed, and there lots of variety. Staff is constantly refilling items so you never have to worry about things running out, regardless of when you arrive for breakfast. Breakfast is much later than it is at other hotels, and with a small window (8-10am), which can be an issue if you are planning to eat early prior to a hike. 2 staff stay in the area however they just stare at you from the corner of the room. No smile, no good morning. The first day, I felt like we were being stared at as if we were freeloaders sneaking in for free breakfast. It was very uncomfortable. Not sure if they were staring because we're younger than a majority of the other guests but there really is no excuse. I think they should do a wrist band system or something if they insist on eyeing people. Property- they have a cafe by the breakfast area where you can order hand crafted pizza. We didn't do this but it smelled great. The location is convenient with lots of restaurants within walking distance . As a hotel guest, you get a discount at the Foray restaurant, which is closed mondays and Tuesdays Overall: Beautiful, but I don't think I'd stay again. For the price point and all the amenities, I expected to be in love with this hotel. At other hotels with this price point, I'm usually like "I don't want leave!", but not here. It wasn't a bad stay, but the experience didn't match the price point. I hope they get better staff or else I could see this hotel failing in the future.

    Mission Ranch - Outside on the patio (with candles and heat lamps)

    Mission Ranch

    (1.3k reviews)

    $$$

    Lotte is a rock star in the managing of restaurants!…read more The Sunday buffet is excellent and well presented!! There are enough servers making sure things are covered. I'm a one plate guy and the staff was explaining that I could get more. LOL...Now thats funny! The views are great and very chilled. Great place for a Sunday breakfast.

    Extremely disappointing experience at Mission Ranch…read more We were genuinely looking forward to eating at Mission Ranch while visiting Carmel, but the way we were treated completely ruined the experience. We arrived with our child and were told the wait would be about an hour and a half. We understood that the restaurant was busy, so we decided to wait. Two hours later, we still hadn't been seated. What made the situation especially frustrating was watching the woman at the front seat people who had arrived after us, while repeatedly seeming to look us over and pass us by. After waiting well beyond the time we'd been quoted, with no meaningful explanation or acknowledgment, we'd had enough. We left. A long wait at a popular restaurant is understandable. What isn't understandable is giving guests a 90-minute estimate, leaving them waiting for two hours, seating later arrivals ahead of them, and failing to communicate what is happening. For a place with Mission Ranch's reputation, location, and prices, I expected a much higher level of hospitality and professionalism. Instead, we walked away feeling ignored and unwelcome. We never even got the opportunity to find out whether the food was good, because the front-of-house experience was bad enough that we weren't willing to give them any more of our time. Two hours wasted in Carmel. There are far too many wonderful restaurants in the area to spend an evening waiting around somewhere that doesn't seem particularly concerned whether you're there or not.

    Post Ranch Inn - Season fennel salad! Light vinaigrette finish, so yum!

    Post Ranch Inn

    (361 reviews)

    $$$$

    Unfortunately for us, Post Ranch Inn was one of our first stops on an eight-day coastal road trip…read more Unfortunate because they set a standard no other property or restaurant was going to match. I knew that going in. It was still starker than I expected. Start with the property. When that is the view off your deck, why go anywhere else? Stunning doesn't cover it. We hiked much of the grounds and every turn delivered something new. The kind of place that makes you slow down without even trying. Then the restaurant. Everything was perfect -- service, quality, execution. Much of the food sourced on property or from the surrounding community. My wife declared the salad the best she'd ever had. High praise for a salad. High praise, full stop. Special shout out to our server Yasmany and bartender Thomas -- both exceptional. What struck me most was how effortless the entire staff made it look. These are people who deal with guests from around the world, all arriving with high expectations of a high-end experience. And yet nothing felt forced. Nobody appeared to be trying to impress us. It was just perfect service, perfectly delivered. That's the rarest thing in hospitality. Highlight of the trip. Hands down. And I suspect, never to be repeated.

    PLEASE READ THIS REVIEW BEFORE MAKING A RESERVATION -- IT MAY SAVE YOU THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS…read more If you are considering booking an ocean-view room at Post Ranch Inn between May, June, July, or August, I strongly encourage you to do extensive research about Big Sur's seasonal coastal fog before spending your money. Based on our experience, I would never book an ocean-view room during these months again. We paid nearly $10,000 for two nights in one of the resort's premium ocean-view accommodations because the breathtaking ocean views shown throughout their website were the main reason we chose this property. Unfortunately, during our entire stay, the ocean view was completely hidden by dense fog. We never saw the spectacular view that was advertised and pictured online. What disappointed us most was the lack of transparency. The website showcases beautiful, clear ocean views but does not adequately prepare guests for the possibility that the view may be completely obstructed for an entire stay during certain times of the year. If guests are paying thousands of dollars specifically for an ocean-view room, they deserve clear information about the seasonal risk of persistent coastal fog so they can make an informed decision. Throughout our stay, we repeatedly asked staff whether the fog would clear. We were consistently told that it would likely clear within a few hours. Unfortunately, that never happened. The fog remained throughout our stay, and we never got to enjoy the ocean view we paid a premium for. What made this even more frustrating was that, after repeatedly being told by multiple staff members that the fog would clear soon, one employee later told us that they were not supposed to tell guests that the weather was expected to remain the same for several days and that these foggy conditions are common during this time of year. According to that employee, this type of weather often persists throughout much of the summer season. I cannot independently verify that statement, but if that information was accurate, it raises serious concerns about transparency. Guests spending thousands of dollars for an ocean-view room deserve honest information about the likelihood of actually seeing the ocean during their stay. The room itself also had maintenance issues. The bar sink was clogged, and the shower valve/faucet was loose and repeatedly fell while being used. We reported both problems, but neither was repaired during our stay. Staff apologized, but no one came to address the issues. For a property charging close to $5,000 per night, I expected much better communication, transparency, maintenance, and overall value. I fully understand that the weather is beyond the hotel's control. However, what is within their control is how honestly they communicate the risk of seasonal fog to potential guests. Had we known there was a realistic possibility of spending our entire stay looking at a wall of fog instead of the Pacific Ocean, we would have chosen different travel dates, a different room category, or a different destination altogether. The property itself is beautiful, but based on our experience, the value did not come close to justifying the cost. If an ocean view is important to you, think very carefully before booking an ocean-view room during the late spring and summer months.

    Glen Oaks Big Sur

    Glen Oaks Big Sur

    (343 reviews)

    $$$

    POV: searching for glamping vibes and forest bathing in Big Sur…read more The property is spread across either side of the road. On one side is the lobby directly across the roadhouse restaurant. The other side is gated and has river access. We sat by the campfire and made smores, bought an inflatable donut at the store near the lobby, crossed a bridge, floated along the lazy river, and walked the beautiful lush grounds under the towering redwood trees. If I had stayed longer I would've put one of those yoga mats to good use. Cabins are clean, stocked, and cozy. I highly recommend staying a few nights in this peaceful place.

    I truly believe this is one of the most special places to stay in Big Sur. There's a certain…read morefeeling you get when everything is just right--and the little Sur (room N) delivered the perfect setting - peacefulness, romance, and nature. The location of the cabin is right off the creek of their property. Also It had rained the day before, so a small waterfall was flowing directly across from our place. That evening we sat by the fire, roasting marshmallows and sipping champagne while listening to the water and looking up at the redwood trees. It was just so magical. One detail I especially loved was the heated bathroom floors--such a cozy surprise and something I'm definitely not used to! The entire cabin was spotless and beautifully maintained. I'm very particular about cleanliness in hotels so I brought my mattress vacuum cleaner to inspect--the bed and pillows were not dusty, which gave me a peace of mind. Overall, our stay was perfectly the way I want to remember this trip. If I had stayed somewhere else, I don't think I would have had a great of an experience in Big Sur. Ambience and the aesthetics of the property grounds is important to me and it checked off all the boxes. April turned out to be the perfect time to visit: sunny, peaceful, and more affordable than peak season. I loved everything about this stay and we're already planning to come back. Recommendations: the pillows are goose down so it doesn't work for neck support. Bring a pillow you like from home if you have neck issues. Also, in Little Sur, your bed is underneath a window. Turn the blinds upwards so you don't wake up to the light in your eyes:)

    Tickle Pink Inn - hotels - Updated September 2026

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