Visiting Carmel
Archived Q&A and Reviews
Kid-friendly lodging in Carmel
March 2005
Looking for kid-friendly lodging in Carmel. We are going to a wedding there in mid-August and we will have a 3-month old and 3-year old. Most places don't seem particularly open to young children. Any suggestions would be really appreciated. Please contact me. Monique
We stayed at the Wayside Inn, a block or two from the main avenue in Carmel, with our then 18 month old. Most units have a kitchenette plus a separate living area with fireplace. They deliver a basket of breakfast goodies to your door and have home-baked cookies in the office all day long. It wasn't particularly cheap, about $200/night, but I've found that pretty par for the course in Carmel. They also took us for one night on a weekend, which is hard to find.
If you want to consider Carmel Valley (gorgeous, but about a 15 minute drive from the town of Carmel), try the Valley Lodge. They have a nice outdoor pool and spa and include a continental breakfast (served in a kind of cafeteria-style room right on premises). Some of the rooms are suites, I think.
We also stayed just recently at the Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove (between Monterey & Carmel). Really nice woodsy feel, again a good breakfast included, balcony and fireplace in the room.
All 3 of these spots were filled with families. Good luck! Amy
We stayed at the Carmel Valley Lodge. It is about 15 miles inland from Carmel. Great kid-friendly (and dog-friendly) place. They have a heated outdoor pool that is swimmable all year round, as well as a hot tub. There is a playground right nearby. You can rent a cottage with a kitchen, and the Lodge provides a nice buffet breakfast. http://www.valleylodge.com/welcome.htm Ronnie
Carmel in January
Oct 2004
My father and stepmother are coming out visit in early January and have booked a place in Carmel for a few days. Can anyone give any recommendations for fun things to do specifically in Carmel during that time? Or good restaurant recommendations? Thanks! Melissa
Two fabulous restaurants in Carmel: ''The Carmel Chop House'' and ''Grasings.'' These restaurants are owned by Narsai David and are both exquisite. Good luck! Soreya
More recommendations
A truly wonderful place to stay is the Forrest Lodge in Carmel. They are a b with a variety of rooms (cottages actually) - you can have your own kitchen (and fireplace) if you like or not. They are about a block from the shops of carmel. We drove down to the carmel city beach which is dog heaven! No leashes! At the Lodge they have a hose & dog towels so you can clean off your dog post beach. And there are lots of resturants in Carmel where you can bring your dog if you so desire. Last time we stayed there I think our dog had the best vacation! Your breakfast comes with dog treats too. Phone 831-624-7023. enjoy!
Carmel is a very dog-friendly town, and our dog loves going to the beach there. Some of the places downtown can be pretty pricey-- we've stayed a little farther out, at a place called the Carmel Mission Valley Inn. It has a large field adjacent for those early morning/late night walks =) Also, a nicely-done mall (the Barnyard) about 50 yards away, with several restaurants. Enjoy your trip! Jim
March 2003
Re: Romantic Getaway for Couples
My husband and I finally got a nice rare weekend away from the kids in March. We wanted something not too far away, not too expensive, but clean, pleasant and relaxing. We stayed at the Carmel River Inn, in one of the cottages - ours had a king size bed, a separate living room w/fireplace, and a kitchenette. I think it was about $95/night, but that may have been the off- season rate. It was a bit rustic (no bathtub, knotty pine furnishing), but very clean, private and quiet - and we actually got to sleep in past 8:00 - unheard of! For entertainment, there was walking around the river area, and it's close enough to the Mission that it could be a nice hike. We also got in the car both days - to Carmel for a day of walking around, window shopping, lunch, and looking in the art galleries, then Monterey for dinner, before heading back to the cabin to enjoy the rain and the fireplace. The other day was a drive to Point Lobos to hike around, take some pictures, and just appreciate nature at our own pace. Just not having to hear ''I want'', ''I need'', ''When??'', and ''Why not??'' for two days made us happy to come home to the kids. I'd recommend Carmel as a close-by way of remembering what it's like to talk and walk together and even sleep without constant interruption. Eileen
We spent a recent holiday in Carmel, CA. We rented Medicine Cottage, which was a charming and ideally located two bedroom / 2 Bath home. We walked to the beach and to Ocean Ave. We spent a lot of time reading in front of the gas fireplace. We spent a day at the aquarium with our little ones. We ate out and got and prepared food from Whole Foods in Monterey. There is so much to do there, and it's so close, and I highly recommend this spot.
Disneyland, LEGOLAND, and Sea World (depending upon your ethics. . .we used it as an opportunity to lecture ala Blackfish) are also doable with a full week off with children you kids' age.
Have fun wherever you go!