A visit to charming Carmel-by-the-Sea is not complete without a walk on the beach, or at least a walk by the shops and art galleries downtown. That’s exactly what I did on a recent stay at The Hideaway in the village of Carmel. Located on California’s central coast, Carmel offers a hint of European charm without needing a passport. I love that I am able to stroll downtown with my dog and listen to accents from all over the world. If you have a chance to visit this coastal gem, you’ll want to check out The Hideaway. This boutique Inn is an old favorite for its ideal location and friendly staff, and with the recent renovations by the PlumpJack Group, you’ll like all the modern updates.
The 24 room boutique hotel has four pet-friendly rooms on the first floor of the two story, u-shaped building. Many of the rooms have fireplaces, and all come with 250-thread count linen, down comforters and pillows, as well as plush robes. In addition there is an evening happy hour available to hotel guests in the lobby from 4 – 6 p.m. nightly. I recommend you pour yourself a glass of wine, load up a plate of cheese, crackers and olives and head to the courtyard. There’s a gas fire pit outside, surrounded by a fountain (that shuts off at 10 p.m. nightly in case you are a light sleeper) and comfortable wicker chairs. I also spied some mountain bikes in front of the property that are available for guests during their stay. If you prefer strolling the neighborhood on foot, there’s a Carmel Wine Walk by the Sea, art and wine walking tours or you may simply meander down Ocean Avenue to sink your feet in the world famous white sands of Carmel Beach.
After an evening out on the town, you will return to your room and find house-baked cookies waiting for you with nightly turn down service. I miss the bottomless cookie jar from when the property was known as the Cobblestone Inn, but the complimentary European breakfast is a wonderful addition to this hotel stay. Breakfast is served in the lobby from 8 – 10 a.m. daily with complimentary mimosas offered on weekends. Tea and coffee are served in the lobby throughout the day, as well as lemon infused water. Unmetered street parking is available in the vicinity and on my visit, parking wasn’t an issue.
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Check in time is 3:30 p.m. with check out requested by 11:00 a.m. The staff, most longtime employees, are very knowledgeable about the Carmel area and are happy to recommend dining options or things to see and do during your stay in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Rates at the Hideaway start as low as $199, depending on the time of year and events happening around Carmel, and can go as high as $500. Check the website for details and ask about any specials they might be running. You can also check rates on Booking.com or Expedia.
Bed & breakfast review and photography by San Francisco Bay Area based travel writer Nancy D. Brown. I was a guest of The PlumpJack Group on a recent visit to Carmel, however, all opinions are my own.
