Carmel Beach Walk Pet-friendly Vacations

Clean roll, ocean view was stunning! Delayed in checking in. Check in was 4 but didn’t get our room til 5. Waited in the lobby. Lobby was beautiful and stunning ocean view.

Love the staff. Always excellent, especially the valet staff and restaurant staff. We have stayed here before and it’s just a beautiful property with spacious rooms and amazing views. I just would prefer higher quality toilet paper (lol!)

The resort and grounds are absolutely stunning — the perfect place to relax and reset with a peaceful, restorative atmosphere. Most of the staff were a pleasure and made our stay feel special, though we did have 1–2 interactions where it felt like we were a bother for asking for anything. That’s disappointing anywhere, but especially on a $3k+ per night trip. When booking, I chose a suite specifically for its forest view. We came to Big Sur to be surrounded by giant trees. At check-in, we were told we’d been “upgraded” to a Pacific view suite. While well-intentioned, it wasn’t what we came for. From the suite we couldn’t see the water, the outdoor furniture wasn’t comfortable enough to enjoy, and it lacked the lounge chairs/hammock the original suite had advertised. We asked to move back to our booked room but were told the property was fully committed. I understand that happens, but it was frustrating to have our experience shifted by a change we didn’t request. Overall, Alila Ventana Big Sur is a breathtaking property with (mostly) a wonderful team. But if you’re going for a specific experience — like the forest views we wanted — make sure your reservation is honored as booked. At this level, the details really matter.

I recently stayed at the Stilwell Hotel in Carmel-by-the-Sea, and it was truly one of the best hotel experiences I’ve had in years. The property has clearly been beautifully and thoughtfully renovated —every detail feels intentional, elevated, and perfectly suited to the charm of Carmel. The design strikes a rare balance of being modern, warm, and sophisticated while still feeling authentic to the area. What really stood out, though, was the service. The staff were genuinely welcoming, attentive, and went out of their way to make sure every aspect of the stay was seamless. It’s the kind of hospitality that makes you feel taken care of without ever feeling intrusive. The amenities were fantastic, the rooms were extremely comfortable, and everything—from the finishes to the small touches—felt high quality and well curated. And the location simply couldn’t be better. You’re perfectly situated to walk everywhere in Carmel-by-the-Sea—restaurants, shops, galleries, and the beach are all just steps away. All in all, this was an exceptional stay. The Stilwell has quickly become one of my favorite places to stay in Carmel, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for a boutique hotel experience done absolutely right. I’m already looking forward to my next visit.

Loved our stay! Beautiful hotel and grounds. The stuff was amazing. Bar and room service was great. Can't wait to come back.

Loved our stay! Beautiful hotel and grounds. The stuff was amazing. Bar and room service was great. Can't wait to come back.

Clean roll, ocean view was stunning! Delayed in checking in. Check in was 4 but didn’t get our room til 5. Waited in the lobby. Lobby was beautiful and stunning ocean view.

Love the staff. Always excellent, especially the valet staff and restaurant staff. We have stayed here before and it’s just a beautiful property with spacious rooms and amazing views. I just would prefer higher quality toilet paper (lol!)

The property is really cute and the location is excellent! It is within walking distance of Ocean Avenue where there’s lots of shopping and a variety of restaurants. Be aware it is an old inn so it does not have air conditioning and the wall heater in the bedroom will not heat the bathroom. Other than that, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay.

Clean roll, ocean view was stunning! Delayed in checking in. Check in was 4 but didn’t get our room til 5. Waited in the lobby. Lobby was beautiful and stunning ocean view.

Love the staff. Always excellent, especially the valet staff and restaurant staff. We have stayed here before and it’s just a beautiful property with spacious rooms and amazing views. I just would prefer higher quality toilet paper (lol!)