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Accommodations in the Monterey area range from no-frills motels to luxurious hotels. Pacific Grove, amply endowed with ornate Victorian houses, is the region’s bed-and-breakfast capital; Carmel also has charming inns. Lavish resorts cluster in exclusive Pebble Beach and pastoral Carmel Valley.
High season runs from May through October. Rates in winter, especially at the larger hotels, may drop by 50% or more, and smaller inns often offer midweek specials. Whatever the month, some properties require a two-night stay on weekends. Many of the fancier accommodations aren’t suitable for children; if you’re traveling with kids, ask before you book.
The spacious guest rooms at this luxury spa resort have vaulted ceilings, French oak floors, featherbeds, fireplaces, patios, and bathrooms with heated-tile floors and soaking tubs for two. Before you even check in, the valet hands you a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. The Lucia Restaurant & Bar, open daily, has seasonal menus that highlight local meats, seafood, and produce. Reserve the chef's table in the main kitchen, and you can talk to the chef as he prepares your meal.
The activity options at this luxury ranch are so varied that the resort provides a program director to guide you through them. Swing from a tree, hike in the woods, meditate on a hilltop yoga platform, or play a round of golf on the 18-hole Peter Dye golf course. Harvest honey at the on-site apiary and lavender field, or splurge on massages in the full-service Spa Aiyana. The main lodge is a slick, contemporary haven with Brazilian walnut floors, custom woodwork, and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame stunning valley views. Rooms have cathedral ceilings, travertine fireplaces, and large decks.
This exclusive boutique hotel evokes a stately Mediterranean villa, where rooms are decorated with sumptuous fabrics and fine art. Each one has a wood-burning fireplace and heated flooring; some rooms have private outdoor patios with in-ground whirlpools. A European-style breakfast is served in-room, and complimentary cocktail service is offered each evening in the main hall and library. The adjacent Spa at Pebble Beach is state-of-the-art, and guests have the use of all facilities at the Lodge at Pebble Beach and the Inn at Spanish Bay.
Stepping through the doors of this elegant inn is like being transported to a little European village. The rooms are luxurious yet understated, with Italian sheets and huge, classic soaking tubs; sitting in the sun-soaked brick courtyard makes you feel like a movie star. The inn's intimate, nine-table restaurant, Aubergine, epitomizes farm-to-table gourmet dining.
This resort sprawls along a breathtaking stretch of shoreline and has plush, 600-square-foot rooms. Pèppoli restaurant, which serves Tuscan cuisine, overlooks the coast and the golf links; Roy's Restaurant serves more casual and innovative Hawaiian-Asian fare. Guests have privileges at The Lodge at Pebble Beach and the Spa at Pebble Beach, which are under the same management.
A historic complex of lush gardens and Mediterranean-style buildings, La Playa has light and airy interiors done in Carmel Bay beach-cottage style. Norwegian artist Christopher Jorgensen built this property's original structure in 1905 for his bride, a member of the Ghirardelli Chocolate clan. Some rooms are small but comfortable; some have views of gardens or the ocean. Rates include a daily champagne brunch and afternoon sangria.
Most rooms have wood-burning fireplaces, and many have wonderful ocean views at this circa-1919 resort, which includes the much newer, 38-room Fairway One complex. The golf course, tennis club, and equestrian center are posh. Overlooking the 18th green, the Stillwater Bar & Grill serves expertly prepared contemporary seafood. Downstairs, also overlooking the 18th hole, the Bench specializes in wood-fired pizzas. Guests here also have privileges at The Inn at Spanish Bay and The Spa at Pebble Beach.
Atop a towering cliff, this inn has views of the Big Sur coastline, which you can contemplate from your private balcony. After falling asleep to the sound of surf crashing below, you'll wake to a continental breakfast and the morning paper in bed. If you prefer the company of fellow travelers, breakfast is also served buffet-style in the lounge, as are complimentary wine and cheese in the afternoon. Many rooms have wood-burning fireplaces, and there are six luxurious spa suites and a private two-bedroom cottage.
