We loved staying local this year and exploring California’s gems. We had visited Carmel-by-the-Sea a few years ago but we didn’t really get to experience the charming town properly because it was a short day trip. So, we packed our bags and decided to do a little 3-day getaway! This guide will detail our hotel in Carmel by the Sea.
P.S See my full Carmel-by-the-Sea guide on all the Instagrammable spots
We stayed at the beautiful La Playa Carmel hotel. It’s located at the heart of Carmel. In the distance, you can see a glimmer of the Carmel Bay and Pebble Beach to the northwest.
???? Pro tip: Use my promo code SHWAY for 15% off your online booking at La Playa Carmel hotel.
The Hotel
If I had to summarize the vibe of La Playa in one sentence, it would be: upscale beach cottage. This was one of the most charming hotels we’ve stayed in. The columns throughout the property and arched windows were beautiful. The courtyard with the lush gardens was inviting and perfect to soak in the warm California sun.
Each hotel room is unique. We stayed in a Premium Ocean View room, but our room was the only one of it’s kind on the property! It is on the same floor as the lobby and boasts huge arched windows facing the courtyard.
???? Pro tip: If you want the same room as ours, be sure to request it specially when making your booking. We stayed in room 201.
Our room from the outside 
The view from our room
La Playa Carmel has an incredible history. The mansion was first built in 1905 as a gift to the architect’s wife, the daughter to the Ghiradelli family of San Francisco. It was the first mansion in Carmel to have a swimming pool. Throughout the years, the mansion was converted to a luxurious hotel.
La Playa’s courtyard is simply stunning. Even in November, it was lush and dotted with countless blooms. Busy bees and chirpy birds were everywhere.
The Rooms
La Playa has a variety of different room styles on the property. You can read about them here. Every room is unique: some have a patio with a garden, some have ocean views, and some are located along-side the pool.
Ours had a generous king sized bed with spectacular views of the courtyard and Carmel Beach, everything we want from a hotel in Carmel by the Sea.
The Pool
There’s nothing quite as refreshing as morning dips in a warm pool. La Playa has an outdoor pool with a covered seating area and fire pit. The pool is heated to 80 degrees and is open from 9am to sunset each day.
???? Pro tip: This is the perfect place to relax during their complimentary sangria happy hour!
The Extras
The extra touches were really the cherry on top. During our stay, the hotel offered the following complimentary amenities to guests:
- Sangria Happy hour: 3pm – 5pm
- Warm cookies: 7pm – 9pm
- Coffee in the lobby: 6am – 10am
- Boxed Breakfast: Takeaway breakfast trays included coffee, tea, orange juice, cheeses, fruits, yogurt with granola, and an egg sando
They also have a restaurant on the property, Bud’s. Bud’s is a contemporary comfort food restaurant. They serve timeless classic cocktails, beer, and wine. They also have an expanded food menu and a weekend brunch. You can see their full menu here. We didn’t get a chance to eat here during our stay but we hope to try them next time.
Hope this hotel guide in Carmel by the Sea helps you in planning your visit to the beautiful town. Overall, we loved everything about our stay at La Playa Carmel! If you decide on staying at La Playa Carmel, use my code SHWAY for 15% off your online booking!
Thanks for stopping by! If you have any questions, leave a comment below or DM me on Instagram @croissantsandcaviar!
xx, Shway
1 comment
Valuable info. Lucky me I found your website by accident, and I am shocked why this accident did not happened earlier! I bookmarked it. Beryle Brion Aggie