Most Romantic Hotels in Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur
Many years ago, we started a hotel reservation service that was the "go-to" site to find the best accommodations at the best value. Although we sold that business, our knowledge of the most romantic places to stay in Monterey, Carmel, Carmel Valley and Pacific Grove is still expansive due to our room decorations through Romantic Celebrations. Over the past 17 years, we have been inside over 8,000 hotel rooms at some of the most beautiful hotels on the Monterey Peninsula.
Below, are some of our favorites with more to be added soon. These are all hotels, inns and bed and breakfasts in the Monterey area where we have helped people celebrate an anniversary, honeymoon, proposal or just a romantic getaway.
Within each hotel listing, you won't find long, flowery descriptions (each property can do that on their own), but you will find our top reasons we love their rooms based on our own personal experience. We do offer our Romantic Room Designs (see our home page for more details) at all of these romantic hotels. Better yet, we have found that when you book a room designs, our favorite hotels are more inclined to offer a complimentary upgrade or bottle of bubbly since our coordination with the hotel is another reminder that you are there for a special occasion. No promises but we've seen it happen many times. While we're in the room doing our romantic magic, our decorators are trained to spot anything that might impact your stay and let the hotel know right away (for example, burned out bulbs, a non functioning fireplace, a balcony door that's stuck). See all of our preferred listings at the bottom of this page.
When you're in town on your romantic getaway, make the most of your time. Research all of the great things to do (our "Romantic Activities" is a good start) so that when you return home, you don't realize you missed something you both would have loved. One of the most frequent questions I get as a romance expert and 30 year resident of the Monterey Peninsula has been how I would spend the weekend in our area for a honeymoon/proposal/anniversary. My favorite itinerary:
• Friday arrival and check-in to one of the romantic hotels listed below. When choosing something, think about the type of place you normally enjoy (a charming, 10 room B&B where you meet and spend time with guests from all over the world or a large, luxury hotel with a spa and 4-star restaurant).
• Walking in downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea, looking in shop windows, and enjoying some wine tasting at one of the 13 wineries located within one square mile.
• Grabbing some deli items from 5th Avenue Deli or Bruno's and heading down to Carmel Beach to relax on the beach with a bottle of wine (or maybe sparkling water at this point) and our collection of meats, cheeses, olives and bread. Watch the sunset, head back to the hotel and relax in front of our fireplace or enjoy the jetted-tub.
• Sleep in Saturday and have breakfast either at the hotel (if complimentary) or walk to one of the many great bakeries for coffee and a muffin.
• Depending on our mood (and the weather), going for a hike (Big Sur along the cliffs or in the redwoods or out in Carmel Valley), tandem kayaking in the Monterey Bay, or bicycling from Fisherman's Wharf to Asilomar.
• After all that activity, we have to eat so enjoying lunch at a restaurant with an ocean view (Schooners if kayaking or bicycling, Nepenthe if down in Big Sur).
• I like to think we don't do a lot of touristy things when we travel but we actually do. A short trip to the world famous Monterey Bay Aquarium or a self-guided tour of 17-mile drive would be enjoyable. Then again, horseback riding in Pebble Beach sounds like a lot of fun! If my wife ultimately makes the decision, we are off to one of many great spa options (Spa at Pebble Beach or Refuge are her favorites) for a couples massage.
• If our hotel has a social hour, head back to the hotel for wine and cheese after refreshing and relaxing in the room for a bit.
• A romantic dinner for two one of the many unique area restaurants where we dine on menu items we could never figure out how to make at home. Skip dessert.
• Find a venue with live music (another restaurant or hotel) and sit back, relax and maybe sing along.
• Get up late on Sunday, walk around town and take in the sights before checking out.
Of course, there are many more romantic places to stay in the Monterey Carmel area and if you are looking for any other insights, feel free to call us at 831-393-0445. If you like, we can even make your reservation!
Below, are some of our favorites with more to be added soon. These are all hotels, inns and bed and breakfasts in the Monterey area where we have helped people celebrate an anniversary, honeymoon, proposal or just a romantic getaway.
Within each hotel listing, you won't find long, flowery descriptions (each property can do that on their own), but you will find our top reasons we love their rooms based on our own personal experience. We do offer our Romantic Room Designs (see our home page for more details) at all of these romantic hotels. Better yet, we have found that when you book a room designs, our favorite hotels are more inclined to offer a complimentary upgrade or bottle of bubbly since our coordination with the hotel is another reminder that you are there for a special occasion. No promises but we've seen it happen many times. While we're in the room doing our romantic magic, our decorators are trained to spot anything that might impact your stay and let the hotel know right away (for example, burned out bulbs, a non functioning fireplace, a balcony door that's stuck). See all of our preferred listings at the bottom of this page.
When you're in town on your romantic getaway, make the most of your time. Research all of the great things to do (our "Romantic Activities" is a good start) so that when you return home, you don't realize you missed something you both would have loved. One of the most frequent questions I get as a romance expert and 30 year resident of the Monterey Peninsula has been how I would spend the weekend in our area for a honeymoon/proposal/anniversary. My favorite itinerary:
• Friday arrival and check-in to one of the romantic hotels listed below. When choosing something, think about the type of place you normally enjoy (a charming, 10 room B&B where you meet and spend time with guests from all over the world or a large, luxury hotel with a spa and 4-star restaurant).
• Walking in downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea, looking in shop windows, and enjoying some wine tasting at one of the 13 wineries located within one square mile.
• Grabbing some deli items from 5th Avenue Deli or Bruno's and heading down to Carmel Beach to relax on the beach with a bottle of wine (or maybe sparkling water at this point) and our collection of meats, cheeses, olives and bread. Watch the sunset, head back to the hotel and relax in front of our fireplace or enjoy the jetted-tub.
• Sleep in Saturday and have breakfast either at the hotel (if complimentary) or walk to one of the many great bakeries for coffee and a muffin.
• Depending on our mood (and the weather), going for a hike (Big Sur along the cliffs or in the redwoods or out in Carmel Valley), tandem kayaking in the Monterey Bay, or bicycling from Fisherman's Wharf to Asilomar.
• After all that activity, we have to eat so enjoying lunch at a restaurant with an ocean view (Schooners if kayaking or bicycling, Nepenthe if down in Big Sur).
• I like to think we don't do a lot of touristy things when we travel but we actually do. A short trip to the world famous Monterey Bay Aquarium or a self-guided tour of 17-mile drive would be enjoyable. Then again, horseback riding in Pebble Beach sounds like a lot of fun! If my wife ultimately makes the decision, we are off to one of many great spa options (Spa at Pebble Beach or Refuge are her favorites) for a couples massage.
• If our hotel has a social hour, head back to the hotel for wine and cheese after refreshing and relaxing in the room for a bit.
• A romantic dinner for two one of the many unique area restaurants where we dine on menu items we could never figure out how to make at home. Skip dessert.
• Find a venue with live music (another restaurant or hotel) and sit back, relax and maybe sing along.
• Get up late on Sunday, walk around town and take in the sights before checking out.
Of course, there are many more romantic places to stay in the Monterey Carmel area and if you are looking for any other insights, feel free to call us at 831-393-0445. If you like, we can even make your reservation!