I have stayed at a number for hotels in Carmel but this one is one of the worst on my list. I have always wanted to stay here because I have seen how beautiful their lobby was. But this is just smoke and mirrors. The lobby is beautiful but the room is ugly. The 2 people that worked at reservations desk have no personality. After a hour drive, I do expect at least to have a cheerful face greet me at a hotel..but I must say that the people are as cold as their lobby. Breakfast is not included on weekends like most inns in Carmel. The rate is not cheap either. The only good thing is the location. It is walking distance to everything but there's a number of other hotels that have this advantage. I rate this hotel as the worst hotel we ever stayed at in Carmel. And I have been to Carmel at least 10 times in the past 5 years.

The Pine Inn purports to in the "rather posh" category but IMHO it has seen better days. Getting to the Inn with heavy luggage can be difficult. The woman on reception was not best pleased with me bumping my case down the steps as I was told rather sternly that it would damage them, but there is no way of getting to the property without negotiating steps. Thank god for the bell hop who finally appeared.

The room was a bit crammed with furniture and the highest beds I have ever seen. It was like the Princess and the Pea! Pine Inn - note for you - Less is More!

There was a really loud noise of an extractor fan outside our window. They told us all sort of stories about what it was and how it would go off soon, but it was all lies. At least they gave us a bottle of "champagne" as a token gesture.

Carmel was very picturesque, if not a bit twee, but at this time of year a bit too quiet, especially at night.

However, the 17 mile drive is well worth the effort. Check out the hotel and the beach half way round the drive.

The women at the tourist office in Monterey suggested this and we took it sight unseen. The women on the phone was very nice and warm. The check in clerk was the same. The room was great, very clean, roomy and bright. Bed was comfy. The chocolates on our pillow were a nice touch. The best part about this place is the location, the price and the breakfast. The best breakfast I had in my 2 week visit to California!

This is a note that my family shared many opinions about this hotel. The rooms were like apartments, all snug and cozy. The lobby is red so be prepared to like red and it is also very warm. The rooms were decorated with fine artifacts from the years passed. I thought this was a beautiful hotel.

With all due respect to my co-author, I disagree completley. The "queen suite" was anything but sweet - although billed as the second best room in the hotel. The rooms must have been decorated when the hotel was originally built in the 18th century and never replaced. The racket from the exhaust fan from the restaurant next door obviated any need for an alarm clock - no one could sleep -but at least it drowned out everyone's complaining. They decided to decorate the interior of the lobby with painted lattice which made me feel like I was sleeping on a fence. The location was pretty good.