La Playa Carmel
Historic Carmel hotel offering coastal charm, ocean views, a pool, and a renowned champagne breakfast.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Enjoy a peaceful breakfast
La Playa Carmel
Best Time
Enjoy a peaceful breakfast
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Historic Carmel hotel offering coastal charm, ocean views, a pool, and a renowned champagne breakfast.
"A delightful stay with amazing staff, delicious breakfast, and a fabulous bar."
🚗 Shuttle Service is a Lifesaver
Utilize the hotel's shuttle for easy access to downtown Carmel, especially after a long day of exploring.
🐶 Pet-Friendly Perks
Bring your furry friend! The hotel provides dog treats, bowls, and poop bag holders.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Ocean View Rooms
Second floor and above
Wake up to stunning ocean vistas and the beautiful hotel grounds from your well-appointed room.
Champagne Breakfast Buffet
Hotel Restaurant
Indulge in a lavish breakfast with an omelet bar, waffle station, and complimentary champagne.
Buds Bar
Hotel Bar
Experience old-school charm with innovative cocktails and curated reel-to-reel music.
Heated Outdoor Pool
Hotel Grounds
Relax and unwind by the pool, surrounded by the hotel's expansive and beautiful gardens.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book Ahead for Prime Stays
Embrace the Walkable Charm
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Shuttle Service is a Lifesaver
Utilize the hotel's shuttle for easy access to downtown Carmel, especially after a long day of exploring.
🐶 Pet-Friendly Perks
Bring your furry friend! The hotel provides dog treats, bowls, and poop bag holders.
🍪 Don't Miss the Cookies!
Enjoy freshly baked cookies served nightly – a delightful treat after a day of sightseeing.
🥂 Champagne Hour is a Must
Sip on complimentary champagne, wine, or sangria during the afternoon happy hour.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Shuttle Service is a Lifesaver
Utilize the hotel's shuttle for easy access to downtown Carmel, especially after a long day of exploring.
🐶 Pet-Friendly Perks
Bring your furry friend! The hotel provides dog treats, bowls, and poop bag holders.
🍪 Don't Miss the Cookies!
Enjoy freshly baked cookies served nightly – a delightful treat after a day of sightseeing.
🥂 Champagne Hour is a Must
Sip on complimentary champagne, wine, or sangria during the afternoon happy hour.
🎶 Unique Reel-to-Reel Music
Experience the ambiance of Buds bar with its thoughtfully curated reel-to-reel music tapes.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
La Playa Carmel is consistently praised for its timeless charm, exceptional service, and prime location near the beach and town. Guests rave about the delicious breakfast buffet and the unique ambiance of Buds bar. While some rooms are noted as being on the smaller side, the overall luxurious feel and attentive staff make for a highly recommended stay.
"My wife and I stayed from Sunday to Wednesday and we had an absolute grand time at La Playa after having our wedding in Tahoe. When we arrived we were greeted and our bags were brought to our room. Parking around Carmel in general is busy so you either have to park in their parking lot or just around the block. The hotel itself I thought was very cute and timeless. Our room was on the second floor from the main lobby and we had an epic ocean view along with a great view of the hotel grounds.
We did have our little pup with us and they were accommodating, they provided us dog treats, along with a bowl and poop bag holder.
I did notice our room being a little tight and after reviewing some of the other layouts we did get a smaller room WHICH we didn't mind because we made it work, and we sent most of our time out around town or enjoying the hotel itself.
Breakfast was phenomenal, we had it every day. We had the champagne hour every day, and the cookies!!! We did take advantage of the shuttle. Those hills can get brutal after a few days.
We enjoyed the pool and sitting outside playing chess. The location I think is great, you are a couple blocks from the beach and a couple blocks from town.
We didn't get to experience Dime time at Buds :(. We didn't get to leverage our honeymoon card but we did overall enjoy our time here and would stay again."
Mark Delgado
"We had such a great time at this hotel. The bed, the sheets, the towels… all high quality which made the stay feel luxury. The breakfast is included and SO GOOD! The restaurant at dinner was great - the burger was top tier. And the staff 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 so helpful and kind."
Courtney Herrmann
"We had a delightful stay at La Playa. The rooms are a bit on the small side but the ambience of the hotel makes up for it. The staff was amazing, the breakfast provided was delicious, Bud's the bar area was fabulous, a throw back to another time and I have to mention the music... thoughtfully curated reel to reel music tapes with a high quality speaker system. We will be returning! Thank you La Playa for outstanding customer service."
Sandra Allan
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
La Playa Carmel is approximately a five-hour drive from Los Angeles, making it a popular road trip destination. Many travelers enjoy the scenic coastal drive.
Parking around Carmel can be busy. La Playa Carmel offers a parking lot, and street parking is also available nearby. The hotel also provides a shuttle service to downtown.
While public transport options directly to the hotel might be limited, Carmel-by-the-Sea is a walkable town. The hotel's shuttle service further enhances accessibility to local attractions.
Many visitors opt for a road trip, as it allows for flexibility and the enjoyment of the coastal scenery. Driving from major California cities like Los Angeles or Santa Barbara is common. +1
Information on specific airport shuttle services is not widely available, but the hotel's shuttle to downtown Carmel is a convenient option for exploring the area. It's recommended to inquire directly with the hotel for any airport transfer arrangements.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
La Playa Carmel is a hotel, so you book a room rather than tickets. However, due to its popularity, especially for weekend stays and special occasions, booking your accommodation well in advance is highly recommended. +1
Standard check-in and check-out times apply. It's advisable to confirm the exact times with the hotel directly when making your reservation to plan your arrival and departure accordingly.
While specific discount codes are not frequently mentioned in general travel content, keeping an eye on the hotel's official website or travel deal sites might reveal promotions. Travelers sometimes mention 'honeymoon cards' which could offer benefits.
La Playa Carmel is pet-friendly and accommodates guests with dogs, providing amenities like treats, bowls, and poop bag holders.
As a hotel, there is no general entrance fee for the grounds. Guests staying at La Playa Carmel have access to amenities like the pool, gardens, and common areas.
🎫 📍 Onsite Experience
Some guests have noted that rooms can be on the smaller side, but the overall ambiance and quality of the furnishings, like high-quality sheets and towels, contribute to a luxurious feel.
Amenities include a heated outdoor pool, beautiful gardens, complimentary Wi-Fi, a renowned breakfast buffet, and the unique Buds bar with reel-to-reel music. +1
Yes, many rooms, particularly those on higher floors, offer epic ocean views and great perspectives of the hotel grounds.
Yes, La Playa Carmel features a heated outdoor pool, providing a relaxing spot to enjoy the California sunshine.
The hotel is described as having a cozy, turn-of-the-century vibe with timeless elegance and coastal charm, offering a luxurious and curated experience.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
The breakfast buffet is a highlight, featuring an omelet bar, waffle station, and often includes champagne or mimosas. It's consistently praised as phenomenal and delicious. +1
Yes, the hotel has a restaurant that serves dinner. Guests have praised the food, with the burger being specifically mentioned as top-tier.
Buds bar offers innovative cocktails and is known for its old-school vibes. It's a perfect spot to unwind with a drink.
Guests can enjoy freshly baked cookies served nightly between 7-9 PM, a sweet treat to end the day.
Yes, the hotel offers a wine or sangria hour from 2-5 PM, providing a pleasant way to enjoy the afternoon.
📸 📸 Photography
The hotel grounds, with their gardens and ocean views, offer beautiful backdrops. The pool area and the historic architecture of the hotel itself are also great for photos. 
Absolutely. Many rooms offer ocean views, and the hotel's proximity to the beach means you're never far from stunning coastal photography opportunities.
La Playa Carmel is a popular venue for weddings, with its beautiful gardens providing a picturesque setting for wedding photography.
Carmel-by-the-Sea is known for its charming architecture, fairy-tale cottages, and dramatic coastline, making it ideal for landscape, architectural, and lifestyle photography.
The 'golden hours' – shortly after sunrise and before sunset – offer the most flattering light for photography, enhancing the coastal scenery and hotel's charm.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
💍 Couples & Honeymooners
🐶 Pet Travelers
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Charm of Carmel-by-the-Sea
The area surrounding Carmel also offers incredible natural beauty. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, just a short drive away, is a must-visit for its dramatic cliffs, diverse wildlife, and stunning hiking trails like the Cypress Grove Trail. Garrapata State Park and Bixby Bridge are also popular stops for those exploring the iconic California coast.
When visiting Carmel, embrace the slower pace. Wander through the streets, pop into local shops, and enjoy the picturesque surroundings. The town's unique character makes it a memorable destination for a weekend getaway or a longer stay.
La Playa Carmel: A Historic Gem
+1The hotel is celebrated for its curated guest experience. From the high-quality linens and towels that enhance the comfort of the rooms to the thoughtful reel-to-reel music played at Buds bar, attention to detail is evident. This commitment to creating a unique atmosphere is a key reason why many guests, like those celebrating birthdays or honeymoons, choose La Playa for their special occasions.
Its prime location is another significant draw. Situated just a few blocks from the pristine Carmel Beach and the vibrant town center, guests have easy access to both natural beauty and local amenities. This walkability, combined with the hotel's shuttle service, makes exploring Carmel effortless and enjoyable.
Culinary Delights at La Playa
For evening dining, the hotel's restaurant offers a great menu, with the burger receiving particular acclaim as 'top tier.' This provides a convenient and high-quality option for guests without needing to venture far.
Buds, the hotel's bar, offers a unique ambiance with its old-school vibe and innovative cocktails. It's a perfect spot to unwind and enjoy expertly crafted drinks. Additionally, guests can look forward to complimentary freshly baked cookies served nightly, a delightful touch that adds to the overall welcoming experience.
+1
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit