Hotel Carmel… Our Favorite Romantic Getaway in Carmel-by-the-sea

Nothing says relaxation and romance like a weekend getaway to Carmel-by-the-Sea. A small little beach town nestled in-between Monterey and Big Sur that Liam and I have called “our place” + “favorite” for years now. It is filled with fairytale cottages around every corner, beach views that are worthy of tagging your pics with #instagood, spas worth experiencing and a wine country that’s like no other! Liam and I just can’t get enough of this dreamy spot, and between all the coastal towns we’ve visited together, none can compare to the charm and romantic vibes that Carmel, California brings – making it the perfect spot for a romantic getaway for two!

Over the years, Liam and I have visited and stayed in a handful of hotels in Carmel. During our last visit to the dreamy little beach town we had the pleasure of experiencing a stay at The Hotel Carmel, which we can officially say is our new favorite spot to stay! Once named the Dolphin Inn, this newly refurbished hotel stole our hearts with its cottage-meets-mid-century-modern/costal decor. Not an inch of detail was left untouched when the owners renovated this cozy coastal oasis!

Upon our late arrival on a Friday night, Liam and I quickly unpacked or things into our spacious room for two and headed straight to dinner at the Hotel’s sports bar + grill, Brophy’s Tavern. It’s a hip little spot to indulge in libations while experiencing a throw-back sports bar ambience, best illustrated by a wall covered top to bottom in empty beer cans from around the world and different centuries in time. This little dining experience was perfect for a late night nibble and was conveniently located right next to the Hotel’s lobby. The food was varied and incredibly delectable! To celebrate what was about to become an awesome romantic weekend away, Liam and I raised a glass after ordering some of the bars tasty signature cocktails; I got the Raspberry + Rosemary Infused Lemonade which was a delicious starter cocktail while Liam sipped on a Brophy’s Sour. Overall, the food was amazing and the staff was incredibly friendly. Liam and I found ourselves enjoying the ambiance and visitors within the bar, eventually joining tables with a hilarious couple seated next to us, also enjoying a weekend getaway.

The next morning we woke up before the sunrise, got ourselves 2 very large cups of coffee and and headed straight to Garland Ranch Regional Park in the Carmel Valley for a morning hike. Liam and I had hiked this trail several years ago and remembered the beautiful view overlooking the valley from the top of the mountain. We didn’t quite make it in time to watch the sunrise, but we did find that magical little viewing spot that showcased the valley and all of it’s greenery and glory – the view was absolutely breathtaking!

After our hike, Liam and I drove back to the hotel and enjoyed bagels, coffee and artisan granola in the hotel lobby, which just so happens to serve wine during happy hour between 5-7pm. Needless to say, this was the perfect ending to a great morning!

As I’ve stated before in some of my travel posts; I love to take full advantage of the places we choose to stay! I mean… what’s the point of booking an amazing hotel if you’re not going to enjoy it, right?! So after a productive morning of hiking and getting our grub on, we decided to indulge in an afternoon of relaxation in the Hotel’s courtyard. It features relaxing lounge chairs and a hot tub big enough for half of a football team! We were fortunate enough to have the most gorgeous winter’s day – sunny and 70 degrees! Perfect weather for soaking-up some vitamin C in the cozy courtyard while curled-up with a good book in hand. At night, this courtyard turns into a romantic space with garden lights and a fire pit. Grab a glass of happy hour wine and enjoy before heading in for the night!

A favorite element of mine is the Hotel’s trendy lobby that has an entire wall dedicated to old cassette tapes.  This section of the lobby is more than just a wall for music, it’s a musical library with hundreds of old records that you could play and get lost in! Being the music lover that I am, I couldn’t help but drool over the unique time capsule that took me back in time with just a push of a play button.

From the staff members at this hotel being incredibly helpful and accommodating to the accessibility of the beach being less than a few short blocks away, this hotel felt like home for our little romantic weekend getaway in Carmel-by-the-sea.

Thank you Hotel Carmel for sponsoring this post!