Best places to stay, including historic hotels, destination resorts, charming inns & quirky boutique hotels
From its breathtaking scenery to its world-class attractions, Monterey County is made up of extraordinary experiences that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. It’s only fitting that a destination brimming with awe-inspiring moments offers a variety of unique places to rest your head at or spend days recharging. From lodging with a storied past to unusual boutique inns not found anywhere else, here are 12 unique hotels you’ll want to book your stay at during a visit to Monterey County.
Table of Contents
- Hotels With an Extraordinary History
- Expansive Properties You Won’t Want to Leave
- Charming and Cozy Boutique Inns and B&Bs
- Quirky Stays Worth the Trip
Hotels With an Extraordinary History
La Playa Hotel (Carmel-by-the-Sea)
Built in 1905 in the small, coastal artist enclave of Carmel-by-the-Sea, La Playa Hotel features 75 luxurious guest rooms, bohemian gardens and picturesque ocean views. Located a few blocks away from popular Carmel Beach, the hotel was built as a home for one of the Ghiradelli daughters (yes, the famous chocolate company), and is considered the “Grand Dame of Carmel.” It pays tribute to its past by serving freshly baked Ghirardelli chocolate chip cookies each night and hosting a randomly timed 10-minute happy hour where you can purchase well drinks for just a dime.
The Lodge at Pebble Beach (Pebble Beach)
The iconic Lodge at Pebble Beach has been welcoming guests and golfers to its luxurious property since 1919. The historic hotel overlooks the most legendary finishing hole of Pebble Beach Golf Links and features ocean-view rooms and suites within the famed 17-Mile Drive. If you’re looking for experiences beyond golfing, you’ll find plenty of other options to keep you busy, including numerous restaurants, on-site shops, a Forbes Five-Star spa and a tennis club.
Merritt House Hotel (Monterey)
Dating back to 1830, Merritt House Hotel is on the National Register of Historic Places and was at one time the home of Monterey County’s first county judge, Josiah Merritt, for whom it is named. The hotel is nestled off Pacific Street in Monterey and features 22 thoughtfully designed rooms with fireplaces, three suites and a private garden. This unique stay will put you a short walk away from Old Fisherman’s Wharf, as well as shops and restaurants in Old Monterey.
Expansive Properties You Won’t Want to Leave
Carmel Valley Ranch (Carmel Valley)
With 500 acres of land and an enormous menu of activities to choose from, Carmel Valley Ranch is a destination in itself. You can get a lesson in farming – from learning about bees to interacting with its herd of goats, cows, chickens and alpacas – or partake in countless outdoor adventures, like golfing, biking, archery and more. Plus, with so much land to harvest, the bounty of fresh food (and wine) will keep you fed and happy.
Sanctuary Beach Resort (Marina)
If a beach retreat is more your speed, a stay at the luxurious Sanctuary Beach Resort will have you nestled within 19 acres of Marina’s shoreline and epic dunes. You’ll enjoy private beach access, nightly bonfires, a heated outdoor pool, weekend beach yoga, guided nature walks and artisanal cuisine at Salt Wood Kitchen & Oysterette. Choose from rooms, suites and villas – each offering coastal views and the peaceful sound of waves breaking along the shore.
V6 Ranch and The Parkfield Lodge (Parkfield)
Get ready to saddle up and embrace your inner cowboy at V6 Ranch in the Salinas Valley. The 20,000-acre ranch offers beginner and experienced rider activities from scenic trails to authentic cattle drives to Cowboy Academies. Drive 2.5 miles to the 18-person town of Parkfield to stay at the historic Parkfield Lodge. Featuring a variety of unique guest rooms to choose from, like “The Water Tower,” which was built at the turn of the 20th century and features two-story lodging, no two experiences are the same.
Charming and Cozy Boutique Inns and B&Bs
Chateau Coralini (Salinas)
Considered the pinnacle place to stay if you’re planning a trip to the Monterey Wine Trail, the Victorian Chateau Coralini sits within an 8,444-acre estate that was designed to model the likes of the Chateau Versailles in France. With beautifully appointed guest rooms, a private cottage and a hilltop penthouse with countryside views, the Chateau offers a luxurious escape in Salinas.
Inn at Pinnacles (Soledad)
California offers some of the country’s best national parks, including the less-traveled Pinnacles National Park. If you’re planning an adventure to explore its unique geological formations, diverse wildlife and talus caves, choose a stay at the Inn at Pinnacles. Located just 5 minutes from the West Entrance to the park, the remote Mediterranean-style inn is set on an estate vineyard and features guest rooms with cozy patios, gas fireplaces and private baths. You’ll get to enjoy stunning views of the Santa Lucia Mountains, onsite games, a saltwater pool and plenty of opportunities to connect with nature.
Seven Gables Inn (Pacific Grove)
When driving along scenic Ocean View Blvd in Pacific Grove, it would be hard to miss the grand yellow Victorian estate that is Seven Gables Inn. The Inn includes seven houses, each displaying breathtaking ocean views of Monterey Bay’s rocky coast, as well as antique furniture and special-touch amenities like a complimentary welcome champagne toast. Considered one of the most romantic inns in America, Seven Gables Inn provides the ultimate bed and breakfast getaway to enjoy while exploring Monterey’s coastal towns.
Quirky Stays Worth the Trip
Captain’s Inn at Moss Landing (Moss Landing)
Boat lovers, sailors or anyone with an affinity for nautical décor will love a stay at Captain’s Inn at Moss Landing. The intimate boutique inn features 10 guest rooms, each uniquely designed with antique furniture and maritime touches. A stay here also means that you’ll get to enjoy the Elkhorn Slough wetlands and its expansive wildlife – from shorebirds to harbor seals and adorable sea otters.
Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn (Big Sur)
Visitors flock to Big Sur for its majestic views, enchanting experiences and deep immersion into nature. One property that encapsulates Big Sur’s aura is Deetjen’s Big Sur. The quirky, rustic inn features 1930s hand-built Norwegian cabins with no technology (yes, you won’t find TV, Wi-Fi or cell service here), a candlelit restaurant and a beautiful garden nestled within Big Sur’s mystical foliage. Look for the journal in your room, where guests from around the world have shared their thoughts and messages for more than six decades. Contribute your own stories with a stay at this tranquil retreat.
Treebones Resort (Big Sur)
If glamping is more your style, stay at Treebones Resort, located along the rolling hills of Big Sur’s coast. The remote, family-owned eco-resort offers unique lodging options like yurts, a treehouse, a tiny house and an autonomous tent. For an even more rustic and quirky stay, pick one of its campsites featuring a hut made from massive twigs or a bird’s nest designed for human-size occupants. Beyond its expansive opportunities to connect with nature, the resort offers a range of on-site amenities, including dining, a sushi bar, massages, a pool and weekly yoga offerings.
Ready to book your stay? Explore all of Monterey County’s diverse lodging options.