Hotel Review: Carmel Valley Ranch

Introduction | Carmel Valley Ranch

This treasured resort is basically a sprawling 500-acre resort nestled in the heart of Carmel Valley, complete with its own 18-hole golf course, a series of swimming pools (one is 18+ only with a complete infinity jacuzzi), tennis courts, basketball courts and three on-site restaurants. It’s one of the very few hotels that caters to all clienteles, even dogs!

This place is more than just a hotel - or a luxury ranch I should say. Carmel Valley Ranch also boasts a lovely vineyard, a farm where one can check out organic produce, a ton of bees that make some amazing honey and lavender that is spread all over the resort, as well as a playground that young adults, kids and pets alike can play and roam free. In essence, it’s like a really nice playground for adults and kids that contains some of the nicest old-fashioned rope swings and bonfire pits for you to join throughout the day. What a place.

Check In | | Carmel Valley Ranch

This all-suite property features 139 suites, all featuring cathedral ceilings, fireplaces and private decks. This by itself made our visit so relaxing, as my wife and I were able to roam freely across the living room and bedroom without disturbing each other’s readings and meditation.

While there are eight different types of suites to choose from, we were given the lovely Santa Lucia Suite, aka room #237. Our 1,100 square foot one-bedroom suite (#110) included a king bed, a comfortable queen-size pullout sofa in the living room for the girls, two fireplaces and large wrap around deck.

Rooms are decorated in soft tones and feature flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and Keurig coffeemakers. Enormous, immaculate bathrooms with soaking tubs and separate walk-in showers provide space to relax, along with small private decks and travertine fireplaces.

Perched on a hill only a one-minute walk from the main lodge, pool and bonfire pits, our amazing Ranch Suite with King Bed felt like a luxury treehouse overlooking the expanse. Just check out the pictures below - you’ll know why.

Amenities | Carmel Valley Ranch

There are a whole host of activities on property to choose from (from cooking demonstrations, tennis lessons, yoga, exercise classes, candle making to soap making) that you have no reason to ever leave. However, a lot of the classes require payment, so be kind to your wallet and be wary of the pricing on some activities. My wife and I ended up going to candle making class, which was both incredibly tranquil and quite intriguing at the same time. While it did cost us a bit of money, we brought back 6 candles and memories that we won’t forget!

Carmel Valley Ranch is away from it all to feel like its own enclave yet in fact the ranch is located less than eight miles away from the quaint town of Carmel-by-the-sea, the lovely and gorgeous beaches of Big Sur as well as the Pebble Beach golf course. My wife and I were able to tour and walk freely around this 500 acre haven of nature and connect with the many couples and families that were also enjoying the campus.

Since we were there for the 4th of July weekend, we did expect a few more families - however, it never felt crowded to us. In addition, the vast landscapes of the lavender fields were in full bloom and they smelled spectacular.

Conclusion | Carmel Valley Ranch

All in all, the Carmel Valley Ranch is a 500-acre property offering modern luxury in a rustic, bucolic setting, with tall oak trees, organic gardens, and rolling vineyards. The Carmel Valley Ranch is an ideal central base to explore Monterey and Big Sur. An extremely family- friendly resort with a slew of activities, incredible food and rustically luxurious suites. You can’t go wrong.