Ocean Avenue between Lincoln St. and Monte Verde St., Carmel, California, United States | (618) 248-8274
Historic property; the first hotel in the charming Carmel-by-the-Sea
Prime location just four blocks from the ocean
Ample hot and cold breakfast provided Monday through Friday
Clean rooms have antique furnishings and large flat-screen TVs
Italian restaurant and bakery on-site
Free parking
Free Wi-Fi
Parking is first-come, first-served with limited spaces
Decor is dated
No elevators, which could be an issue for guests with limited mobility
No air-conditioning in rooms
Thin walls, and street-facing rooms can be noisy
No food or drinks allowed in (gorgeous) lobby
This upper-middle-range, 49-room hotel is situated in the charming town of Carmel, just four blocks from the beach. The historic 1889 property features antique and ornate furnishings throughout the few public spaces and in the rooms. Guests rooms vary in size, but all feature similar traditional (some would say outdated) furnishings in reds, greens, and floral prints. There's an on-site Italian restaurant and bakery serving free breakfast during the week, but not much else in way of amenities. It's a solid, cozy option for guests wanting to explore the area, but for a slightly more modern hotel, the nearby L'Auberge Carmel is worth checking out.
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Scene
Ornate and striking antique furnishings in the hotel and guestrooms
A designated Historical Resource by the city, the Pine Inn was the first hotel in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It was built in 1889 and 16 years later was moved on pine logs to its current location up the hill. Highlighting its history, the hotel exudes an old-world charm that some guests love while others think could be updated for more modern furnishings. The red carpeted stairs in the entrance lead to a stunning lobby filled with various red fabric in the plush sofas, scoop armchairs and patterned carpet. Gilded black furniture, an oriental armoire with gold detailing, and fireplace are also present. Unfortunately, guests aren't allowed to eat or drink anything while in the lobby.Aside from the on-site restaurant Il Fornaio, the only other public space is a small atrium area with white wooden walls and a few metal tables. The charming town and hotel typically attracts guests that are couples exploring the surrounding area.
Location
In the adorable town of Carmel, ideally situated downtown near the ocean
Pine Inn Hotel is located in downtown Carmel, a charming, quaint town with plenty of restaurants, bars, and cute shopping boutiques within walking distance. The hotel has limited free parking in its lot, so if you're lucky enough to snag a spot, you can leave your car and walk to explore the area. The ocean is a short five- to 10-minute walk away. Guests can easily head to popular spots in the surrounding area like the Monterey Bay Aquarium (17-minute drive) and Pebble Beach Golf Course (10-minute drive.) The Monterey Regional Airport is 15 minutes away driving.
Rooms
Clean, traditional rooms with French-inspired but dated furnishings and no air-conditioning
Rooms at Pine Inn are outfitted primarily in reds, greens and floral prints; solid bedspreads over the pillow-top mattresses and floral headboards on colored carpet create a very traditional feel. The decor looks a bit more outdated than it does charmingly old-fashioned, though. Classic wooden furniture, including pretty armoires are standard, as are flat-screen TVs and toiletries. Room sizes and views vary but most have white-tiled bathrooms with shower/tub combos. Suites, like the Queen Suite, are much larger and feature separate living room spaces and dining room tables; it even has its own fireplace. There's no air-conditioning, but there are ceiling and pedestal fans. Note that there's no elevator, which could cause a problem for guests with limited mobility. Many guests have also complained about thin walls and noise, particularly for street-facing rooms.
Features
The on-site restaurant serves an ample hot and cold breakfast during the week
There's not much in way of amenities at the hotel, aside from the on-site restaurant Il Fornaio. An ample breakfast including eggs, bacon, french toast and assorted pastries is free Monday through Friday, but guests have to pay for it on the weekends. It serves lunch and dinner and acts as a bakery and coffee shop each morning. A pretty atrium area is at the hotel, but there are only a couple of chairs and a bench. There's also one meeting room available.
