Colonial Terrace Inn by the Sea

We drove all the way to Carmel with me lying across the back seat because I was so sick from food poisoning, only to learn that the hotel had cancelled our reservation and rebooked the room in less than a day. The day before, my husband had asked whether we could move the booking and was told no. He also asked what refund we’d get if we cancelled, and they said 50%. He clearly told them not to cancel, and that we’d try to work something out with Hotels.com. At the desk, we asked to speak to the manager. The staff member gave us her email address instead, and said the manager was driving and unavailable until later. The manager never spoke with us. The desk then called another hotel and said it had a room for us, but when we arrived there were no rooms available. We called back and were told that offer had been 34 minutes ago. No one had asked them to hold it. The whole thing was incredibly upsetting, and the customer service was awful. I felt like I was getting sick all over again trying to take it in. I’d stayed here before with my sister and had a good time, which is why this gets two stars.

The complimentary rides into town were handy, running until 9 PM, and it’s only about five minutes away by car. Just keep in mind that shops and restaurants close early during the week. Monterey and Big Sur are also an easy drive, and we had a great time exploring both. It was our first trip to NorCal, and the stay made it unforgettable. We’d happily come back. Carmel Beach Hotel felt like a charming little bed and breakfast, with the beach just steps away and visible from the property. Staff were so kind, especially on the quieter weekdays, and they made my friends feel welcome. They also took care of a few maintenance issues right away. The creative mocktails were made by different staff each day and were delicious. We enjoyed gathering in the cozy lobby for spiced popcorn and infused water, and fresh cookies were delivered to our room every day. The beach was beautiful in both the cold, windy afternoon and the sunny morning. We could walk on the sand to the right or take a peaceful boardwalk stroll to the left. Room service was available too. I enjoyed the steel cut oats, breakfast potatoes and grapefruit juice. My friend liked the avocado toast, though she thought the bread was quite thick. The breakfast area was cozy, with a fireplace.

The location is quiet, safe and relaxing, with the beach an easy walk away. That was the main thing I liked. We also walked several blocks to restaurants after waiting for the car service, which always seemed to be busy. I booked an “ocean front room” for my birthday and expected more for the price. The ocean view was minimal, the rooms felt very outdated, and there were few amenities. There was no birthday welcome or small celebration in the room. Food service was limited, and the small bar closed early. There were no complimentary arrival drinks either. I wanted the place to exceed my expectations for Carmel, but I was really disappointed and wouldn’t recommend it. It’s very overpriced for what you get.

The room was nicely appointed, but the service was horrible, and the price was ridiculous. We had no air conditioning when we checked in. They said they’d fix it, then it still wasn’t working the next day. We’re checking out tomorrow, so at least we won’t have to deal with it after that. We also couldn’t get any of the major TV networks, including NBC, CBS, ABC or Fox, and there was no college football. The complimentary robes might fit if you’re under five feet and weigh less than 100 pounds. Avoid this place.