Carmel Valley Hotels: 5 Great Finds for Wine Tasting & Relaxing

Carmel Valley hotels offer you a chance to get close to the wine tasting action in this up-and-coming wine region. You will find a variety of options here from winery resort gems to more budget-friendly finds.

This area is located about 15 to 20 minutes from the quaint coastal town of Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Below are five of my favorites in the area. Read on to learn more about each one and to find the best one for your stay.

Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.

Map of My Recommendations Around Carmel Valley 

1. Bernardus Lodge and Spa
2. Carmel Valley Ranch - In the Unbound Collection by Hyatt
3. Hidden Valley Inn
4. Stonepine Estate Resorts
5. Contenta Inn

1. Bernardus Lodge & Spa

You will feel as if you have landed in a slice of heaven when you stay at the Bernardus Lodge & Spa, one of the top Carmel Valley hotels. Basically, everything you could imagine is right at your doorstep. This includes feather bedding in each room, a stunning limestone fireplace, and best of all, a 2-person soaking tub!

Even though Carmel has some of the best restaurants in all of the Carmel Valley area, sometimes you just feel like hanging out and relaxing after a long day, and this is the perfect place to do it. The Lucia Restaurant and Bar has an amazing wine list with choices from all over the world, and the food is made from local and organic ingredients.

For those that want to get in a bit of fun and games while you are here, check out their croquet lawn and bocce ball court. You can get a workout at their gym and swimming pool. The Bernardus Lodge & Spa also has two tennis courts for your pleasure.

If you really want to relax and just treat yourself like a king or a queen, then a stop at the Spa at Bernardus is a must during your stay. This spa features sauna rooms, a juice bar, a workout room, and of course, massage and body treatments. If you need to look your best before a night out on the town, they also have a full-service beauty salon.

The Bernardus has a pet-friendly policy, flat screen TVs, free wifi, and free parking.

It is located at 415 West Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley.

>> Click for recent guest reviews, additional pictures and room availability

2. Carmel Valley Ranch

If you are looking for the very best of the best, then the Carmel Valley Ranch is going to the be place for you. Anyone who has stayed here has raved about the rooms and the views on this 500-acre countryside resort, no matter the season.

Some of the amenities you will enjoy in the rooms include a fireplace, 42-inch flat screen TV, a refrigerator, free wifi, and so much more. Guests rave about the soundproof rooms since they feel as if they are in their own private world.

If you decide to stay in one of the amazing suites, you will also love the private decks, which allow you to have some of the most amazing views imaginable. They also have special bathrooms that have two soaking tubs and two different showers. If you've never had the chance to do this, trust me—once you try it, you will feel so relaxed that you'll never want to leave.

If you want to get a bit of a workout when you stay here, you'll have many choices as they have 2 heated outdoor pools, 9 tennis courts, and a golf course where you can take golf lessons. They even have yoga classes.

As would be expected from one of the very best resorts in the area, you will love being able to use their well-stocked gym. When your muscles get tired, you'll then want to rejuvenate in their full-service spa with everything you could desire.

When you get hungry they have an array of dining options, including a cafe, a market and creamery, the Valley Kitchen restaurant, and the Clubhouse Grill.

It is located at One Old Ranch Road in Carmel Valley.

>> Visit here for more details on the Carmel Valley Ranch

3. Hidden Valley Inn

Hidden Valley Inn is a favorite of guests who like to stay in Carmel Valley Village and leave the car behind. A bit less ritzy than the first two on this list, the guests say it is a wonderful place to stay. They love the cozy boutique style of this bed and breakfast and the fact that there is so much to do.

Many of their guests say that the amenities are some of the best for the value. The rooms include cable TV, wifi, flat-screen TVs, and wonderful views of either the pool, garden, or mountains around it. If you want even more quiet time, you can book a room with a private deck.

The Hidden Valley Inn offers free coffee and pastries each morning. People also love that they can just walk down to Carmel Valley Village and choose from the 22 wine tasting rooms and many great restaurants.

For those who want to work out a bit and burn off some of the calories while on vacation, they have an outdoor heated swimming pool with beach chairs and umbrellas, as well as lawn games like cornhole and Big Jenga.

The Hidden Valley Inn is located at 102 West Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley.

>> More details including room availability and pricing

4. Stonepine Estate Resorts

Another one of the luxurious Carmel Valley hotels is Stonepine Estate Resorts. An easy 1-mile walk to the Carmel Valley Village and a 13-mile drive to the stunning town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, you will get the best of both worlds with loads of restaurants, art galleries, and wine tasting rooms in this area.

Even though it is close to the towns around it, people love that there is so much wildlife to see and experience during their stay here. The views are breathtaking and there are many activities for you to choose from when you stay at Stonepine.

Some of these include horseback riding, the pool, fitness center, outdoor tennis court, the spa, and more. You can even use their complimentary bicycles to cruise around the area and down to the village. They also have a library if you want to find a book and just relax.

Guests appreciate that it is a completely smoke-free estate, so you can be sure to stay healthy and be comfortable at the same time. 

The suites are spacious, elegant, and nicely outfitted, with king size beds for your enjoyment. Breakfast is complimentary and there is a restaurant on site. Wifi is included in the rooms and throughout the resort.

Last but not least, check out their special "Stonepine Estate Experience" that includes amazing additions such as being taken on a chauffeured tour of the local area in Stonepine's amazing Rolls Royce. You might want to try the "Carmel Valley Wine Discovery" which includes a cheese and meat plate for two, wine tasting at three local wineries, and a delicious dinner to finish off the evening.

Stonepine Estate Resorts is located at 150 East Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley.

>> Find out more about reviews and staying at Stonepine

5. Contenta Inn

Known for being situated in just the right location, with a short 12-mile drive to Carmel, and a quick 15-mile drive down to Big Sur, the Contenta is a another one of the wonderful Carmel Valley hotels that might be perfect for you on your visit to this gorgeous area.

Each of the 19 rooms is equipped with free wifi and faces towards the outdoor pool and spa which is located in their garden. The pool is heated during the winter months and they have a year-round hot tub for you to relax in and enjoy the outdoors.

You will have your choice between a queen-sized or king-sized bed, with some rooms having two queens for your convenience. Parking is on-site and complimentary to all who stay here. It is also pet-friendly.

They serve coffee and pastries every morning so you can relax and take your time. Guests rave about how quiet, and private, they feel when they stay at the Contenta Inn and how easy it is to get to the nearby shops and restaurants.

If you've been to this area before, you might recognize the Contenta Inn as it was formally known as the Acacia Lodge and the Canary Cottages.

The Contenta Inn is located at 20 Via Contenta in Carmel Valley.

>> More on staying at the Contenta Inn

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