We have just returned from our anual Valentines Day getaway at the Carmel River Inn. For the last three years on this special romantic day, we have enjoyed a wonderful & peaceful time together as always.
This Beautiful Inn is right off of Highway 1, nestled in trees of Carmel and not very far from Big Sur. When staying at the Carmel River Inn, I would highly recommend staying in the cottages. The Cottage we stayed in had its own jacuzzi bath tub, gas heater/fireplace, little fridge, microwave, coffee maker, and all the essentails you add for your own personal touch.
Carmel's world famous Ocean Avenue is very close by with all of it's fine dining and shops if thats what you are looking for or there is the beautiful Carmel Beach close by.
We did not have enough time this trip to take everything in, but we also know we have something to look forward to our next "Valentine's Day" visit.

"What An Awesome Romantic Get-A-Way"

Several members of my family and I rented a number of the cabins. The older cabins have ripped industrial carpeting and drafty windows. The ceilings and walls in the first cabin were uninsulated (December) and we moved to another. The bed was large but squeaky and the bathroom had no vent. Most of the older cabins look like the inside of a double wide trailer. Many places have missing cultery, or no matches, or no washing up soap.
The updated ones still have issues (Fireplaces that don't turn off and holey upholstery). The grounds are gorgeous, but that doesn't make up for the no-tell-motel feeling of the place.
They are in the process of "updating" many of the "cabins" (really little more than migrant worker sheds that have been insulated) but if they hope to draw customers back for a second stay they need to change what they consider to be acceptable standards.

I've lived in foreign countries and have stayed in some pretty questionable places that have been more acceptable than this for this price.. But I wouldn't stay here again.

We loved this little place! It was perfect and we had our own little cottage. I was a little hesitant after I read the some reviews. We had our own room plus a separated kitchen and a small bathroom. It was great for the dog and she loved the place. They are updating many units but we stayed in an older one and thought it was great. We will definitely stay again!!!!!!

LOVELY setting...we stayed for 2 nights in the largest cottage - Number 26. 2 bedrooms, a kitchen, a nice size living room with a fireplace and 1 bathroom. PROS: Beautiful surroundings and a nice walk to the Carmel Mission. Hammocks for sitting in the forest area. Quiet location a PLUS...Location was great as its minutes to downtown Carmel and close to Carmel Valley too. CONS: The place is old I'll tell you that much - so in colder months (like October when we went), the heater will go on and off ALLnight long because the cold air comes in through the front door and all through the windows. Noisy indeed...The service was a bit slow as the glass coffee pot was cracked on the spout and it took 45 minutes and 3 calls to the front desk to get a new one. NO breakfast served, even a small continental breakfast would have been nice. Only 1 order your breakfast restaraunt in town and 2 small ones in Carmel with lines out the door. Who wants to cook on vacation - NOT me. I would be willing to pay a bit more for an updating cottage - photos of Carmel would be a nice touch.