I loved our stay there... My husband and I went there with our two daughters (1 &5). We stayed in a 2 room cottage and it was awesome. My 5 yearl old loved it! The fireplace was great and they provide the wood so that was great too... It was a little small, but we managed. My only complaint is that there was not a DVD like it stated on the website, BUT there were AV hookups and an input channel that we could have brought our own, or even a game system. I couldn't be happier with my experience, I did not want to leave and am already planning another trip there, but for longer this time!

I've been travelling to the Monterey/Carmel Area about once a month for the past twelve years. About a year and a half ago I started staying at the Carmel River Inn because I needed to take my dog with me on business trips.

Staying at the cottages is great. The remodeled cottages are especially wonderful. One night I came back to my cottage room and found my dog curled up on his bed by the gas fireplace. The flickering light from the fireplace and the overall warmth and quality of the room made me pause because it just seemed too nice a setting to be a business trip. My dog was so comfortable and deeply asleep that he didn't wake up until I'd gotten ready for bed and switched on the TV to catch some news. Wow!

These new cottages have it all; whirlpool tubs, extra large separate showers, beautiful tile, thermostatically controlled fireplace, LCD TV, DVD player, refrigerator, microwave, nice furnishings, and acres of grounds to walk your best friend.

The staff are very friendly and helpful. I've really become spoiled by this place! I'm sure Coach (my dog) agrees.
See my pictures - and they don't do it justice.

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.