GETAWAYS • Carmel-by-the-Sea
The once-sleepy town of Carmel-by-the-Sea is waking up with the addition of newcomers like lauded fine-dining restaurant Chez Noir and luxury stay Stilwell Hotel. The latter, a 42-key getaway, is a fresh alternative to the town’s Tudor-style cottages, with breezy courtyards, lush landscaping, and multiple seating areas centered on fire pits and custom-built fountains, including a standout 20-by-18-foot living water wall.
Guests are greeted with a glass of bubbly (perks also include free parking and golf club storage) and personally escorted to their rooms, which feature clean lines, crisp finishes, and contemporary styling, some with gas fireplaces, soaking tubs and Juliet balconies. The hotel is just a few blocks from Ocean Ave’s main drag and a 10-plus minute walk to the beach. Chairs and picnic baskets are available on request.
The hotel is also home to Carmel’s other new fine-dining restaurant Foray, which offers an à la carte and tasting menu. In the morning, a complimentary European-style breakfast is on offer, just the fuel you need for a long walk on the beach or coastal drive. –Allison McCarthy
→ Stilwell Hotel (Carmel-by-the-Sea) • San Carlos St & Fifth Ave • Rooms from $489/night.
Photo: Robert Miller