Bernardus Lodge

If you’re on the hunt for sumptuous luxury, look no further than the Bernadus Lodge. Situated outside of town on Carmel Valley Road, this spot will pamper, wine and dine you in fabulous style. The suites are oversized havens, decorated with warm woods, soft prints and cushy feather beds.  The idyllic setting is rimmed with trees and sloping hills, giving visitors the feeling of being miles away from it all.  Be a lazybones and soak in the sun at poolside, or make like the English and play a game of croquet on the well-manicured lawn. For an extra special treat, book a massage – or two - in the sumptuous adjacent spa.  There’s even a gorgeous restaurant on the premises, complete with a huge stone fireplace and a sweeping view of the grounds. Executive chef Cal Stamenov combines local ingredients and a European flair to create inventive, farm-fresh dishes that ooze charm and goodness. The lodge is owned by the same people who make Bernadus wine, so you’ll have a fabulous wine list to choose from. Soak, sun and smooch… what more could you ask for?!

The Cypress Inn

Doris Day is just one of the celebrities who has made her home in this charming swatch of Northern California Coast. She was involved in building The Cypress Inn in 1929, and this stylish and elegant hotel is still a much-desired place to lodge. It isn’t hard to see why: the building looks like something that might be found on a grand Spanish hacienda, all thick walls and rustic, exposed beams. Vibrantly colored bougainvillea covers the outside walls and courtyard, and the lobby floor is paved with ornate ceramic tiles.  The front room has soaring ceilings, striking artwork and a cheerful fireplace where you can warm your hands after the chill of the beach. Afternoon tea, should you be so inclined, is served daily between 2:00-3:45pm. For pre-dinner cocktails, don’t miss the charming Library Bar, nestled just beyond the front desk and beautifully decorated with framed movie posters of Doris in her heyday. The rooms are tastefully decorated, with plush bedding and plenty of little extras.  Bonus: don’t want to leave your darling pooch behind? Amazingly enough, this grand hotel is dog-friendly, so Fluffy can join you.

The Briarwood Inn

If you like complete privacy, you’ll love The Briarwood Inn. Located smack in the heart of Carmel, the Inn is actually a network of seven separate suites, each with it’s own entrance. It feels as if you were renting a mini-cottage, and though this arrangement might not sound posh, the suites are quite well-appointed with luxury bed linens and extras like CD players and fireplaces. Some even have full kitchens, stocked with wineglasses, corkscrews and basic utensils, perfect for whipping up that midnight snack. In the morning, the office cottage offers a continental breakfast spread (which they will also deliver to your room, if desired) that includes fresh seasonal fruit, a selection of breads and pastries, and freshly brewed coffee.  The Inn is perfectly situated for walking to nearly everything in Carmel, so if you’re so inclined, you can park the car and not get in again until you’re ready to leave!

The Lodge At Pebble Beach & The Inn at Spanish Head

These properties are last on the list, not because of grandeur or style (they have both, in abundance), but because the price tag is ever-so-steep. And yet. Sometimes it’s worth it to go all out, and over-the-top extravagance is just what you’ll get at these properties. The Lodge presides over the most prime property on 17 Mile Drive in the exclusive community of Pebble Beach, the Inn at Spanish Head is tucked deeper into the pines. The impact of the ocean view from either of these luxury resorts simply can’t be understated – the rocky coastline twists and wraps into a craggy squiggle around the edges of the grounds, and the ocean sends tremendous waves crashing into the cliffs, spraying white, foamy water high into the air. You will be transfixed, but not enough to overlook the other non-natural amenities: four golf courses, tennis courts, and hiking trails are just some of the offerings. The Inn at Spanish Head features a 22,000-square-foot, full-service spa and salon, nestled in the fragrant heart of the Del Monte Forest. The suites are generously appointed and the furnishings are grand and elegant, accented with overstuffed pillows and lush potted plants. First-class restaurants and cafés are on-premises of each property, and a bevy of courteous staff is happy to attend to your every need. We can’t imagine a much more beautiful place to unwind and relax in the whole wide world. Romantic? Oh, baby.