L'Auberge Carmel

Great location for Carmel by the sea getaway. Delightful intimate center courtyard capturing a French boutique hotel. Our first floor room overlooked the courtyard which we enjoyed however can be noisy as outdoor breakfast set up starts at 8:00 AM. There is a limited breakfast menu included with the room during our two night stay with option to dine in room or outside. The breakfasts were delicious, we especially enjoyed the blueberry compote. One morning the bacon was burned and they graciously brought more bacon. Hotel offers cosy bar area with fireplace creating nice ambiance for after dinner drink. We dined at Aubergine which was a culinary adventure and highlight of our stay. Overall staff was courteous. Monica at the front desk was welcoming and responsive to any requests.

Not really what I would consider a L'Auberge quality hotel at all. There rooms are fine, but there is no place to lounge, to just be and enjoy. The patio only works if the weather is nice, which is challenging for Carmel. The location is great for access the charm of the town. But really, it is rather a drag of a place to stay with no amenities to justify the price. And do not take their recommendations on where to eat and what to do unless it is to avoid their suggestions! They all were very mediocre and not what I would expect from a luxury hotel. For specifics, the "lobby" has two doors that are always open letting in the very cold air. They did not have our room ready by 4 pm and then forgot about us while we were waiting for them - kept asking us who we were and why we were waiting....even though we just spoke to them 10 minutes prior. Crazy lame. They forgot our orders for breakfast, gave us subpar recommendations, they just seemed very disorganized. The rooms are fine, clean, comfortable, but just kinda off about everything. And no ocean view. I would seriously stay some place else, especially for the kind of money they charge.

It’s hard to believe the R&C designation and 5-star rating have not been revoked from this hotel. The historic charm does not compensate for the overall inadequacies, noted by other reviewers, and the issues we personally experienced. Do not expect your stay to even remotely resemble that of other Auberges. Rooms: The rooms are not terribly outdated, but the charm is fading and a remodel is overdue. Pillows are lumpy, walls are dinged, water damage in bar cabinet, no A/C and too noisy to open windows etc.. Not 5 star, or even 4. Staff: Aside from our midnight chat with the downstairs restaurant employees, staff was gracious. Noise: What made the hotel unbearable was the inexcusable and avoidable array of loud noises that went on past midnight and started back up at 7am. We returned from dinner at 9pm to discover the L’Aubergine bar packed, with partiers spilling out into foyer/reception area. For three more hours we had the pleasure of listening to unrelenting pounding EDM music vibrating through the paper thin walls. Over that we could hear entire conversations, as if people were in the next room. Finally at midnight my partner decided to get dressed and personally speak to reception. Turns out the restaurant was long closed; the employees were blasting music and yelling over the loud music. After our complaint, the music was turned down. But, really? Should that be up to the guest? Promptly at 7am we were awakened to a pounding mechanical racket above us, coupled with what sounded like furniture being moved and dropped above us, which lasted until we checked out. We couldn’t wait to get out. For a so-called luxury hotel with a theoretical “strict noise policy at all times,” it was by far the most uncomfortable, taxing hotel stay at any price in recent memory. L’Auberge Carmel, you failed spectacularly.

My husband and I, along with our dog, stayed at La Auberge Carmel this past weekend. Two weeks before our stay, we were informed that the room we originally reserved months in advance was not available because we were bringing our dog. We were switched to Room 9 and had to pay a $250 pet fee (which is not only astronomical but also was not mentioned during the original booking). Our room was directly above the restaurant - we had to call the Front Desk each night to request the music to be turned off. Additionally, we could hear not only every footstep from the room above us but also every time they flushed the toilet. Between the music from below and the noise from above, we barely slept.  Every morning for breakfast, we were delivered a lovely meal to the room and then interrupted an hour later with a phone call or knock at the door asking for the breakfast tray to be placed outside. Our dinner was even interrupted our first night in Carmel from the front desk calling to confirm the breakfast time for the following morning.  For what we paid to stay there, none of these issues should have happened. Location is perfect and the courtyard is seemingly lovely though it's also weird that the bar doesn't open until 5PM.

We have spent many Christmas holidays here over the last 20 years and it never disappoints. Grand old building that is perfectly kept. Perfect location for walking. Professional staff who are always welcoming and helpful. Very highly recommended!