12 Lovely Things About Carmel Valley Ranch
Are you considering a trip to Carmel Valley Ranch? Read on about why this boutique hotel made my list of favorite places I’ve stayed.
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Be sure to visit the organic garden during your stay at Carmel Valley Ranch.
Have you ever dreamed of lounging around in an infinity hot tub that overlooks a vineyard? Girl, meeeeeeee, too.
So, when I recently got the opportunity to stay at the Carmel Valley Ranch for work, I was in heaven. Anytime my work as an event photographer lets me travel, I’m pretty much walking on air, but it’s an extra treat when I get to travel someplace like this.
If you’ve never been, Carmel Valley Ranch is nestled in the hills just outside of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, and the sprawling estate includes multiple pools, a golf course, a vineyard, a spa, an organic garden, lavender fields, hiking trails, and a corral.
Carmel Valley Ranch is a really special place, and they offer so many unique experiences, I wanted to include it in my log of fabulous Lodging experiences. So, without further ado, here are my notes and favorite experiences from our stay at the Carmel Valley Ranch!
The infinity hot tub at Carmel Valley Ranch offers sweeping views of the estate and is open 24 hours.
12 Reasons to Stay at Carmel Valley Ranch
The hot tub is unforgettable.
Does life get better than posting up on a jet in an infinity hot tub that overlooks a vineyard? No, dear readers, it doesn’t, so you should probably just stay in that hot tub.
Carmel Valley Ranch’s most Instagrammed experience is the infinity hot tub, and it is nothing short of epic. It’s also adults only and open 24 hours, and conveniently located by the Lodge.
Even though I knew I was visiting Carmel Valley Ranch as part of a work trip, I made getting in that hot tub one of my top priorities, and it absolutely lived up to my expectations.
It’s worth noting, however, that there’s another delightful hot tub down at the Fitness Center. We also checked this one out, because what sort of blogger would I be without doing a Tour de Tub?
Rosemary lines the paths at Carmel Valley Ranch.
The rooms (yes, all of them) have gas fireplaces.
You don’t know what you’re missing until you start your day by enjoying strong coffee in bed with a roaring fire, or you end your day with a glass of wine by firelight.
Literally, we can’t go back to our normal lives now, and we’ve been trying to figure out a way to have a fireplace in our bedroom at home. So far, it’s just a three-wicked candle, but, you know, baby steps!
Stake out a lounge chair or cabana by the heated pool for the afternoon.
The pools are heated.
As a child, I’d jump into any pool at any temperature. These days, in my old age, there is about a 3-degree temperature range that suits me, so the fact that the pools at Carmel Valley Ranch are heated was an absolute delight. We were also visiting in late February, and there was just enough sunshine during the heat of the day for one to happily rotate between the heated pool and hot tub and back again.
Enjoy sweeping views during your walk through the garden.
There is a lovely organic garden.
These days, I don’t have much time to garden, but that doesn’t mean I don’t delight in a little garden time! Carmel Valley Ranch prides itself on growing and producing many of the restaurants’ ingredients on the 500-acre estate, and you can check out the bees, chickens, and herbs-in-progress at the garden below the Lanch.
Keep an eye out for complimentary artisan honey tastings during your stay at Carmel Valley Ranch.
The experiences at Carmel Valley Ranch are incredible.
There are so many fun, unique, interactive, and informative experiences available to guests at Carmel Valley Ranch, from archery to an up-close-and-personal look at the Ranch’s beehives to catered picnics with Pablo & Paco, some really precious mini-donkeys.
And, while pricy experiences aren’t uncommon at luxury boutique hotels, I also loved that Carmel Valley Ranch offers complimentary experiences as well! Keep an eye out for daily offerings, such as a meet and greet with Pablo & Paco, an artisan honey tasting, yoga classes, and more, and peep in the creamery window when it’s open.
The rolling hills at Carmel Valley Ranch offer challenging hikes with remarkable views.
Carmel Valley Ranch has lovely walking paths and hikes.
Hiking and long walks are two of my favorite ways to get both exercise and fresh air, particularly during a work trip when my schedule is usually very tight and structured.
Fortunately, Carmel Valley Ranch offers both delightful and challenging paths, and the hike up to the corral offers panoramic views and some shade (if the beware of mountain lion signs don’t scare you off!).
I think I could have relaxed on this swing for hours.
You can relax on a tree swing.
Ok, on the scale of all this amazing boutique hotel has to offer, sitting on a swing may not strike you as the most exhilarating, but let me tell you, it is absolutely lovely, and there’s a reason it’s included in the Carmel Valley Ranch logo. There are two swings on the property: one hangs from the giant tree in front of the Lodge, and the other is by the vineyard and lavender field.
Who doesn’t love oversized chess?
There are just great vibes.
Maybe it’s the artisans who take such pride in their work, maybe it’s the thoughtful design and touches at the Ranch, or maybe it’s the adorable donkeys, but there’s more heart and soul at Carmel Valley Ranch than other luxury boutique hotels, which is why I wanted to take a moment to blog about our experience.
Kick back and relax during your stay at Carmel Valley Ranch, and be sure to book a spa treatment!
Spa Aiyana gives a killer massage.
Have you ever had such an incredible massage that you’re not sure whether or not you drooled on yourself?
Our return flight was delayed an additional 24 hours during our trip, and I absolutely used that turn of events as an opportunity to check out the spa at Carmel Valley Ranch. (You may recall that I do love a good spa trip.)
Spa Aiyana makes amazing use of the herbs and products cultivated on the ranch, and I blissed out with the Herbal Hot Rocks massage.
The hilly terrain offers incredible panoramic views.
There are amazing views everywhere.
Because of the hilly terrain, there are incredible views and vantage points all over Carmel Valley Ranch. Enjoy a glass of wine in an Adirondack chair overlooking the vineyard, relax in the infinity hot tub, hike up to the corral, or just kick back on a tree swing: there are so many gorgeous places to press pause and take in the view.
You’ll feel right at home.
The design is both elegant and homey.
Rarely will you hear me say that I felt right at home in any sort of hotel, but there’s a coziness to the Carmel Valley Ranch - maybe it’s my obsession with the in-suite fireplaces talking. The rooms are thoughtfully laid out, the furniture and design touches are lovely, and there are beautiful touches throughout the communal spaces.
Folktale Winery’s grounds are absolutely stunning.
Carmel Valley Ranch is conveniently located a short drive from Carmel-by-the-Sea.
One of my regrets about this being a work trip is that I wish we’d had more time to explore Carmel-by-the-Sea. However, we are really intense travelers and always on the hunt for something cool, and I’ve listed some of our favorite Carmel-by-the-Sea moments below:
Make a reservation at Mission Ranch, which was rescued and restored by Clint Eastwood.
Take a drive down Highway One.
Grab dinner at La Bicyclette.
Do a wine tasting at Folktale’s idyllic tasting room.
Have you been to Carmel Valley Ranch? What are your favorite experiences, dishes, or nearby attractions? Drop ‘em in the comments below!
