Ground is pretty but the finishes inside the rooms are def not Mandarin or Four Seasons level. Absolutely brilliant stay, fantastic activities, Carmel Valley Ranch the Unbound Collection By Hyatt. Your best bet is drive up towards Mendocino and stay at Heritage House Resort and spa. Phone: 858-674-4480. There are also social membership options available for those looking to use the wonderful River Ranch children and adult pools, tennis courts, bocce ball, basketball courts, snack bar, gym, and much more. If you're arriving by air, the closest airport is Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), about a 20-minute drive from the resort. The hotel portion of the property has just under 50 rooms. You job is to review hotels, so I get why you booked the property. In addition to this, All-Inclusive Members receive monthly complimentary Refuge admission(s)*. But, where should you stay? Carmel Valley Ranch will be our go to lodging next time we are there! For what its worth: Heres the sheet I was given highlighting everything that wasnt available: The lobby was dead, because nothing there was open. Looks like you got the most basic room at the hotel. Now that the customers are more choosy they don't realize they are bleeding business to places that still care about the guests experience. TPG values a single World of Hyatt point to be worth, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. On such a large property, it's not particularly hard to find yourself secluded from other guests. When it comes to exploring Carmel Valley, you could stay 1-2 nights depending on how much you want to do. Service 4.4. While I realize stuff is often priced based on the location, I (stupidly?) With over sixteen years of fitness and nutrition training and experience, I pride myself on diversity, not only with my method and style, but with my clientele. Previously, Travis was a Director at PCMA. If you ever find yourself in the area I highly suggest you check this place out. During peak season, cash rates at the property can start well over $1,000 for a base Vineyard Studio. Why? I completely agree with Ric, in that the Point Lobos Suite is sensational. Dear G0urmet101,Thank you for providing a personal review of Carmel Valley Ranch and for choosing our property. You will not find a better team of tennis professionals anywhere! Id consider going to the hotels restaurant at some point down the road for the great views, but I wouldnt otherwise consider staying here again, unless something changed significantly. My husband and I stayed here about 5 years ago and had a nice time. Oh, the Hyatt Carmel Highlands. Worry about one less meal and keep on track with delicious wraps, salads, sandwiches and more! Soups and appetizers are great too. (Hint: Once you pass the pedestrian bridge above, the lodge is located immediately to the right.). ), How One Hyatt Is Cracking Down On Club Lounge Abusers, Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners, I figured since my mom and I were were flying all the way from Florida, we might as well spend five days on the ground, and the Alila Ventana only had award availability for three nights, Carmel is such a cute town, and this hotel is only a short drive away, Since we were flying out of SFO, this would make our travel day a bit easier on the way back, and would mean we wouldnt have to leave the Alila Ventana Big Sur super early, My friend Matthew from Live and Lets Fly, The hotel was still selling at least two standard suites (the most that will show through the Hyatt app) at the time of check-in, but I didnt fight back too much, My stay still hasnt posted well over a week later, and neither have my bonus points for not being offered breakfast, Couldnt they at least have a limited room service menu, at least over certain hours, that can be ordered from? We ate off property one of the nights, and we also ate in the restaurant there. Bernardus Lodge and Spa: Wonderful Anniversary Overnight! Tickle Pink Inn (next door), nearly half the price with the same ocean view. If you enjoy your golf experience in Carmel Valley Ranch, you might consider being a golf member. The property itself is a bit old but I wouldn't call it rundown. We were also able to have a nice meal delivered from Carmel for dinner. Just when you think the Ranch is at its bestmore improvements are made!The same goes for the valet team when parking or retrieving cars up at Valley Kitchen. Another might be the wonderful restaurant and bar. We expected so much more. Have no desire of staying at his hotel after reading this review. Hyatt Carmel Highlands ocean view king room bathroom, Hyatt Carmel Highlands ocean view king room bathroom window. Poke was almost pureed, not chunky pieces, minestrone was bland. If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. The hotel amenity that impressed me most (well, assuming were not considering the view an amenity) was the gym, which actually had good equipment and was a decent size. @Ben - as a high profile blogger, I can only assume you will hear from Hyatt Corporate and/or the hotel GM or the like at some point about this negative (and extremely fair) review. Complimentary bottle of sparkling and chocolates upon arrival. How do you in good conscience sell a room for $500 per night with literally no services? GOLF! Maybe it's because we only paid $230/night (even less after a successful best rate guarantee) here's a contrarian opinion of this property. The restaurant closure is killer. Read More . The golf courses are both lovely but different Quail is much more flat and walkable, whereas Carmel Valley Ranch has dramatic undulation with beautiful views and golf shots. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. (More on that later.). This business uses tools provided by Tripadvisor (or one of its official Review Collection Partners) to encourage and collect guest reviews, including this one. Travis McCabe is a Director, Membership at Carmel Valley Ranch based in Carmel, California. Best card for premium perks while traveling, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express. She was great, really knew her stuff, and was so personable. Strengthen and lengthen your entire body by learning to develop and use your core stabilization muscles. Some of the mid level hotels are downright terrible for the price. Our small quaint club has blossomed into a vibrant and diverse community with so much to offer. Although our room looked much better than yours, much more luxurious. 2) This is especially true during Covid, as many travelers who may fly internationally cant I loved the actual wood burning fireplaces and numerous Jacuzzis. The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards. Much of this growth can be attributed to our latest owners and the incredible team of people who have been here to make it all happen. This property is fairly large between the hotel and timeshare portion, yet the entire hotel only has one pool, which isnt even particularly large. There are even more places your Platinum Card can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks. I probably wouldn't pay 30k points or $500 to stay here but ~$250/night is a fair price. I honestly told her I thought it was a dump. Here's the good (and not so good) of my stay at the Carmel Valley Ranch. IME, even with services, the sole reason for the cost is the view. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. This would guide future booking decisions at other properties (for better or for worse Id like to think for the better). All rooms at Carmel Valley Ranch are well-appointed and have outdoor terraces or balconies. The Hyatt Carmel Highlands has breathtaking views. Wineries. But its the plush beds dressed in crisp, white linens that will guarantee a proper nights slumber, to have you feeling right and proper for the next day. See more about our ethics policies here. Hacienda lodging accommodations. The unprecedented service you experienced brings a smile to my face and I will be sure to personally thank our membership team for going above and beyond. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); THE HEINRICH TEAM The grounds are beautiful with lush oak trees and . Travis was awesome in getting us set up and we are loving it. We then went to our room, and about an hour later I received a text stating that my villa was ready (rather than my room), so I figured that maybe they had found a room to upgrade us to. By the way, if the pool isn't heated, it's pretty much useless. The stay was either free of very cheap because it was one of those timeshare come-ons where you have to spend an hour listening to their sales pitch. You can visit the corral and equestrian center to get up close with animals. $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. As mentioned above, the hotel has several buildings. @joepro the PH in Sydney had some excellent specials last year. Views can vary greatly from room to room. This was my go-to spot for a post-hike soak. It takes a fair, experienced, gracious and dedicated membership director to keep everyone happy and that is exactly what she does. We were stunned at the abysmal conditions for a luxury hotel. Would you consider staying at the Hyatt Carmel Highlands? Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Spoiler alert: It didn't quite compare to Miraval, but it also didn't come with its nightly rate that's about double the cost. Get discounts on dining & resort stays, enjoy unlimited golf to a Spa Aiyana treatment and much more with our spa, family and golf memberships! I really wanted some time for some rest and relaxation without having to leave the room if I did not want to; after all the view is spectacular! Will keep this hotel off my list. Many of these activities come with an extra fee, but each day, there are several complimentary ones. Carmel Valley Ranch, Quail Lodge & Golf Club, and The Preserve Golf Club are the top choices for the area. What's a bit strange is that the lodge doesn't feel like your traditional hotel lobby. Over the past year, just 9 homes have been sold in the ranch with an average days on market of just 26 days. (Photo by Chris Dong/The Points Guy). We had a fine stay at Carmel Highlands for 1 night on our way to Ventana. I will also pass along your kind words to Chef Time and the clubhouse staff. Follow directions to CA-1 S, then turn onto Carmel Valley Road, or G16. After repeat relaxing visits and stays, we also decided to join as members. 3. How can the hotel justify that? Carmel Valley Ranch the Unbound Collection By Hyatt: Membership - See 2,488 traveler reviews, 966 candid photos, and great deals for Carmel Valley Ranch the Unbound Collection By Hyatt at Tripadvisor. I am even happier to welcome you to our ranch family and will personally thank Travis for his service to you. Outside, there's seating for two but no fireplace or soaking tub seen in other room types. A free tennis assessment is given by our Tennis Director. Besides, a 26-min drive from the resort is Pebble Beach. So awesome. There were just as many outdoor dining tables as there were indoor. There are several inter club and usta teams for men, women or children to join if competitive tennis is your thing. Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card. Would not return. You can get to Point Lobos in 15 minutes Stay instead at the nearby 500-acre Hyatt Carmel Valley Ranch, which offers the food, service, maintenance, charm, kickin' pools, hiking, beekeeping classes, goats, chickens, free s'mores, and serenity that this place does not. We have been members at Carmel Valley Ranch for nearly 20 years. (Photo by Chris Dong/The Points Guy), Bedroom. And after a while, I figured out why. That room was massive, with a hot tub, a full kitchen, 2 bathrooms and of course the view! The views are incredible and the restaurant food was actually very good. They usually have a tidy stack of incredibly fragrant hardwood. The courts are in tip top shape! With all of these amenities and beautiful scenery it is no wonder why Carmel Valley Ranch has experienced such strong market activity in recent months. The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered. When they bought the property back in 2014, they promised to a "grand renovation" that would be completed by 2016. But thanks for calling out the decrepit state; that's inexcusable. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. River Ranch is accessed by shuttle bus, or you can walk the mile or so from the lodge. Hotel after reading this review exactly what she does just as many outdoor dining tables as there were as... Outdoor dining tables as there were indoor figured out why completely agree with Ric in. Your thing a while, I figured out why extra fee, but each day there... Secluded from other guests `` grand renovation '' that would be completed by 2016 see option! 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