the best hotel in carmel :: la playa

you know you picked a good hotel when you spend a

majority of your trip there! in some cities we basically

just need a hotel for a good night's rest and shower

 because we are go - go - go out and about all day

long, but in a town like carmel-by-the-sea you want

to choose a hotel with much more to offer.

carmel is a slow-paced, relaxed town and la playa is 

the absolute ideal place to stay here. i mean it! we stay

in a lot of great hotels, but this was one of my favorites

so i'm really excited to share it and recommend it fully.
it is a hidden gem hotel that feels like home.

here are a few reasons why we loved it & will return..

• it is perfectly situated right near downtown carmel with flawless views of the ocean and just steps from the beach
• it masters the balance of charm and luxury perfectly
• each night they have warm homemade chocolate chip cookies and cold milk in the lobby ... need i say more?
• the breakfast is incredible and complimentary...we're talking fluffy waffles made to order, omelettes, fresh berries, cheese plates, warm croissants, steel cut oats, basically a dream breakfast.. and you get to sit out on the gorgeous deck looking over the ocean as you eat. bonus points!
• the grounds are so enjoyable to stroll, relax, sit by the bonfire, or play games in the lounge area. it's a homey feeling place that you want to hang around and relax in. 

the rooms are simple and lovely, and a view of the ocean

never hurt anybody . . . there is nothing like falling asleep

to the sound of waves, & waking up to a view of the coast.

another perk of waking up at this hotel is the top-notch

breakfast that is included in your stay. let's just say i

was in heaven on the sunny patio with the yummiest

breakfast and best company. it was one of my favorite

settings i've ever had breakfast in on a vacation.

here's the pretty balcony where you can 
enjoy breakfast overlooking the ocean ^^ 

after a lovely breakfast, we'd walk along the main 
beach every morning. it is a breathtaking beach.

this white sand beach really does take your breath away. 
i think it's so stunning here because of the landscape that 
is so unique to this area with the cyprus trees + pretty skies.

^^ those cypress trees, always setting the best scene!

and the best part --- the DOGS. not many beaches

allow dogs, but this does and that makes it one of

the happiest and best beaches i've ever been to.

as you stroll the beach you just see the happiest,

sweetest dogs loving life on the beach in their element!

how cute is this photo? loved these goldens!

haha -- i took so many pictures of the cute dogs . . . i 

think i need to make a book of "dogs on the beach."

we could have watched them play + run + dig forever!

we also loved watching the surfers. carmel has a constant

supply of perfect waves, and it's so fun to watch people

surf. we got a major treat our last morning when there

was a school of dolphins playing and swimming right

in the waves close to shore! if you look closely at the

picture above, you can see dolphins in the waves

on the right just by the surfer. it was amazing!! 

we had gorgeous weather, but at night it really gets

chilly in carmel. this is when i loved our hotel the most, 

because we'd come in to this lovely fire from the rain...

they'd have warm homemade chocolate chip cookies 

and cold milk in the lobby and our room...

and we'd play this new favorite game for HOURS in their
lounge area. so many friendly people & such a great place.

we were so sad to check out of la playa!

the only reason it was okay is that i fully

plan to come back and stay here again.
we love this town and hotel! 
{see more from exploring carmel here..as well as the 
17-mile drive, spa time, and some fun in monterey!}

goodbye, la playa!

goodbye carmel!

xo

*this post is in partnership with la playa hotel, carmel.*

all opinions are my own!