River Ranch is an activities center about a mile away that houses the gym, tennis courts, workout studios and more. Decided to give it another try for 2 nights on my own during a trip up the coast. The experience was probably our worst at any hotel, adjusting for the expectations. It is one of our favorite communities here in Carmel Valley. There are many things that make this place so special and desirable. Because exercise is just one piece of the puzzle, Fit offers a wide selection of ready-made, nutrient dense meals to grab on your way out of the gym. We stayed at Carmel Valley Ranch a few weeks ago and had a perfectly marvelous time. Carmel Valley Ranch has a mix of townhomes and single-family residences. My husband and I did not care for this property at all. The bathroom had a soaking tub and separate shower (with incredible water pressure). I live in the SF Bay area, and the Monterey area is a favorite weekend escape for my family. The grounds are beautiful with lush oak trees and . Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Carmel Valley Ranchs Summit and Fairway Lane properties which are positioned higher up into the hills can offer beautiful views of the golf course. Aging with grace and dignity and accepting ALL that we are capable of in every moment of life, is who and what I am all about Whether you are 15, 50 or 85, my knowledge dictates how we face change and move forward together. Globalist treatment was excellent, and our upgrade was to a Bluff Suite. Review: Hyatt Carmel Highlands (Stay Away). I happened to talk with a couple of consultants for the new ownership around that time, who told me that the plan is to totally renovate (not just refresh) the property to bring it up to the expected standard. We also used a free night cert, but got upgraded to a duplex suite (I think a Ocean View Townhouse Spa suite) even though the app showed no availability! I live in the SF Bay area, and the Monterey area is a favorite weekend escape for my family. Good job on calling this hotel out, Ben. Always he is actively engaged checking to make sure I understand his instruction. more. Highly recommend!! The main adults-only pool is at the lodge, while two other pools are located at the River Ranch annex. Privacy Policy| 2023 Fit Athletic San Diego Best Gym|Terms & Conditions. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 126 Clock Tower, Suite 100, Carmel, CA 93923 Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. That's not county based recommendations - that's laziness. As you know, we could not offer this service without our staff. Heres the thing I wasnt expecting this to be as nice as a Park Hyatt, but I was expecting the hotel to at least be in decent condition. I suspect there mustve been a sentinel event where someone allegedly stated that they contracted Covid from a housekeeper. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. Required fields are marked *. 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. Felt like throwing away 25k Hyatt points per night at the time but the good thing besides the view was we liked the restaurant breakfast there at the time. A free tennis assessment is given by our Tennis Director. The paths connect with one another and are all accessible to those with limited mobility. The staff was so friendly and accommodating! We will definitely be back, can't wait to see what its like when the lavender plants are all in bloom! However, at night, I found both the living room and bedroom a bit dark even with all the lighting turned on. Pro tip #2: Point Lobos, 15 minutes or less from the Carmel Valley Ranch is IMHO the can't-miss-iest destination of the entire PCH. Debora Mallouk, our membership director, and her team have grown our membership tremendously, and continue to be a great support system for members. The fridge was fully stocked with water and the coffee and tea were notably high-end. Exercise enthusiasts can try one of the 16 complimentary fitness classes (from barre to yoga) offered daily. The sprawling complex has a golf course, hiking trails, an on-site farm and creamery and even its own vineyard. Amazing Beauty From The Outside In. There was also a closet near the bathroom, which had a vacuum in it. Ground is pretty but the finishes inside the rooms are def not Mandarin or Four Seasons level. The signage wasnt great, and there was no offer to guide us to our room. Dear Tucker,Thank you for providing a gracious review of Carmel Valley Ranch and and our golf staff. But thats literally it. I just learned that there will be no housekeeping during my upcoming week this is puzzling since the mask mandate has been lifted and the bars, restaurants, and gym are open. The manager Jackie was wonderful, so gracious and helpful. For what its worth, the paid rate at this hotel would have been right around $500 per night. Your email address will not be published. You have successfully joined our subscriber list. I brought a little food and some beverages with me which the refrigerator froze everything rock solid overnight and thus rendering the supplies unusable. It is just amazing how many businesses and people just blame Covid for being lazy. 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! But it's clear from my two-night stay who this resort is truly catered toward -- families and the community at large. The main restaurant, Valley Kitchen, serves new American cuisine with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Its a 15,000 square foot haven with 11 treatment rooms, and draws upon its natural surroundings and bounty to craft seasonal, ingredient-driven treatments so youll see lots of lavender and honey on the spa menu. There are several inter club and usta teams for men, women We have been members at Carmel Valley Ranch for nearly 20 years. And for our coastal friends, it's almost always sunny out at Carmel Valley Ranch ! (Photo by Chris Dong/The Points Guy), River Ranch Cafe. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. Debora cares a lot about ranch members and shows that by always being available to listen but at the same time bases her decisions on what is best for the success of CVR. 3) Many hotels are not providing full amenities currently, justifiably or not (local regulations make this complicated) Or simply give yourself a home away from home where you can always escape for a little R&R. The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway. Enrollment required. It is April of 2022! That's one of main highlights of this property. Lots of fun.I am one who started golf later in life and feel lucky to have found an instructor to guide me on this never ending beautiful & fascinating journey of discovery. However, on the other hand, the resort loses some of its exclusivity. CVAC Members Receive a 20% discount on Refuge services, including admission and massage. Looks like you got the most basic room at the hotel. As I wrote yesterday, Im usually a Hyatt cheerleader, and I dont remember the last time I was disappointed by a Hyatt, because the brand is good at managing expectations. Preferred Pricing to Refuge, Award-Winning Relaxation Spa. I think you and Ford will really like it. In closing I want to acknowledge a couple of points that people may bring up. We had a a lovely stay at the Highlands Inn, pre-Hyatt days, and before it had deteriorated so much; dinner at the restaurant was outstanding. Carmel Valley Ranch you mention is awesome, same for Quail Lodge in the valley as well. For what its worth: Heres the sheet I was given highlighting everything that wasnt available: The lobby was dead, because nothing there was open. Favorite hotel by far on our CA coast road trip - and we stayed at a lot of nice hotels, including the Ritz Carltons in Santa Barbara and Marina del Rey. Carmel Valley Ranch is the place to take one lesson or a series of lessons from one of the best golf instructors ever! Category level is driven by pricing, not hotel quality, and pricing is driven by what people are willing to pay for it. The associate informed me that I should drive to a parking lot that was closer to my suite, so I headed out of the lodge and back to the car with my luggage. I want to agree with it, but to be fair you'd also have to question how so many hotels have been selling rooms at normal rates across the entirety of this pandemic. Reusable water bottles, sandals, and sunscreen are recommended. It's a shame the restaurant was closed. But yes, the place is beat up. That's not necessarily a bad thing. Debora Mallouk, our membership director, and her team have grown our membership tremendously, and continue to be a great support system for members. He's all about commitments, priorities, action and communication. If you need to torch some extra calories, dont fret: options abound. The property itself is a bit old but I wouldn't call it rundown. I don't know if I agree with this statement. The Carmel Valley Ranch grows its own lavender on the property, and this is showcased in the in-room toiletries, including the pillow mist. @Ben "While I realize stuff is often priced based on the location, I (stupidly?) Such a dismal, overrated place (and uber-pretentious when we stayed there) at least you had good weather. Once the US/Canada border is open again, the choice would be obvious if you wanted a "view hotel" on the West Coast. And by then, it was time to check out. We much preferred Carmel Valley Ranch and had a nice weekend there last summer. Lets start with the spa, Spa Aiyana. 12 miles inland from Carmel-by-the-sea and fifteen miles from Monterey. i feel like knowing that they were offering basically nothing and running water only, even with the views, would be a good start, "How do you in good conscience sell a room for $500 per night with literally no services?". Even the most demanding travelers can't say that the Carmel Valley Ranch is slacking in the amenities department. There are plenty of outdoor fire pits with seating throughout the grounds. The views are incredible and the restaurant food was actually very good. (I do want to check out the Big Sur and Carmel Valley properties in time--they do look fantastic!). Find the right card for you. I believe it truly takes a team to execute the service experience you described. The restaurant was open for room service, with a pretty sweet Globalist breakfast spread delivered to the room. But I couldn't help but notice how the overall ambiance just felt slightly off. Specialties: Connect with the natural surroundings of Contenta Inn! VENTANA RANCH & VINEYARD SERVICES is carrier company located at 13770 CENTER ST#111, Carmel Valley, CA, 93924. But thanks for calling out the decrepit state; that's inexcusable. Hyatt Carmel Highlands ocean view room balcony, Hyatt Carmel Highlands ocean view room balcony view. Follow directions to CA-1 S, then turn onto Carmel Valley Road, or G16. Two-floor townhouses with the bedroom downstairs and a full kitchen and living room upstairs at least offer more space, like #505. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu. That's just weird. That's been the case for many years. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Debora cares a lot about ranch members and shows that by always being available to listen but at the same time bases her decisions on what is best for the success of CVR. You get it once , feel ripped off and never again . I am even happier to welcome you to our ranch family and will personally thank Travis for his service to you. It too was sold to new owners last year (different ones than the Highlands) and the new owners have just completed the long-overdue multimillion dollar renovation of that property. During a recent stay at Ventana, my wife and I made the trek up to Carmel for the plant-based dinner tasting menu (this was prior to Ventana going all-inclusive). Thats the first time Ive seen that. Ben's review, though, is fair. Some have larger yards and outdoor living areas than others. What a piece of garbage for a top tier Hyatt. Because of pandemic, support people almost impossible to find,/ especially for a property the size of Highlans Inn. 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. Hi Ric, are you talking about the time share units? are offered as well as individualized lessons. Ive stayed at a few places that apparently decided that if they were getting gutted in 12-18 months it didnt make any sense to bother with any more maintenance. Enjoyed the hot tub with a very nice view as well. To better understand why this hotel is so poorly maintained, you need to know about the owner, Interval Leisure Group (Miami). We stayed there last August and it was to die for, even during COVID. Whether praising, shaming, or in between, I want to know the corporate names behind the curtain, I mean blinds. I got a text saying our room was ready, at which point I picked up my key. Located in the heart of Carmel Village. I understand that they can get away with charging that much for a shabby room, based on the location, but given that it reflects poorly on the brand, i'm surprised that Hyatt lets them get away with that. However, the resort area is very hilly so keep this in mind if you are traveling in a wheelchair or have limited mobility. On the one hand, this allows the resort to have expanded facilities and activities and earn additional revenue during the shoulder season. (Photo credit: Carmel Valley Ranch). There are fun activities and camps for kids to participate in. Ben, as an informed hotel guest, you must know: 1) Hotels in coastal California are always in high demand, so they are priced high in points and cash 2) This is especially true during Covid, as many travelers who may fly internationally cant 3) Many hotels are not providing full amenities currently, justifiably or not (local regulations make this complicated) 4) Hotel quality varies significantly based on age, owner, etc, 1) Hotels in coastal California are always in high demand, so they are priced high in points and cash Same for Quail lodge in the SF Bay area, and pricing is driven pricing! 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