More about The Colonial Terrace
Great honeymoon at the Colonial Terrace!
by TripAdvisor Member JessicaStacey
We decided on the Colonial Terrace for our 3-night honeymoon in Carmel after a forum member in the Carmel area suggested it. It was PERFECT! The grounds are beautiful, the room was great (we stayed in room #7), and the staff was EXCELLENT. Our room was refurbished and had a sweet little fireplace, as well as a mini-fridge (which was re-stocked daily with bottled water, which was awesome). Our room was on the second floor, and the landing had an ocean view as well as two little plastic chairs. The bed was relatively comfortable, and the room was small but quaint and nicely decorated. The inn is very quiet, and although parking is at a premium, you can park easily on the residential streets surrounding the inn.
The best part about the inn, however, was the excellent staff. We mentioned we were spending our honeymoon there; we had a cute card congratulating us and a print that a local artist had done of the inn waiting for us when we arrived! Very thoughtful and sweet. We needed recommendations for restaurants and the front desk staff was so helpful! They made all of our reservations for us and their choices were spot-on (we had dinners at The Gem and Little Napoli and then a blow-out incredible meal at Pacific's Edge, which I have written a separate review for). They were able to give us detailed driving directions to all of our destinations, and suggest interesting stops along the way.
The price: great! Our room was $161 during the week (AAA rate) and $190-something on the weekend night. Well worth the price.
Only drawback: the breakfast. The breakfast consisted of weak coffee, bagels, pastries, and bananas and oranges. Not my style. I would have preferred stronger coffee and fresh cut-up fruit and a low-cal choice like yogurt or cottage cheese. Probably not practical, but I thought I'd mention it here. It was sufficient for those not caring about what they eat for breakfast or for those not counting calories, but for me, I was a tad bit disappointed. No worries, though...go eat breakfast at Katy's! Great food.
Location: beautiful. It's a block from the beach, and some rooms have an ocean view. We could hear the waves at night. However, it's a long walk to Ocean Ave., so either bring walking shoes or be prepared to drive (we did both). I preferred the quiet, residential setting of the Inn to those hotels that were right in the thick of things. Much quieter and quainter (and easier to find parking).
All in all, we had an amazing time in Carmel, and the Colonial Terrace was a great find!
A good choice among many.
by TripAdvisor Member wrmohio
If you want to find a relaxing place one block from water, this is an excellent choice. There are many opportunities for lodging in Carmel, but Colonial Terrace is one of the better spots. It is a good hike into town, however. The staffers at the desk were eager to help. Afternoon tea and cookies add a nice touch. The landscaped grounds are a photographer's delight and great to just enjoy the surroundings. Butterflies abound! Very quiet at night, but you can hear the surf across the street where pricey, small homes face the bay.
Charming, comfortable, and relaxing
by TripAdvisor Member malihini
We enjoyed a long weekend at the Colonial Terrace just about a week ago. I was not exactly sure what to expect, but I have to say my expectations were exceeded. I knew we would be farther from the shops/restaurants than most of the inns/b&bs, but I didn't realize we would still be able to walk to the main shopping area. We ended up really enjoying the location because we felt like we were staying in our own little cottage. It was fun to walk by the cute homes on our way to eat or shop. We really enjoyed being able to listen to the ocean while the fireplace kept us toasty. We enjoyed walking to the beach with the picnic basket packed by the inn.
The continental breakfast was good and we loved being able to eat in the courtyard with the brick fireplace...so relaxing! The in room ammenities were great--free bottled water every day in our mini fridge, Gilchrist & Soames bath products, thick fluffy towels, and comfortable robes. The room was sparkling clean and decorated nicely. Our only complaint with the room is that we could hear people walking by. We did not let this bother us, and perhaps we will try a different room next time. We definitely want to return to the Colonial Terrace Inn in the future!
Crashing Waves with Wood Smoke
by TripAdvisor Member KenVicLee
Doing my search for a romantic retreat in Carmel lead me to this property. I was reluctant to commit to what otherwise appeared to be glorified road motels built in the 50's and 60's despite their being in closer proximity to downtown. The Colonial Terrace fit the bill for a reasonably priced accomodation near the water withing easy walking distance of town.
I could not have been more pleased with our decision. My wife and I stayed in #13, of the second floor overlooking the ocean. I spent hours with the window open to the chilly October air, listening to the crashing waves, breathing in the wafting wood smoke from nearby homes while reading my book next to my glowing fireplace. Heavenly.
Both mornings my wife and I walked the short distance to the beach. One morning we walked the path into town greeting dog walkers and shuffling joggers. The next day we just enjoyed the scene with a hot cup of coffee from the hotel.
Breakfast was more than adequate given that this 27 room facility is not inteded to be a B & B. We were stuffed each day. And as for the walk to town, how much better could it be than to glide by beautiful houses on an autumn day experiencing all that downtown Carmel has to offer. The only word of caution for that late-night walk home....bring the flashlight!
Beautiful surroundings one block from the beach!
by TripAdvisor Member TheTravelFairy_10
We stayed at the Colonial Terrace for 2 nights on a trip along the PCH in May, I took a long time over picking my hotels (very fussy travel agent!) and struggled to find one in Carmel with all good reviews until I came across this one. After emailing them and the emails bouncing back (major problem) I didn't give up, which some people may have, I finally got my garden room booked.
When we arrived at the Inn it was just as the webiste pictures if not more beautiful the gardens are fantastic, and they have tables and chairs and a fire pit, sitting out with a glass of wine after a tiring day is bliss in these surroundings.
Aaron on reception is the best his knowledge of the area and his attitude was top, he obviously loves his job and it shows (shame others on reception aren't has happy).
The room wasn't the best (think it was 2b) and we tried to change but they were booked up, don't get me wrong it was clean and adequate but in need of a re-model (nothing like the picture of the garden room 5 another tripadvisor has posted which looked really nice), I get the colonial feel but this was a bit tired. Also we didn't have a garden view but a view of a table and chairs on a courtyard. But after saying this don't get me wrong we thoroughly enjoyed our stay and tried to spend our time when not out and about sitting in the gardens. In hindsight we would payed the extra and booked the room at the front of the property with balcony and ocean view next door to ours, 2a I think.
The breakfast was good, and we made use of the beach chairs, towels and complimentary videos which were great added touches. They also serve tea and fresh cookies mid afternoon which were delicious!
Overall this was a lovely place to stay and even though the room wasn't the best (it had everything we needed) the rest of the facilities were fantastic and I would recommend you stay here over any other hotel or inn in Carmel.
A big thankyou again to Aaron who I hope has been promoted to manager because his friendly professional manner is a big credit to this place.
Charming inn by the sea
by TripAdvisor Member Sidney88
My husband and I visited the Colonial Terrace Inn in Carmel for a quick 2-night getaway. Overall, we would recommend it, with just a few reservations.
Our visit did not start well. We were due to arrive very late, so we left a message at the inn right before the 10pm closing (no one returned our call). Once we arrived, we had to wake the manager to get us access to our suite. We soon discovered that the heater didn’t work in our freezing cold room, so we had to call the groggy manager again to get us another room with a working heater. By the time we were settled in the heated (and smaller) room, it was 2 am. We had hoped to sleep in until 10am, but the front desk folks awakened us at 9am to inform us that they had repaired the heater in the original suite, and we had to re-settle there no later than noon. At about that time, we heard the booming voices of workmen in the adjoining room. So much for sleeping in! Granted, all of this could have been resolved more quickly had we arrived on time in the first place.
After the first night’s difficulties, we learned that the front desk employees were very kind, and they gave us helpful suggestions for sightseeing. In the morning, they offered fruit, pastries, bagels, quiche and coffee for all guests. They also provided afternoon tea with cookies and fruit.
The Inn is comprised of seven lovely buildings with wonderful landscaping (see photo). It sits a block away from the gorgeous sandy beaches of Carmel Bay. We stayed in a standard size suite. The furnishings were a shabby-chic French country style (see photo). Our room was cozy and fairly clean, although the chairs and the carpeting were a bit worn. The shuttered windows let in plenty of light, and we had a view of the courtyard. The room had a gas-powered fireplace with a timer, a small dorm-style cube refrigerator, a TV set with local and standard cable channels, and a coffee maker. The toiletries were nice (especially the Gilchrist & Soames oatmeal soap), but the bathroom shower was too cave-like and dark (see photo).
You can get a better deal on room rates in the off-season, from December to March. Because of the wetter and colder weather during these months, planning your visit can be a crapshoot. Our weekend was sunny in the day, but unseasonably cold, particularly in the evenings (about 50 degrees during the day, in the 20s at night!). Be prepared: bring gloves, hat, scarf, jacket, and sturdy hiking or athletic shoes for all the walking you’ll be doing.
Remember that this is an old inn; don’t expect certain modern amenities (i.e. internet access in your room or a hair-dryer). It is a charming place with a sensational location.
Very Nice
by TripAdvisor Member Erinh1
Just a one-night stay and it was pleasant. We had room #13, which has the advantage of being upstairs, large, and more private than the downstairs rooms. It was described as having an ocean view which, I guess, is true. You had to pull open the tiered curtains, look across rooftops, through trees & electrical wires; but, yes, there was the bay in the distance. I was surprised at the "fireplace" which was no more than a heater made to look like a fireplace. It was controlled by a thermostat on the wall, so the flame would flicker on for a bit then go off. It's probably more impressive when used during the winter.
The gardens were beautiful. Breakfast was continental as others described, but that was okay since we're not big breakfast eaters. The breakfast room/lobby is small and only seats a few people; luckily the weather was okay (albeit overcast in the a.m.) so we could sit outside & eat. The property map they hand out has very detailed descriptions of all the rooms, which seem to differ quite a bit in size, setup and price. There was a journal in the room for guests to write in. I opened it hoping for some tips on good restaurants, things to see & do. Hint to future guests--leave out the details of your romance in the same room, it kind of puts a damper on things for the rest of us. Some of these folks wrote like it was their own personal diary.
I chose this property because it is not in the middle of town, which gets very crowded especially in the summer. It's just a short walk to the beach so no worry about finding a parking place if the beach is your fancy. The disadvantage in the location is it's a long walk into town & back (personally I wouldn't do it). Plus you must drive anytime you want to eat. I took a long walk along Scenic Road and then came back through the quaint houses along the residential streets. Carmel has to be one of the most picturesque towns in the U.S., I love it.
A lovely little hideaway
by TripAdvisor Member Mightyrhinos
Yes, this is an expensive place but then again, so is Carmel. It is situated down a quiet road about a mile from the centre but it was a pleasant walk. There are no street lights and the hotel provides torches! The guy at the check in was so nice and told my teenagers to help themselves to the homemade cookies and fruit which are put out everyday for guests. The hotel faces the ocean but there are properties across the road that actually back onto the beach. However, we could see and hear the sea from our balcony. The hotel is in fact a group of low rise small buildings that slope upwards with the most beautiful gardens and courtyards. We stayed in the master suite which had its own dining room, kitchen, 2 bathrooms and 2 bedrooms. There is a complementary continental breakfast which can be eaten in the lounge or taken back to your room, or even sit at one of the tables in the courtyard. The hotel also provides chairs and umbrellas to take down to the beach and has a good library of complementary videos which the kids made use of. The hotel is probably more suited to couples and has a very calm, friendly atmosphere.
Cute ... Just as I expected
by TripAdvisor Member Just4law
I stayed at this Inn with my husband and 9 month old on a CA roadtrip. We chose this place due to a recommendation from a friend, and then I looked it up on TripAdvisor and it seemed like a good place. This Inn is extremely close to the beach, so we took advantage of this and walked along the pathways each day we were there (2 nights). We stayed in room 28 which is the one of the biggest rooms because we needed the space for the crib (which they provided) and because this room also had an ocean view (not exactly a fantastic view, but you can see the water). To get to the town center, we walked once and drove another time. If you have the time and like to walk, this is a nice walk. If not, just drive - there is plenty of parking in town. The Inn provided us with a free bottle of local wine, and bottled water which were added bonuses. You can also rent movies (VHS tapes) from the front desk during your stay for free. The breakfast was quite good, although don't expect any eggs and bacon. The room is pretty small, but we got there early enough to grab a table. Overall, the staff was quite friendly, and the place is spread out enough so you don't feel to cramped with the other guests. It is not exactly cheap, but neither is anything else in Carmel. Ask for the AAA discount. We would definitely stay there again.
Nice place to stay in Carmel
by TripAdvisor Member Megob
Staying here is like staying in your favorite aunt's house. It is in a residential area one block from the beach. We stayed in a family suite with a little kitchenette and dining room, two bathrooms, and a bedroom and combination bedroom/living room. French doors led to a terrace. There is a distant ocean view, but the street and houses are in front of you.
It is located a pleasant 10 minute walk to the shops, lots of fun to look at the quaint houses along the way. You can also drive to a shopping center in about 5 minutes, with a supermarket and a very good pizza place. Ask at the front desk for recommendations, I found them to be quite helpful.
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