The Inn at Spanish Bay, Pebble Beach

We stayed at the Inn at Spanish Bay 2 weeks ago and it was fantastic. Staff is all pre-tipped, resulting in an extremely relaxing experience (even the complimentary valet). And despite not receiving tips, every member of the staff was outrageously gracious and helpful. Whenever we asked where something was located, staff would not give us directions, but escort us to our desired destination (or transport us via golf cart). Doors were always opened, help was always offered, ideas were given, and we were always met with friendly, professional conduct. We stayed at another 5 star resort last week and the juxtaposition of the two staffs really highlighted the difference between a hotel with all the amenities of a 5 star vs a truly world class experience. Our room (ocean view) was well-appointed, comfortable, and exceedingly clean. Housekeeping was friendly and professional, ensuring that our daily snack basket and waters (gratis) were always sufficiently replenished. She also stopped by just to drop off our evening waters and chocolates since we were always in the room with our baby during turn down service. The bed had soft linens, great pillows, and the mattress was fantastic (I would love to purchase one). The bath products were even fantastic and made me feel silly for schlepping my own arsenal. The only nit with the room was the temperature. We were there on an unusually warm and glorious weekend and thus were quite warm at night. We did not realize until we were leaving that there was a portable AC unit in the closet. The hotel should provide that information on a card located somewhere so that guests aren't left sweating in their comfy beds. We dined breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the hotel and all meals were fresh and tasty. Even the large group dinner on our last night was wonderful. My husband played golf and had glowing reviews of the beauty and design of the course. All in all, this was a fantastic experience and I cannot speak about this resort highly enough. (I'm not sure when the hotel updated itself, but I can assure you that our experience in 2011 could not be more different than those listed below from 2008) We cannot wait to return to the hotel next year and there is no reason you should hesitate to book a room here for yourself!

Only half the rooms have views of the ocean. You need to specify that you want a view of the ocean, even if you think you're already paying for one. It was by far my worst hotel experience. I still have horrible feelings about the place, months after my stay. Highly recommend corporate users, and individuals stay away from this resort. This was an unforgettably bad experience. . . so bad I'm turned off to the whole area, and it affects how I view hotels I book for the future. Now I have to consider how old will the bed I sleep on be? What view and room lay out will I have? People should not have to ask these questions when paying Inn at Spanish Bay prices. It's awful to pay more at the Inn, and have a far better view and much more comfortable accommodations at home. It's called a get-away or vacation for a reason.

The Pebble Beach Company, the parent company of the Inn at Spanish Bay; operates a concessionaire, concerned only about profit, and not customer experience. In case one wanted to know how much 3, 1 liter bottles of Fiji water costs at the Inn at Spanish Bay: $69.02. The requested 3, 1 liter bottles of water were turned into 6, half liter bottles of water (for the sake of profit). This is how they justified charging $8 per half liter bottle of water (the amount of water that fits into one's cupped hands), plus tax and service. The $69.02 charge was because the concessionaire stocks filtered Coca-Cola tap water, and not the requested Fiji water. This charge was on top of the $1,000 per night, for three nights ($3,000 total). The $69.02 charge was put on our bill the day after we left. When we finally saw the charge, it was insult to injury, as the room was marketed without truth in advertising.

The Inn at Spanish Bay is about 20 years old, and they have not been doing the proper upkeep in rooms. Why pay over 1K US dollars per night for a room that has amenities that are flat, old, and rickety? Shabby. The room I had had an improperly working refrigerator, bathtub, and fireplace, not to mention a bed that lost its comfort years ago. Apparently one must specify a good view when paying this kind of money. I'd rather spend my money in one of the many places of better value in Carmel.

1.) Led to believe we'd have an ocean view room, and did not. 2.) The mattress was old/hard/uncomfortable, especially when laying on one's side. This is from the Inn at Spanish Bay's website: "EXECUTIVE SUITE . . . Accommodations offer a variety of views, including spectacular views of the ocean, The Links at Spanish Bay, and Del Monte Forest." They could use the word "OR" instead of "AND" for clarification. There is no truth to this advertising. We had a view of a small 30'X40' patch of lawn/garden. We could have had this view anywhere in the world. At more than $1,000 per night, one expects a comfortable bed and uncommon view.

Good Heavens Horton! I simply can't resist pointing out that a hotel, and I know this may surprise you a bit, has no control whatsoever over the weather on any given day. To give a hotel a low rating because the weather didn't suit you is like giving a restaurant a low rating because the color of the dishes didn't match your tie!

The facitity is beautiful and the staff is friendly and very helpful and respectful. They anticipate your every need and the guest rooms are set up to be very user friendly (extra little touches that make a huge difference). The views are incredible and the afternoon drinks on the terrace to watch the sunset are like nothing else. Would I go back? In a heartbeat!

Everything was just perfect here - the view, the people, the golf course, the beach walk and the blue waves. It is truly a magic place for golf outing or family vacation.

My brothers, sister and I paid for a trip for my parents 40th wedding anniversary in April. My parents are elderly and were taken off guard when the airlines tried to mess up their once in a lifetime experience by cancelling their flight to Monterey then flying them to Santa Barbara. They got to the Inn at Spanish Bay very tired and without their luggage and more importantly golf clubs. Kristen is the woman's name who managed to track down my parents luggage and my father's golf clubs. They are not people who write anything extra that they need to. My father was so happy that his golf clubs (that's he's used since the dawning of time) he got teary eyed. I have called and asked to talk to this wonderful person. She works nights is what I have been told. Whoever reads this if given the opportunity thank this person who made my parents have the best time they ever had. Of course golf was beautiful, the spa treated my mother like a queen. None of this would have been posible without Kristen who made sure my parents got their luggage on time. My only hpe is that I spelled her name correctly (my daughters is speeled this way). Thank you Spanish Bay for having a person who cares. By the way she wrote a note to my parents saying thank you for staying with them and telling them if there was anything else that she could do to make sure their stay was perfect to let her know. Sincerely, M. Chabanna New Jersey

This resort was such a joy and the staff is so helpful and insightful. My husband and I went there to celebrate our 25th anniversary. The bellman were wonderful. The front desk people were marvelous. They congratulated us and welcomed us back (we had come at our 15th and 20th also). May I also say that $20 a day for gratuity is not enough for the wonderful people that work there. Especially overnight. The young lady that I called to see if anyone could possibly run out to our car to get something from our trunk (at 3 am) ran out herself. She actually spotted another bag that I thought I had forgetten at home. She was so sweet and asked if there was anything else she could do. By the way it was medication that I had left and asked her to go get. At any rate the staff was so wonderful and cheerful and always remembered our names. It really felt like home just like the last times. Do not pay attention to the negative comments about the wonderful establishments. So people are negative no matter what. I can't wait to go back.