Pine Inn, Carmel-by-The-Sea

The room was small, poorly equipped, and noisy. The electrical fixtures didn't work well (bathroom lamp didn't work) so the maintenance is poor too. The staff were unfriendly (bordering on rude), and when I asked for a half-hour extension for check-out, they made _such_ a big deal of it. I travel several times a year in different parts of the US and this was one of the worst hotel experiences I've had. Luckily Carmel and Monterey are nice so they couldn't spoil our weekend vacation. I strongly recommend that you avoid Pine Inn.

It appears from this forum that folks have very strong feelings about the Pine Inn, almost all of them positive, but I'm afraid that after staying there we were not impressed at all. Specifically we were put in a room that is above the adjacent restaurant's kitchen and immediately next to what we were told was the pizza oven fan exhaust. As soon as we arrived in the room we noticed a low, rumbling, mechanical sound that was loud enough to keep us from sleeping. We called the front desk and were told in a very unapologetic tone that the noise was the aforementioned pizza oven fan and that it would not stop until after the oven had been cleaned out that night. When asked if there was another room available, the operator replied with a very firm "No." It was clear from her attitude that she had heard this complaint many times before. In the end, the noise did not stop until just before midnight, and resumed at 6 in the morning. We were able to sleep only for the six hours that the sound was absent. I don't often write negative reviews, and I'm not usually sensitive to noise, but this ridiculous. If the staff and owners know about the problem, they should at least offer a discount on the affected rooms. To charge the standard rate for a room in which restful sleep in only possible for six hours a night is unacceptable.

Whoever wrote that horrid review of the Pine Inn obviously had deeper issues. "The door didn't fit the door frame"? How is that possible? Did he even ask the staff for help, or just call them "rude" without ever trying them? In my travels, I've read a lot of hotel reviews. There's always ONE person who bad-mouths any property no matter how magnificent it is. Some folks aren't happy unless they're miserable, and I'm sure you know the type. Personally, my stay at the Pine Inn was outstanding. The staff was consistently smiling and friendly, the beds were warm and cozy. The room wasn't huge, but for God's sake, how much room do you actually need? The hotel is over 100 years old, so, naturally, the rooms won't be big by modern standards. And, yes, my room's door DID fit the door frame. Parking in Carmel is always a nightmare and always will be, but that's not the hotel's fault. Instead of moaning about how the hotel doesn't park your car for you, be grateful that they have a parking lot at all, since quite a few Carmel hotels WILL make you park on the street and NONE that I know of have valet parking. If you're travelling at all, you need to keep a positive outlook. Quibbling about every leaky faucet and creaking door just means you'd be better off staying home. Cheers!

Although an old hotel, it has been renovated and is beautiful. The lobby is elegant. The room was immaculate, the bathroom to die for. Service was excellent. The attached restaurant was great. Also, close to beach and shopping.

We stayed at the Pine Inn hotel in Carmel (which has no street lighting nor easy to read street signs). we had driven from LA which had taken us a good few hours. when we arrived at the Pine Inn, we were greated by a very rude receptionist (male). he told us the resturaunt had closed, there was no room service, no bell boy and to park the car ourselves...it was 9pm !!!!! The hotel is old (for USA) and our door didnt fit our door frame, the blind didnt fit the window and work on the hotel car park started at 7am !!!! Then there was the breakfast (which is free, thank goodness) the driest,unflavoured food we have ever tasted. If you do anything in Carmel, Dont stay at the Pine Inn. it is Vile !!!!

This is a delightful hotel. We are in Carmel multiple times per year and always stay at the Pine Inn. It is convenient and charming.

We have stayed at the Pine Inn on more than two occassions, and found it to be quite lovely. Our rooms were small but neat and suitable for our needs. The hotel is old, and not as thick walled as you would like,but we were not in our room except to sleep, and the cost was good considering the lavish breakfast served in their dining room nearby at Il Fornario. We wil go back again soon.

Walking through the doors of the Pine Inn is like stepping back into an age when antique furniture and grand fireplaces ruled. This hotel has been around for over 110 years, and much hasn't changed. Everything is still beautiful. However, the rooms and bathrooms are a bit small and the floors a little creaky, but this just adds character right? Not too expensive, considering it's Carmel and it's right in the heart of town and only a couple blocks from Carmel Beach. It's owned by the Marriott, but you'd never know. Fans of boutique hotels will love this place.