Review: Hyatt Carmel Highlands (P&C + Suite Upgrade)
The Hyatt Carmel Highlands Hotel is located fifteen minutes south of Monterey, in the city of Carmel, California. The original Highlands Inn opened in 1917 and has been remodeled a few times since then, with a major renovation occurring this year for its 100th year anniversary. The property is a combination of a hotel and also a timeshare residence club overlooking the Big Sur coast with picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean set in a very nicely landscaped hillside resort.
The seaside hotel has amazing oceanfront views and blends in the amenities of a large property with the charm of a boutique hotel. The hotel portion of the property has 48 guestrooms including 10 suites, 32 ocean view king rooms, and 5 garden view rooms. The residence club portion has approximately 92 units and offers 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom units with ocean views, horizon ocean views and some units with only garden views.
I have stayed here a few times and previously reviewed a one-bedroom unit at the Hyatt Residence Club portion of the property.
Ocean View Townhouse Spa Suite
Our most recent stay here was at the hotel portion of the property while it was under-going its transformation for its 100th year anniversary. We stayed in an Ocean View Townhouse Spa Suite, Room 503, that offered spectacular ocean views.
The multi-level unit included a kitchen, living room, dining table and bedroom/bathroom downstairs. Furniture and decorations in the room weren't exactly brand new, but very nice and fit in well with the landscape of the area. The unit also had a wood-burning fireplace, which was perfect for the cold mornings and chilly nights. Ample amounts of firewood is available throughout the property and a washer/dryer is also accessible in a nearby building. There are two fire pits on the property and a fitness center as well. It was a little chilly to use the pool, but it did look inviting as it is heated.
I was able to book this stay using a points+cash rate and then applying a suite upgrade I had for having the highest level of tier status in the Hyatt loyalty program. With the new revamped loyalty program, World of Hyatt, I will find it hard to re-qualify for the highest tier, now called 'Globalist' status, so having this suite upgrade provided a huge savings from booking the room on a cash rate, which can run anywhere from $500-$750+ per night.
100th Year Anniversary Property Updates
The Hyatt Carmel Highlands has undergone a renovation for its 100th year anniversary which includes upgrades to Pacific's Edge with refreshed decor and a new forty seat, 1,200-square-foot outdoor patio. The heated open-air patio space will allow guests to enjoy a new dining experience and take in dramatic ocean vistas year round. Also, the Pacific's Edge restaurant will merge with the hotel's casual bistro option, California Market, to become one restaurant with a new revamped menu. The existing bar, the Sunset Lounge, will be reconfigured to showcase the awesome views of the Pacific coastline from the property.
In addition to the restaurant upgrades, the hotel's 48 rooms, inclusive of its 10 suites, has undergone a renovation on its furnishings, decor, color schemes, and heating and air conditioning systems. The guestrooms refreshed look will draw upon the hotel's upscale coastal ambiance.
We'll be visiting the property again soon and will provide updates and pictures of all of the new features at Hyatt Carmel Highlands, so stay tuned!
I have stayed here a few times and previously reviewed a one-bedroom unit at the Hyatt Residence Club portion of the property.
Ocean View Townhouse Spa Suite
Our most recent stay here was at the hotel portion of the property while it was under-going its transformation for its 100th year anniversary. We stayed in an Ocean View Townhouse Spa Suite, Room 503, that offered spectacular ocean views.
The multi-level unit included a kitchen, living room, dining table and bedroom/bathroom downstairs. Furniture and decorations in the room weren't exactly brand new, but very nice and fit in well with the landscape of the area. The unit also had a wood-burning fireplace, which was perfect for the cold mornings and chilly nights. Ample amounts of firewood is available throughout the property and a washer/dryer is also accessible in a nearby building. There are two fire pits on the property and a fitness center as well. It was a little chilly to use the pool, but it did look inviting as it is heated.
I was able to book this stay using a points+cash rate and then applying a suite upgrade I had for having the highest level of tier status in the Hyatt loyalty program. With the new revamped loyalty program, World of Hyatt, I will find it hard to re-qualify for the highest tier, now called 'Globalist' status, so having this suite upgrade provided a huge savings from booking the room on a cash rate, which can run anywhere from $500-$750+ per night.
100th Year Anniversary Property Updates
The Hyatt Carmel Highlands has undergone a renovation for its 100th year anniversary which includes upgrades to Pacific's Edge with refreshed decor and a new forty seat, 1,200-square-foot outdoor patio. The heated open-air patio space will allow guests to enjoy a new dining experience and take in dramatic ocean vistas year round. Also, the Pacific's Edge restaurant will merge with the hotel's casual bistro option, California Market, to become one restaurant with a new revamped menu. The existing bar, the Sunset Lounge, will be reconfigured to showcase the awesome views of the Pacific coastline from the property.
In addition to the restaurant upgrades, the hotel's 48 rooms, inclusive of its 10 suites, has undergone a renovation on its furnishings, decor, color schemes, and heating and air conditioning systems. The guestrooms refreshed look will draw upon the hotel's upscale coastal ambiance.
We'll be visiting the property again soon and will provide updates and pictures of all of the new features at Hyatt Carmel Highlands, so stay tuned!
