Name: Carmel River Inn
Address: 26600 Oliver Rd, Carmel, 93923, US

10/10

Exceptional

27 Jul 2026

Marisol

Honestly one of the best two-night stays I have had in a while. My fiancée and I wanted something with a more authentic and private feeling than a hotel room and the cottages here provided that and more. Berta our housekeeper helped my fiancée set up a surprise for me & our cottage was impeccably clean and organized. The staff was super helpful and welcoming and encouraged us to use amenities like the very cute fire pits around the property. Such a super pet-friendly property, we saw lots of other guests casually strolling with their pets throughout the day. The location was super easy to get to just be super cautions when getting onto and into the ongoing traffic at the exit. Possibly everything you’re going to need for your stay is a fairly quick 10 min or less mile away. Mara Beach, Monastery Beach and Carmel Meadows Beach are nearby and very pretty! During our stay throughout the week we were able to avoid the crowds at these beaches and found parking fairly easy. Cannot wait to return and enjoy another cottage and to recommend this place to family and friends.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

26 Jul 2026

Javier

Everything was simply beautiful and cozy.

10/10

Exceptional

26 Jul 2026

Praveen

Everything was good

10/10

Exceptional

26 Jul 2026

Cassandra

Over the last 5 years, I have stayed at the Carmel River Inn annually and their newest updates are amazing additions to an already great property! The staff are so friendly and welcoming, the property is perfect for traveling with dogs, and they now have a food truck for breakfast if you don’t want to leave the property. I love staying here with my 2 bassets!

10/10

Exceptional

22 Jul 2026

Mary Joyce

From check-in to check-out, it was absolutely smooth process. The front desk Jacob is very friendly and helpful. During check-in our room in the Inn was not ready, to accomodate me and my family and relax after driving for about 3hrs, we got a complimentary upgrade and got a cottage room. Their small cottages looks so cute. We got into our cottage and rested for an hour. When we're ready we walked around the property and went to the river to sit and relaxed more. The showroom is very tiny that I kind of keep hitting the wall my elbow. They have nice area with a swing and fireplaces. There's also a food truck across our room and only open for breakfast from 630am-10am. The bed are very comfortable. We loved this place and told Jacob during check-out that we will recommend this place to our friends and for sure will come back.

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

20 Jul 2026

Josephine

Loved our stay ! Will definitely come back !

10/10

Exceptional

20 Jul 2026

Thomas

This was a last minute booking after we showed up another hotel and realized that we couldn't stay there. My wife is NOT a camper, so I was a little worried about a glamping tent. The desk staff person was great when we called from the car and put us at ease. When we showed up late we were really pleasantly surprised at how nice the room was. Yes, tent walls, but mormal (nice) bathroom and two beds - queen and twin. Little kitchenette was helpful. The property is super quiet and has a great fire pit and cool little breakfast camper with coffee and breakfast items. Very short drive to downtown Carmel. We would absolutely stay here again.

Family

2/10

Poor

16 Jul 2026

Rene

No air conditioning and it was very hot. I was charged for an additional guest when I booked it with that guest already in our count. Room rate was very high for the building because we weren’t in the cottages which would have been fine. The balconies connect to the neighbors and the dog in the balcony next to us kept jumping over. Way too expensive for what we got. Could have been in a nicer place for that money which is regretful.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

16 Jul 2026

Carolina

Friendly staff, clean, good location.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

16 Jul 2026

Arthur

Staff were very helpful. Rooms were clean. Carpets were worn out. All an all was wonderful.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

15 Jul 2026

Allan

We enjoyed staying at this pet-friendly hotel. I loved that they provided welcome amenities for our pup. The only thing missing was a microwave, which we had to ask the front office to use. Other than that, it's very close to many landmarks. We would stay here again.

Pet

10/10

Exceptional

14 Jul 2026

Ron

This was a sweet place! It was well maintained and had lovely outdoor spaces to enjoy.
The staff were very friendly and easy to talk to.
We will definitely be back!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

13 Jul 2026

Maricela

Staff was SUPER FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL. I thought I wasn’t going to get a good night sleep because… you know, there’s nothing like your bed. Well… boy was I wrong. I slept so good. That bed and the pillows… LOVED it! The room was very clean. DEFINITELY WILL STAY THERE AGAIN!

Friends

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jul 2026

Stephen

A hidden Gem and highly recommended’

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jul 2026

Venus

Everyone there was very nice. I was extremely impressed and took me by surprise. I wish I remembered the name of who checked me in but her and Elena are wonderful.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

10 Jul 2026

Nicholas

We had a fantastic time st the Carmel Cottage. Super cute town close to Monterey and Big Sur for us to visit. The cottages were super cute and super clean. We also were able to roast some marshmallows for some s’mores with the kids. This place is also super pet friendly. I honestly would go back to this place again if we visit Monterey again!

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

09 Jul 2026

Patricia

This is a delightful property with a motel and then clean little cottages with fireplaces and kitchenettes and a lot of charm. The grounds were beautiful along the Carmel River. The breakfast was wonderful - the quiches were delicious. Definitely coming back.

Friends_and_family Friends

8/10

Excellent

07 Jul 2026

Thomas

The barn door on the bathroom wouldn't stay closed all of the way. However, the room was clean and loved making smores at the fire pits.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

05 Jul 2026

Johnny

It was a peaceful regenerating time away. It was very nice to be away from fireworks for myself but especially the pup.

Pet

10/10

Exceptional

04 Jul 2026

Chris

Such a cozy stay! We only stayed one night but everything from the front desk to the room, to the vibes were just amazing! Definitely will be coming back for the little cottages that were scattered throughout the property!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

03 Jul 2026

Roald

Very charming and quiet cottages in classic motorhome style. Close to the Golden Rectangle and the beach, right next to the beginning of southward Big Sur highway, and across the street from a strip mall with a Safeway and some low-key restaurants.

Front desk is very helpful and has plenty of amenities for your comfort. Unlimited ice, coffee and tea 24/7, breakfast available for purchase from a food truck Th-Sun.

Pool is heated to a brisk 78 (you get used to it after some moving around!)

Cottages have wet bar kitchens with microwaves and even basic cutting board and knives if you're handy.

Pet

10/10

Exceptional

30 Jun 2026

Sara

We loved our stay at Carmel River Inn and Cottages! We stayed in a studio cottage with wet bar and it was perfect! We had our dog with us, and this was a very dog friendly place! The property is beautiful and serene, and the Morning Joy breakfast trailer was a nice addition! You're also close to two shopping villages, The Crossroads and The Barnyard, so lots of dining and shopping, nearby!

Pet

10/10

Exceptional

29 Jun 2026

Cristina

We had a great time here. The staff was very friendly and the property was clean and welcoming.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

27 Jun 2026

Harjeet

The location itself is beautiful, it’s close to town and 12 minutes to Monterey. The staff were very courteous and helpful. They have coffee in the office and a food truck in the mornings. I was not able to enjoy the food truck because my schedule was packed but I am definitely looking forward to return here. I felt safe and well taken care of

Self

10/10

Exceptional

26 Jun 2026

Steven

We absolutely love our stay, so much more fun than a hotel stay, it's perfectly located to restaurants trails and the Carmel Mission, a fascinating site to visit.

Thank you all so much for being a part of a magical stay

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

22 Jun 2026

Estefani

Beautiful cottages and friendly environment.

8/10

Excellent

15 Jun 2026

Sheila

The grounds were so beautiful! Loved the dog friendly cottages with fenced porches. Would stay again for sure.

Pet

10/10

Exceptional

10 Jun 2026

Kelvin

Helpful staff. The cottages were lovely and the surrounding area are well maintained with parking right in front of each cottage. Location was roughly 5 to 10 minutes to downtown eateries or the beautiful beaches. Most importantly to us, they are pet friendly as we brought along our dog on a road trip!

Pet

8/10

Excellent

09 Jun 2026

Alabanza

We recently had a wonderful stay at the Carmel River Inn and Cottages, and we can't recommend it enough!

First and foremost, the cottages are absolutely adorable. They have such a charming and cozy feel, making it the perfect home away from home. Plus, being dog-friendly was a major bonus for us. Our dog Margot felt right at home, and it was great to have a place where we could all relax together.

The location of the inn is ideal. It's close enough to all the attractions that you can easily explore the area, yet it maintains a peaceful atmosphere that allowed us to unwind. Most of the time, it was wonderfully quiet, which added to the overall relaxing experience.

However, there were a couple of minor drawbacks during our stay. The little coffee truck on-site was never open, which was disappointing, especially for coffee lovers like us. Additionally, we noticed that the coffee in the hotel lobby was often empty, which could use some improvement.

While we didn't take a dip in the pool, we can see ourselves enjoying it if the weather had been warmer.

Overall, our experience at Carmel River Inn and Cottages was delightful, and we would definitely return for another stay!

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

08 Jun 2026

Hoi Ying

Friendly stuff, clean room, reserved parking for each cottage.

Friends

10/10

Exceptional

05 Jun 2026

Yasmine

Incredible hospitality! My partner and I stayed a weekend and it was absolutely amazing. Staff is helpful and very respectful. It is very quiet and comfortable. Customer service is available 24/7 and are very kind when you call at any hour. Our stay was wonderful and would recommend when planning your next Carmel/Big Sur visit.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

05 Jun 2026

Jason

This place is a gem. Close and convenient to most things in the area, and far enough away that it seems remote. Cabins were brand new and the older cottages were really nicely kept. Great staff and overall a great experience staying here.

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

28 May 2026

Nathan

Welcoming and kind staff, clean bedroom and renovated bathroom, plentiful parking.

8/10

Excellent

27 May 2026

William

Cute
Better than a hotel stay
Kitchen useful

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

27 May 2026

Jesse

Very beautiful place to stay. Very private and pet friendly. Rooms were very clean, I even checked with a UV light. Staff is very friendly and helpful. Not far at all from downtown and the beach. Right across the way is the gass station and stores to stock up on anything necessary. I plan on returning with family very soon.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

26 May 2026

Ruthe

It felt secluded, private. Rooms were clean, fireplace made it cozy. We’ve been here a few times and noticed each room is unique. Highly recommend this place.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

25 May 2026

Hugo

Beautiful property. Great location. Close to everything. Great staff!

Pet

10/10

Exceptional

25 May 2026

Lorien

What a hidden gem. All of the staff was kind and helpful and treated us like welcome guests. The property was immaculate and very dog friendly. We stayed in two of the older cottages which were nicely updated without loosing their unique character. It is the perfect halfway spot to meet our daughter and her dog and enjoy all the peninsula has to offer. Can’t wait to come back.

Pet

10/10

Exceptional

17 May 2026

VALERIYA

Everything was perfect. No problems with anything. Beautiful, comfortable, clean, and safe place. Highly recommended

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

14 May 2026

ANNE

This is a charming spot, nestled near a stream. While an older property, it has been extremely well maintained. We had a studio cabin and although small, it met all of our needs, especially with a king size, comfortable bed. The heater in our cabin was… exuberant? The cabin definitely got warmer as the night went on, despite the setting. We made the mistake and left it on while we were out for a day and came back to 85°. So that was a lesson. To note, not all of the studio cabins are the same. We were traveling with two other couples. One couple had a king size bed with a larger bathroom and a small eating area. The other had a queen size bed with another bed offset in a separate room.

Our check-in was seamless. There is coffee and tea in the lobby every day, all day. There is a “food truck“ on the property in the mornings with a limited selection of breakfast items. The days that we were there seem to have been the days that several items were not available. Groceries are within a 10 minute walk. There is a small refrigerator and coffee bar of sorts in each room. I loved the peacefulness and the feel of the grounds. It felt a bit like an English garden.

Friends

10/10

Exceptional

04 May 2026

Danica

Amazing hotel!!! The staff were so friendly and accomodating. The only thing is that there is no A/C since the property is older so keep that in mind BUT they do have fans to give you if needed. But they were amazing, bed was comfy and great views

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 May 2026

Eva

A stunning place—very dog-friendly, impeccably clean, and featuring a beautiful garden. We stayed in a cottage with a small kitchen that was excellently equipped. Walking the dog was an absolute pleasure: it was quiet, clean, and offered plenty of grass and space.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

01 May 2026

Jake

Charming cottage on a gorgeous property and the staff helped me with a surprise in the room for my fiancé, highly recommend for a weekend getaway in a great location.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

22 Apr 2026

LOREN

Check-in was smooth and efficient, which set a great tone for the rest of our visit. Location wise, the hotel was perfect & conveniently situated near key attractions and dining options. The walls are very thin so that would be my only complaint; we could hear the person next door snoring (lol) and their TV and the maids were really noisy in the morning chatting. Otherwise my family & pup enjoyed our stay - the grounds are gorgeous & we'd visit again!

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

17 Apr 2026

Vincent

Clean room and friendly staff

10/10

Exceptional

14 Apr 2026

Christopher

Yes, perfect. A beautiful property.

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

11 Apr 2026

Matteo

This place is a dream come true comfy cozy little cottages and very private. Yes you have neighbors but no one is wall to wall next to you.

8/10

Excellent

11 Apr 2026

Shun-Tak

At a convenient location. It's in a secluded and quiet area but right next to Highway 1 on this way to Big Sur. The amenities and convenience of Carmel-by-the-Sea is only a few minutes away. It's literally the last exit from the city onto Highway 1 and on to Big Sur. So you can stay very near but outside Big Sur at a relative discount.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

09 Apr 2026

Dhiraj

Nice room next to river

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

08 Apr 2026

Rashelle

We had a fun first trip! The inn and cottage was along the Carmel River and provided a peaceful and affordable (compared to the general area) experience my friends and my puppy! There was plenty of areas for dogs to enjoy and quick fast drive to the supermarket and downtown Carmel. The room was spacious and cozy with all we needed!

Friends_and_family Friends

8/10

Excellent

08 Apr 2026

Sandeep

A clean, beautiful property filled with blooming flowers in the spring, creating a fresh, fragrant atmosphere throughout. The peaceful garden at the center features a cozy swinging chair, with birds singing in the background. In the evenings, you can ask the staff to light the two fire pits, perfect for relaxing and enjoying s’mores under open sky. You can also bring your furbabies to enjoy this beautiful place with you as well! Great place!

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

03 Apr 2026

Carolyn

Parking was convenient- room was clean - staff was friendly. Was extremely disappointed upon check in - reserved a cottage for two and was told upon check in they had no availability. We needed up staying in a “hotel” room - again- not what was advertised.

Family

2/10

Poor

03 Apr 2026

Sandra

We booked a cot

8/10

Excellent

30 Mar 2026

Negar

The renovated room we stayed in was lovely. The beds and bedding were comfortable and the river view from the second floor balcony was beautiful and soothing. The one area for improvement was to have microwaves in the rooms.

8/10

Excellent

28 Mar 2026

Christine

The room was very clean and the staff is great, very responsive to all my questions. The location is also good and it’s lovely to look out your window and see lots of greenery. Only negative is the shabbiness of the bathroom and a few pieces of furniture. The bathrooms are greatly in need of an upgrade.

10/10

Exceptional

27 Mar 2026

Pablo

Loved this place. We stayed in a little cottage..close to Monteray aquarium. Would stay again!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

24 Mar 2026

Daniel

The cottage was awesome. It was very clean and quiet. The parking was excellent. You get your own personal space. It felt very safe.

10/10

Exceptional

22 Mar 2026

Christina

I enjoy visiting Carmel By the River inn and Cottages and bringing my pups. The grounds are beautiful and peaceful

10/10

Exceptional

22 Mar 2026

Nikita

Quaint place to stay! Beautiful property

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Mar 2026

Luca

Great staff and clean cottage! Love it will come back for sure!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

14 Mar 2026

Etinay

Property is pet friendly and grounds are perfect to walk through. Updated cabins are really nice and everything was well kept and maintained. Very quiet.

10/10

Exceptional

13 Mar 2026

Lori Marie

Tiny homes all grouped together. Super friendly people. Very dog friendly. Houses vary in size and needs. All totally unique. All our needs were met. Gardens are beautiful

Pet

10/10

Exceptional

06 Mar 2026

Maria

This place is so lovely! The staff was great, very helpful and welcoming. It’s centrally located to Carmel by the sea, Monterey and Big Sur. We got a renovated bathroom which was great. The bed was so comfortable. Our room was on the second floor with a balcony which we enjoyed. The little cabins look very nice and well kept. We hope to stay in one next time. Highly recommend this place.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

06 Mar 2026

Pamela

Wonderful stay. Very quiet. Lovely staff.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

05 Mar 2026

Phillip

Very quaint, very relaxing cabin. I love all the different plants and flowers on path ways. I was able to walk around and look at all of them. I can’t wait to get back.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

03 Mar 2026

Swaroop Ravikantrao

Clean room best staff recommending good places, parking place

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

01 Mar 2026

Eric

Extremely courteous

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

27 Feb 2026

Erika

.

10/10

Exceptional

24 Feb 2026

Irina

Clean

10/10

Exceptional

23 Feb 2026

Mark

Great location. Excellent service.

Leisure Family

4/10

Poor

21 Feb 2026

Rick

Shower was moldy and door would not catch.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Feb 2026

Maricela

Cute, clean affordable

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Feb 2026

Judith

Very clean, very quiet and location was great. Staff was very friendly and amenable.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

15 Feb 2026

Caglayan

The room was nicely decorated, colourfull and joyfull. Everything was very clean. The place is calm and very convenient for sleep. The offerings at the lobby , especially coffee was simple but great. This is valid also for the hotel : Simple, minimalist, clean, silent and great 🙏

10/10

Exceptional

13 Feb 2026

Joshua

Everything was nice close to stores and everything staff was nice cool cabin vibe, beautiful sunrise.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

12 Feb 2026

Alice

Lovely renovation with ample space and small balcony overlooking the river. High value for dollar.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

07 Feb 2026

Armando Alvarez

Very large clean room and everything in it worked as expected. Front desk staff was fabulous when checking in/out; very friendly and polite at all the time. Very clean and quite all around the property.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

01 Feb 2026

Shannon

Amazing staff, friendly, and accommodating!!! Clean rooms. Everything was perfect. We will be back.

10/10

Exceptional

31 Jan 2026

ALLAN

Outstanding room, quiet, comfortable, and all staff were helpful. I will definitely return.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

27 Jan 2026

Olivia

Great place to stay at the last minute. Friendly staff and great cabin

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

21 Jan 2026

Nella

Clean room, staff friendly. Easy exit to attraction areas.

8/10

Excellent

20 Jan 2026

Anahid

The room was clean. I liked how my patio opened to Carmel river. Also crossroads shopping center is less than half a mile which was very convenient.

4/10

Poor

19 Jan 2026

Sayali

Booked a studio cottage (independent cottage) as I was traveling with my pet. The property owner switched our cottage type without informing us and gave us ADA studio cottage which was not petfriendly and had a shared wall with another cottage. At night, we could hear bathroom flush sounds along with creaking noises from the walls. The spring bed was not at all comfortable to sleep. The wall heater didn’t work as expected. Overall not a pleasant experience. I would highly recommend guests to double check your room type while checking in.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

18 Jan 2026

Alan

clean room

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

17 Jan 2026

MaryAnn

Quiet, clean, and nicely decorated

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

17 Jan 2026

Omar

Super clean. Very friendly staff. Beautiful cottages. Perfect for families.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

14 Jan 2026

Mary

Lovely spot! Balcony overseeing river, great shower, super clean and comfortable, and just minutes to food, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and Point Lobos Reaerve.

Leisure Family

4/10

Poor

12 Jan 2026

Anita

The location, staff and property were nice. However, there were tons of ants in our room. The first night we felt something crawling in our bed. When we lifted the covers there were dead and love ants. We thought it was an isolated time. But the same thing g happened rhe next night and we ended up sharing 1 of 2 beds. We didn’t sleep well at all. Rhe ants were in the bathroom, bed and and main areas. I informed the front desk at check out. While they were aplogeruc they didn’t offer for any reimbursement or credit. The receptors suggested I. All the manager since rhe were not on site

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

09 Jan 2026

Michelle

Carmel River Inn is so charming! Even though it has been renovated and modernized, it still has some of that quaint mid-century aesthetic, making it a unique and historic place to stay. We stayed in the hotel portion, and loved that we had a private balcony facing the Carmel River- very scenic! The proximity to Highway One has pros and cons. There's a little noise during the day, but it's very quiet at night. The hotel is at a nice crossroads, making it easy to access Big Sur as well as Carmel, Monterey and Carmel Valley. The staff was very friendly and helpful as well. We would definitely stay again!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

07 Jan 2026

Tammy

What a lovely stay.

Leisure Pet

10/10

Exceptional

03 Jan 2026

Mallika

Yes

Friends_and_family Friends

8/10

Excellent

03 Jan 2026

Keyla Rominna

Everything was great, the views are really nice. I would’ve liked to have housekeeping at least once in my 3 day stay. Other than that I will be definitely coming back

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

30 Dec 2025

Tamara

Delightful place to stay!

8/10

Excellent

30 Dec 2025

Betty

Overall, it was a very good stay and excellent location. We had three nice cottages for our family trip. The rooms were nice, but had different amenities. When I asked, the gentleman said they were all the same, but that wasn't true (bathtub versus shower; carpeted floor versus no carpet; dishwasher versus not, more spacious for game night versus no extra space, fake fire place for heat.versus a heater that never got the whole room warm; stand alone cottage versus 'duplex' with neighbor), etc. No warning of no daily housekeeping before arrival, and no warning on Expedia's advertising that they charge $125 as an additional cleaning fee if you bring a dog. Bed was too soft for us, but our adult kids thought the beds were great. We would return here because of location and the ability to have cottages for ourselves and our adult children.!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

28 Dec 2025

Evelyn

Great location!

Leisure Pet

10/10

Exceptional

23 Dec 2025

stella

Loved it!

10/10

Exceptional

22 Dec 2025

avi

Great location

10/10

Exceptional

14 Dec 2025

Shayna

Absolutely perfect stay in the upgraded cabin. Insanely quiet but only 8 minutes to downtown and just a few minutes from lovely shopping centers. Staff was so great. Will always come back when we visit Carmel!

Leisure Pet

10/10

Exceptional

13 Dec 2025

Anny June

Adam is great. The cabin is very clean fully stocked and very quite. The rest fo the staff that are auper nice. We called them to light up the fire pit and he was fast! When in Carmel we will definitely stay here. We use to stay in downtown are but this place is a gem!

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

11 Dec 2025

Thomas

Comfortable room. Well worn but clean and comfortable.

Friends_and_family Family