Hotel Carmel Bay View Inn (Carmel-by-the-Sea, USA)

Carmel is all about the bohemian beach life, with the taste of sea salt in the air, and galleries overflowing with the work of local artists. So where better to be than right in the middle of it all? With restaurants and cute boutiques on the doorstep, this hotel is the perfect base for exploring.

With a cozy, homely atmosphere, the rooms have charming features, such as their own fireplaces, which makes it stand apart from other hotels. Some rooms have balconies with stunning harbor or ocean views, and guests say it's worth upgrading to these rooms for a spectacular stay.

From the moment you arrive, The staff will do their best to welcome you and give you a relaxing stay, with a smooth check-in service, and staff on hand to offer advice on things to do in Carmel, or to accommodate special requests. Guests say that the housekeeping staff does a great job too.

Carmel can be a sultry place, and while ceiling fans do something to break the heat, they're just not enough. For the room rates charged, many guests think that air conditioning should come as standard, and are quite surprised not to find it. In the heat of summer, it may be an issue.

According to guests, the breakfast room can only be accessed by the rather old and cranky elevator - there are no stairs. So during the morning rush, getting there can be a slow process. Once there, while the food seems to be a hit, guests aren't so keen on the plastic cutlery and paper plates.

It's worth knowing when booking that with their generous windows, the road-facing rooms are susceptible to noise from passing traffic and pedestrians. For guests, the worst point is the early-morning garbage collection, which can provide a rather rude awakening.