The Pine Inn in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Historic Carmel Inn Takes Guests Back to Early 20th Century Elegance
Sep 10, 2009
Situated along the centrally located Ocean Avenue in downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, the Pine Inn offers historic elegance close to the beach, galleries, shops, and restaurants. While it is by no means the most modern accommodation the visitor will find in Carmel, this oldest of Carmel hotels will make the guest feel as if he or she has stepped back into a previous century.
Pine Inn History
Opened as the Hotel Carmelo in 1889, the Pine Inn has gone through several renovations and one significant move (whereby the entire hotel was moved four blocks!). Originally situated at the corner of Ocean Avenue and Broadway (now Junipero), the Hotel Carmelo was constructed with wood from the Tivoli Opera House in San Francisco, which had recently been demolished. In the early twentieth century, the hotel moved to its current location on the corner of Ocean Avenue and Monte Verde.
In 1903, after the move and a refurbishment by famed Carmel builder M.J. Murphy, the Inn’s name was changed. The new Pine Inn was an instant success and was frequently booked to capacity. In addition to serving as an inn for out-of-town guests, the Pine Inn also became a community center used by, among others, literary societies and religious groups for meetings and events.
In 1920, the Inn was purchased by John Jordan and refurbished. Jordan also added guest cottages, a tennis court and a putting green during the renovation. Ownership once again changed hands in the early 1940s when Harrison Godwin bought the hotel and gave it a distinctive Victorian look. An outside dining area was added, as were a rooftop garden and several stores. The writer John Steinbeck met Elaine Scott, his future wife, at the Pine Inn in 1949.
In 1962, Carol McKee purchased the Pine Inn and modernized the hotel. When she sold the hotel in 1986 for close to $10 million, it was said to be one of the largest single sales of property in Carmel’s history.
The Pine Inn Today
Today the Pine Inn is best described as a boutique hotel offering a variety of well-appointed rooms to discerning guests. While it is a historic structure—the Pine Inn is a designated Historic Resource by the City of Carmel—the twenty-first century guest will find complimentary high speed Internet and televisions but no elevators.
There are three classes of rooms today; they are standard rooms, deluxe rooms and suites. The standard rooms are elegant and the best value, but they are quite small by most travelers’ standards. The deluxe rooms are somewhat larger (and have oversized bathrooms), but most guests will prefer the suites, which are also the most expensive rooms in the Inn. Several of the deluxe rooms do offer adjacent, semi-private patios (rooms #4 and #6), and one has a fireplace (room #1). The suites are all located in what the hotel terms “an exclusive penthouse area” and open onto a semi-private, shared patio area.
Other Considerations When Staying at the Pine Inn
During the week, complimentary breakfast is provided at Il Fornaio, which is on the grounds of the hotel. Unfortunately, despite more expensive weekend rates, breakfast is not provided on Saturdays and Sundays. Limited complimentary parking is provided on a first come, first served basis. If there is no parking in the hotel’s lot (located behind the hotel and across the street), parking can be a real headache.
Things to Do in the Area
The Pine Inn is the perfect spot for exploring many of the best attractions of the Central Coast, including Big Sur, Tor House and Hawk Tower, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and the wineries of Carmel Valley.
 |
 |
