Looking for a family-friendly resort near Carmel-by-the-Sea? This Carmel Valley Ranch review covers everything you need to know about this 500-acre resort nestled in the scenic Carmel Valley, just 15 minutes from Carmel and 20 minutes from Monterey.
Overlooking the Santa Lucia Mountains and surrounded by vineyards, lavender fields, and a championship golf course, Carmel Valley Ranch blends luxury with nature. With standout amenities like a saltwater infinity hot tub, spacious suites, guided hikes, and complimentary wellness and nature classes, it’s the perfect escape for families, couples, or anyone seeking a relaxing California retreat.
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How to book Carmel Valley Ranch on points
Carmel Valley Ranch is a Category 7 Hyatt Hotel from the Unbound Collection with 30,000 Hyatt Points per night.
💡 Good to Know
Hyatt is bumping up some hotels in their Categories, and the number of points required for a free night at some hotels is changing. Carmel Valley Ranch is moving from Category 7 to Category 8, from 30k Hyatt Points to 40k per night on a Standard Night.
If you make your reservation before March 28th, 2023, you can still lock in the current rates! Keep in mind that you can make your reservation up to 12 months in advance!
We booked a Santa Lucia Studio with King Bed using Hyatt Points and a Category 1-7 Free Night Award Certificate (that we earned last year after reaching 60 qualifying nights with Hyatt).
This booking was actually the ultimate combo for getting the best value. We were looking for two nights, so we quickly checked the Points Calendar on Hyatt’s website for the off-peak nights (25k Hyatt Points per night). While the first night was 25k, the second was a Standard Rate of 30k.
Then we used the Pay My Way option on the Hyatt website to book a stay with 2 different payment options. We picked points for the first off-peak night and a Free Night Award for the second.
Moreover, as a part of the Hyatt Bonus Journeys promotion, for 5 or more night stays between January 13th and March 19th, we got 10k Hyatt Points back! So for a 2-night stay worth $1,216.82 (and 1,946.76 if you count the upgrade in), we paid only 15,000 Hyatt Points!
Check in at Carmel Valley Ranch
We were pleasantly surprised that the hotel upgraded us a day before our arrival to a Ranch Suite with a King Bed (I guess it’s a good thing that Carmel Valley Ranch has 177 suites). We know getting upgraded at check-in is always a hit-or-miss, so this advanced upgrade was much appreciated.
Although we arrived at Carmel Valley Ranch after 4:30 pm, the concierge at the check-in informed us that our room was still not ready (luckily, it only took 20 more minutes to get our room ready for us).
Girls got their cute plush bee toys and rubber duckies, which definitely made their day. We also got a complimentary bag with two reusable water bottles, and the hotel conveniently had water-filling stations scattered throughout the property.
Carmel Valley Ranch Globalist upgrade
We got an 800 sq. feet Ranch Suite with a King Bed, fireplace, living room, and a private deck with outdoor seating.
💡 Good to Know
Some rooms at Carmel Valley Ranch feature an outdoor tub on your private deck (you can find the details in the room description). You can read more about our stay at the Ranch a few years ago and how we stayed in a Standard Studio with an outdoor tub here.
The Suite had a separate living room with a pull-out sleeper sofa and a full dining set (we also requested a crib for our younger daughter).
The bedroom was spacious and clean. The high ceiling definitely made the room airier and the fireplace cozier. Our private deck faced the mountains, so having some charming views to wake up to was a bonus.
Bathroom, Ranch Suite at Carmel Valley Ranch
The bathroom featured a separate tub, a shower cabin, a double-sink counter, and a relatively spacious walk-in closet.
Dining options at Carmel Valley Ranch, California
Valley Kitchen restaurant at Carmel Valley Ranch
Valley Kitchen restaurant is located at the Lodge and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Breakfast at Valley Kitchen
Valley Kitchen offers breakfast buffet-style as well as from the menu. The buffet had some decent options, including an omelet station, fruits, pancakes, build-your-own smoked salmon bagel, and more. As for our complimentary breakfast as Globalists, the girls picked their food from the buffet while we ordered something from the menu.
Dinner at Valley Kitchen
We tried Valley Kitchen for dinner once. Although the restaurant itself looked inviting and stylish, and we had great service, we were not that impressed with the food, especially considering the price.
The Clubhouse Grill Carmel Valley Ranch
The Clubhouse Grill provided casual dining by the Golf Clubhouse, complete with a stunning patio featuring fire pits overlooking the hills. The menu offered a full selection of entrees and drinks, including a separate kids’ menu (check out the grilled salmon we got for our girls).
The River Ranch Carmel Valley Ranch
The River Ranch Cafe, located at the River Ranch by the family-friendly pool, offered to-go quick bites, such as burgers, grilled cheese, and sandwiches.
Amenities Carmel Valley Ranch
Adult-only pool and infinity hot tub, Carmel Valley Ranch
The main heated pool and the infinity hot tub are located at the Lodge, and both are adult-only (16+). Interestingly enough, all the pools at the property have salt water in them!
Here you can enjoy poolside service from the Valley Kitchen, also located at the Lodge.
The oversized infinity hot tub offered serene views of vineyards and the golf course. Luckily, the hotel offered kids camp where you could leave your kids from 9 am to 1 pm (paying hourly); otherwise, we would not have been able to experience this perfect serenity moment.
River Ranch family pool at Carmel Valley Ranch
The family-friendly pool is located at the River Ranch and requires a short drive from the Lodge (you can also take a shuttle from the Lodge). Unfortunately, this area does not look as lovely as the adult-only one; you do not get cushioned lounge chairs or poolside service. Nonetheless, the pool looked decent and was also heated and filled with salt water.
Note that this area is shared with the Club members, so it might get crowded on the weekend.
There were two hot tubs and a tiny 1-foot baby pool, where the girls spent a good amount of time just sitting and playing.
Spa Aiyana at Carmel Valley Ranch
The Spa Aiyana facility boasts a variety of treatments, from traditional massages to innovative body wraps and facials. The spa’s natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere make it the perfect destination for anyone seeking a rejuvenating and calming experience.
Golf course at Carmel Valley Ranch
The golf course at Carmel Valley Ranch is a true gem for avid golfers and nature enthusiasts alike. Designed by renowned golf architect Pete Dye, the course features challenging terrain and breathtaking views of the surrounding hills and valleys. Golfers can test their skills on the 18-hole, par-70 course. In addition to the course itself, the facility offers a full range of amenities, including a driving range, putting green, and a clubhouse.
Activities at Carmel Valley Ranch
This Carmel Valley Ranch review highlights the diverse range of activities available, from guided hikes to beekeeping experiences, ensuring entertainment for all ages.
Classes at Carmel Valley Ranch
Carmel Valley Ranch is a unique property where not only can you relax by the pool or at the spa but also participate in various complementary or paid activities. The hotel offers complimentary yoga, a bodypump, barre, cycling classes, and even H2O fit class in the pool! All these classes require a reservation and have limited space.
If you and your family are ready to learn something new, Carmel Valley Ranch has archery, tennis, and ranch hands programs for a certain fee (check the hotel’s website for the pricing)!
Kid’s camp at Carmel Valley Ranch
Carmel Valley Ranch offers a kid’s camp, something you rarely see at other hotels! It’s for ages 2-12, with a $35 per hour per child fee, and they are open from 9 am to 1 pm daily. We reserved a spot for the girls at the front desk a day before and dropped them off at the River Ranch Activity Cottage the next morning.
The camp featured different activities such as arts & crafts and indoor and outdoor games. You could also request lunch from River Ranch Café for an additional charge. The girls looked happy when we picked them up, wearing little rubber rings they had just made at the crafts table.
Corral at Carmel Valley Ranch
Did you know Carmel Valley Ranch has hiking trails, farms, beehives, and more?
We took the Huff’n’Puff trail (it took us around 15 minutes from our room at the Bluff Suites) to the Corral with horses, sheep, goats, cows, and even alpacas! The girls could not have been happier!
Some of our favorites were the Highland fluffy cows Rusty and Dusty and an alpaca named Valentina!
The coop in the organic garden at Carmel Valley Ranch
You could stroll through the vineyards and the lavender fields to the chicken coop in the organic garden. They had different species, including the funny looking fuzzy-footed Frizzles.
S’mores nightly at Carmel Valley Ranch
The hotel offered complimentary s’mores kits and had several large fire pits (we counted 4) around the Lodge to enjoy your evening while roasting marshmallows.
Bottom line
As this Carmel Valley Ranch review highlights, this luxury resort in Carmel Valley, California, is one of the best resorts in Monterey County for families. Set on 500 acres of rolling hills, lavender fields, and vineyards, it offers a unique blend of upscale comfort and outdoor adventure.
Families can enjoy various Carmel Valley Ranch activities, from saltwater infinity hot tubs and spa treatments to guided nature walks, beekeeping classes, and scenic hikes. Whether you’re planning a California family vacation or searching for things to do near Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel Valley Ranch delivers an unforgettable, family-friendly escape with something for everyone.
You can apply for the following credit cards to earn Hyatt points that can be redeemed at Carmel Valley Ranch:
- Chase World of Hyatt Credit Card application
- Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card application (Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be transferred to the World of Hyatt program)
Great review thank you. Question was the whole breakfast free as a Globalist? For 2 adults and 2 kids. You mentioned that the kids did the Buffett and you ordered from the menu. Was there a dollar limit per adult. Or was it beverage and a main dish each? Thank you so much
Thank you! Yes, it was a complimentary breakfast for 2 adults and 2 kids. There was no dollar limit per person, but as always, alcohol and gratuity were excluded. Not sure about the only 1 dish per person, as we only ordered 1 dish each (with some sides) and coffee/latte. The kids definitely had a blast at the buffet station, eating pancakes, pastries, and fruits!