Six Reasons to Choose Hofsas House Hotel When Visiting Carmel-by-the-Sea

Hofsas House Hotel is perfectly located. It’s on the quiet end of San Carlos Street, so you don’t have to worry about street noise, but it’s still surprisingly close to everything you want to do in Carmel. The hotel is only 8 blocks from the beach and four blocks from Ocean Avenue—that means things like shopping, dining and wine tasting are a very easy walk. I loved that after doing a little wine buying (following a little wine tasting), I was able to walk back to the hotel, drop off my purchases, and head back to town with no bother. And with plenty of chances to wine taste in Carmel, being able to walk instead of drive is a huge advantage.

Clean, comfortable and charmingly appointed, each of the 38 rooms at the Hofsas House Hotel is decorated in its own unique way. While I can’t tell you which exact style of room you would be in, I can recommend heading to the fourth floor for its close proximity to the observation deck and the fabulous view. I stayed in a room with a king bed, fireplace and well-equipped kitchenette (that would make a longer-term stay very convenient). The room had shuttered windows (rather than curtains), giving guests greater control over the amount of light (and privacy) available. Tucked away in an armoire was a flat-screen television—though with so much to do in Carmel, and only 48 hours to do it in, I forgot it was there. Still, it’s nice to have on longer stays and for late nights, as Carmel does tend to close down early. And just a note about amenities: guests also have access to things like a year around heated swimming pool, saunas, free parking and complimentary continental breakfast. The Hofsas House is pet friendly, and if you are traveling with your pet, you may want to ask about their special pet package so that your pet can enjoy the stay as much as you will.

Our spot on the fourth floor afforded us an amazing view. As the clouds cleared, the sunlight glinting off the water very nearly distracted me from exploring. I know that sounds strange coming from someone who lives near the ocean, but there’s just something about being able to open your window and see the ocean between the parted trees. And I think you can tell from the photo how spectacular the sunset views are.

Hofsas House Hotel is a family-owned business and has been for more than 60 years. From the moment you walk into the door to the moment you leave, the entire team makes you feel comfortable and welcome. This is not the anonymous experience of a big hotel. People here know your name, pay attention to your preferences, and go out of their way to make your stay enjoyable. If you have questions about the city, don’t be afraid to ask. Carrie and Scott have a wealth of inside information about everything from restaurants to scenic drives, and they are more than happy to share it with you.

Hofsas House has special packages going on throughout the year, so be sure to check their website for the latest news. Seasonal packages in play right now include a Beach Fire and S’mores Package (complete with wood bundle with starter and matches for the fire, beach blanket, safety flashlight and, of course, S’mores supplies), a Family Reunion Package (which includes access to group rates, the S’mores excursion and discounted use of their poolside meeting facility), a Tail Wagging Package (which includes some serious pet swag and tips for the best ways to enjoy Carmel with your canine) and the Wine and Cheese Package. Now, if you’ve read me before, you can probably guess that I headed straight for the Wine and Cheese Package (though the idea of S’mores was pretty tempting). This package includes not only the welcoming site of a Monterey County wine and cheese (from The Cheese Shop) upon arrival, but it also includes a Wine Tasting Passport. The passport grants you wine tasting tickets at any of the tasting rooms that are participating in the Wine Walk by-the-Sea—and they never expire! So, while you may want to hit 9 tasting rooms in a single day or weekend, you don’t have to do that. Whew!

What’s next for Hofsas House? In early December of each year, Hofsas House hosts a gingerbread house fundraiser. It’s a great family/community event and children get the chance to create a gingerbread house and take it home for the holidays. Adults who want to get in on the action can also taste some local wines, enjoy gourmet cheeses and know that their donations are going to the Carmel Library Foundation. Not in town on that exact date, but know that you’ll be staying at Hofsas House in December? Give them a call, and they may be able to set aside a gingerbread-making kit just for you.