Favorite hotel in Monterey/Carmel/Santa Cruz?

Milliechel67

We're going on our honeymoon a few days after the wedding, but we're trying to find a good last minute rate on a room in the Monterey/Carmel/Santa Cruz areas for our wedding night.  Have any favorites you'd like to share?

carefer

We try to stay at the Monterey Plaza at least once or twice a year. Gorgeous hotel, on Cannery Row in Monterey. The service and amenities are amazing, and their spa is great too.

anglyn

I second Monterey Plaza, I've also heard Carmel Valley Ranch is gorgeous. Kind of pricey though.

Milliechel67

I actually have connections at Carmel Valley for a good rate but they're sold out on the wedding day.  I was thinking of Monterey Plaza but don't know anyone who'd stayed.  With two good reviews, I'll see what they have available.  Keep the ideas coming girls.  ) 

niffycat

We always stay at the Green Lantern Inn in Carmel. If you don't like boutique still hotels, I would not recommend it though.

toshecky

FI and I just got back from a weekend getaway and I would TOTALLY recommend staying in Carmel.  It is the perfect balance of being close to things (unlike Carmel Valley Ranch - which, btw, is still in a gorgeous area), yet being relaxing and romantic and not too touristy (unlike Monterey).We stayed in Normandy Inn, which had a good location - walking distance to the beach, walking distance to all the shops, galleries, and restaurants.  It was a cute nice little hotel, but the walls were pretty thin which was a bit of a downside - probably not quite nice enough for your wedding night.  When we go back to Carmel in the  future, we'll try to stay at the Lobos Lodge - it's across the street from the Normandy Inn, also relatively inexpensive for the area, but a little nicer and more romantic (they have fireplaces!). If you want to splurge a little more, we also thought the Lamp Lighter Inn looked nice.If you are looking to spend at least a little time in the area, I definitely recommend Carmel - beautiful area to walk around and drive around.  But if you are only looking for a nice room for The Wedding Night, then you might be able to find a better deal on a nicer place in Monterey (the nicer places in Carmel get pricey fast.)