Originally known as an artist’s community for writers and painters, Carmel by the Sea attracts lovers, wanderers and pleasure seekers. I use the term pleasure seeker with a broad brush, as my Labrador Retriever is as much of an explorer and pleasure seeker as I am. With that in mind, my husband and I selected The Vagabond’s House Inn for a mid-week getaway on California’s Central Coast.
The 4 star Carmel boutique inn was built in the late 1920’s and was known as a place for artists to create and thrive in a positive work environment. In the lobby you’ll noticed framed artwork and writings from famous guests. The Vagabond’s House, an English Tudor styled inn, got its name from author Don Blanding and still hosts writers workshops and artist retreats to this day.

Our visit took place on a wet winter weekday, so the blazing fireplace and afternoon wine and cheese reception in the lobby was a welcome site. The innkeeper showed us to our superior king room and showed us how to work the gas fireplace. He thoughtfully pointed out the fresh fruit and sherry left in our room by the mini fridge (with plenty of cold filtered water) and showed us the white robes in the closet. My favorite part of the tour; the heated marble floor and giant claw foot bath tub!

Romance in Carmel by the Sea
If this is a romantic trip to Carmel by the Sea, start your afternoon or evening by the outside fire pit with a glass of Carmel Valley wine from the Santa Lucia Highlands and if you are traveling with children, ask for a cup of creamy hot chocolate. Whether this is a girlfriend getaway or multi-generational vacation, there are so many things to see and do in Carmel. I recommend picking up Carmel Wine Walk Passports. Stop by Blair Estate Tasting Room in Carmel Plaza and walk to any 10 of the participating tasting rooms. All the Carmel tasting rooms are dog and family-friendly.

Breakfast in bed
Guests at Vagabond’s House select menu items that are delivered to the room at the hotel guest’s specified time. Delivered daily, on real dishes with cloth napkins, the boutique inn makes a concerted effort to be eco-conscious. Too often these days we see so many single use items being utilized in otherwise nice establishments. I appreciate that there is not a lot of plastic to be found at the inn.

In addition to in room large Samsung UHDTV’s with HD Dish and Netflix (or guests may choose to cast from personal electronics) there are options for spa packages, “Bone Voyage” for pets, Rose Rose packages (that would be pink champagne with pink roses) and Land and Sea packages to the Monterey Bay Aquarium or Monterey and Carmel golf packages.
If that’s not enough to entertain you, visit the spa studio downstairs. Services include massage treatments, facials, clay, seaweed and salt scrubs.
Need to know:
Rates start at $219 to $439 and do not fluctuate by season. The property is a member of Carmel Innkeeper’s Association and Unique Inns. Perks includes on-site self park and ample free street parking. All downstairs rooms are pet-friendly and include doggie treats with dog bowls and blanket on loan.
Complimentary wifi is included.
Check in: 4:00 p.m.
Check out: 12:00 p.m.

Insider Tips:
The Vagabond’s House is serious about their coffee. After years of guests requesting espressos with their breakfast, the boutique inn invested in a coffee set up that gives not only espresso, but also ristretto, latte, macchiato, flat white and anything your heart desires. Their beans are roasted for them each week in Mill Valley (north of San Francisco.) Their premium coffee service is open between 7:45 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Due to the premium coffee service, they do not offer the lesser quality coffee pods or pouches in room. Upon request, the inn will provide a coffee pot set up with beans ground especially for guests. They feel this is the best way to insure a quality coffee experience, rather than the industry standard of providing aging in-room pods and pouches. The hotel uses organic Horizon milk in their coffee and offers real cream and milk (no artificial prepackaged dairy) for in-room setups. My husband, a coffee connoisseur, agrees that they serve excellent coffee. They also make a mean cup of hot chocolate. For additional insider tips follow luxury travel writer @Nancydbrown on Twitter or Instagram @Nancydbrown and Vagabond’s House Inn on Instagram.
If You Go:
The Vagabond’s House Inn (831) 624-7738
4th on Dolores Street
Carmel, California 93921-2747
The Vagabond’s House Carmel Inn by the Sea review, YouTube video and all photography by travel writer Nancy D. Brown. As is typical in the industry, I received a complimentary media stay, however, all opinions are my own.