Vacation Rentals by Owner

Great Get-Away

Guest: devi h. (Lexington, KY)
Date of Stay: 04/20/12 Review Submitted: 05/01/12

My husband and I took a much needed long weekend to Carmel and Monterey. The home was conveniently located, in a nice quiet neighborhood. It was convenient to all of the major attractions, including Monterey Aquarium, Cannery Row, Whale Watching and Fishing trips, the Carmel mission, the 17 mile Road, Pebble Beach Golf Resort, tons of other golf areas and some wonderful restaurants. We didn't much time at the house, as we were trying to see as much as we could during our short stay. It was great coming home to a comfortable bed and relaxing porch. We really need to stay for a week during our next visit. Our hosts Ting and Bill were wonderful.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Fantastic !!

Guest: Bogey (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
Date of Stay: 02/05/12 Review Submitted: 02/19/12

This place is absolutely fantastic. Bill was the perfect host. It was like visiting an old friend. We spent the week attending the AT&T golf tournament and really appreciate everything Bill did for us. He made a great vacation even better. Inviting us to his superbowl party with his friends was great! Thanks again. The apartment was everything that the listing says it was and more. Great to have some meals at home even though the restaurants were terrific. Probably the most comfortable bed we've ever slept in. Can't wait to return as we wouldn't even think of staying anywhere else and can't recommend it more highly. A great big thankyou to both Bill and Ting!!! Bob and Lynne G.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great Escape!

Guest: C & T (Roseville, CA)
Date of Stay: 12/29/11 Review Submitted: 12/31/11

My husband and I booked this place very last minute. Bill, the owner, was very accommodating. He got back to us quickly and was helpful. This place has everything you will need for your stay. It has great views and is nicely decorated. We would definitely recommend staying here. The complimentary Monterey Bay Aquarium and 17 Mile Drive passes were excellent, too!!

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Fantastic!

Guest: henry d. (-)
Date of Stay: 12/19/11 Review Submitted: 12/24/11

My wife, two small children and I just stayed at this wonderful house for a few nights impromptu in December. We could not have been more pleased with everything! The owner is wonderful, the house just fantastic, location perfect and set up so well for us. It is like a very large hotel suite with fantastic views and light, decks, but with the privacy and the comfort of a private home. The owner is very caring and desirous of his guests being comfortable. Although I did not have time to play golf, I would definitely look forward to playing golf with him on a return visit, and understand many of his other guests already have. I agree with all of the many positive comments made by all the prior guests, and respectfully disagree with the one comment made by a guest about this being a basement with good light.... it is most definitely not a basement, rather its own suite connected to the main house by a private entrance. It has great windows, light and views, with its own decks. we would definitely rebook, and recommend to our friends. Enjoy!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A great find

Guest: nick (West Palm Beach Fl .U.SA.)
Date of Stay: 09/22/11 Review Submitted: 10/09/11

My wife and I stayed in this charming apt for eight days. The apt is in the lower portion of the owner's home. It is very lagre and has both a comfortable bed and great views from the deck. Bill, the owner was very helpful. Our computer wasn't working so he lent us one of his. The apt comes with a free pass to the Pebble Beach 17 mile drive and also with free passes to the Monteray Aquarium. Carmel By The Sea is a great walking town with great resturants and shops. We would stay here again.

Recommended for:Sightseeing

Great Vacation Rental

Guest: Darren (Fernley, Nevada)
Date of Stay: 09/15/11 Review Submitted: 09/20/11

This vacation rental was great. Very beautiful home. The home depicted what was exactly listed on the website. The property was very clean and well manicured. The hospitality was superior. I highly recommend staying at this residence if you are in the carmel or monterey area. The owner provided us with free passes to the Monterey Aquarium and free unlimited pass to 17 mile drive, which is the most beautiful drive I have ever seen. The owner was very friendly and helpful. I am excited that me and my girlfriend now have a place to stay when vacationing in Carmel or Monterey.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Outstanding Comforts and Convenience

Guest: Happy Camper (Las Vegas)
Date of Stay: 08/15/11 Review Submitted: 08/27/11

A very personable owner whom we considered as a friend. The unit is upgraded and immaculate with views of Carmel Valley Hills and distant Coastline. We plan to vacation here again. We highly recommend Carmel Escape for a wonderful getaway.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing.

AWESOME!!! MISSING IT ALREADY!!!

Guest: Kathy & Clay (Scottsdale, Az)
Date of Stay: 07/30/11 Review Submitted: 08/17/11

Just returned from 2 weeks at "Carmel Escape" and cannot wait to go back!! This adorable "cottage-like" place was as the photos depicted and was just perfect for us. It was everything from cozy & comfy, lite and bright, beautiful views, well appointed kitchen and grill (of which we used several times), great water pressure and instant hot water in the shower, and the most comfortable king-size bed you'll find - all in a great location close to everything - including Starbucks!! And as wonderul as all that was....the best thing about being there was our host!! He could not have been more generous and accommodating during our stay there - yet we had complete privacy and came and went as we pleased. He gave us passes to the Aquarium and 17-Mile drive - of which we used almost daily going to Pebble Beach to enjoy the shopping, golf courses, the Beach Club and the Tap Room. (The Tap Room Burger is a must!!) My husband is a golfer and our host invited him to play golf with him and his buddies several times - including a round at Pebble Beach!! That was truly a highlight for us!! Many thanks to our delightful host!! We have the most wonderful memories of our vacation there, and we look forward to seeing you again soon!

Recommended for:Age 55+

Great place in Carmel!

Guest: Roland & Family (Orinda, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/27/11 Review Submitted: 08/10/11

We stayed at this lovely home for three days in our recent trip to Southern California and had a wonderful time there! The place had everything that we needed and Bill (the owner) was so kind and made us feel at home.He provided us with passes for the Monterrey Aquarium in which we had a great time. He also gave us very valuable information regarding what to do and where to go. The place was both clean and comfortable. It also has a very good location, close to Carmel Mission, downtown, the beach, and a grocery store. We definitely recommend Carmel Escape for couples or families with young children. Thank you very much Bill for everything!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Delightful property with perfect location

Guest: SAScooter (San Antonio, TX)
Date of Stay: 06/28/11 Review Submitted: 08/03/11

We stayed at the Carmel Escape for three nights in late June. The pictures reflect accurately the beauty of the setting. The "cottage," although attached to the owner's house, was separate with its own private entrance. There were a flight of stairs down to the entrance which opened up to a roomy, light, and large four rooms: living area with eating area, kitchen, bathroom, and master bedroom. I appreciated the washer and dryer, and did a load of clothes after having been on the road for a week. Bill, the owner, was very friendly and helpful. He gave us free passes to the Monterey Aquarium worth $60, and a free pass for the 17-mile highway. We thorough;ly enjoyed both. I loved the sea horse exhibit at the aquarium. We picniked on the beach, bought seafood at the harbor in Monterey, and simply enjoyed the fabulous weather. My husband played golf at Pacific Grove Golf Links similar in environs to Pebble Beach, but much less expensive. The location of Carmel Escape is minutes away from all of the Monterey Peninsula action. This place is a real gem!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great, Comfortable Place to Stay in Carmel

Guest: Jim (Austin, Texas)
Date of Stay: 05/20/11 Review Submitted: 06/11/11

This exceeded our expectations! We stayed a week and found it to be a comfortable place in all aspects. The owner was very helpful and accommodating. The setting, location, and view were great and we look forward to staying here again in the future. The furnished passes to the aquarium and the 17 Mile Drive were nice extras. Jim & Sandra Austin, TX

Recommended for:Age 55+, sightseeing.

Great place in Carmel!

Guest: Jen (Trimble, MO)
Date of Stay: 04/25/11 Review Submitted: 04/30/11

We stayed at Carmel Escape for four nights in April. It is a very spacious and tidy unit with great views of the mountains. It's a great location also with easy access to downtown Carmel, Carmel Valley, Pebble Peach, Point Lobos, etc. Bill is a generous and gracious host. He invited my husband to golf with him one day and they had a great time. He offers use of his passes to the 17 Mile Drive and the Monterey Bay Aquarium, both of which we took advantage of. If anything you need is not in the unit, Bill will gladly find it for you. He is very knowledgeable about local golf and many other things. He's a very warm person and it is nice to now have a friend in Carmel! You can't tell from the pictures, but the rental is actually in the basement. But there is a TON of light since it's built into a hill. The unit is very open, with lots of counter space in the kitchen and everything you could need. We didn't expect to use the washer and dryer, but did and it was a great convenience to have. Also, we noticed very little noise from up above even though Bill and his wife live upstairs. We felt like we had plenty of privacy and came and went as we pleased. The shower had plenty of pressure and hot water and the bathroom has good counter space and plenty of towels. The unit was missing a full length mirror, but as we left and mentioned it to Bill he said he had one in the garage he would put up! There is a trail nearby to hike or run and we did that two mornings as well. We would definitely stay at Carmel Escape again. Carmel is a wonderful little place. Don't miss out on Carmel Valley and the wineries there. We didn't find this until the last day and really wished we'd spent more time there.

Owner response:Although I'm very pleased with positive review above, I must take exception to the reference "the rental is actually in the basement" which makes it sound like it is mis-represented in the listing. Actually our house is two stories built on a hill overlooking Carmel Valley. The first floor is the rental with totally seperate entrance and privacy.

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

"This is the real great escape"

Guest: Terry & Mary (Paramus, New Jersey)
Date of Stay: 04/18/11 Review Submitted: 05/05/11

Just spent 10 days at Carmel Escape and it was much more spacious than we expected. Contrary to the last review it is definitely not a basement. The place is really bright and airy and has it's own deck and private entrance. The views from all the windows are specticular, reminded us of Ireland, (only on a larger scale). It had all the amenities that you would want. The kitchen was spacious and the washer/dryer was a big plus to us. The living room had a great 43" flat screened TV and there was another TV in the bedroom with a fabulous king sized bed, which we intend to purchase the same mattress set which Bills wife Ting very kindly got us the information from the internet. They were truly great hosts. Bill included Terry in all his golfing activities (of which there were many) and Terry got to play Pebble Beach with Bill (a dream come true.) It was close to everything, wonderful shops and restaurants. Easy access to all the different sites including 17 mile drive at Pebble Beach, which requires an entrance pass, which the owners let you have for your stay, plus passes to the Monterey Aquarium. The drive towards Big Sur was amazing. We took lots of pictures. Carmel Escape is a place we would recommend to anyone and will return again if the opportunity comes up. Again our hosts Bill and Ting were really wonderful and we came away feeling more like family.

Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

heaven

Guest: phil (ottawa Canada)
Date of Stay: 02/01/11 Review Submitted: 03/23/11

I spent the entire month of February as a tenant and it was a truly wonderful experience. The apartment was very light and bright and very clean. The large king bed was especially comfortable. However the best part of the stay was meeting the landlord. A true gentleman. I look forward to returning to this most beautiful area of the country.

Owner response:Phil, Thank you very much for your comments... needless to say, we look forward to your return next year once your plans firm up... meanwhile, I'm continuing to work on my golf game with some very postive improvements... the guys all say "hello, eh!" Bill

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Carmel gem

Guest: Mark,Macclesfield,England (macclesfield, England)
Date of Stay: 10/05/10 Review Submitted: 11/12/10

My father and I visited the area to play golf, we got it and more! Our host Bill was superb, nothing too much trouble.The accomodation was excellent, clean, well maintained with great views. The property was larger than I expected and everything was provided for a comfortable stay. Beaches/shops and restaurants all within 5 minute drive. If you are thinking of coming for golf, don't hesitate, what Bill doesn't know about the local golf scene isn't worth knowing. Already planning my next trip.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Little Carmel Beauty

Guest: Mark,Macclesfield,England (macclesfield, England)
Date of Stay: 10/05/10 Review Submitted: 11/05/10

My father and I visited this property as a base for a golfing holiday.From the moment I communicated with the owner Bill by E mail I got a good feeling about this place. It was ideal. It was very clean and well maintained with all the amenities required for an enjoyable stay.Fabulous view from the large windows making it very light and airy. It was bigger than I expected. 5 minutes to shops/restaurants and the beach. As I say we came for golf and got it big style. Bill our host was superb. Nothing was too much trouble and his local knowledge was excellent. Would I recommend it to a friend, definitely. Would I visit again myself, definitely, in fact I am already planning for next year.

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, sightseeing.

Great place to stay

Guest: Lisa (Payson,Az)
Date of Stay: 07/16/10 Review Submitted: 08/03/10

This was a great place to stay and we would stay again in a heartbeat. The guest house is below the main house and has seperate stairs to get to it. The inside was fresh and clean and very well maintained. The owner supplied things you may need like a hotel would, plus there was a nice outside porch with a barbeque grill that we used often. The view from the house was awesome. The owner did not "bother" us, although we actually called him several times with our questions about the area, etc... He was always pleasant and courteous to us. My daughter was very compfortable sleeping in the front room on a soft couch. The house was very private, a noneed to lovk the door when you leave house! Thank you Bill.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Beautiful View

Guest: J & J (Van Alstyne, TX)
Date of Stay: 07/14/10 Review Submitted: 07/27/10

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay at "Carmel Escape". The view from all the windows is spectacular, particularly the living room and bedroom. It is conveniently close to all the beaches and the charming downtown area of Carmel. The owners were delightful (even a Texas connection!) and provided us with passes to the Monterey Aquarium and unlimited drives through the scenic 17 mile drive through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove. We will definitely be back!!

Recommended for:

The perfect getaway

Guest: shaikyn (Fairfield, California, USA)
Date of Stay: 07/09/10 Review Submitted: 08/10/10

This is a beautiful property and Bill is sweetest, I would return in a heart beat. It's better then the discription, the location was perfect, not far from the Jazz festival that we had planned on attending the first night we arrived. The property was clean and well maintained. The owner, Bill, was very helpful, he e-mailed me a list of things to do in Carmel before we got there so I was able to plan our days before I got there. Jazz in Carmel was really nice, we went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, we took the 17 mile drive, went to blues in the park we enjoyed our stay all together. My husband didn't want to leave and quiet as kept niether did I.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Relaxing, clean and friendly host

Guest: Patt (Danville, CA)
Date of Stay: 06/12/10 Review Submitted: 06/21/10

We had a wonderful stay at this house. We had peace and quiet in the cozy cottage. This accomodation has everything you need - washer dryer, king bed, plasma TV+. Our host was extremely helpful and friendly. He shared his "local knowledge" while were were down for the US Open.I would definitely stay here again. The location while not in downtown Carmel was an easy picturesque walk. We were offered passes to the Aquarium and to the 17 mile drive. The garden on site was spectacular.

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Wonderful Stay!

Guest: Joanne & Brian (Folsom, CA)
Date of Stay: 04/16/10 Review Submitted: 04/21/10

We had a great stay at the 'Escape'. Very cute, comfortable, quiet and convenient to all the main attractions. Made our visit to Carmel extremely pleasant. Awesome front garden and very nice welcoming hosts.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: K. Aston (Utah)
Date of Stay: 03/18/10 Review Submitted: 03/18/10

We stayed here for a week while my son recovered from an ear surgery. It is an adorable place to stay and the bed is really comfortable. It's the perfect location for jumping on Hwy 1 to get wherever you're going, but it also feels tucked away.

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Guest: Brenda & Warren Bischoff (Highland Village, Tx)
Date of Stay: 09/05/09 Review Submitted: 09/05/09

We so enjoyed our stay for the Concourse week. Friendly, helpful hosts.Well appointed,clean, comfortable & convenient to town and the valley. Plan to stay again next year.

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Guest: Frank Mose (Houston, Tx)
Date of Stay: 08/10/09 Review Submitted: 08/10/09

We enjoyed our stay at the 'Escape' and had a great vacation. Friendly hosts, clean, peaceful & relaxing. Will come back. Frank & family, Houston, Tx

Recommended for:

Guest: Dennis16 (Orlando, Fl)
Date of Stay: 08/06/09 Review Submitted: 08/06/09

The 'Escape' is great - terrific location, scenic views and friendly hosts. It is clean and well-appointed. We hope to return again.

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Guest: Luis3 (Valencia, Spain, Europe)
Date of Stay: 08/04/09 Review Submitted: 08/04/09

Great place in Carmel. Everything was perfect, the owners run it with lot of care and love, thats is very important. Do not heditate, go to this house when you visit Carmel. The house is realy clean and confortable.

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Guest: Kevin King1 (Austin, TX)
Date of Stay: 06/28/09 Review Submitted: 06/28/09

We stayed in downtown carmel last year and had a bad experince because it was a noisey street and very tiny space. Carmel escape provided a quiet, clean and pleasant stay and it's very spacious. It's very close to mission church and 1 mile from downtown and carmel beach. The kitchen is very nice and we enjoyed our stay and glad we chose this one.

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Guest: Tina Johnson (new York, NY)
Date of Stay: 06/18/09 Review Submitted: 06/18/09

This house has a great view of the golf course and big sur, and amazing garden! Very convenient to shopping center, downtown carmel and carmel beach. Pleasant stay and great hospitality. Will come back next year. Tina Johnson New York, NY

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Guest: Carole L Thames (Sacramento, CA)
Date of Stay: 06/05/09 Review Submitted: 06/05/09

We really enjoyed our stay at the "Escape". The owners were very friendly and didn't mind us having a small dinner party during our visit. Bed was very comfortable with nice down pillows!!

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Guest: Jeff Carter (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
Date of Stay: 03/19/09 Review Submitted: 03/19/09

Fantastic place. We sincerely enjoyed not only the comfort and convenience and expansive view of the Big Sur headlands but also the hospitality you showed us. Hope to see you again in the near future.

Recommended for:

Guest: Chris108 (Austin / TX)
Date of Stay: 09/21/08 Review Submitted: 09/21/08

I love this suite. Everything is very clean and the king size bed is so comfortable ... will come back again...

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Guest: Tony11 (NY/NY)
Date of Stay: 09/21/08 Review Submitted: 09/21/08

The perfect place to stay for my golf week on the Peninsula. You have a warm and welcoming house, I will recommend it to all my golfing friends.

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Guest: Mike Cohen (Panama / FL)
Date of Stay: 09/21/08 Review Submitted: 09/21/08

We had a great vacation here. It's a beautiful house and the gardens are very welcoming... peaceful & relaxing. Thanks for the use of Aquarium guest passes.

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