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Carmel Beauty "The Great Escape" In Downtown Location

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A house with a brick patio, wooden deck, and a small garden area with potted plants and a table.
A modern house with a brick patio, wooden deck, and a small garden with flowers and plants.
A hallway with wooden walls and a ceiling, leading to a seating area with a view of greenery outside.
guest bedroom
guest bathroom

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Room to spread out
    Enjoy a spacious layout that gives everyone more room to relax.
  • Garage parking available
    Enjoy the convenience of garage parking - a rare offering in the area.
  • Walkable and wonderful
    Guests love the walkable location for its easy access on foot.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Close to Carmel Beach
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Garage parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Deck or patio
  • Internet access
  • Fireplace

Explore the area

View in a map
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
  • Place, Sunset Center
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Carmel Plaza
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Place, Carmel Beach
    ‪11 min walk‬
  • Airport, Monterey, CA (MRY-Monterey Peninsula)
    ‪11 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only · Jetted bathtub

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

Carmel Beauty "The Great Escape" In Downtown Location

Fabulous location, close to town, with romantic interior environment on quiet tree lined street overlooking a greenbelt. Gorgeous space, practically new with large baths, limestone surfaces, copper sinks, steam shower, gas fireplace. Very peaceful setting to relax and enjoy Carmel.

Keywords: A gorgeous contemporary cottage located in downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea with beautiful canyon views, a romantic setting and yet very private.

A loving recent restoration brought this house into the new century. Pure heart redwood, copper, limestone and Douglas Fir make this house glow in the late evening as the sun sets over the beach.

If you're lucky you might get the beam of a full moon through the Living Room windows as it lights up the canyon below and makes the room glow. So romantic and peaceful. The lovely walking trail-Mission trail is right at the back of the house. One block from Ocean Ave and a 15-minute walk through Carmel's Golden Triangle brings you to Carmel Beach, one of the most iconic spots on California's Central Coast.


Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Property # 793023
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the neighborhood

Carmel

Located in Carmel, this vacation home is in the city center. Cannery Row and Carmel Plaza are worth checking out if shopping is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Carmel Beach and Monterey Bay. Check out an event or a game at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, and consider making time for Monterey Bay Aquarium, a top attraction not to be missed. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and scuba diving nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking/biking trails and cycling.
View more Vacation Homes in CarmelOpens in a new window
Map
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

What's nearby

  • Sunset Center - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Carmel Plaza - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Carmel Beach - 11 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Carmel Mission Basilica - 15 min walk - 1.3 km
  • 17-Mile Drive - 16 min walk - 1.4 km

Getting around

  • Monterey Station - 22 min drive
  • Monterey Peninsula Airport (MRY) - 9 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Carmel Bakery - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪La Bicyclette - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Vesuvio - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Pizza Heaven - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Carmel Valley Coffee Roasting Company - ‬11 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Carmel Beauty "The Great Escape" In Downtown Location pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at The Great Escape: downtown, canyon views?

As of Jul 21, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Great Escape: downtown, canyon views on Sep 30, 2026 start from $265, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Carmel Beauty "The Great Escape" In Downtown Location?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Carmel Beauty "The Great Escape" In Downtown Location?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Carmel Beauty "The Great Escape" In Downtown Location located?

Located in Southeast Carmel, this vacation home is within a 10-minute walk of Sunset Center and Carmel Plaza. Carmel Beach and 17-Mile Drive are also within 1 mi (2 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 30 out of 32 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 32 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 32 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 32 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 32 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Archival

10/10 Excellent

Shelly H.

The perfect place to stay. Franz and Wendy made everything great. Very clean and pleasant.

Though the beds were a little hard, overall it made for a really nice weekend.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2016
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 23, 2020
Hi Shelly, First of all thanks for the 5-star review. We really appreciate it and we are happy you enjoyed your stay. I think everybody has their own `sleep number' as the commercials make you believe. :-) However, as you are the second person to comment on this, it seems like our own sleep number is higher than average. We will fix the issue immediately by changing the mattresses. We hope to welcome you back for your 2017 sisters' get-together weekend! Wendy and Frans
Verified

8/10 Good

CANTON O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy

senior problems

We are both 93 years old. I told that to the host prior to booking. There are too many stairs for seniors, and there are no grab bars in showers. The home is well equipped, and well located in a quiet street. But, stairs from entry to kitchen and more to living area and master bedroom.
Stayed 30 nights in Mar 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Carmel Retreat

The house involves a lot of stairs (three levels) but that’s really part of its charm and we treated it as part of our daily exercise regimen. We were pleasantly surprised to find very comfortable swivel recliners for tv watching that replaced the chairs shown in the on line listing photos. We agree with an earlier review suggesting a gas bbq in the front patio, there is no rear patio or deck. The view out the back is as advertised, very soothing, except that the expanse of glass has not been cleaned in a long time. Dirt, leaves and cobwebs abound. I appreciate that accessibility is an issue, but still ... The master suite, especially the bath, shower and closet, is huge. And the laundry facilities are the best we’ve experienced in a vacation rental.
Stayed 30 nights in Jan 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lisa R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The perfect "Great Escape"

My husband and I stayed at the Great Escape for the month of September 2023 and were absolutely thrilled with our decision to rent this home. It was exactly as described in the listing and then some. It was so warm and inviting, and in a perfect location in Carmel. The kitchen was well stocked for the days and evenings we stayed in and cooked at home. The master bedroom was very comfortable and the master bathroom was 5-star. We loved the giant windows and natural light in the home. The location was really perfect....so easy to walk or ride our bikes to everything we wanted to do. We truly lived like locals during our stay there. It did not bother us at all, but be advised that this home has multiple levels and steps, so if mobility is an issue for anyone in your party, this would be something to consider. Wendy and Frans were gracious hosts, and very responsive to any questions we had. They were so easy to work with and so accommodating. I would highly recommend this property, and look forward to our next stay at the Great Escape!
Stayed 30 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

John J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Carmel-by-the-sea gem

My wife selected this property based on the location and previous reviews and it lived up to our expectations. Checking in was easy as we were met by one of the owners (Franz) and he took us through a short walk-through of the home and we chatted about local restaurants and hikes in the nearby park. The living room is filled with light and nature as you feel like you're in a tree house. Everyday we'd watch the squirrels and pesky woodpeckers frolic about. It's a roomy home with plenty of room for up to two couples - nice sized bedrooms, lots of closet space, large kitchen and living room, and big primary bathroom (the steam shower is HUGE). Keep in mind the house is in a forest so do expect the occasional spider or fly to share the space! Location is great as it's on a quiet tree-lined street not too far from a number of restaurants, two small(ish) grocery stores, and plenty of shopping. We rarely drove while in town as everything is a short walk (be mindful there are a number of hills). While the town can get busy on the weekends, we tried to avoid Ocean Ave and walked down 8th street to our favorite spots. Communication with owners was excellent - very responsive and available to address any question. We highly recommend this property.
Stayed 30 nights in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Paula L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Even better than I expected

I was delighted by the house, it’s layout and location. It is on a lovely street and just a few minutes walk from Ocean Ave at the top of the center of town.
Stayed 30 nights in Sep 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

curt l.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The Great Escape was appropriately named

Great setting and perfect location . Beautiful views of a lush small canyon just behind the house . Very updated and comfortable house with plenty of room and huge bathrooms and closets. Our second time to stay there and we are looking forward to coming back
Stayed 31 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Erik R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Marvelous place to stay

My wife and I recently rented the house for a month and thoroughly enjoyed it. We can echo the many other positive comments about its location, the responsiveness of the owners, off-street parking, design features, and other aspects. Since we have family in the area, we didn't use the kitchen much for cooking but it certainly appeared to be well stocked with the necessary equipment. It's a very popular rental, for many understandable reasons.
Stayed 30 nights in May 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Leslie F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Holiday Stay

We enjoyed our stay for the entire month of December. Wendy and Franz even made our stay away from our own home festive at holiday time. A lighted tree and some delicious local treats greeted us on arrival. The kitchen is convenient, well appointed, and spacious. We especially enjoyed the master bed and bath. It was a perfect place to be for our daily walks along the ocean. Finally, please note that this house is built on a steep slope overlooking a beautiful forested space from the living room and master bedroom. For that reason, there are a series of steps to get up and down. This would be a limiting factor for anyone with mobility issues. Again, we truly enjoyed our stay!
Stayed 30 nights in Dec 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bill & Patrice S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Could not have asked a more perfect experience!

Everything was as lovely and welcoming as photos and description depicted. Even more so in some cases. We feel grateful to have discovered this piece of paradise in Carmel.
Stayed 30 nights in Aug 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kitty M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Carmel Gem

This house is magical, that is, if you like living in what feels like a treehouse. It starts at the top with steps down into the living room, with the master off the living room space and sporting its own balcony. You're living in the middle of a forest where we saw everything from woodpeckers to raccoon families, from owls to hummingbirds. The kitchen was well equipped, with a big gas stove, fridge, disposal, all well organized with tons of plates, silverware, and cookware. The two main bedrooms are spaced apart, and there was plenty of room with two walk in closets if you were to have visitors, or wanted to stay there with two couples. There's one additional bedroom that would be great for young children. We are thinking of reserving it again next May. Wonderful hosts!
Stayed 36 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jeanne G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Special Tree House

The “Great Escape” turned out to be perfect for our two-month stay. It is beautifully designed, with lots of room (some of it unexpected, like the enormous shower and huge closet), very comfortable beds, chairs, and couch, and a nicely outfitted kitchen. The owners provided a barbecue at our request, which was great, and there was a table in the smaller bedroom for my husband, who was working remotely. The location could not have been better, with a short walk to downtown and longer walks to many beautiful places (park, ocean, the mission, even the river). Oh, and the view of the forest from the “window wall” in the living room was amazing—so many birds! This place is special and will delight anyone lucky enough to stay there.
Stayed 60 nights in May 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Clara H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location & View

I spent January at this lovely house and really enjoyed it. The location of the property couldn't be any better in my opinion: close enough to downtown (5-10min walk) for good restaurants and wine, but away from it enough that the neighborhood is quiet and not crowded by tourists. It's only 10 min walking to
Stayed 30 nights in Jan 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Gary C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful experience.

The house was well and tastefully designed and appointed. We rented for December, since Covid precluded our usual Christmas activities. Wendy and Franz had arranged for a Christmas tree, decorations and Panettone, all thoughtful and delightful surprises. We would rent again. Linda and Gary.
Stayed 31 nights in Dec 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Andrew B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful house, great location

The house was beautiful and as advertised. Our hosts were great and very responsive. Great access to the beach and town. We stayed for a month and had a wonderful time.
Stayed 34 nights in Oct 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

John & Cathy M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

GreatEscape was perfect for our month in Carmel.

Love the neighborhood and access to walking into town, as well as the beach. Mission Trail is only steps away...a real treat for walking/jogging down to the Mission, etc.
Stayed 30 nights in Sep 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Joan D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Enjoyed stay

Excellent
Stayed 30 nights in Jul 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Leah C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Unforgettable Stay in Beautiful Carmel

My boyfriend and I loved staying at Frans and Wendy's beautiful home. The home looks just like the photos, and even better in person. Amazing location, close to town, and lovely walking trail at the end of the road. The best part, however, was the communication with Wendy, who was readily available and always prompt with any questions or issues we had. We will be back for sure!
Stayed 36 nights in May 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Colleen B.

Beautiful, spacious, tranquil & well maintained home

This home is in a great location in Carmel & was the perfect setting for our month long visit to the area. Frans & Wendy are excellent hosts & responded promptly to our questions.
Stayed 30 nights in Jan 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

John & Cathy M.

Perfect for our month of September stay!

Frans and Wendy's home located in a great neighborhood area of Carmel fit us like a glove for our month long stay. Plenty of room for guests visiting, and a well stocked kitchen allowed us to cook in quite a bit and relax in Carmel. Unique, and very cool 'treehouse' ambiance to the home, just like the pictures show so well. Could use a small gas BBQ grill on the front porch area. Beds are Very Comfortable, and it also provided a lot of closet-storage area for the master suite. Loved it, and will be Back! John and Cathy M.
Stayed 30 nights in Sep 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Debbie L.

5 stars

Perfect location, love the house neighbor hood everything about it. Would rent over and over again.
Stayed 30 nights in Aug 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Barbara Z.

Perfect Vacation Rental In Beautiful Carmel, CA

This house is cozy and comfortable. The owners, Wendy and Frans are wonderful hosts. They take the time to meet you and show you around. They also have suggestions for places to visit as well as recommended, nearby restaurants. The neighborhood is lovely and quiet. Absolutely anything and everything that you'd like to do is within walking distance of the house. The house is spotless, thanks to an excellent cleaning lady. We spent a month there and would highly recommend it to anyone visiting the Carmel area.
Stayed 31 nights in Jan 2018
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Howard and Nancy L.

Lovely home, lovely block in fabulous Carmel

Home was well located and in a great neighborhood. The owner Frans, is gracious, and cares about the renter.
Stayed 29 nights in Sep 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Jim K.

"The Great Escape" home is an idyllic vacation spot

We had a wonderful and delightful stay at The Great Escape home. The location was perfect - walking distance to Carmel downtown, the beach, and several walking trails. We enjoyed this beautiful setting on many great walks. Owner Frans is very nice and accommodating. The Great Escape home is as photographed. It delivered an idyllic vacation, and lived up to its name.
Stayed 42 nights in Jul 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Dale C.

Peaceful Paradise !

The Great Escape is truly a wonderful escape from the real world ! When you over look the canyon in the morning, the dappled sunshine is just awesome putting you in a special mood to face the day All the amenities are excellent, the master bathroom being one of the most spectacular we have encountered ! Frans and Wendy are hands on owners and were very helpful. Our vacation was marvelous and this was due to the fact that The Great Escape was so special !

About the host

Hosted by frans and wendy

Host profile image

Languages:

English, Dutch
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