Country Garden Inns

BED BUGS. SUCH a bummer to have to write this negative review as we actually had a wonderful stay in July! The room was great - spacious and comfortable! It was dog friendly which was a huge plus. The location is fantastic - super walkable to our favorite spot Corkscrew and plenty of other great coffee shops, restaurants, and tasting rooms! The staff was friendly, for the most part, and they provided donuts in the morning. And the pool was a great feature! We had a lovely time and were planning to go back for future visits for sure but, unfortunately, came down with bedbugs from our stay.. Having never before encountered them, it was a significant inconvenience to wash and sanitize everything we brought and all that our items encountered, once we got home. Once we realized we had gotten bedbugs from the hotel, I gave the staff a heads up so that they could sanitize immediately and it took them nearly a week to get back to me. When I did finally receive a call back, I was given a two hour window on a Saturday (8/8) to return her call. When I called back the following day, I spoke with a rude and unsympathetic staff person who half heartedly asked me to email instead. I asked for a call back (8/9) and still have yet to hear back. A truly disappointing lack of customer service and care. We were so excited to visit again but will not be doing so again and would caution others against a stay as well since it does not appear the staff has done anything to address the bed bugs.

In brief, the Hidden Valley Inn is a hidden gem we discovered entirely by happenstance. Tucked down a short driveway below the main road, the property feels like a secluded haven, removed from the busyness of the world. Our rooms were pristine, the beds extraordinarily comfortable (the sheets too!), and the peaceful setting provided much-needed respite after a long journey. Victoria cheerfully assisted us by phone with arrangements for two comfortable rooms and made our unexpected stay easy and welcoming. Some journeys you plan. This was not one of those journeys. We had intended to visit Big Sur and then settle into a national-chain hotel somewhere along the freeway. We missed out on Big Sur that day, but were rewarded instead with the unexpected discovery of Carmel Valley Village—and the Hidden Valley Inn. After a warm and satisfying meal at the Running Iron Restaurant & Saloon, we happily retired to our rooms for the evening. The next morning, we discovered that Carmel Valley Village is also a wonderful launching point for exploring the area. After a delightful breakfast at the Earthbound Farm Stand, we headed to Point Lobos, where we spent a beautiful morning exploring the coastline. We could easily imagine the village serving as a perfect home base for excursions to Carmel, Monterey, Big Sur, and beyond. Sometimes the unplanned stops become the most memorable parts of a journey. We highly recommend a visit to Carmel Valley Village—and choosing the Hidden Valley Inn as your home away from home while you’re there.

Off-the-beaten-path, but well worth the effort! This is a beautiful, quiet, clean facility that we were lucky to find. Landscaping is gorgeous, giving a "Japanese garden" vibe that I loved. And I enjoyed meeting the out-door hotel kitty-cat! (don't worry, he's appropriately well mannered!) I will definitely put this place on my "come-back-to" list