The Perfect Getaway in Carmel By The Sea

Agent Daddy and I made a promise to one another on New Years Eve. That promise was that we would go away at least once this year with out the kids. I did not want to put the trip off so we planed to make it a Valentines Day romantic getaway. Where better to go away for romance than Carmel-By-The-Sea?

Neither Agent Daddy or I really like crowds so, as is our tradition, we decided to go away after
Valentines Day to avoid crowds. We chose Hofsas House in Carmel-By-The-Sea because of its many amenities and because it is a family owned hotel. I have a special place in my heart for quirky little family owned hotels. It is a by product of my extensive travel for work. When you wake up in a hotel room and you can't remember where you are because it looks like 100 places you have been you develop an appreciation for unique places off the beaten path.

I sat down with Carrie Theis, the current owner of Hofsas House and asked her about her families history with the hotel. Carrie told me that her Grandmother actually moved up to Carmel  in the late 1940's with her third husband Fred Hofsas. Fred was an accountant but he knew his wife would never be happy just sitting at home. So they purchased four cottages living in one and renting out the three others.

In the late 1950's they built the main hotel adding 25 rooms to the original 4 cottages. Over time the  Hofsas www.hofsashouse.com to see all the great packages but even without a package this is a great place to getaway.
house grew to the 65 rooms it is today, making it one of the largest in Carmel-By-The-Sea . Carrie is the granddaughter of the original owner Donna Hofsas. She grew up working in the hotel and her love of this place is evident in everything about the place. She has created so many ways to make your stay special. Like wine? How about a walking wine tasting tour of the city? Want to have a family reunion? You can have it here and even cook for the whole family in their banquet space or have it catered. Want to have a fire on the beach with smores? Carrie will provide you with a blanket, wood and a smores kit. Want to go for a hike at Point Lobos? You can borrow a pair of binoculars from the front desk. You have to go to the website

Let me tell you about our room, it had a fireplace which I used every night. Not because it was cold in my room but because it made our room that much more romantic. I loved the antiques sprinkled thought out the hotel and in our room. Each room is unique and you will never mistake your room here for a characterless room in a major chain in a major city. The piles of pillows on your bed alone will tell you this is no ordinary place.

Now this is Carmel-By-The-Sea so pack light and wear good shoes because there are no elevators at Hofsas House and you will want to walk all over the charming city. The hotel, like the city, is very pet friendly ever since Doris Day moved here in the 1970's. She is a well know pet lover and has spread that love around. Most of the Hotels including Hofsas house have pet friendly rooms and Hofsas house actually has a pet package that includes a special dog bed and a package of treats among other specialties just for your four legged fur baby.

Something else that Carrie shared with me is that Carmel-By-The-Sea is an incorporated city that includes the beach and the one mile square downtown area. Everything else around it is known simply as Carmel. So when you book your romantic getaway make sure you are in Carmel-By-The-Sea. You will be glad you made the distinction.

Agent Daddy and I set off in the morning to explore the city on foot and by lunch had discovered an amazing place called Friar Tuck's. Friar Tucks is only open for breakfast and lunch but it is a treasure. The owner/Chef and his wife welcomed us in and made us feel at home from the get go. I have to say I think everything in Carmel-By-The-Seais created around making the visitors welcome. Carmel-By-The-Sea is also a Foodie paradise. Carrie, who knows every restaurant like the back of her hand and keeps the menu for each of them in the lobby for her guests, recommended Christopher's for our second nights dinner. Christopher's, like most of the restaurants in Carmel is a tiny one of a kind place that makes food art.

When we were seated at our table Agent daddy said to me I feel like I am in someones living room. It was so cozy with the fireplace blazing and the music and low lighting. The waiter confided that although the location had been a restaurant for 60 years it was originally a small cottage thus the cozy feel.

We ordered the Corn Meal Crusted Spicy Chili Relleno.Now this is not your ordinary Chili Relleno. Not this was stuffed with wild mushrooms, rock shrimp risotto and goat cheese. Then it was bathed in a cilantro pesto that made me want to lick the plate.

For our main course, Agent Daddy got the short ribs with bacon braised red cabbage and  garlic potatoes.  I ordered the C.A.B filet of beef which had wild mushrooms and sun dried tomatoes ragout, and the garlic potatoes. I didn't taste Agent Daddy's food but my filet was perfect. I ordered it medium and it was medium. I can't ell you how many times I order medium and I get medium rare or medium well. But this filet was perfect and the ragout made my taste buds sing.

Dessert was hard to choose as there were so many great options. I will just say that what we ordered was amazing.

Walking back to the hotel hand in hand through the darkened streets was the best way to end our day. Carmel-By-The-Sea has a no neon policy so the porch lights and store front lights are all there is to guide you home. but it is enough.

If you are planning a romantic getaway, or you just want to unplug form the hustle with your family Hofsas House and  Carmel-By-The-Sea are the perfect choice. By the way Carmel-By-The-Sea was just voted the #3 most romantic place in the world. Don't miss this treasure.

-Michelle de Guzman