Carmel’s beaches get a lot of attention. They’re stunners for sure, but Carmel Valley is not to be missed. With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, it’s an ideal place to call home when exploring California’s central coast. Carmel Valley is rich with hotel possibilities, but if you enjoy spending time outside, The Quail (formerly known as the Quail Lodge and Golf Club) should be on your radar.
Golfer’s Paradise
There’s no denying golf is a big part of the draw here. An 18-hole golf course, part of the Quail Golf Club, dominates much of the resort’s 850 acres. You’ll meet local members as you move about the resort.
Off-Roading with Experts
But you don’t have to be a golfer to love exploring this property. The Land Rover Experience at The Quail is one of just two driving centers in North America. (The other Land Rover Experience Driving Center is located in Vermont.) Drivers get behind the wheel of the latest shiny Land Rovers and take to the trails with an expert instructor.
Never driven off-road? Don’t worry. It’s all about moving slow and steady while learning new skills. Tackling mud, ruts, rock crawls, and, depending on the time of the year, water crossings, is a lot of fun when you know what you’re doing. I learned quite a bit that will make me a better everyday driver as well.
Accommodations
The Quail features 93 bungalow-style guest rooms, suites, and villas. I stayed in a Bungalow Deluxe King room overlooking the fairways and a small lake. Located in a single-story building and configured in a way that limited the number of shared walls with other accommodations, the room was wonderfully quiet.
The room was spacious with a king bed, a long desk that could double as a small dining table, and a bright window seat overlooking the patio. The wall behind the bed was painted moss green, adding some color to the room’s otherwise neutral color palette. A large bureau-like piece of dark wood furniture provided space for a Nespresso coffee machine and hid a refrigerator from view.
The bathroom was huge; there was only one sink, but the vanity offered more than enough room for two travelers. Along with a walk-in shower, there was a separate bathtub and a private water closet. Molton Brown toiletries are provided in large, refillable bottles.
- Buy Travel Insurance
- Get a Car Rental
Overall, the room was comfortable, offering everything I needed; however, the space was dated and a bit tired. The bathroom layout and color scheme especially contributed to the outdated feel.
Public Spaces and Facilities
In addition to the 18-hole golf course, guests interested in practicing their swing can borrow putters and golf balls from the front desk to play the nine-hole putting green.
A teeny spa (operated by an outside provider) offers massages, facials, and a steam room. It’s located steps away from the pool (heated year-round) and the fitness center. I recommend heading outside to get your steps in. The grounds are photo-worthy and offer primo bird watching opportunities. While I did not see any quail during my stay, I spotted an assortment of ducks and a stately Great Egret.
Fire pits scattered throughout the property come to life just after sunset. Complimentary S’mores kits can be picked up at the front desk.
Dining Options
Located steps from the lobby, Covey Grill is The Quail’s signature restaurant. Breakfast is served daily from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Menu favorites include Brioche French Toast (with a decadent whipped cream), and the Breakfast Sandwich (avocado, bacon or ham, cheese, aioli, and fried egg) on tasty brioche bread served with salad greens.
The dinner menu offers a bit of something for everyone; entrees range from the memorable Quail Burger (house blend ground beef, Marin Triple Crème Brie, bacon marmalade, bread and butter pickles) to Chicken Saltimbocca, Roasted Branzino, and an assortment of Butcher Block selections.
Set in the clubhouse, overlooking the golf course, Edgar’s Restaurant offers a more casual setting for lunch daily and dinner, Friday through Sunday. The menu is robust, including everything from wings and shrimp cocktail to flatbreads, French onion soup, and pan-roasted salmon. Chef Hondo’s BBQ for Two (half chicken, spareribs, brisket, corn bread, cole slaw, and bread & butter pickles) is tasty and likely enough for three.
Good to Know
Carmel-by-the-Sea is less than 15 minutes away by car; the Monterey Bay Aquarium is less than a 30-minute drive.
Convenient Monterey Regional Airport is an easy 10-mile drive. San Jose Mineta International Airport is an 80-mile drive, but you’ll find a much more robust flight selection.
The Quail offers rooms adapted for guests with mobility disabilities in a trio of room categories.
Rates for a Bungalow Deluxe King room at The Quail start at $275. Be sure to budget for the nearly $40 daily resort fee. It includes amenities such as Wi-Fi, a nine-hole grass putting course, and complimentary use of e-bikes.
Check rates online at Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda.com, or Hotels.com.
The Quail is pet-friendly. A one-time $150 fee applies, with a maximum of two pets per room.
Review and photos by San Francisco Bay Area travel writer and television correspondent Dana Rebmann. Her stay was organized by The Quail, but as always, her thoughts and opinions are her own.
