Tally Ho Inn

Nice view, but the positives end there. I travel often and have been to Carmel a number of times. I've never written a review but felt compelled to spare other travelers from the aggravation I experienced. I paid for a premium room, but upon checking in I could clearly see the place was very tired looking. Looks like they haven't put a nickel into the place in many years. The TV never worked properly. The fireplace that I paid extra for had a flame the size of a bic lighter. When I complained they sent someone up to work on it. They said it needed a part and they would be right back. They never came back and called me later to say that the part wouldn't be in for a few days. Since I had no working TV or Fireplace I asked them to reduce the cost of the room to the same cost as one of their regular rooms. They said no and told me that I can re- pack all my stuff and move to a lesser room. Extremely disappointing experience and will never go back there.

I stayed at the Tally Ho Inn with my mom and my kids, and it was exactly the kind of peaceful, coastal escape we needed. The property has this charming, upscale cottage feel tucked right into the quiet, storybook streets of Carmel-by-the-Sea. It’s cozy, refined, and surrounded by that beautiful mix of ocean air and coastal woods that Carmel is known for. Our room was spacious, clean, and thoughtfully put together — comfortable beds, plenty of room for the kids, and little touches that made it feel more like a boutique retreat than a standard hotel. My mom loved how serene everything felt, and the kids had space to settle and rest without any of us feeling squeezed in. The location couldn’t be better. We were close enough to walk to shops, restaurants, and the beach, yet tucked away enough that the property stayed peaceful and quiet. It felt like a hidden little haven in the middle of town. The staff was warm, welcoming, and genuinely attentive. Everything about the stay had this gentle charm — simple, elegant, and relaxing. If you’re looking for a Carmel stay that blends comfort, beauty, and that luxurious coastal-cottage vibe, the Tally Ho Inn is perfect for families. We would definitely return

Ein ganz tolles Haus mit viel Charme, tolles Zimmer mit viel Platz

Nichts!

We stayed in Room 109, with a lovely view of the ocean from the living room and the balcony. I did not enjoy the steep iron stairs to reach the room, but the view made it worthwhile. The room was among the nicest we've ever stayed in. It was spacious and well appointed with a large living area with a couch, swivel chairs, coffee table.ample storage, and a small fridge. A couple of enhancement to consider: a safe for a laptop and some additional charging plugs on the right side of the bed. The bathroom was very spacious but could use drawers or shelves for storage. Housekeeping is daily and prompt. It would be great if they could add body wash for the shower and change out the little soaps. The staff are helpful and pleasant. We did not take advantage of the $25 breakfast voucher as it would not have paid for breakfast nor did we have the time to walk to the sister inn and sit for a served meal. (Also note that our dinner experience with the restaurant --Il Fornaio-- was poor.) Location was superb. In addition to the aforementioned ocean view, we were able to walk all over Carmel for shopping and dining, and the hotel had a dedicated parking lot for guests --very helpful in Carmel where parking is difficult. Note: there was some early morning street noise from trash pick-up if that sort of thing bothers you.

We stayed at Tally Ho Inn for our wedding anniversary (since we couldn’t make it to Hawaii) and it was such a lovely surprise! That Carmel cozy vibe. Charming without feeling dated. Our room was huge with high ceilings, a fireplace, and a spa-like bathroom. That jetted tub for 2 was nice! The private deck had ocean views where we caught both sunrise and sunset. They had thoughtful touches too. Coffee (regular + decaf), milk in the morning, and even a complimentary cognac pour at night (well brand, but still such a nice touch). The outdoor fireplace was perfect for sharing a bottle of champagne. A few small things: check-in is actually at Pine Inn across the street (would’ve been nice to know), our fireplace didn’t work, and the balcony view was a bit blocked by overgrown shrubs. But honestly, none of that changed how much we enjoyed our stay. Friendly staff, peaceful vibe, and a prime location right in the heart of Carmel We’d definitely stay again. 🌅✨

Small (12 rooms), quaint older hotel with a great location just steps from downtown Carmel-by-the-sea and short walk to the beach. A little bit dated but adds to the charm, in my opinion. Coffee available in the office but no breakfast which seems to be the norm in many of the hotels in the area. They have free parking available. Would definitely stay there again.

Loved the courtyard and ocean views.

Room was very comfortable.

There was no staff on site. There were no signs with wifi password. I couldn't figure out how to get regular channels on the TV.

Absolutely beautiful room and location.

Great location for beach and for restaurants/cafes.