Carmel Mission Inn & Fuse Lounge Café

A laid-back atmosphere flows through this charming hotel, which has beautiful stone turrets, colorful flower pots, and elegant lanterns at its entrance. The lobby’s contemporary mod style stands out from other hotels in the area, with soft sea-green and turquoise seating, wood floors and beams, and a gray stone fireplace. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide natural light, while playful patterned area rugs lend a cozy feel. Free newspapers are also available. Bamboo floors, another stone fireplace, a mahogany bar, and flat-screen TVs decorate the modern Fuse Lounge Cafe, which has fabulous pool and patio views. Outside there's a patio area with potted palm trees, flowers, and shrubs surrounding trendy, midcentury-modern-style furniture in bright colors -- including white lounge chairs and couches with bright pillows -- and a fire pit. Grounds are well-maintained throughout the property and there are two life-size cow sculptures among the plants. Guests include couples and families, and some business travelers, all drawn to the fun, casual style and proximity to Carmel-by-the-Sea. 

The Carmel Mission Inn is directly off Highway 1 with a few restaurants and shopping centers surrounding the hotel, including The Barnyard shopping village. The lively downtown area of Carmel-by-the-Sea isn't within walking distance, though is an easy five- to 10-minute drive. Carmel Beach and Point Lobos State Reserve are within a 10-minute drive. Asilomar State Beach, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Fisherman’s Wharf, Pebble Beach Golf Links, and Monterey Regional Airport are all about a 15-minute drive from the hotel, while Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is 20 minutes away.

Beach tones are on display in the inn's modern rooms with greens, blues, and browns, along with large windows for natural light. Green armchairs provide seating and tie into the pale green walls and blue/brown patterned carpet. iPod docking stations and 37-inch flat-screen TVs sit on mid-tone wood tables, while mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and safes are tucked inside wood furniture units. Some rooms have sea life murals above the beds with neon blue lights. Contemporary bathrooms decorated in pale green and tan offer fluffy bathrobes, Gilchrist & Soames products, and rainfall showerheads in shower/tub combos. A few rooms have balconies, or are on the ground floor adjacent to the pool. Hairdryers and ironing facilities are provided. Some guests mention that bar area noise is loud in rooms at night.

The lovely outdoor pool and hot tub are popular among guests, and can sometimes be crowded with kids or older guests. Appealing entrees, appetizers, and cocktails are served at the Fuse Lounge Cafe for dinner. The cafe also serves breakfast (included with some room rates), with options such as yogurt and fresh fruit, omelets, bacon and sausage, cakes, and tea and coffee. There's a weekday happy hour at the cafe with lots of snacks available, as well as live music on weekends -- however, some guests complain that prices are steep. Cardio and weight machines, as well as a flat-screen TV outfit the fitness center, while two computers on separate wood desks occupy the business center. Limited room service and concierge services are offered. Wi-Fi and parking are free. The hotel is pet-friendly, but there's a fee, and only pets less than 75 pounds are allowed. Additionally, there are limited pet rooms and guests must call ahead.