Hofsas House Hotel Review for Couples (Carmel, CA)

With its pink exterior surrounded by billowing hydrangeas, I was smitten before we even stepped foot in Hofsas House Hotel. Couples seeking a romantic place to stay in Carmel-by-the-Sea need look no further. Read my review to find out why my husband and I fell in love with this sweet Bavarian-themed inn near the California Coast in Monterey County.

Hofsas House Hotel in Carmel, California
Hofsas House Hotel in Carmel, California (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

Travel Mamas and Grownup Getaways sometimes receive compensation and/or hosted travel and sample products related to blog posts. This story may include affiliate links for which we receive a small commission at no extra cost to consumers. As an Amazon Associate, we earn money from qualifying purchases.

Welcoming European Ambiance

Sweet Bavarian murals adorn the pink exterior of Hofsas House, adding to the European style. If you want ostentatious luxury, look somewhere else. But if you enjoy charm and personal touches aplenty, then Hofsas House is right for you.

Hand-painted details at Hofsas House Hotel
Hand-painted details at Hofsas House Hotel (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

The door to the office greets visitors with this welcome, “Come in the evening, come in the morning, come when expected, come without warning, and the oftener you come, the more we’ll adore you.”

Most doors in Carmel are traditional Dutch doors, divided in half so that both halves can open and close separately. These half-doors impart a come-on-in feeling. “It adds to the European village feel of Carmel-by-the-Sea,” the inn’s owner explained.

Traditional Dutch door to the Hofsas House lobby
Traditional Dutch door to the front desk (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

Complimentary Continental Breakfast

Hofsas House guests receive complimentary continental breakfast daily. Expect simple fare like fresh-baked pastries from a local bakery, yogurt, and fresh fruit. There is fruit juice and French roast coffee, tea, or hot chocolate to quench your thirst.

You are welcome to eat your breakfast goodies in the small lobby, but most guests grab their breakfasts on a tray and head back to their spacious rooms.

Complimentary breakfast for couples at Hofsas House
Complimentary continental breakfast (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

Spacious Guest Rooms

Rooms are homey and decorated with floral accents. All are non-smoking rooms and feature free WiFi. On clear days, expect ocean views from Pacific-facing private balconies.

When your budget allows, opt for a room with a wood-burning fireplace. With Carmel’s moderately cool temperatures year-round, we used ours every night even though we visited in the heart of summer. The hotel even provided us with s’mores fixings for a toasty dessert.

Since our stay, upgrades have been made to guest rooms with new carpeting in some and wood floors in others. The hand-painted mural shown below, however, is still in the King Fireplace Oceanview Balcony room.

Guest room with painted mural wall at Hofsas House
Guest room with painted mural wall at Hofsas House (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

Romance at Hofsas House

My husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary at Hofsas House. We found the inn and the town of Carmel-by-the-Sea to be a romantic spot to reconnect. The idyllic setting, laidback atmosphere, and cozy extras are perfect for couples.

Bavarian-themed mural at Hofsas House Inn
Bavarian-themed mural at Hofsas House (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

Families Welcomed

In addition to catering to couples, the inn encourages families with children to book a stay. In fact, they have a handful of suites that boast separate bedrooms for kids and parents. As of 2024, all suites offer kitchenettes, perfect for a family vacation. If traveling with your partner and your kids, read my tips for making room for romance while traveling with children.

Fireplace with pet supplies and s'mores fixings at Hofsas House
Our fireplace with pet supplies and s’mores fixings (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

Dog-Friendly Hotel

Carmel-by-the-Sea loves dogs. In fact, most restaurants in town welcome four-pawed patrons on their patios. Many provide bowls of water, and some even offer a doggy menu.

After a day of exploring the town, Fido can bed down at Hofsas House. Not all rooms are pet-friendly (due to allergies), but those that are come equipped with a pet bed, a doggy toy, and treats.

Hofsas House Hotel outdoor heated pool
Outdoor heated pool (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

Outdoor Swimming Pool

The outdoor pool at Hofsas House is heated year-round. It provides a tempting oasis to hotel guests of all ages. While there is no hot tub, you can warm up in dry saunas after your swim.

Cottage Sweets candy shop in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Cottage Sweets Candy Shop in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

Ideal Location

Hofsas House Hotel is perfectly situated for a romantic getaway in Carmel-by-the-Sea, nine miles from the Monterey Regional Airport. This boutique hotel is within walking distance to the center of town, just three blocks away. Plus, it’s a 10-minute drive (or 20-minute walk) to Carmel Beach. Free parking is provided to guests at Hofsas Hotel, but you may find you don’t need it much during your stay.

Purple and white hydrangeas
Purple and white hydrangeas at the hotel (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

Family-Owned

In addition to a great location and casual European elegance, Hofsas House Hotel boasts a particularly friendly staff. It’s clear Hofsas House Proprietor Carrie Theis is passionate about the inn, which was established by her grandmother, Donna Hofsas, in 1947.

Theis is happy to answer questions about Carmel and neighboring Monterey. She recommends restaurants, shops, and activities. We truly felt like invited house guests, and you will, too.

Book Your Hofsas House Hotel Stay

Read more Hofsas House Hotel reviews and earn free future hotel stays with the Hotels.com One Key Rewards Program when you book with Hotels.com.

Couple tasting Champagne on the Carmel Wine Walk
Toasting our wedding anniversary on the Carmel Wine Walk (Photo credit: Travel Mamas)

Explore More of California

From wine-tasting rooms and art galleries to the Carmel Mission, discover romantic things to do in Carmel.

In Carmel’s neighboring city, find activities for couples in Monterey, like the Monterey Aquarium, Pebble Beach, and the famous 17-Mile Drive.

Discover what to do in Bubank, the Media Capital of the World.

Enjoy romance at Disneyland in Anaheim.

Hofsas House Hotel Review Carmel-by-the-Sea

Save this Hofsas House Hotel Review

Considering a romantic getaway at the Hofsas House Hotel? Be sure to save this review for couples. Simply pin the image above to Pinterest. I hope you’ll follow Travel Mamas on Pinterest while you’re at it!

Do you like to stay at romantic inns like the Hofsas House? Let us know in the comments below!

A Note from The Travel Mama: Hofsas House Hotel hosted a portion of our stay for the purpose of this review. All opinions are mine, as always.

Sharing is caring!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

3 Comments

  1. I have to say our trip to Carmel ranks as one of my all-time favorites, and our accommodations at Hofsas House played a big part. Carmel is a perfect place to reconnect with your wife. The shops, restaurants and wine bars are small and personal. One day after walking through town we got some wonderful pastries and coffee and sat in a small 1-block park to relax…for some reason this simple pleasure sticks with me. I absolutely loved this trip and highly recommend it.

  2. The owner appears to run her place like a B and B yet the photo looks like it has many more rooms than a typical B and B. Are there 20 or more rooms, like a motel would have? I think this review makes it so inviting that I would love to visit Carmel again.

    1. There are a total of 38 rooms and suites at Hofsas House. It’s just the type of place I think you’d love!