Tucked among vineyards in the scenic Carmel Valley, Bernardus Lodge & Spa has long been considered one of the finest winemaking estates in California and now, after a multimillion-dollar facelift, the lodge is brimming with earthy-chic charm. The updated aesthetic comes through in details like Italian linens, marble-clad soaking tubs for two and limestone fireplaces in each of the guest rooms.
The spa offers an indoor-outdoor experience with a body-temperature soaking pool and treatments infused with wine grapes and lavender, which are grown on the property. In the center of the resort, you’ll find a pool, Jacuzzi and compact gym with new Precor workout machines.
The destination restaurant Lucia, named after the nearby mountain range, is a sleek space with a full cocktail bar, a café overlooking the garden and an intimate dining room where you can enjoy acclaimed chef Christian Ojeda’s seasonal California-Mediterranean fare paired with the finest wines.
The spa offers an indoor-outdoor experience with a body-temperature soaking pool and treatments infused with wine grapes and lavender, which are grown on the property. In the center of the resort, you’ll find a pool, Jacuzzi and compact gym with new Precor workout machines.
The destination restaurant Lucia, named after the nearby mountain range, is a sleek space with a full cocktail bar, a café overlooking the garden and an intimate dining room where you can enjoy acclaimed chef Christian Ojeda’s seasonal California-Mediterranean fare paired with the finest wines.
Our Inspector's Highlights
- Nestled in the Santa Lucia Mountains, Bernardus Lodge & Spa is perfectly situated whether you want to drive to Big Sur for a hike, go play a round of golf in Pebble Beach or hit the sand in the summertime.
- Everywhere you look at Bernardus Lodge & Spa, there’s a detail that exudes opulence and elegance. From the oversized velvet ottomans and vivid fresh floral displays in the lobby to the interplay of patterns and colors in the guest rooms, every detail is spot-on.
- Whether you’re looking out at the bocce lawn, a courtyard with a fountain and blooming roses and jasmine, or luxuriating in the warming pool at the spa, there’s something pretty every where you look at this luxury hotel set in the valley of the Santa Lucia Mountains.
- The Spa at Bernardus is a spacious and restful place with lots of restorative therapies, as well as a full salon for men and women. Even before your treatment, you’ll start feeling relaxed as soon as you step into the warming room or take a dip in the 100-degree warming pool.
- Everyone is kind and welcoming at Bernardus Lodge, from the valet to the host who greets you to the maid who does the turndown service. And since there are only 73 rooms here, don’t be surprised if everyone greets you by name.
Things to Know
- The Lodge doesn't like the idea of charging guests for a sip of water, so you'll be welcomed with a room well stocked with refreshments. You’ll find a carafe of purified water, two kinds of wine, beer, assorted non-alcoholic beverages and snacks like fruit, goat cheese, brownies and potato chips in your room, as well as morning coffee and tea.
- The Lodge is also closely associated with Bernardus Winery, which is why those wines are featured in the guest rooms and the property's flagship restaurant, Lucia. The concierge or the valets can direct you to the Bernardus Winery tasting room just a few miles down Carmel Valley Road.
- The Carmel Valley is a bit remote, so you’ll need either a private car or limousine to get to Bernardus Lodge & Spa and to explore the attractions in the area. You can also take advantage of the resort's Mercedes-Benz drive program and borrow one of the luxury vehicles for up to four hours.
- Even though nearby Carmel is known for its beautiful beaches, the weather here is often quite chilly. You can still have a California dream, but it’s a good idea to dress in layers and bring a warm sweater and jacket.
The Rooms
- Retreats unto themselves, guest rooms at the luxury hotel are well thought-out and warmly inviting. During the recent renovation, each of the 57 rooms was updated from the floor to the furnishings, and 14 brand-new villas and suites were added.
- Shimmering pale gray velvet sofas anchor the eclectic décor that mixes tribal dhurries and arabesque-patterned slipper chairs with softly industrial occasional tables and lamps.
- Beds feature diamond-pattern charcoal velvet headboards, Fili d’Oro damask stripe sheets and cozy mohair throws. In-room technology includes 42-inch flat-screen TVs hung over Italian limestone fireplaces and a Beats pill speaker.
- A generous assortment of nibbles and drinks, including two Bernardus Winery selections, is tucked away in modern sideboards with a gleaming lacquer-like top.
- But the showstoppers are the bath suites — the Carrara marble basket-weave floors have radiant heat, central soaking tubs are roomy enough for two, and large rain showers are stocked with locally made toiletries. The brand-new villas and suites also offer stunning bath patios with outdoor showers.
The Look
- The crystal drum chandelier hanging from the arched entry signals the new ranch rustic-chic vibe at the Carmel Valley hotel.
- The curvy woven patio furniture on the porch and the expansive glassed-in patio filled with dramatic water features and fire troughs make Bernardus feel like a boutique hotel that just happens to be nestled in a valley tucked into the Santa Lucia Mountains.
- Indoors, textures like grass cloth, split face limestone, and weathered French oak floors along with leather seating and burnished metal pieces give the lobby and Lucia restaurant a luxe, natural atmosphere — ideal for lingering by the fire with a glass of complimentary sauvignon blanc.
Amenities
Bar
Gym
House car
Meeting rooms
Outdoor pool
Pet friendly
Restaurants
Spa
Tennis
Getting There
Stories
