The Quail at Carmel Valley is a relaxed getaway with a touch of adventure

The Quail is a delicious curiosity. The only hotel in the luxury Peninsula Hotels family that doesn’t bear the Peninsula name, it trades the brand’s iconic urban polish for a laid-back charm that matches Carmel Valley’s laid-back vibe. The hotel’s mix of upscale offerings without pretension makes it an ideal choice for couples looking for a weekend getaway (the reason I was there). But it’s the hotel’s playful spirit that makes me want to return with my children for a second visit.

A relaxed escape

Hammocks, Adirondack chairs, fire pits, and a deck overlooking the hotel’s small lake are gentle reminders to slow down and enjoy. As I walked around the property, I found myself drawn to a dozen pretty places where I could just sit and look.

An 18-hole Robert Muir Graves-designed golf course surrounds the hotel, making it a magnet for both golfers and birds and wildlife attracted to the greens and water features. After noticing birds, rabbits and quail, I asked a staff member about the local wildlife and learned that more than 160 species had been spotted on the hotel grounds.

And a center of activity

On the one hand, The Quail felt like a relaxed stay in the country. On the other, it is a hub of events and activities. The hotel is part of a larger 850-acre property that includes the golf course, tennis and pickleball courts and the Land Rover Experience Center. And during the annual Monterey Car Week, The Quail hosts an event featuring vintage cars and motorcycles.

While there are many excellent restaurants within a short drive of the hotel, The Quail’s Covey Grill deserves destination status in its own right. The hotel’s recent decision to expand its culinary offerings with a new executive chef has paid off, with a familiar yet interesting menu offering dishes and flavors. Intrigued by this unusual pairing, I ordered the acorn and shrimp risotto and was impressed by the lightness and subtlety of the dish, no small feat for a risotto. In addition to the Covey Grill, there is also Edgar’s Restaurant at the golf clubhouse down the road.

Offers suitable for children

As part of a family of four that now includes a preteen and a teen, I understand the value of a room set up to give everyone some space. So I liked the Bungalow Suite, which combines a king-size bed with a secondary space that has a sofa bed and can be separated for more privacy.

Nice details that will please families include s’mores kits for use at fire pits around the property, electric bikes that adults and teens can borrow, a heated outdoor pool, a nine-hole putting course woven throughout the property, and plenty of space for little ones to play.

The Land Rover Experience

The hotel’s packages include Bring on the Mud, which combines an overnight stay with a two-hour Land Rover driving experience, which takes place just down the road.

The Land Rover Experience Center is one of only three centers in the United States and offers drivers the opportunity to learn and practice off-road skills on the center’s enclosed course. I’ve accidentally gone off-roading a few times in my life, but learning real skills was both fun and honestly changed my entire relationship with driving. I learned both general skills like the importance of driving with your senses and specific skills like how to drive through a large mud hole without getting stuck. (Here’s a quick video of my experience.)

For families with teens ages 14 and up, there’s also a Young Off-Roader experience that teaches kids the basics of driving, awareness and off-road skills. As a parent of an almost 14 year old child, I will definitely return for help perfecting my child’s safe driving skills.

Carmel-by-the-Sea and Carmel Valley

I visited Carmel-by-the-Sea, known for its famous former mayor (Clint Eastwood), its concentration of art galleries, its dog-friendly offerings, and its charming refusal to use addresses (getting around downtown is an art that depends on side streets and patience).

But before staying at the Quail, I had never visited Carmel’s agricultural wonderland, Carmel Valley. This narrow, lush valley is dotted with roadside farm stands, vineyards and tasting rooms, flower farms, and relaxation-focused hotels.

Although its address is Carmel Valley, The Quail is equidistant between the hamlet of Carmel Valley and bustling Carmel-by-the-Sea. For me, this was a real win and gave me the chance to easily include both cities in my weekend visit. And as an added bonus, Carmel is just a 10-minute drive from Monterey or a 40-minute drive from Big Sur.

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