The Cypress Inn***, Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, USA

An Old Fashioned Doggie Friendly Haven in the Village of Carmel

Peter and Linda D'Aprix 2000-5

The Cypress Inn is one of those lovely establishments with one foot in the relaxing ambiance of the past and one foot tentatively reaching toward the present. There is an old world charm about this historic hotel that leads you toward letting down and taking a nap in one of the deep sofas or arm chairs in the high ceilinged, wooden beamed lounge with a book on your lap in front of the blazing fire. Sometime between 1:30 and 3:45 you may be gently awakened by a young lady bearing a silver tray of English tea and goodies, a flower in a small silver vase.

Hotel entrance and plantings.

Old world charm in the hallways.

Afternoon tea by the fire.

Or not. Located in the center of Carmel-by-the-Sea, it is just as likely you will be browsing the hundreds of small or large shops, boutiques, galleries, coffee houses or restaurants that sprout in every square inch of town. But while you are inside the hotel or in front of the other fireplace outside on the courtyard, you would never know you are in the center of things. The music is often that of Doris Day. Why not. She is co-owner of the establishment and her love of animals makes the hotel a happy destination for people who like to travel with their whole family. Dogs are welcome and made to feel at home with cookies and a big fuzzy spread that covers the bed or makes their own deep bed on the floor. They are all welcomed personally at the door on arrival. With the local streets lined with trees, public doggie loos abound. But please arrive with sandwich bags to pick up....well you know.

Except for the suites, the rooms are of an adequate size to sustain king sized beds, end tables, a round writing table and two arm chairs plus a wardrobe for the TV and a carafe of sherry with two glasses. Fresh fruit is attractively displayed on the table and lovely prints by local artists are on the walls. Terry bathrobes await you on your bed and the hanging closet is spacious and provides an ironing board and iron. Soothing off-white colors are used on the walls. The small bathrooms are tiled in warm colored stone. The arm chairs are of woven leather and the chests and wardrobe are hand carved. The drapery rods are iron as are the beds, even the four posters in the larger suites. Pillows abound.

Table in Bedroom

Corner table with fresh fruit and flowers greet you in your room.

Patio courtyard

Cozy herbaceous terra cotta tiled courtyard with tables and a fire place for the cool of the evening.

Bed

Typical room.

doris Day poster

The personality of owner Doris Day permeates the hotel.

A continental breakfast is served in the bar/tea/breakfast room from 7:00 on. This room is a marvelous place to get to know your fellow guests. Since dogs are inclined to greet each other in an unrestrained manner, they break the ice that often keep shy people from making friendly overtures. Here everyone compares notes about traveling with their dogs, where they stayed, how they manage the food, airplanes etc. From there discussions on restaurants quickly follow and then the sky is the limit. The lounge will yield similar results once guests reawaken so the process is a little slower.

This hotel feels more like a friend's large country retreat. The service is friendly and attentive. The concierge Kevin is especially the good will ambassador devoted to making both guest and dog feel welcome and at home from the instant you arrive.

The Cypress Inn is a part of Carmel's historic past. For over sixty years this part Moorish part Mediterranean building with its terra cotta Roman tile roof set at different levels has been a part of the village. The July 1999 issue of "Architectural Digest" thought enough of the Cypress Inn that it did an impressive coverage of the hotel. How much the fact that actress Doris Day is the owner played in their decision is really irrelevant. The interiors and exteriors make this one of the most charming small and individualistic hotels in Southern California.

While Doris Day is not often seen in person at the hotel, her influence permeates the establishment both in the posters from her films, her doggie friendly staff and the music that wafts into yesteryear. Apparently she fell in love with Carmel when she was stared in the film "Julie". She made Carmel her home in 1981. Her son Terry Melcher shared his mother's enthusiasm and one day stumbled on this inn built in 1929. They discussed investing in the hotel with the owner Dennis LeVett and transformed the inn. And have not stopped, even now.

A new wing has been opened at the end of 2004 offering more suites and rooms but not the restaurant that was discussed.

So if you feel as Ms. Day did that hotels over the world are mostly indistinguishable from each other, come and stay at the Cypress Inn where you can be assured there is not another like it. If you don't have a dog, don't worry, you can get your dog fix with other peoples pets and make new friends into the bargain.

bar

Bar and Breakfast room.

Lounge

Cozy end of lounge with more sitting spaces and letter writing desk and library.

entrance

Evening warmth beckons from within.

Lounge

The lounge with old open beamed ceiling and roaring baronial fire place.

You will do best calling the inn at the address below for booking. They have a lovely web site also listed below but seem to be resisting a full commitment to electronic publishing since they do not provide an email address anywhere and to not accept reservations by email. Not to worry, the phone system still works quite adequately or you can use the fax. But this is a very popular destination, so a phone call is still best.

The Cypress Inn
Lincoln & 7th. - PO Box Y
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California 93921
tel: 1-831-624-3871
fax: 1-831-624-8216
toll free: 1-800-443-7443
E-mail:info@cypress-inn.com
Web Site URL: http://www.cypress-inn.com

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