Highlands Inn, Carmel, California – 10/25/2015 to 10/29/2015

October 25-29, 2015

I was so excited to get this. I have lived in Monterey County almost all my life and have wanted to go to Highlands Inn for over 40 years. We are not wealthy people and as much as I wanted to stay here once, I refused to pay the $500 to $700 per night charge. I was on TUG (Timeshare User’s Group) and saw an offering for the Highlands Inn at $100 per night. I jumped on it and got it! Even though the timing was awful (we had just gotten into the house and Aaron and Arla were moving in), we went for it.

We got there and while checking in they gave us each a glass of champagne.

Pretty woman checking in.
Pretty woman checking in.
I am impressed. You have to cut - scratch - the skin while the pumpkin is young to scare it like this.
I am impressed. You have to cut – scratch – the skin while the pumpkin is young to scar it like this.
I think presentations take place here.
I think presentations take place here.
Kind of a great hall.
Kind of a great hall.
Nice brass mailbox.
Nice brass mailbox.
Check-in desk.
Check-in desk.
Wonderful view of the water.
Wonderful view of the water.
The meet and greet takes place here with a wine and cheese offering.
The meet and greet takes place here with a wine and cheese offering.

I wasn’t sure what to expect but was kinda thinking we’d be getting a garden view room. We got to our room, opened the door and were blown away by the sight of the beautiful Pacific Ocean. Just spectacular. The room was so fun with sliding doors, a huge tub that could hold about three people, and a wall of windows overlooking the beautiful Big Sur coast.

Our room.
Our room.
We were happy to see the ocean as we walked in.
We were happy to see the ocean as we entered.
Nice views from the bedroom too.
Nice views from the bedroom too.
Fun tub. The doors slide like barn doors to achieve privacy.
Fun tub. The doors slide like barn doors to achieve privacy.
The pictures are all very tasteful.
The pictures are all very tasteful.
High end appointments.
High end appointments.
I really liked the journeyman level work in the granite to accommodate the sink.
I really liked the journeyman level work in the granite to accommodate the sink.
Pretty woman headed to the deck.
Pretty woman headed to the deck.
I didn't build a fire. We have them at home a fair bit. I am really liking the gas fireplaces.
I didn’t build a fire. We have them at home a fair bit. I am really liking the gas fireplaces.
Pleasant living room.
Pleasant living room.
Selfie time.
Selfie time.
We liked the views.
We liked the views.
Locals must surely call this bird rock.
Locals must surely call this bird rock.
They kept the firewood well stocked.
They kept the firewood well stocked.

IMG_9526

Looking out the front door.
Looking out the front door.
A small but very functional kitchen.
A small but very functional kitchen.

I didn’t want to leave – ever! I think this was a bad idea because now I want to stay here and would even be willing to spend the money (just kidding). So glad we got to enjoy this beautiful piece of paradise for four nights.

It is just one of those views from which you never tire.
It is just one of those views from which you never tire.
The grounds are lovely.
The grounds are lovely.
A walk around the property is a must to discover all the little hidden gems.
A walk around the property is a must to discover all the little hidden gems.
The cleaver gardener always has something in bloom.
The clever gardener always has something in bloom.
A nice fire pit not far from our room.
A nice fire pit not far from our room.
Well if you have to ask "how much" ...the fine print at the bottom reads, "A 21 Service charge, California Sales tax, and a $4,00 delivery charge will be added to all checks."
Well if you have to ask “how much” …the fine print at the bottom reads, “A 21 per cent service charge, California sales tax, and a $4,00 delivery charge will be added to all checks.”

We also went to a wine and cheese get together, which was quite fun. Lots of good wine and plenty of cheese and crackers. We got to visit with fun people, which is always nice. One couple comes down two or three times a year as they live only a couple of hours away.

A copper wire creation that is huge.
A copper wire creation that is huge.
Roaring fire at the meet and greet.
Roaring fire at the meet and greet.
Lee and his lovely wife were most enjoyable companions for the gathering.
Lee and his lovely wife are frequent owner/guests and were most enjoyable companions for the gathering.
Treats for the eyes everywhere.
Treats for the eyes everywhere.
High coastal fog becomes a warm blanket.
High coastal fog becomes a warm blanket.
The wood larders were throughout the grounds with great firewood, the kind where you just need to light a match and hold against to ignite a roaring fire.
The wood larders were throughout the grounds with great firewood, the kind where you just need to light a match and hold against to ignite a roaring fire.

They have lots of goodies when you check in. One of them were coupons for wine tasting. Aaron and Arla came by and we went wine tasting with them, which was a lot of fun. We also went by the Pacific Grove butterfly sanctuary, but were disappointed because it was early in the season and there weren’t many hanging in the trees. We’re hoping to go back in a few months.

All non-designated drivers bellied up to the bar and enjoyed some wine.
All non-designated drivers bellied up to the bar and enjoyed some wine.
One of the free wine tastings.
One of the free wine tastings.
Butterfly chair at the sanctuary.
Butterfly chair at the sanctuary.
Aaron and Arla enjoying the walk.
Aaron and Arla enjoying the walk.
Aaron befriending some gulls with chips soaked in water,
Aaron befriending some gulls with chips soaked in water,
We could see dancing in the great hall.
We could see dancing in the great hall.
All sunsets are pretty here.
All sunsets are pretty here.

The weather during our time was perfect, even when it drizzled and was foggy. Just so beautiful. When it came time to leave, it was very hard. I’m hoping we’ll get lucky and get to stay there again!