2026 location index
Best Hotels in Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur
Compare 9 hotels using seven years of Forbes Travel Guide recognition history, weighted toward recent performance.
Ranked for consistency
Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur hotel rankings
9 hotels
| Property | Score | Destination | Country | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bernardus Lodge & Spa | 4.00 | Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur | United States (CA) | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Casa Palmero at Pebble Beach | 4.00 | Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur | United States (CA) | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Post Ranch Inn | 4.00 | Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur | United States (CA) | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| The Inn at Spanish Bay | 4.00 | Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur | United States (CA) | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| The Lodge at Pebble Beach | 4.00 | Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur | United States (CA) | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Alila Ventana Big Sur | 3.97 | Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur | United States (CA) | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | ||
| L'Auberge Carmel | 3.08 | Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur | United States (CA) | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa | 3.08 | Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur | United States (CA) | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Tradewinds Carmel | 0.43 | Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur | United States (CA) | 3 |
Our methodology
Recognition that lasts
Hoslog looks across seven years of published designations. Recent recognition carries more influence, while earlier years reveal consistency. When a hotel goes unlisted, its previous recognition gradually fades.
Read the methodology →