The Highlands Inn, A Hyatt Vacation Club Resort

We stayed in a beautifully appointed townhouse in August and couldn't have been more pleased. The view was spectacular! The grounds are lovely and the restaurants are both excellent. This is really a first class place to stay. The only negative was listening to the timeshare salemen in the lobby-I'd much rather view the photography in peace and tranquility.

Exceptional view and the restaurant is wonderful. This visit sold us on buying a timeshare. Can't wait to go back.

Traded in here and the prior review gives a great description. Would agree with all of it. Had an ocean view one bedroom with pullout. Great fireplace (and they take care of the clean-up and restock.) Only thing to note is the dinner restaurant is quite pricey and upscale -- which is fine if you are expecting that. And it might not be worth the price in my opinion. The other restaurant is great for breakfast/lunch and what a view! The Hyatt experience is always top-notch.

This is a biased review as I am an owner. I purchased due to the location and the Hyatt reputation for service. Highlands Inn is located in the Carmel Highlands, 4 miles south of the village of Carmel, on a lovely forested hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The day we arrived, there was a wedding on the gazebo overlooking the Pacific...of course, that is what Highlands Inn has been known for over the years.

Although 212 is designated a garden view unit, you can catch glimpses of the Pacific through the floor to ceiling glass in the bedroom and from the deck off the living room. This is a 1 bedroom unit with a full kitchen, dining area, living room with fireplace and a master suite, which is separated from the living room by Shoji sliding doors.

The kitchen and bathroom counters and the 2- person jacuzzi tub are done in dark granite. The kitchen and master suite floors are slate tiles, as well as the fireplace. The bed is king size with a goose down duvet and the best feather/goose down pillows upon which I have rested my head!

There is daily housekeeping, as well as turn down service (delicious Ghiradelli chocolates.) The fireplace is cleaned and set up daily for use in the evening. Bath salts are left for the evening soak and cozy terry robes are hung for your use. Listening to the soothing music from the CD's in the room add to a restful soak. Coffee and tea are provided in the room...although, I brought our own. A morning paper is left on the doormat daily.

The lodge constructed of golden granite is the focal point of the resort. It was originally built in 1917. From the lodge, the restaurants and the surrounding decks, you can see the rocky coastline, ocean and beautiful sunsets. There are two massive fireplaces at either end of the large central room of the lodge. Overstuffed leather sofas and chairs are arranged throughout the room, allowing guests to curl up with a book for the afternoon or visit with other guests. On the west side, the wall is nearly floor to ceiling glass with an endless view of the Pacific. A large antique looking telescope is set up in a corner for use. Again, there are large leather chairs for you to sit and enjoy the views. In the evening, the area is an overflow from the bar, and a pianist entertains nightly on the baby grand piano. Around 8 pm, both fireplaces are lit and guests congregate to chat, play board games or sip a glass of wine and enjoy the music.

The grounds were immaculate. Highlands Inn is built on a steep hillside, so walkways meandered through levels of units and were lined with flowers, ferns, shrubs and everything green. There is a pool and several hot tubs on the grounds.

Requests were handled immediately and with smiles...no grumps at all. Staff lived up to the high quality expected of Hyatt. I can hardly wait to go back there during the week of Thanksgiving!