Monday, April 6, 2015

Hofsas House Hotel in Carmel-by-the-Sea Announces The 10 Best Things to do in Carmel Without a Car

Might this be a start a new of foot sensitive vacationing?

Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA, April 07, 2015 - In Carmel-by-the-Sea, the Theis family is celebrating more than six decades of European hospitality at its beautiful Bavarian-inspired Hofsas House Hotel, which is as charming as the town itself. With firm roots in the past, the family is looking toward the future by keeping abreast of guests’ every need.

Did you know average car causes 600 pounds of air pollution every year? A recent AAA holiday report cited a decline in car travel and a shift towards alternative modes of transportation. Biking and low-cost interstate bus travel are on the rise. Might this be the start of a new era of footprint-sensitive vacationing? (Let’s think positive and say, “Yes.”)

Here are some reasons walking is better than driving:

1. It saves money on gas. Lots of it.
2. It saves the planet. You’d be doing your bit to save the world.
3. It saves on parking. Don’t you just hate having to pay for parking?
4. It’s free. The pleasure of knowing you are getting something for nothing while other people have to pay is not the same as benefiting from saving money. It’s even better.
5. It’s good exercise. The benefits are obvious. Ask your doctor.
6. You’ll get more fresh air. It’s the best kind.
7. Walking is fun - and here are some tips for making it even better…

So, where should you take your next car-free getaway? The Theis Family offers the top 10 things to do without a car in Carmel-by-the-Sea. When was the last time you want on a vacation without a car in California?

10 Best Things to Do in Carmel (WITHOUT A CAR!!)

1. Walk on the beach and finish your night with a glass of wine .
2. Bus ride (Route 22) down PCH to Big Sur and back, stop at Point Lobos, Rocky Point, Andrew Molera State Park, the town of Big Sure, and Nepenthe. Ask our concierge or manager for hike recommendations. Check for road conditions and route service to Big Sur!
3. Bus ride (“Grapevine Express” Route 24) to Carmel Valley and back, stop at Chateau Jullien, Mid-Valley, and Carmel Valley Village. Finish the day with free wine tastings at various partnering tasting rooms in the town of Carmel, courtesy of the Hofsas House.
4. Take a 20-minute stroll down to the Carmel Mission and tour the Carmel Mission Museum (http://www.carmelmission.org/museum/).
5. Go on a Carmel Walks (http://carmelwalks.com/) tour to learn about the history of Carmel and some of our unique City ordinances.
6. Combine food, wine, chocolate and history of Carmel by taking the Carmel Food Tour (http://www.carmelfoodtour.com/).
7. Go to the Carmel Cheese Shop (http://thecheeseshopinc.com/) to sample cheeses from around the world. It is hard to select just one and then purchase a matching wine to take to the beach to watch the sunset.
8. Learn about the famous poet, Robinson Jeffers, by taking the Tor House Tour http://www.torhouse.org/).
9. Happy Hour Tour: Ask our concierge to direct you to an assortment of happy hours (e.g., Vesuvio Restaurant, www.vesuviocarmel.com, Barmel, Jack London’s, Il Fornio and many more) right in town for discounted drinks and appetizers, and then finish off the night with a special entre at one of our favorite places to eat.
10. Arrange a surf lesson for half of the day at Carmel Beach, http://southbaysurfriders.com/. A professional surfer will take you out and ensure a safe and enjoyable time learning to surf Carmel’s amazing waves!

If those 10 activities were not enough, the Hofsas House staff picked these great events.
1. Rent bikes at Bay Bikes (www.baybikes.com) and get a challenging workout up and down Carmel’s hilly back roads. Or, stick to the flatland and cruise by the beach for a wave-side bike ride. For the experienced rider, take it up a notch and bike 17-mile Drive into Monterey and back for an all-day outdoor adventure.
2. For the spa lovers, relax at Kush Day Spa (www.kushincarmel.com), one of the highest regarded spas in Carmel, for one afternoon.
3. Rise early—or rise late—for a wonderful Sunday brunch at Clint Eastwood’s Mission Ranch (http://www.missionranchcarmel.com/restaurant.htm). It’s only a 20-minute stroll across Carmel. Better yet, return on a weekend night for drinks and live piano playing.
4. Find all the hidden courtyards Carmel-by-the-Sea has to offer, and see what surprise gift you can discover for a friend.
5. On a chill day, go coffee tasting at the various local coffee houses in Carmel, Carmel Coffee House and Carmel Valley Coffee Roasting Co, who roast their coffee right in the area.
6. For photography lovers, Gallery Sur (gallerysur.com) has amazing prints from the area or go to Weston Gallery, one of the oldest photographic galleries, www.westongallery.com.
7. Drop by the Carmel Art Association (carmelart.org) for details on local artists and the best galleries to explore according to your taste.
8. Tapas at Mundaka, www.mundakacarmel.com.
9. Carmel Wine Walk-by-the-Sea – stroll to 15 different wine tasting rooms and taste a flight of Monterey County grown grapes. Purchase a Wine Walk Passport at the Hofsas House for $65 and it includes nine tastings. Because of the cool air, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are some of the best.
10. Geocache in Carmel: There are over 20 geocaches within walking distance in Carmel. Take your GPS and test your navigation skills and find some treasure!
11. Check out the live performances at one of our four theaters: Sunset Center, Golden Bough, Cherry Center in our one-square mile town.
12. Olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting at Trio Carmel on Dolores Street south of Ocean Avenue - www.triocarmel.com.
13. Create your own custom perfume at Ajne Perfumery in the Court of the Fountains - http://www.ajne.com/.
14. Visit one of the oldest houses in Carmel, the First Murphy House, home to the Carmel Heritage Society, http://carmelheritage.org/.
What will you do?

Hofsas House Background:
Owned and operated by the Theis Family, Hofsas House Hotel is within walking distance of everything Carmel has to offer, including a stunning beach, fine restaurants and shops, and wine tasting. It provides peaceful respite and European charm just minutes from Monterey , Pebble Beach, Big Sur and Pacific Grove . The Hofsas House’s 38 spacious, one-of-a-kind rooms boast European comfort and lovely views, not to mention amenities like fireplaces, private balconies, wet bars, kitchens and patios. Large suites provide the perfect stay for newlyweds and everyone else seeking an extra special getaway. Dutch doors in every room allow guests to welcome in the ocean air, and free WiFi enables them to stay connected — if they want to.

The Hofsas House Hotel family works to ensure every visitor's experience is special, striving to offer the highest quality personal services. Consider the continental breakfast, abundant with fresh French Roast coffee, tea, juice, fruit and pastries from a neighborhood bakery, or the personalized concierge services for guests and their families, including their four-legged family members, who are welcome, as well.

For large groups — wedding parties, company meetings, family reunions and others — Hofsas House Hotel offers a spacious room equipped with a fireplace and full kitchen that can comfortably accommodate 40 people. A heated pool, dry saunas, decks with views and off-street parking are on offer as well.

Hofsas House Hotel is located on San Carlos Street, north of Fourth Avenue in Carmel-by-the-Sea. For more information, call (831) 624-2745 or visit www.hofsashouse.com. Like us on Facebook

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Hofsas House Hotel
Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921-3396
831-747-7455
Marci@chatterboxpublicrelations.com
http://www.hofsashouse.com

Elope to Hyatt Carmel Highlands

Romantic and intimate, the 48-room Hyatt Carmel Highlands offers a personalized elopement package to help reduce the stress and anticipation of a large-scale wedding.

Carmel Highlands, CA, April 06, 2015 - Romantic and intimate, the 48-room Hyatt Carmel Highlands offers a personalized elopement package to help reduce the stress and anticipation of a large-scale wedding. Relish in all of the beauty that the Monterey Peninsula and Big Sur Coastline have to offer, and enjoy your big day minus the worry at this extraordinary property.


The event team at Hyatt Carmel Highlands has years of experience creating unforgettable ceremonies. In addition to pampering the bride and groom, they are intimately involved in all the planning details.

“We are thrilled to help couples make their wedding day as special as the love that they share,” said Shelly Rodriguez, catering/events manager at Hyatt Carmel Highlands. “Our breathtaking oceanfront site is the perfect setting for couples to express their love and begin their life journey.”

The Hyatt Carmel Highlands Elopement Package includes:
• One night luxurious accommodations for two, overlooking the Big Sur Coast
• Discounted room rate for up to eight guests
• Romantic evening turndown service with rose petals, a chilled bottle of champagne and chocolate–covered strawberries for newlyweds
• Complimentary valet for group
• Intimate dinner for up to eight guests by Executive Chef Chad Minton.
• Gazebo wedding ceremony with a non-denominational minister, overlooking the Big Sur Coast
• One hour of professional photography with online gallery of all images
• Bouquet and boutonniere
• Champagne toast and wedding cake
• Two 50-minute massage treatments
• Hair and makeup for the bride
• Professional wedding coordinator assistance
• Concierge assistance in planning additional off-site activities, such as winery tours, sightseeing trips on the Monterey Bay or dinner reservations

The new offer is available Sundays through Thursdays, beginning April 2015. The hotel’s wedding team also works with couples to create customized packages.

Hyatt Carmel Highlands is located at 120 Highlands Drive, Carmel, California, USA, 93923. For more information about weddings in Carmel, please contact the Wedding Consultants at (831) 622-5461 or email WeddingHIGPH@hyatt.com.

About Hyatt Carmel Highlands:
Perched on the hillside of the Carmel Highlands with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, Hyatt Carmel Highlands combines true Carmel luxury with an approachable and sophisticated spirit. A haven for artists and discerning travelers since its opening in 1917, Hyatt Carmel Highlands features 48 luxuriously renovated guestrooms, including 11 suites, 32 Ocean View rooms and 5 Garden View rooms. In addition, Hyatt Carmel Highlands offers spectacular dining at the award-winning Pacific’s Edge restaurant and California Market, 4,800 square feet of meeting space, in-room spa services, heated outdoor swimming pool, three spa tubs and a StayFit fitness facility. Situated only four miles from downtown Carmel, Hyatt Carmel Highlands’ idyllic setting and personalized service has attracted families, weddings, honeymooners and privileged travelers for nearly a century. Hyatt Carmel Highlands has been recognized among the world’s finest hotels as part of Condé Nast Traveler's Gold List and Travel + Leisure’s “T+L 500” World’s Best Hotels. http://www.hyattcarmelhighlands.com/.

About Hyatt:
Hyatt hotels are smaller-sized properties conveniently located in diverse business and leisure areas. With hotels typically ranging from 150 to 350 rooms, Hyatt hotels offer guests the opportunity to experience our hospitality in a vibrant environment. Customers include individual business and leisure travelers, and Hyatt hotels can accommodate smaller scale business meetings and social gatherings.

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Hyatt Carmel Highlands
Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921-3396
831-747-7455
Marci@chatterboxpublicrelations.com
http://www.hyattcarmelhighlands.com/