Highlights: Casa Palmero At Pebble Beach

•Prime location along first and second fairways of famed Pebble Beach Golf Course

•Guest rooms feature an inviting and romantic decor

•Intimate Mediterranean hideaway located within Pebble Beach resort

•Abundant dining choices with 13 restaurants

•Four award-winning golf courses available nearby

•Mobil Four-Star spa provides body treatments, massages, facials, and salon services

•Pebble Beach Equestrian Center with trail rides, lessons, and shows

Amenities: Casa Palmero At Pebble Beach

• 24 rooms, 2 story. Complimentary full breakfast. Complimentary continental breakfast. Check-in 3 pm, check-out Noon. High-speed Internet access, wireless Internet access. Spa. Outdoor pool. Airport transportation available. Credit cards accepted.

General Impressions: Casa Palmero At Pebble Beach

Even those travelers who don’t play golf are familiar with the fabled links of Pebble Beach. This world-famous venue is host to several professional tournaments every year, but tucked in between the first and second fairways of this scenic course you will find the intimate and charming Casa Palmero. Visitors to the hotel cannot mistake the distinctive entrance. A beautiful courtyard flanked by four large King palm trees welcomes guests to this Spanish-style estate.

This Mediterranean hideaway has only 24 rooms and feels secluded, yet it remains part of the Pebble Beach resort community, which also includes The Inn at Spanish Bay and The Lodge at Pebble Beach. Travelers who want to get away from it all will enjoy the romantic inn-like ambience of Casa Palmero, while the other resorts’ shopping, dining, and plentiful amenities (including the world-renowned golf and a wonderful spa) create a well-rounded stay.

This Spanish mansion also is a natural choice for romantics celebrating a special anniversary, but its gentle pace also appeals to spa aficionados who want the amenities of a world-class spa without the big-resort atmosphere. Since Casa Palmero’s peaceful overtones and romantic ambience tend to attract an adult clientele, travelers with children would be better accommodated elsewhere.

Outside the resort, the wonders of the Monterey Peninsula are available to visitors. Carmel-By-The-Sea is a charming town filled with one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants, while Big Sur is a particularly scenic spot worth taking the drive to explore. Hiking, biking, and outdoor activities are abundant in this region as well.

(+) Intimate inn located within larger resort with plentiful dining and leisure activities

Guest Services: Casa Palmero At Pebble Beach

Casa Palmero’s small size translates to caring, personalized attention for guests. I felt well taken care of, and the friendly staff seemed genuinely concerned with my comfort and satisfaction. My arrival was especially warm and personal, with a caring staff member providing excellent service immediately. My bags were whisked away and were perfectly timed to my in-room arrival. In most cases, I was greeted by name throughout my stay.

I found the service at the restaurants to be knowledgeable and professional. I was also pleased with housekeeping’s excellent service. The telephone operators, front desk clerks, and other staff I encountered were always pleasant and polite. Turndown service raised the bar with its different treats and beverages nightly. The resort’s attitude is decidedly low-key, and the service reflects that, so while this is not a silver tray and white glove establishment, the friendly service is highly capable.

(+) Relaxed, yet professional service from a friendly staff

Guest Rooms: Casa Palmero At Pebble Beach

Casa Palmero’s 24 rooms and suites are enchanting private sanctuaries. Wood-burning fireplaces and abundant fresh flowers create an inviting atmosphere in each room. Estate rooms are especially cozy with beamed ceilings and window seats, while estate studios are a bit larger and offer separate dining areas. Spa rooms are located on the ground floor and open out to private patios with whirlpools. The Palmero Suite is the inn’s most luxurious accommodation, with a spacious interior and private exterior.

My room was an elegant retreat with a relaxed California golf resort décor. Slate floors were tastefully covered with stylish furnishings. Beamed ceilings and natural colors gave the room a slightly rustic appeal. My room had spectacular golf course views. From the double closets to the extra-large bathroom, the inn clearly paid special attention to guests’ comfort. Complimentary snacks and water were a thoughtful touch and made me feel especially welcome. My room also was immaculate, and I was pleased to find that housekeeping serviced the room throughout my stay--toiletries were replaced as needed, and the wood in the fireplace was restacked.

(+) Spacious, elegant room with many thoughtful touches and spectacular views

Facilities & Activities: Casa Palmero At Pebble Beach

Casa Palmero has become such popular golf destinations, with professional tournaments played on this course several times a year. Those who need to sharpen their skills can book a lesson at the Golf Academy. There are four courses, Pebble Beach Golf Links, The Links at Spanish Bay, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, and Del Monte Golf Course, each with a unique history and terrain. Tee times are highly coveted at these award-winning courses, but Casa Palmero guests are granted special booking privileges.

Pebble Beach may be best known for its golf, but the resort’s Mobil Four-Star spa is almost as renown. It is 22,000 square feet of bliss in the Del Monte forest. This first-rate facility offers a variety of body treatments, massages, facials, and salon services. Additionally, the spa features several signature therapies only available here. These treatments include the 75-minute hot stone Pebble massage, a lavender body butter scrub and wrap, and the rosemary microderm body treatment for glowing, moisturized skin. Stop by the spa’s boutique and pick up a comfortable robe and slippers, which you might find difficult to part with. The boutique also offers an array of bath and body products.

In addition to its own heated outdoor pool, sun worshippers staying at Casa Palmero are encouraged to visit the Oceanside Beach & Tennis Club, where 12 courts, a pro shop, freshwater pool, and sundeck welcome visitors. The fitness center is well-equipped and offers free weights, cardio machines, exercise area, yoga classes, and aerobics. After a rigorous workout, soothe tired muscles with a massage or a dip in the Jacuzzi.

The Pebble Beach Equestrian Center offers trail rides, lessons, and horse shows. Beachfront horseback riding is particularly enjoyable.

Of course, no trip is complete without a memento, and the resort’s extensive array of boutiques carrying clothing, home accessories, gifts, and sporting equipment are a tempting way to spend a few hours. Paintings and photographs of the oceanfront courses, and the hotel’s high-quality bed linens are among the most popular selections. Children’s apparel and mini golf club sets are an adorable way to remember the visit. The Market Wine Collection entices with more than 800 different bottles, and shipping is available to a handful of states.

Pebble Beach also is a stop on the Seventeen-Mile Drive that runs along the Monterey Peninsula. This popular route, with its curvy turns and awe-inspiring vistas, is both inspiring and relaxing. Be sure to venture beyond the resort’s grounds to spot the area’s famous seals and sea lions, along with breathtaking views of the craggy coastline. Art lovers should plan an excursion to Carmel-By-The-Sea, where charming boutiques and galleries await. Nature lovers will want to head straight for Big Sur, where hiking amidst towering redwoods is an unforgettable experience.

(+) World-renowned golf, top spa, and other first-class amenities available

Dining & Lounge: Casa Palmero At Pebble Beach

There are 13 restaurants under the watchful eye of Pebble Beach Resorts, and while Casa Palmero guests need to venture beyond the inn to enjoy their meals (with the exception of in-room dining), the abundant choices are sure to satisfy discerning palates.

The Lodge at Pebble Beach has six restaurants, with two featuring all-day dining. Lunch and dinner may be enjoyed at the other four spots, where guests can enjoy casual, bistro-style dining or sophisticated fine dining.

The Inn at Spanish Bay hosts four restaurants showcasing Italian, Hawaiian-fusion, and American dishes. Three other dining outlets are also located on the Pebble Beach property and feature breakfast and lunch, along with gourmet deli. Outside of the resort, the nearby town of Monterey also attracts food lovers with a host of choices.

Casa Palmero invites its guests to a nightly cocktail service in the historic main building’s lounge. It was a nice way to mingle with other guests and enjoy the lovely setting. Breakfast at Casa Palmero is an especially enjoyable treat. Breakfast baskets are delivered to your room, and if desired, hot items may be ordered through room service to complement the basket’s contents. It was a wonderful way to begin my day and a highlight of my visit.

(+) Thirteen restaurants guarantee something for everyone
(-) With the exception of breakfast and room service, dining is located elsewhere on the resort property

Business Services: Casa Palmero At Pebble Beach

Casa Palmero’s relaxed attitude lends itself more toward vacations; however The Lodge at Pebble Beach and The Inn at Spanish Bay are popular destinations for meetings and incentive trips, with just under a dozen meeting spaces and facilities.

(-) Casa Palmero is not a business-focused destination, though the resort’s other two properties do cater to corporate groups