Stumbled upon Los Laurels after an article in Sunset magazine. Quaint and charming (thanks Les and Mike!!). Add on the wine tasting and restaurant package - it's well worth it. We were not expecting the restaurant to be SO good (and the service too - thanks Livia!!).

We actually didn't stay here, since we live basically across the street (just moved recently), but we have eaten at their restaurant. On my last visit I was entertaining my parents who are very particular about food and location, and they loved both. Who wouldn't? This is not only a lovely place to visit but is also a historical landmark as the first hotel/restaurant in the area, over 100 years old (or so I am told, I may not be totally accurate about that). I've eaten in the main dining area, which is very pretty and overlooks the pool and gardens, and on this occasion we ate in a private dining room which is spectacularly beautiful and elegant, not in an overstated way. The service was outstanding. The food was terrific - I had the scallops and they were delicious - everyone feasted and was happy. The view was of the gardens, which the kids had a great time exploring after dinner and playing "jungle".

If you ever want to go swimming, the pool is open for a small day use fee which is $7, only one dollar more than the community pool down the street, and they didn't charge us for the kids (which the community pool does, even the baby). Our three kids were all under three at the time. They don't allow the use of floaties, however, in case your kids are as attached to them as ours are. Something about insurance rates/someone below water who can't surface due to a floatation device. I'm sure water wings are fine. Our twins have horsie inner tubes which they weren't allowed to use. There is a full bar poolside, which the community pool does not have. Aside from the floaties I think it's nicer than the community pool, which is sometimes crowded.

I hear weddings are popular at this location, and other than being right next to CV Road, it is a beautiful location!

If you are under 70 or single or both stay away from here. Rooms are old and musty, its out in the middle of nowhere. Its an ancient peice of shh that old people love to come to because james dean used to come here 90 years ago or some such shh. Here is my list of things to do. Throw rocks... Kick rocks, blog about what a shhh t place this is, wish I was leaving. If you have no life or imagination. If you are married, no longer enjoy doing it, or socializing, or u have kids you would like to anger and bore, come here. If you are super square and lame and enjoy wiping your behind with money instead of doing something fun come here because you will have all the time in the world to wipe your behind with the money u spend on poor food and lodging. There is nothing else to do. I hope this place burns to the ground for being so lame. I would rather spend the night in the ER than this moldy musky, outdated, overrated, hole. Oh and the food is awful. Why not just go sleep at the retirement home and save some money and get the same experience. If you dont qualify for a senior discount u will hate it, I promise

Close enough to Monterey without having to deal with all the congestion. It was great to wake up and enjoy a cup of coffee while looking out over open space. The kids enjoyed exploring the grounds, finding sticks rocks and other hidden treasures. They also enjoyed the rather large chocolate milks from the restaurant. The staff was very accommodating and family friendly.

We stayed in the Hill House which had all the comforts of home and plenty of room for us to spread out and relax.