Like Jimichi I too had another wonderful stay in Late July

That said I am sorry to read about others who for whatever reason haven’t fared as well with their experiences.
Despite the bumps in the road at this property I overall stand behind and committed as their guest and recommend the property without question overall
On the other hand I could say honestly that a small number of things could have been better
I have reasonable faith they may be some significant changes coming
There have been a few under the radar changes that I will report on that may be easily overlooked by others who are or aren’t familiar with the property
But let’s start out about what’s right and that is the outstanding current management of this property from the GM down to the front office team
All positions which have seen some turnover in the past 5 years and yet all of who have been good past and present.
Yes there are some weaker less empowered front desk folks when front office management is off duty.
The team boasts a strong number of kind caring pleasant professionals overall throughout the property that are a pleasure to interact with
Some team members that have been there an extraordinary amount of time

Was really fortunate to have booked on points which I did sometime prior to the hotel selling out
Wasn’t expecting a sold out property early in the week on weekdays!
Pro actively called up once I saw the property was sold out as I was concerned I might end up with a noisy room or facing a car park
Prefer the one floor set ups and opposed to the two floor set ups or time shares which may appeal more to families/those with children
or just personal preference where one may prefer more space or want to cook. I do enough of that when home!
They kindly assured me prior to arrival I would be in a decent small room with premium but limited view .
Upon arrival we did much better exceeding my expectations and my favorite one level accommodation of preference was granted yet once again
I was spellbound by the breath taking views and pleasant enough rustic accommodations that could use a tweak or two in renovation.
For those that haven’t been to the property it’s not a polished 5 star property accommodation even though the price points might suggest this

Folks I can’t emphasize this enough regardless if you are Diamond Platinum or a general member
Do not come here with a pie in the sky illusions of standard elite treatment recognition with or without a Diamond suite upgrade.
It’s just not a standard laid out hotel with rooms and suites quite simply.
It is an eclectic mix of hotel rooms, suites,bi level suites and condos/ time shares that have evolved since grand opening in 1917 around the same year I was born
Though rooms may look similar views, locations and set ups vary widely.
One must try and communicate what they are after or they are going to guess at what makes you happy and try to deal with it upon arrival win or lose.
If view room type layout and set up matter pay for it confirm it or prepare roll with dice
But my suggestion is try and communicate in advance. I knew before my very first stay that this would not be a cookie cutter property and flew up just to tour it before staying.
I didn’t care the first time where they put me as it was a journey to explore and come back with loved ones and family
But yes I have my favorite room types and the hotel has pleased me 8 out of ten times sold out or moderately busy. The point is they try reasonably to make you happy
In my decades with Hyatt this is where requests prefences’ and knowledge of the property are paramount to your individual success or failure at this property

Breakfast @ The California Market
The Legendary long time server Tony took great care of us again and he is one of a number of special stand outs at this property.
He takes pride in pleasing guests and gets this is about building relationships Eggs were always nicely prepared
However bacon suffered from being made to far in advance and sitting possibly in a steam table or warmer leaving soggy leather like bacon.
Oddly one of my other favorite properties who also does an exceptional breakfast also suffers from soggy rubbery bacon made to far in advance
Their exceptional blueberry muffin didn’t appear made that morning and was served at room temperature.
Note to self ask for them to warm it next time. It was till good though
All in all a good breakfast as the basics are there though the kitchen skills could be sharper with execution.
The views are dazzling and there is a charm to this long time breakfast room where one can choose to sit outside or inside seeing
the amazing view or next to a fire place but be forewarned they are closing this iconic little café at some point ahead shortly and relocating it.

Lunch @ California Market
The smell of stinking fish wafts up your nose here upon entry.
Simply shocking and a turn off
We opted for the shrimp pasta special of the day and it was horrible. Over cooked pasta swimming in a watery flavorless sauce with shrimp.
One could do 100x better with a bag of supermarket pasta and bottled sauce or pesto. Scary and we paid dearly for this
Like upstairs inedible mushy fishy shrimp
Chicken Cobb salad which could have been an exceptional salad was ruined much like the bacon in the AM
Drieed out rubber pellets reheated in a matter of seconds and sent out on the salad.Who would dare order fish after that?
We ate it rather than send it back however it was simply terrible and we would be hard pressed to try ordering again
Meals at somewhat nearby Pebble Beach were vastly superior
On a clsoing upside note Don't miss the Chocolate Mousse cake with raspberry coulis it is really one of the better renditions around.
I admit to having purchased the whole cake before and flown home with it same day to freeze it


Pacific Edge Restaurant
There is a new culinary team on board in the past year and there have been some changes to the menu some for the better and some for the worse.
Chef Chad Minton took over the kitchen at this tradition-rich Highlands restaurant after some time as executive chef at Andaz 5th Avenue in New York
I'm not a big fan of the changes creamy polenta is off the menu and Chef and his team are putting ethnic spices in select vegetable dishes.
We gagged on the taste of the otherwise beautiful carrots
Our server George who I have known for many years apologized and took them back.
He is by far the Tony of California Market downstairs a consummate professional that goes the extra mile for his guest
Scallops came out uncooked in the center with a cold touch mashed potatoes were served cold and hard
Short Ribs were very nice but for me it’s the only dish I trusted ordering as I cant imagine paying 70 ish approx dollars for a steak here
and that it would be worth the $$$ spent here after sampling other items on the menu
We ordered the shrimp cocktail and it tasted like frozen shrimp from the supermarkets that were thawed. Awful
Bread and butter good.Buratta appetizer was pleasant with a new spin on the dish but I cant say IMO its better than the way it served classically
Bread basket was lovely as was our service.
The Peanut butter mousse dessert was exceptional and thankfully they didn’t tamper with that a long time must dessert.
Pacific Edge is mixed bag at the end of the day IMHO but it still out performed California Market at lunch
It sunk a whole star IMHO

Sunset Lounge
One of my favorite lounges in the world with awesome breathtaking views and sunsets when weather permits.
Our favorite server Faye was on leave and no visit is complete without being in her station
Sunset lounge menu has really suffered under current F&B management and its very sad.
Gone is the marvelous pan seared Alaskan Halibut and the Lounge menu choices are very limited and not inspiring at all
My take is they probably want to encourage dinner guests to eat in the more expensive Pacific Edge giving more emphasis on selling drinks
The good news is one can now order off the Pacific Edge menu and be served in the Sunset Lounge something that was prohibited in the past
One other bright piece of news is the brilliant entertainer Dino Vera is now appearing more than one night a week in the sunset lounge.
I believe Tuesday nights through Thursday check with concierge to be sure
Admission is complimentary other than food and beverage you might consume
Dino is an incredible piano performer and weaves magic into songs like Otis Redding Dock of the Bay,What a wonderful world and Ray Charles Georgia

A New World Class Highlands Coming ? A meeting with Management
Word on the street is there are changes coming to the Highlands Inn
I asked to sit down with Managing Director Mel Bettcher of the property who I hadn’t had the pleasure of meeting before.
I was delighted and appreciative that he took the time out of his busy day to chat right in his office and share a bit of his extraordinary career at Hyatt
as well as hear about plans for this Grand Dame of a property
Mel brings near 40 years of experience with his Hyatt career
I felt privileged to meet a true Hyatt legend!
His past includes GM of the year with Hyatt in Orlando and a really nice guy with good sense of where the property need to go to take it to the next level
He generously shared that Pacific Edge would merge with California Market
California market would be utilized for all time share sales getting rid of any commercial air that remains in the Grand lobby off Pacific Edge
Returning all public areas to the guest^I am thrilled with idea and think it is a win win situation
It also sounds like more renovations to the room are finally coming.
In the end a great iconic property is getting a face lift in places and early on my predictions all of it for the better.

This little tidbit of interest Travel + Leisure Magazine
Named Carmel the third best city in the world for romance, falling in line behind Paris and Venice.
I have to agree but adding in Andaz Maui would be my personal add on
Highlands Inn even with its minor warts and wrinkles is one of my favorite properties in the world based on location,views
and a team that is mostly very real and passionate about their guests
I highly recommend this experience as it isn’t even remotely similar to the expected Hyatt experience
It’s a very special experience and the really god news is it happens to be a very Gold Passport friendly property for all the reasons that really matter.

And too repeat learn this property and make your preferences known prior to arrival!
Don’t miss the opportunity to stay here!!


Diamond Gold Passport Recognition :-::-::-::-::-:
Food and Beverage :-::-::-:
Public Areas :-::-::-::-::-:
Gym :-::-: (small)
Entertainment select nights :-::-::-::-::-:
Rooms and Suites standards :-::-::-: plus) some with indoor Jacuzzi tubs
Team overall :-::-::-::-: plus