Sometimes the best getaways are right in the heart of things, especially if those things happen to be all that Carmel-by-the-Sea has to offer. At once quaint and vibrant, the village of Carmel is an ideal launching point no matter your vacation preferences. There is the stunning beauty of a dramatic coastline stretching from Big Sur to Carmel Beach. Golfers have 10 excellent courses at their disposal. Shoppers can choose from chic boutiques, exclusive galleries, and block after block of independent merchants—there’s not a big box in sight. As Monterey County wine country increases its notoriety, so Carmel expands its options as a culinary destination.

Carmel is a walking town, and centrally located is the recently renovated Tally Ho Inn providing access to the village and the beach. Offering an English B&B experience, sunny, spacious rooms have private decks that look out over the trees to an exquisite view of the Pacific, including Point Lobos to the south and Pebble Beach to the north. The unique perspective of being in town and looking out at the ocean is one not found often.

Five new suites feature fireplaces, 42 in. plasma TVs, Bose® Wave® radios, refrigerators, feather beds, marble baths with Jacuzzis, and radiant heated floors. Binoculars are provided so that guests can sit on their decks and scan for whales. A common area with an outside fireplace is a perfect spot to sit and enjoy the evening complimentary brandy.

A full buffet American breakfast is included Monday through Friday, served across the street at Il Fornaio in The Pine Inn—Tally Ho’s sister property. On weekends guests can enjoy a continental breakfast seated on the flower filled patio.

There are numerous accommodations in Carmel, and it could be easy to overlook the tucked away Tally Ho, where stepping through the subtle entrance reveals a wide world of ocean views and comfort.