By Elizabeth Kang
This month’s featured hotel offers a memorable experience that’s a great option for both a family, friends or couple’s vacation. It’s also a great last-minute option, as Quail Lodge is a quick under-two-hour drive, and as a large resort, typically has a few rooms available on short notice, even in the high season.
Located on 850 acres in the sun-drenched Carmel Valley, Quail Lodge & Golf Club is a kid and pet-friendly oasis with multiple dining options, beautifully renovated rooms, an 18-hole, championship golf course, a soothing spa, and plenty of recreational activities to keep the entire family happily occupied. Read on to explore all the details that make Quail Lodge & Golf Club the perfect spontaneous summer getaway.
Year-Round Fun
There’s an activity for every personality at Quail Lodge & Spa, from friendly games of tennis and pickle ball to lazily lounging by the heated, outdoor swimming pool. More relaxation awaits at the resort’s tranquil Spa Adeline. Here, indulge in therapeutic massage, ladies and gentlemen’s facials and other soothing treatments.
Adventurous types won’t want to miss the lodge’s unique “Land Rover Experience,” described as a customized off-road driving experience with steep descents, log climbing and tight hairpin turns, located in the hillside at Quail. Lessons and programs range from one hour to multiple days.
There’s much to discover offsite, too, whether it’s biking along the Carmel coastline, cruising the famous Pebble Beach 17-mile drive, or browsing all of the charming shops in quaint downtown Carmel. Breathtaking Carmel Beach, located walking distance from downtown, is a popular pastime for sunning, surfing and sandcastle making.
Memorable Dining
It’s not often that resort dining is quite as memorable as its surroundings. Happily, Quail Lodge is an exception. With three excellent dining options located at the lodge, you may not find yourself straying offsite for meals as much as you anticipated.
For daily breakfast with indoor and outdoor seating, (or delivered to your room) enjoy Breakfast at The Lodge. Located in the Quail Lodge Lobby, enjoy breakfast favorites such as buttermilk pancakes, avocado toast, gourmet breakfast sandwiches, overnight oats, and craft coffee.
For a delicious, casual lunch and a fantastic happy hour, visit Edgar’s Restaurant, located at the Club House. Offering indoor, outdoor, and to-go lunch service, expect delicious California-inspired cuisine with menu offerings such as halibut street tacos, Cobb salad, New England shrimp and lobster roll, and juicy burgers. The Happy Hour menu features a selection of wine, beer and cocktails, along with great deals on snacks like quesadillas, grilled artichokes and warm pretzels.
Covey Grill is a superb choice for dinner, boasting sweeping views of sparkling Mallard Lake and verdant gardens. On the menu, choose from USDA grade steaks and sustainably sourced seafood and local wines. A children’s menu features classic favorites, including mac ’n’ cheese and hot dogs. Don’t miss the delectable desserts, especially the lavender honey goat cheesecake and seasonal pies.
Modern Accommodations
Having undergone a 28-million-dollar renovation in the last decade, Quail Lodge & Golf Club is stunningly appointed. Decorated in classic and minimal style with rich wood furnishings, rooms boast luxurious bedding and textiles, and soothing cream, blue and green hues that mimic the natural surroundings. Some of the newly installed, state-of-the-art amenities include Wireless bedside charging stations, In-room coffee and tea stations featuring Nespresso, Interactive TV experience from Sonifi with Chromecast, and On-Demand movies, and much more.
Accommodations range in a variety of spacious guest rooms and suites. Guestrooms feature 394 – 650 sqft with double queen or king beds, many featuring fireplaces. For even more rooms to spread out, reserve a Junior, King Suite, Two-Bedroom Villa Suite ranging from 638 to 2,000 sqft. featuring private patios and cozy gas fireplaces.
Championship Golfing
As its name suggests, Quail Lodge & Golf Club is a sought-after golf destination, featuring some of the best and most picturesque golfing in the area. In fact, the course is repeatedly awarded “Best Playing Conditions” for all of Central California by GreensKeeper.org, year after year.
The 18-hole, 6500-yard championship golf course boasts perfectly maintained greens, with towering trees, lush scrubs and beautiful flowers framing its fairways. The course is appropriate for all skill levels and was redesigned in 2015 by Principle Designer Todd Eckenrode – of Origins Golf Design. There’s also a 9-hole putting course for guests to practice their short game.