Entire home

Home away from Home in Carmel!

Family-friendly holiday home in Carmel with a hot tub

Photo gallery for Home away from Home in Carmel!

 a decked hot tub and a grand oak and festive lighting
 A  generous great room; great for relaxing with a sip
adjoining dining
Dining
Private kitchen

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 10204.4 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Pet-friendly

Explore the area

View map
  • Place, Carmel Plaza
  • Place, Carmel Beach
  • Place, Carmel Mission Basilica
  • Airport, Monterey, CA (MRY-Monterey Peninsula)

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 King Bed and 2 Single Beds

Common area 1

1 Queen Bed

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Dining area

About this property

Home away from Home in Carmel!

Joie de Vivre means 'Joy of Life' and no better way to experince that but in Carmel California!!!!! ... . WE SLEEP 10..
CARMEL IS AS BEAUTIFUL AS EVER WITH OUTDOOR AND INDOOR DINING AND LIVE MUSIC THROUGH OUT THE TOWN.
The minute you drive into Carmel, you can see why we adopted the name for our newest Carmel getaway!
Charm is the operative word at every turn. We have and continue to add features to our home that entice relaxation and celebration!
The front courtyard is peaceful, welcoming our guests with potted flowers, climbing vines, citrus trees, and outdoor furniture for entertaining. The greatest feature, is the gas fire pit to sit around during the evening hours. It is the perfect spot for a glass of wine or roasting marshmallows for s'mores!
The upstairs living area is generous and perfect for gatherings. The dining table seats 8 comfortably,. The table in kitchen nook is set by the front window, and is perfect for your morning coffee. We even have a wine refrigerator equipped for chilling your local wine finds!
The kitchen has new appliances. It is equipped for cooking, with an array of pots and pans, baking dishes, utensils, and dishes. We provide spices and many cooking essentials for your convenience. The Keurig coffee maker, traditional brewing and pressed coffee unit, are new as well! There is a toaster, griddle and small appliances for your needs.
There are two ensuite bedrooms on the upper level.
The master has a pillow top king mattress. All of the bedding is upscale and very comfortable. We use high thread count sheets on all of the king, queen and full-size beds. The master bath has a walk in shower, his and hers vanities and a water closet.
The jr. master is comfortable Queen sized bed with a courtyard view. Its private bathroom includes a bright subway tile and white carrera stone shower, a furniture sink vanity and custom, frameless glass shower surround.
The downstairs bedroom is quiet and secluded, featuring a king-size, body form foam top mattress for the perfect night sleep. We have appointed the room with elements of the ocean... this room can also act as a double twin room upon request.
Our newly renovated downstairs bath is gorgeous, complete with natural stone, river rock, and a travertine topped furniture vanity, that gives you a spa-like experience!
Our spacious bonus room is awesome! We have included a 50" flat screen television, xbox, . It is a great place to hang out, play games and relax.. we have a pull out twin option and a queen sized bed for overflow sleeping. This room has access to the back yard, with its canopy of oak and monterey pine trees.
Our back yard decks and hot tub , out door dining and kitchen fire table and yes, even a play house are family favorites. A Oak tree canopy with festune lights hover, While You're sipping your favorite beverage in the decked hot tub !

Joie de Vivre deux is one of a kind! We know that guests come to Carmel to make memories.. so when we had the opportunity to own a house to share.. we made it happen!
An indoor laundry, closet for extra sheets and towels and every convenience of home await you.
Our garage is painted, clean and finished with epoxy floors. We can allow space for up to 3 cars at this home . We provide goodies to take to the beach. A beach wagon, an Ice chest, 2 beach chairs, a boogie board and some sand toys.
Our back yard is a tierd, partially decked hill, with a large oak tree canopy, hot tub and firetable. Our large gas bbq is also in this get a way from it all spot.
We take great pride in ensuring your great experience.
Here are a few things to note:
Our home is on a hill so it allows for street side entry buts a stairs down to the lower living , bedroom area. The kitchen, livingroom and ensuite bedrooms are on the street level.
Up to 2 well behaved dogs are allowed. As to respect all renters and our home, dogs are never allowed on furnishings at any time. They recommend them to be on leash while in the yard. The front couryard is private but not fully enclosed.
Dogs can never be left unattened without a crate. Carmel is very dog friendly ; please check with restaurants about their pet policies .
PLEASE reach out to us within the first 24 hours with any questions or concerns; or at anytime during your stay. We are here for you!
2095187368/209 5186934


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Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 30
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
No high chair available
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 1 total)
Must be crated when unattended
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Carmel

Located by the sea, this holiday home is in Northeast Carmel, a neighbourhood in Carmel. Fisherman's Wharf and Pebble Beach Golf Links are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Carmel Beach and Monterey Bay. Travelling with kids? Make time for Monterey Bay Aquarium, or head to an event or a match at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

What's nearby

  • Carmel Plaza - 16 min walk - 1.4 km
  • Sunset Center - 3 min drive - 2.2 km
  • Carmel Beach - 3 min drive - 2.2 km
  • Carmel Mission Basilica - 4 min drive - 2.9 km
  • Pebble Beach Golf Links - 5 min drive - 4.3 km

Getting around

  • Monterey Station - 15 min drive
  • Monterey, CA (MRY-Monterey Peninsula) - 7 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Vesuvio - ‬19 min walk
  • ‪Alvarado Street Brewery & Bistro - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Edwins Kaona - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Jeju Kitchen - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪A.W. Shucks Cocktail & Oyster Bar - ‬3 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Home away from Home in Carmel! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total). Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

What time is check-in at Home away from Home in Carmel!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Home away from Home in Carmel!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Home away from Home in Carmel! located?

This family-friendly Carmel holiday home is located by the sea, within 1 mi (2 km) of Forest Theater Guild and 17-Mile Drive. Carmel Beach is 1.5 mi (2.4 km) away.

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 140 out of 166 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 20 out of 166 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 4 out of 166 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 166 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 166 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.4/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Laura P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very comfortable and well stocked. We had a great stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jen B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Spacious home in a beautiful neighborhood

Spent the weekend with family ranging from 6 months to 85 years old. There were several comfortable spots to eat/hang out including the patio, inside at the two dining tables, the hot tub and the two living rooms! Everyone agreed we slept better here than in our own beds! HIGHLY recommend this property and communication with the owners was easy and timely.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nancy B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Good location

I felt like I was in my home away from home. It was lovely!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sharon P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Recommended, great place to stay!

Great place to stay for me and my family! Hosts were quick to respond with any questions I had. Home was lovely and clean. Great central location too as we were in town for a wedding. Highly recommend and would stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Anne W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family getaway.

We had a wonderful time. The house was perfect and so inviting. Would highly recommend this house for anyone wanting a peaceful getaway.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Pam G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cozy house for exploring Carmel

This house was perfect for a family of 7. The kitchen is incredibly well equipped and the beds very comfortable. The hosts were very quick to respond to any questions, and we felt warmly welcomed to their home. Just 10 minute drive or so to the Monterey Aquarium and Point Lobos, and a 20 minute stroll into downtown Carmel.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Deborah S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay for a family reunion

The house was perfect for our vacation. We enjoyed all the luxuries and amenities this property offers. The host was really great and keeping in touch. We would definitely stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nate S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Loved the hot tub

The house was very spacious and easily accommodated our large group! We loved the hot tub :)
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stacy H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic home!

Our family thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this home. The kitchen was stocked, fire pits were incredible, spa was perfect, beds were comfortable and the owners were extremely responsive, helpful and friendly!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2020

10/10 Excellent

Stacy S., Visalia, California

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Enjoyed our stay

Great home for family group. Owner helpful. Home comfortable with good space.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tristan B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Loved our stay

The house was great, better than expected! We had a mix of ages staying together (grandparents to grandkids), and the house was perfect for accommodating all. Whether hanging out inside or outside the house, the space was lovely and perfect for everyone! We will definitely stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Janice E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent Stay

This home was perfect for our group (4 adults, 2 preschoolers, 1toddler) on our trip to Carmel. Plenty of room, extremely well-stocked kitchen, great deck for relaxing and dining. Thanks for a great weekend!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

frank w.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

US Open Delight!!

Here for the US OPEN with my entire family. We loved this home. Very clean, neat, and close to everything!!! Would reccomend for sure!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Gilda G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Terrific place and location

We had a terrific stay and were glad to be able to take the dog. Great area for walking him and dog friendly area downtown. Owners were quick to respond to questions before and during stay. House had everything we needed, it was close to town, to the aquarium and 17 mile-drive. Many choices of where to eat or access to everything to make meals at the house. The hot tub was a good addition and we used some of the games available. Will certainly look for this property when we visit the area.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Daniela B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Stay for Girls Trip

I stayed at this property for a birthday trip with life long girlfriends. It was perfect! There was plenty of space for everyone and the kitchen and family room was very well decorated and comfy. The location was very close to Carmel downtown and Pebble Beach. The owners were great communicators and provided wonderful suggestions.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Melissa M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Best Christmas ever!

Great house ! Appointed with everything you could need or want! Location is awesome- a beautiful 15 minute walk into town. Susie and Rob were terrific hosts and super responsive. Best Christmas ever!
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Carmel

Owners were very accommodating
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Patrick M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent place to stay in carmel

We had a great time with two families with three kids. Downstairs with tons of space for kids. Hot tub was a highlight. Kitchen had everything to pull off an ambitious dinner. Beds were extremely comfortable. We were able to walk to the pebble beach Carmel gate for the pro am. It is quite a descent so walk up would be difficult for some and really hard with strollers.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

T C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely Carmel Rental Home

From the moment we walked in, we felt confortable and knew we made a great selection for our girls weekend. The home was clean and bright with plenty of room for 7 of us. Due to rainy weather we didn't use the hot tub as its uncovered. Some things to be mindful of: 1) there is loud road noise but only heard in main floor back bedroom and lower level open bed/tv area. 2) There are three full bathrooms but one of the upstairs bathrooms is a shared jack-n-jill style. 3) The front door uses a code to enter/exit but it was tricky to get the door to lock when exiting. Home is in upper Northeast Carmel and its a solid 20 minute walk to all the great spots in Carmel-by-the Sea (on Ocean Ave) or a five minute Uber ride in rainy weather. Great location for rental. So many different outside patio areas, but we didn't get to enjoy them due to weather. Would love to stay again!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

6/10 Okay

Denise F.

Liked: Communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy

not what i expected

First of all house is not children friendly, my grandchildren could not play outside to unsafe, also not pet friendly all fences were falling down or had huge holes in them my dog got out 20 minutes after we were there , the spa was so dirty we could not use it at all , but the worse thing was the plumbing was backed up the first 24 hrs we were there
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2022

6/10 Okay

Tamra M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in
Disliked: Communication, location, listing accuracy

Family getaway

This property did not appear as advertised. The yard is down giant, difficult steps and tiered. Not flat. The fire pit and dining table were on the main road by driveway and not fenced. Noise level from street was very loud on both sides as neighbor doing construction and jackhammering in the a.m. The “updated” furnishings are dated and way too chunky for this space. The house wreaked of pet urine and the carpet was filthy. We could not stretch out/exercise on the carpet or area rugs. It should be torn out to continue to be a rental. The kitchen cabinets are falling off the hinges. We did not cook in the home as we did not feel comfortable with the odor. The karaoke machine was not functioning. We had to use our laptop. Only part of the family could hot tub as the steps were way too steep. For a pet friendly advertised property, we were surprised to get a notice two days before check in that no pets allowed on furniture and they had to be crated. We received the notice after we flew to our destination. We looked on listing and could not find anywhere that showed that. This is a great potential for 5 stars once odors cleaned, carpet removed, and home updated. The yard needs to be advertised properly as do the pet rules. Not walking distance to Carmel but convenient to main roads as it’s practically on them. We probably will not ever rebook this home.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Christine S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The space worked great for a family reunion for 9 of us.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Zachary W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Had a lovely time visiting Carmel and the surrounding area. The house was a great jumping off point and allowed us to walk down to the Ocean for sunsets in about 20 minutes. I would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christopher

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
There’s so much to say in praise of this lovely, spacious and comfortable home, but one thing became very clear during our recent stay: We want to come back. The home itself offers a great mix of common areas for socializing along with the privacy of three bedrooms on two levels, each with its own full bath. In addition, there’s a bonus living area downstairs with a fourth bed and comfy seating that can make the lower level a retreat all its own. The kitchen is very well-equipped, and there are numerous places to enjoy a meal from a casual breakfast to a more social dinner both indoors and out. Add to all this the hot tub on the lower deck and the great location, and it all adds up to a genuinely delightful stay. And if that’s not enough, the hosts make it even better, not just with excellent communication before, during and after our stay, but with warmth and friendliness that makes every comfort of this home all the more enjoyable. Thank you, Susan and Rob, for making us feel so at home that we can’t wait to come back.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Donald R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay

Truly enjoyed our stay in Carmel by the sea. The house was beautiful as advertised. We had access to many things that you don’t normally get in most rentals. The kitchen was loaded and the hot tub was superb. Close to Carmel’s quaint downtown and a short hop to the Monterey bay Aquarium. Our family had not vacationed together in a while, but would highly recommend a stay here.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

About the host

Hosted by rob and susan farrens

Host profile image
We are Rob and Susan Farrens
We moved to Carmel two years ago and sincerely fall more in love with living here every day!
We have 5 children and FIVE grand babies. Our three adult children have flown the nest. Our son Robbie attended Stevenson Boarding school, for Highschool which made for an easy move to Carmel. Robbie is an avid road cyclist and National Champion. Riding on the Peninsula and into the Santa Lucia Mountain range was his passion. He is now off to Colorado and College. Stacia is our teen who just graduated from Carmel High.
Rob has been in the Health club industry for more than 30 years! He has loved helping people improve the quality of their lives through good health. Susan is an interior designer. (thats me!) I have been working on projects in the Carmel and Pebble Beach area for decades. The remodeling and sharing of our homes to guests is a joy for me. When we travel, having our family and friends connected to us with a brewing coffee maker in the morning and wine around a fire.. a place to play a board game, and curling up on the couch to watch a movie is just something we can never find in a hotel setting.

Why they chose this property

The biggest draw, is the convenience. Its location gives easy access to Carmel by the sea, monterey, Pebble Beach, Pacific Grove, Carmel Valley and of course, Big Sur. The front Court yard is secluded and quiet and there is fabulous space for families to spread out!
It is a quiet neighborhood with a real time feeling of home while on vacation.

What makes this property unique

Many guests who stay with us are excited about Carmel, but they carve out time to experience our home and enjoy the environment. That is the ultimate compliment as we know there are so many wonderful options. A hop in the hot tub, bbq on the patios and relaxing around the out door fire, after a big day of exploring the sites of the peninsula is exceptional!

Languages:

English