Apartment

Gem of an apartment with craftsman touches in a very lovely setting

Photo gallery for Gem of an apartment with craftsman touches in a very lovely setting

Living room into kitchen of apt.
Private kitchen
Living area
Interior
Interior

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

Map
38093 Palo Colorado, Carmel, CA, 93923
  • Bixby Bridge
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
    ‪27 min drive‬
  • Carmel Beach
    ‪31 min drive‬
  • Monterey, CA (MRY-Monterey Peninsula)
    ‪38 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 4)

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Dining Area

About this property

Gem of an apartment with craftsman touches in a very lovely setting

Our apt. unit is attached to our main house, but is still very private wits own entrances, full kitchen, bath, and no need to bring your own water, we've plenty of good well water here. It opens onto a large yard and has a nice ocean view. We now have a wood-fired sauna on the property,which is available for use to our guests as well as ourselves. The sauna has a large,covered deck and sits in a quiet location shaded beneath a giant live oak,with a beautiful canyon view. A perfect place to calm your spirit and feel the bounty of nature.

The property is conveniently located halfway between Carmel/Monterrey Peninsula and Big Sur Proper.Three miles inland and over 1100 ft in elevation,we are usually above the fog,which creates unique views as it moves in and out of the canyon like slow tide.We are 4/10 of a mile up a well-maintained dirt is rarely a problem and then only during heavy storms in winter months.At these times 4WD is recommended,though not often necessary.


**4 adults maximum, or 5 people if children included**

Property manager

Monica Severson
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Free WiFi
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
We live in an area where everyone respects the quietude and we expect guests to do the same.

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 not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

About the area

Carmel

Carmel is home to this apartment. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.
Map
Carmel, CA

What's nearby

  • Garrapata State Park - 7 min drive - 6.7 km
  • Bixby Bridge - 8 min drive - 7.4 km
  • Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park - 27 min drive - 27.3 km
  • Carmel Beach - 31 min drive - 24.2 km
  • Carmel Valley Ranch Golf Course - 34 min drive - 33.2 km

Getting around

  • Monterey Station - 31 min drive
  • Monterey, CA (MRY-Monterey Peninsula) - 38 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Rocky Point Restaurant - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪The Ranch Club - ‬45 min drive
  • ‪Rocky Point Restaurant - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Ocean Sports Bar & Grille - ‬45 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Gem of an apartment with craftsman touches in a very lovely setting pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Gem of an apartment with craftsman touches in a very lovely setting?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Gem of an apartment with craftsman touches in a very lovely setting?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Gem of an apartment with craftsman touches in a very lovely setting located?

Situated in Carmel, this apartment building is within 6 miles (10 km) of Garrapata State Park, Bixby Bridge and Los Padres National Forest. Garrapata Beach and Point Sur State Historic Park are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 87 out of 107 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 14 out of 107 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 5 out of 107 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 107 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 107 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Brandi C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely Big Sur stay
The apartment was great and relatively close to everything we wanted to see in Big Sur, but much more affordable than some of the other lodging options. We didn't use the sauna but it was nice to know it was available! The host was very sweet and accommodating.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

Jessi H.

Liked: Communication, location
Definitely off the beaten track
This property will definitely offer privacy and feeling of "away." The apartment could use some spring cleaning and some of the furnishings are a bit tired. Overall it worked for our needs. The canyon is very beautiful and we enjoyed the sauna onsite and the beautiful trees (Redwoods & Eucalyptus!).
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Douglas M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A little bit of Heaven
My wife and I have made our favorite journey up and down Hwy 1 many times over the last 40 years. We've driven past Palo Colorado Road without giving it a second thought because we were either focused on nearing Big Sur or that we were getting close to Carmel going north. When we entered the canyon this time it was amazing! A wonderful enchanted forest filled with beautiful old cabins. As you wind up the canyon with it's tall trees, the sunlight poking its way through the timber, it is a beautiful ride up to the craftsman bungalow. The plastered walls and cozy kitchen made for a pleasant restful stay. Joel and Monica are extra particular about your privacy and quiet time, and the view out the windows is the icing on the cake. Many thanks for our special memories to Joel and Monica.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Abel L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect getaway
The ocean the redwood forest the drive down the coast the peninsula Carmel need I say more
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Stephen P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cozy Stay and Friendly Host
Monica was very helpful preparing us with directions to her property and giving tips about the area while we were there. She offered calendars and books to us as well. The place was just as advertised and has a nice selection of movies. The only thing I would warn is to make sure you have an all-wheel drive vehicle, preferably higher clearance. We didn’t have any issue with our Tesla.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Eric J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely place
A good value close to Big Sur. The place is up a narrow and winding road, but Monica gave great instructions, so you will find it no problem. Great communication and she made us feel welcome when we arrived. It was great that the place had a coffee grinder and a blender.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

art s.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peaceful New Years stay
Peaceful and serene. A most wonderful stay away from the hussle.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

Carrie Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location. Quiet
Very nice. . Monuca was great. Place was a little dark. Better lighting inside would be great.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jennie Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Hidden hideaway
Enjoyed our stay near Big Sur. About 10 minutes off the coast in the forested mountains. Loved using the sauna and the quiet setting. Wen to the store beforehand to stock up on food since there aren't many options nearby.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joe C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Mtn Retreat
Monica is a great hostess. Plenty of communication. She made sure we had all the info about the house and the area. The bed was comfy, kitchen stocked with essentials, sitting nooks (inside and outside) were great. We used the sauna. That was a great experience. A real treat to stay in the apartment. True mtn house living. Quiet and peaceful. Easy ride into River Inn, Nepenthe, McWay waterfall, etc. We will be back. Thank you. Cheers, -joe ps: I did not meet Joel, but I loved his carpentry skills all around the compound. He's very talented.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

James L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A Cozy Gem at Big Sur
Our family very much enjoyed our stay. First of all, Monica made the check-in process super easy, proactively offering convenient written directions to her place given it's a little bit of an adventure to get to off the main road. The apartment was very clean and cozy, and quite spacious for our family of 4 and it had everything we needed. I really appreciated that Monica would check in with us to make sure we had what we needed and offer places for us to visit in town. It's really tough to get bored in the apartment at night considering there's a plethora of movies and books in the apartment. Again, we had a really enjoyable stay here and highly recommend it for others that are visiting Big Sur.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jason F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Relaxing Apartment in the Woods
Great stay in the woods near Big Sur. Friendly hosts. Fridge and stove worked great. Allowed us to re-heat some food we brought in. So close to Big Sur, though far enough away to relax from the hustle of Bixby Bridge, McWay Falls and Highway 1. My daughter loved chasing the turkeys in the front yard!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Todd G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peace and Serenity
What a great place. Quiet, peaceful yet 30 minutes from Monterey and Carmel. Monica and Joel were wonderful hosts. We enjoyed getting to know them. The place had everything you need to make the stay comfortable. The communication with Monica was timely and spot on for all our questions. Todd and Sue
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julie C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great spot to relax and enjoy nature!
We would totally book this place again in the future. The drive in from highway 1 is beautiful and serene. The apartment is bigger than expected with all the amenities. I can't say enough about the peaceful, quiet surroundings both at night and waking up for morning coffee. Great hosts as well!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jen M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful hospitality in Big Sur
The hosts were incredibly friendly and went out of their way to make our stay pleasant. The apartment included EVERYTHING we could possibly need, from games and books to extra linens and even a few groceries! The decor is charming and there is plenty of room for a family of 3 (one queen bed and a foldout). The location is a bit tricky to find (not findable with GPS and DEFINITELY NOT after dark so be sure to plan your stay within daylight hours) but absolutely worth it! It is up in the mountains and extremely pretty, but still within about 30 minutes drive to Monterey. Would definitely stay there again.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Darren G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Incredible stay in unique location near to all the highlights of Big Sur
A really unique apartment up in the mountains near to all the highlights of Big Sur. The perfect stay for anyone looking to explore the incredible coastline. Some reviews noted the drive up was difficult. But in the dry weather we had, it was absolutely fine. A beautiful drive up, and incredible views once you get to the top. The apartment is bigger than it looks in the photos also. Monia was a superb host. Highly recommend the stay. Thank you
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

helene b.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Surfing and hiking Big Sur
My 2 20 something sons used this as their base for surfing , camping and hiking. I was busy working online during this time. We enjoyed the woodsy area and the home worked well for us. The hosts were very responsive and even leant the boys a propane stove the night they camped. I thought the cookware was poor but we made due. We had an ant issue in the bathroom one day but they were immediately on top of it. Monica and Joel were extremely nice hosts. The temperature in the place was ideal no matter what the weather was outside.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Sasikala T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice cozy house
It was nice stay with all the needed amenities...it was cozy place for our family of 4. Bedding for the kids was only sofa bed. Otherwise it was comfortable clean place for the weekend. Quiet calm...place. Kitchen has good set of vessels. We did our bf and dinner..no dishwasher though...overall we enjoyed our stay here...
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Justin K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful location
We had a great getaway in Big Sur. Located between Carmel and Big Sur, it was perfect if you want to explore the area. Great communication with Monica. It met our expectation!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

Jena C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Restful and Great Sauna
The hosts are welcoming, and the setting is beautiful. The apartment is a bit dark, but at the same time, the wood interior makes it cozy. We used the sauna and outside shower every evening, and it enhanced our well-being. We had pleasant, quiet stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

6/10 Okay

Tiffany H.

Liked: Check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Disliked: Location
TT
Monica is very nice. The house is small cozy and best suites for a couple since the bathroom door clear glasswares. I saw many spiders wandering on wall and ceiling. FUI: better have a four wheel drive since the way get it is very narrow steep roads
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Linda S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Anniversary trip
Perfect! Greeted with a Congratulations sign and a lovely bottle of wine! Many personal touches !
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Humberto D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Awesome Spot!
Monica had great communication with us from the start. We had read all the reviews, but she also made a point to inform us of the drive to the house and that other renters described in their reviews as an obstacle. We personally loved the drive in and had no problem getting back and forth. Monica checked on us each day, while this wasn't necessary, it was very thoughtful and she was a pleasure to chat with. The apartment was perfect for our family of four (2 adults, 7 & 5 year old). The 5 year old slept on the chair futon and the 7 year old slept on the couch; they wanted to be in the same room. My husband and I slept on the bed in the next room. There was also a hide-a-bed in the living room that we only used for our family movie nights. We all slept comfortably, & the hide-a-bed was fine for how we used it, but may not have been the best for a full night. We appreciated that there were curtains to separate the 3 main rooms when needed. The restroom comes off of the main bedroom & the kitchen was very helpful. The kitchen has all the basic necessities you need. We cooked breakfast & dinner there each day. One highlight for our kids was getting to see the wild turkey each morning and sometimes some deer. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and would love to come back for another weekend getaway.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Just about right
Nice
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stephen G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Short Vacation
Gorgeous location, beautiful property!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

About the host

Hosted by Monica Severson

Host profile image

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests