Hyatt Vacation Club at Highlands Inn

Travel Date: November 30, 2024

place we’d visit do I asked for a refund. I was directed to a number of the Chief marketing officer and adviser a simple call will execute the refund. It’s now Feb 2025 and my wife and I have called, left voicemails, emailed at a minimum of 20x times and...

place we’d visit do I asked for a refund. I was directed to a number of the Chief marketing officer and adviser a simple call will execute the refund. It’s now Feb 2025 and my wife and I have called, left voicemails, emailed at a minimum of 20x times and they can’t even get back to us. We call the front desk and are given the run around. We call corporate and we’re given the run around. The simple and utter lack of communication is appalling and I urge those reading to avoid the property.

Travel Date: December 31, 2024

Never have I wanted to depart a property almost immediately after check-in. I made the error of not reading the Trip Advisor reviews prior to booking and solely went by the Hyatt website. Huge mistake. The property looks nothing like the photos on the Hyatt website. Pubic hair stuck to...

Never have I wanted to depart a property almost immediately after check-in. I made the error of not reading the Trip Advisor reviews prior to booking and solely went by the Hyatt website. Huge mistake. The property looks nothing like the photos on the Hyatt website. Pubic hair stuck to the walls, mold growing in the AC unit, broken chair legs, dry rot room decking and just generally dilapidated describes our room and the property in general. The room is dank and wreaks of mildew. I'm wearing plastic bags over my socks as I walk back and forth in the 100 square foot room as the carpet is disgusting. As a Globalist who spends 250 nights in hotels annually, don't expect any type of WOH benefit from this property (even though we are staying in the non-timeshare side). Standard suites are available for booking but not offered. The only redeeming quality of this property is the views. The staff simply stopped texting with me when I asked for help. They apologized the room didn't meet "my standards." In what alternate reality would anyone accept mold sprinkled with pubic hair as okay? Most common area amenities are out of service. Pool is out of order indefinitely, parking stinks, Pacific's Edge restaurant food was blah at best - simply no reason to ever return. Horrific internet with no cell functionality. I will add the front entrance looks very nice. It's clear the property spent their maintenance budget on holiday decorations.

Travel Date: September 30, 2024

The view was amazing....but that's about all this hotel has. Our room was dated and had a strong musty smell. The bathroom was AWFUL with no storage or place to put your things. Luckily, we were not in the room much, so we managed. I would not stay here again.

The view was amazing....but that's about all this hotel has. Our room was dated and had a strong musty smell. The bathroom was AWFUL with no storage or place to put your things. Luckily, we were not in the room much, so we managed. I would not stay here again.

Travel Date: August 31, 2024

This was our first time at this hotel. The room was dated, moldy, mildew, and a musty smell. The stench was awful. We saw black mold on the baseboards in the bathroom . The ocean view from the front balcony was beautiful. The view from the back balcony was a...

This was our first time at this hotel. The room was dated, moldy, mildew, and a musty smell. The stench was awful. We saw black mold on the baseboards in the bathroom . The ocean view from the front balcony was beautiful. The view from the back balcony was a disgrace... a closed fenced/ blocked off pool and a mud slide with a purple tarp & sandbags to hold back the mud . Also, there were sandbags on the ground everywhere. My husband and I spoke to the manager on duty. We expressed how disappointed we were with the room. We decided it was best to get a full refund and find another place to stay.

Travel Date: September 30, 2023

We were in the area for a wedding and stayed at the Carmel Highlands for the stunning ocean view and the restaurant overlooking the beautiful cove. We drove to the town of Carmel and parked to walk around and see the storybook cottages, dine and shop. We easily found parking....

We were in the area for a wedding and stayed at the Carmel Highlands for the stunning ocean view and the restaurant overlooking the beautiful cove. We drove to the town of Carmel and parked to walk around and see the storybook cottages, dine and shop. We easily found parking. Note that the Highlands is a little retro-dated in decor but really clean. It fits with the ocean vibe and the breathtaking iconic view.

Travel Date: August 31, 2024

We have stayed here a number of times before and just completed another stay this week. This resort consists of both a hotel and a timeshare and it does not appear that the rooms are used interchangeably. The timeshare section appears to be a joint marketing venture of both Hyatt...

We have stayed here a number of times before and just completed another stay this week. This resort consists of both a hotel and a timeshare and it does not appear that the rooms are used interchangeably. The timeshare section appears to be a joint marketing venture of both Hyatt and Marriott. We stay in the hotel section so my comments pertain primarily to it. This is an older classic hotel so those expecting furnishings equal to those at Park Hyatt or Ritz-Carlton hotels will be disappointed. The hotel has very high rates which primarily reflect its location- perched high up with spectacular ocean views from most rooms. We always stay in an Oceanview Townhouse Spa Suite. These have great views but are two story with 14 very steep stairs leading down to the bedroom, so not suitable for those with disabilities. The bedroom area has a large Jacuzzi tub. The rooms are spotless and housekeeping is excellent but they do show some minor wear and tear despite the resort trying to keep up with it. I highly recommend this resort. We have always had friendly and helpful service from the staff. One warning to those contemplating a stay in the near future: there was a sizeable landslide near the pool which will take some time to fix so the pool will not be available in the near future. The hot tub near the pool is available.

Travel Date: July 31, 2024

This place is disgusting. The smell is horrible. DONT STAY HERE! They gave me keys to a room and when we made our way over there were people just moving in as well to the same room! I’m so incredibly disappointed. The room we ended up in reeks of mildew...

This place is disgusting. The smell is horrible. DONT STAY HERE! They gave me keys to a room and when we made our way over there were people just moving in as well to the same room! I’m so incredibly disappointed. The room we ended up in reeks of mildew and dampness. The state of the buildings is decrepit. The view looks nothing like they show you online.

Travel Date: July 31, 2024

Sadly we will be checking out early of this hotel and moving elsewhere. The room and service do not match the price at all. On arrival there was no one to greet us at our car and no welcome drink. We couldn’t get a glass of wine after 10pm after...

Sadly we will be checking out early of this hotel and moving elsewhere. The room and service do not match the price at all. On arrival there was no one to greet us at our car and no welcome drink. We couldn’t get a glass of wine after 10pm after a long drive, as the restaurants and bars shut, and there is no room service option. On arrival in our room, we were very disappointed by the basic standard. Our room was very dated and needs refurb. The mini fridge was so noisy we had to unplug it to be able to sleep, and we could hear every movement and conversation of the person staying in the room above us, including at 4am! There were no in-wall accessible plugs for us to charge our electronics. The shower only caters for those below 5ft5 and is over a bath with very poor drainage. The blind had wear and tear with holes in it and the walls need repainting. Hugely disappointing as the images online make this hotel look fabulous, but I strongly recommend you read all the reviews before booking. It is not worth the money and we would not recommend this hotel if you like a bit of luxury and want a undisturbed sleep. In reality and after staying in many hotels across California, this is a $150 a night hotel maximum, yet they charged us $650 a night. Expectations were not met.

Travel Date: July 31, 2024

Based on all the reviews here, we arrived with low expectations, but overall were pleased with the stay. Pros -- This property is absolutely beautiful. The views are world-class, and the grounds are well tended and lovely. We had an ocean view townhouse suite, and it was quite nice. Not...

Based on all the reviews here, we arrived with low expectations, but overall were pleased with the stay. Pros -- This property is absolutely beautiful. The views are world-class, and the grounds are well tended and lovely. We had an ocean view townhouse suite, and it was quite nice. Not new, but overall in fine condition as far as wear and tear goes. The size was wonderful, with a bathrooom, kitchen, living area and balcony on the top entry floor, and the bedroom, large bathroom and whirlpool tub on the lower floor. The bed was very comfortable. The breakfast included with my globalist status was excellent, and fully met the terms of the globalist program. We also had dinner one night at the restaurant, and while the views were amazing, the food was just barely on par for the price and location in my opinion. Other than our check-in experience described below, we found all the staff to be friendly and helpful, particular the valets and bellmen (though perhaps they could use a few more). Cons -- Arrival and front desk service was terrible. When we arrived at the valet area, there was no one to greet us. After waiting awhile, we hauled our luggage up the long ramp (the other option is a steep flight of stairs) to the entry and front desk, and found there a very apathetic check in agent. However, while we were waiting, a valet (Juan) did come up to us, took our bags and escorted us to our suite, then parked our car. He was very friendly and helpful, and offered us the complimentary champagne that the front desk agent neglected. While the bed was comfy, the towels in the rooms were terrible, very rough and threadbare. The showers are also quite small and in need up modernizing, though they were clean and functional. The one other issue we had is that when we got into our room, there was no drain plug in the whirlpool bathtub. We called the front desk, who had a very hard time understanding what we were even talking about or why we would want a drain plug, and they were not able to provide one until the next day. Overall, we really enjoyed our stay. Maybe we got lucky with a nicer room, or maybe our low expectations made it more satisfying than some of the other travelers, but we definitely will return, and have already made a booking for the same weekend next year.

Travel Date: July 31, 2024

We booked a long holiday weekend for Hyatt’s Carmel Highlands resort. It was an incredible disappointment! Our ocean-view room was small and extremely dated, and dirty. It was like traveling back in time to the 1970s. The carpeting was disgusting, the walls are in desperate need of cleaning and paint....

We booked a long holiday weekend for Hyatt’s Carmel Highlands resort. It was an incredible disappointment! Our ocean-view room was small and extremely dated, and dirty. It was like traveling back in time to the 1970s. The carpeting was disgusting, the walls are in desperate need of cleaning and paint. Hyatt should be embarrassed! The ocean view from our room was blocked by trees and the pool was closed. We were charged a resort fee—for what? No pool, no sauna, no hot tubs. It sounds like the pool has been closed for months. It was difficult to get our room cleaned. Do yourself a favor and don’t stay here.

Travel Date: June 30, 2024

AVOID this place at all costs! You’ve been warned, the negative reviews are REAL! Spent - wasted 1000’s of points at this outdated place. We couldn’t see the beautiful view from our room because of the broken shade - the room smelled like mold / mildew, had to sleep with...

AVOID this place at all costs! You’ve been warned, the negative reviews are REAL! Spent - wasted 1000’s of points at this outdated place. We couldn’t see the beautiful view from our room because of the broken shade - the room smelled like mold / mildew, had to sleep with the heaviest sliding door open. And, vacuums are stored in the guest rooms!!! WHAT???? AVOID HYATT CARMEL HIGHLANDS. Not worth staying for the view. Especially if window blinds are broken. Yes, the hotel folks know all of this. And, no pool due to landslide - they did not inform us in advance. We would have made other arrangements. And, if you know about “give them the pickle”, they certainly will NOT!!!!

Travel Date: June 30, 2024

We are own 3 weeks of condo time in June.We have been coming here since 2006 and enjoy our time here.However ,in the last two years we have noticed that the roads coming into the property and on the property are really deteriorating. We live in a rural area in...

We are own 3 weeks of condo time in June.We have been coming here since 2006 and enjoy our time here.However ,in the last two years we have noticed that the roads coming into the property and on the property are really deteriorating. We live in a rural area in Tennessee and the roads here at the Hyatt are the worst I have ever driven.They really need to be repaved not just patched.It certainly detracts from the property.

Travel Date: June 30, 2024

This property gets a high score for privacy, quiet and the bed! Like many Hyatt properties, the bed is very comfy! However, weighing this property against other Hyatt residences in the US, what was not above average was the condition of our unit (318) and presumably the others due to...

This property gets a high score for privacy, quiet and the bed! Like many Hyatt properties, the bed is very comfy! However, weighing this property against other Hyatt residences in the US, what was not above average was the condition of our unit (318) and presumably the others due to aging, and the constant smell of fireplace smoke. While it was not enough for me to ask for an air purifier (though this may truly help those of us with more sensitivity to smell), the lingering smell of smoke and ash from the wood burning fireplace that had been prepped for someone's next fire (not ours) was a concern for me staying there for one week. Personally, I think this takes away from the overall experience of the enjoyment of the unit. I certainly didn't mind the fact that it was outdated and in need of some major updates. But with active fires burning (yep, even in June) in units across from us that made it impossible on a few days to open the windows to air our unit out, this would prevent me (and my hubby agrees) from returning. This is NOT a complaint. Merely an observation and something one has to consider in staying there if they are sensitive to smoke of any type. In fairness, we were not staying in the hotel part so I don't know if this makes a different. As for the layout of the one bedroom unit, I liked it. The barn doors give you the option of turning it into a more defined 1 bedroom versus leaving it an open plan. As for the view? It was stunning. Unit 318 gives you a fairly open view even with the trees and Building D in front of it. We did not use the facilities or go to the restaurant as we preferred to be completely self-sufficient. A highlight was one evening sitting on the deck drinking a wonderful red and watching the whales go by (we could see the plume of water from their blowholes). And on some evenings when I could have the window open, I could hear the crash of the surf. Which was lovely. The resort staff were wonderful and we enjoyed our privacy and their response to any needs we did have such as asking for a few amenities. All in all, it was a good stay in a resort located in a prime location (as most Hyatt residences are) but electric fireplaces would make ALL the difference for these more modern times.

Travel Date: May 31, 2024

This review is for the Hyatt Carmel Highlands Hotel, which is located at the same address and shares the property with the Hyatt Vacation Club. We stayed in a one bedroom suite at this hotel for five nights last week. In summary, this hotel is badly in need of a...

This review is for the Hyatt Carmel Highlands Hotel, which is located at the same address and shares the property with the Hyatt Vacation Club. We stayed in a one bedroom suite at this hotel for five nights last week. In summary, this hotel is badly in need of a major renovation. When we arrived, we found that our room had no heat on despite the outdoor temperature being only 50 degrees. We were able (with some difficulty) to get the heat to work, although the only heat came from one vent located in the ceiling in the center of the bedroom and the living room. The bathrooms had stone floors which, because there was no heat, were very cold. In addition, there was no door between the bathroom and the bedroom which made it difficult to regulate the temperature. When we complained about the lack of heat, we were told to use the fireplace in each room to light a fire for warmth!!! Who wants to have to light a fireplace for warmth in a bathroom? We had to raise the heat very high in order to heat the bathroom. The towels were old - and although the color was white - they appeared dirty. On a positive note, most of the staff were very friendly (although some of the valet parking attendants had an attitude), and the people cleaning the room did a great job. What a shame because the location was incredible with gorgeous views of the ocean and coastline. In summary, given the amount of money we spent for this room, and the fact that was a Hyatt property, we were extremely disappointed, and would not recommend that anyone stay here until it is renovated. Based on our experience, we will have to seriously consider whether we would stay at a Hyatt property again.

Travel Date: May 31, 2024

This was our favourite hotel until a day after we left. We found they had used my credit card to the sum of $504 without authorisation. Since then nobody in two weeks from hotel or Hyatt has bothered to assist. Twitter team useless, hotel management useless!

Travel Date: April 30, 2024

We arrived at the hotel on a stormy night. Check in was a slow, very awkward experience. Lobby is so close to the bar the sound of the piano travels in a way you struggle to hear the staff, instant headache. We hear the staff member explain at length how...

We arrived at the hotel on a stormy night. Check in was a slow, very awkward experience. Lobby is so close to the bar the sound of the piano travels in a way you struggle to hear the staff, instant headache. We hear the staff member explain at length how far away our room is and how very very very hard it is to get there. He repeated this several times with passion and underlined we needed to ask for help with the bags. Odd, but we’re hopeful he’s exagerating. On our way to the room we asked the valet for help with bags, his reaction is cold, unwelcoming, as if we had asked for the weirdest thing ever. He promptly told us it would take over an hour for him to do so. We make our way to the room eager to rest. Check in staff had been right, this was very awkward access, it should come with a warning when you book it. You need to open several gates and walk down awkward stairs through the rain. We eventually find the pool, closed due to an avalanche, weird construction panels blocking off half the walkway and making access to our room even more unpleasant. When I opened the door I knew this was not the room I had booked. The door literally brushed aside the lamp shade on the night stand. The room was considerably smaller than what I had booked on the platform, no table with chairs, no credenza, no stool in front of the bed and partial sea view as half is covered by trees. The entrance door was literally on the nightstand, motel vibes. It is also very dated given what it costs but we are here for the view and if it had been the layout and size I had booked I would have made the most of that. After this things only get worse, beyond understanding. I spend 1 hour at the desk trying to get a staff member to acknowledge my concerns and help me. Being told to wait and explain myself again and again. I remain calm, tired after an 8 hour drive, wet, nearly in tears. I explain what happened and how the room doesn’t match my expectations as per the photos which I show them on the booking app. The staff is incomprehensibly uncaring, dismissive and rude. They say refuse to accept what I’m saying for 40 min. I explain I design rooms for a living. Ask me to hold while they talk to the manager. At some point another staff member mistakes me for an uber delivery as in the meantime piles of hot pizza boxes and other take away have been placed on the desk taking half the desk. No one removes them or apologies for the chaos. Eventually another staff member comes back and acknowledges there is a problem with the booking photos, they are aware of the issue and have informed booking but it hasn’t been changed, it’s not their fault and the hotel is fully booked. They can’t help me. I go outside and spend 40 min on the phone with the booking helpline which costs me 100 dollars on my European mobile. They tell me they can’t help me. I can book another room and report this incident online. I go back to the counter it’s now 2 + hours since we arrived I say I’m leaving. Miraculously the hotel night manager comes out. Says he now has a “suite” but it’s next to the lobby bar and noisy. I’m apprehensive but ask to see it. No words, oddest space, dark with steps on different levels a bathroom from another era with a flashy tub, the bed looks out on a public path. So guest literally walk next your bed, glass doors in between you, zero privacy. Plus the noise of the piano. I say no thank you, this is not the room I booked and it is ok. The manager proceeds to blame booking.com again, never apologising or showing any understanding. Tells me he cannot refund me because booking.com holds my money, not them, for the two nights 1462 dollars and I need to speak to them for a refund. It’s now been one month, I’ve tried everything possible to avoid a bad review. I am still waiting for my money. Booking.com says the hotel hasn’t released the money.

Travel Date: May 31, 2024

You pay for the view…and that’s about it. Some of the cons: The check-in process was chaotic and took an hour; forced us to endure a 10-minute vacation rental pitch to get our parking pass; the rooms were extremely standard and poorly decorated; bathroom was very sub-par — think Spring...

You pay for the view…and that’s about it. Some of the cons: The check-in process was chaotic and took an hour; forced us to endure a 10-minute vacation rental pitch to get our parking pass; the rooms were extremely standard and poorly decorated; bathroom was very sub-par — think Spring Break beach hotel vibes with minimal bath towels and amenities and decaying grout; zero offers to help with our baggage down several steep flights of stairs; no special treatment for our anniversary weekend; very understaffed across the board for a holiday weekend; waited 40 min for a reservation at 8pm; very noisy when below another room, which we were despite paying extra for a king ocean-view suite. The pros: The two saving graces were the views (which were spectacular) and the restaurant, which had a nice breakfast and dinner.