Le Petit Pali at 8th Ave: An Honest Review of this Carmel Hotel

There are plenty of charming hotels in Carmel, but when looking for places to stay for my summer trip, I was instantly drawn to Le Petit Pali at 8th Ave. Of course, the design is amazing, but I also loved the boutique hotel vibes and the next-level amenities (complimentary champagne breakfast, anyone?). I stayed at the hotel for four nights in July (in the The King room), and this is my review based on that stay. 

This is not a sponsored post – I fully paid for my stay! This is a completely honest review based on my experience. 

Quick note: this page contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you click on the URL and make a purchase (at no cost to you!). As an affiliate, I only recommend services and products from trusted partners I have thoroughly vetted and can genuinely recommend. Thank you!

Checking In: A Le Petit Pali at 8th Ave Review

There are two Le Petit Pali Carmel locations, which are under the umbrella of Palisociety (the company responsible for Palihouse hotels). In addition to Le Petit Pali at 8th Avenue (where I stayed), there is also Le Petit Pali at Ocean Avenue. These locations opened in 2023, and are both conveniently located in the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea, within walking distance of the best shops and eateries in town.

The Ocean Avenue location is just a couple blocks down the street, and has a similar design and vibe to 8th Avenue. It is slightly larger than the 8th Avenue location – Ocean Avenue has 34 rooms, while 8th Avenue has 24.

When looking at reviews for both, past visitors seemed to have similarly positive experiences – it was hard to choose which to book! Ultimately, the rate was a smidgen less expensive for our dates at the 8th Avenue location, so we just decided to go in that direction. 

Beautifully Designed Space

If you know anything about Palisociety, you know the team is incredibly thoughtful when it comes to interior design. This space has a stunning, eclectic design that perfectly meshes with Carmel-by-the-Sea’s luxe yet laid-back coastal vibe. 

I loved enjoying breakfast by the fireplace every morning. It seriously feels like you’re in someone’s (very well-curated) living room (and I was definitely living my best coastal grandma life). The courtyard is also a lovely place to hang out after a day of enjoying some of Carmel’s top activities. Of course, the beautiful design extends to rooms, as well. 

If you want to spend a bit more time enjoying the space, they have daily social hours (at both hotels) from 3pm to 9pm, where guests can purchase drinks and snacks from local eateries. 

Bikes Available for Guest Use

While we didn’t end up using them during our stay, they do have bicycles (complete with baskets!) available for guests to use. There were always at least a few available when we walked by the bike rack, so I don’t imagine guests ever have issues snagging one!

A Couple Minor Cons 

Of course, there were a couple things I didn’t love about my stay – but to be super clear, these were truly very minor cons. 

The Parking Situation (or the Lack Thereof!)

If you’ve already read through some Le Petit Pali at 8th Ave reviews, you’ve probably seen the parking situation mentioned a few times. The hotel does not have a parking lot. There are some street spots in front of the hotel that don’t have any parking restrictions. If those are full, you’ll need to drive around the block to find a spot (be sure to pay attention to parking restriction signs).

Given how nice it is to stroll through Carmel, we weren’t too bothered the couple of times when we had to park a short walk away. When it was time to check-out, we were able to just temporarily pull up to the driveway to load in our luggage (so don’t worry about having to lug your bags through town!)

Occasional Noises

In general, the property is very quiet. Given that there are only 24 rooms (and the fact that you are off the main drag), we had an overall peaceful stay. There was, however, one night in particular that the thinner walls became obvious – a couple of other travelers down the hall were going in and out of their room and making a bit of noise. It was not a huge nuisance, and more importantly, it didn’t disrupt my sleep. It’s also worth noting that they provide earplugs in the amenity kit in the bathroom, if needed!