Hofsasa House, a Bavarian-Themed Hotel that Captures your Heart and Soul!
Have you ever been somewhere that's so beautiful it takes your breath away. It’s what you’d imagine heaven on earth would look like, filled with vibrant fragrant flowers that captivate you, greenery everywhere, cool ocean breeze and you can reach out and touch the clouds. This is Hofsas House in Carmel. Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small beach city on California's Monterey Peninsula. Carmel-by-the-Sea is a lovely community filled with museums and library of the historic Carmel Mission, and fairytale cottages and galleries of its village-like center. The Scenic Bluff Path runs from surf spot Carmel Beach to bird-rich Carmel River State Beach, with a scuba entry point. South lie the sea animals and whaling museum of Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.
You will fall in love with Hofsas House just like I have, especially when you hear about how this charming boutique hotel came to fruition. Carrie Theis is Donna Hofsas granddaughter whom started Hofsas House. Hofsas House is family run establishment with a warm and friendly staff.
Donna Hofsas and her husband Fred moved to Carmel from Los Angeles in the 1940s. They bought four cottages, moved into one of them and started renting the three others. This was the beginning of the Hofsas house, which in 1957 expanded into a hotel. When Donna died in 1981 she left the hotel to her son, and ever since the business has been run by the family. Carrie talks about her grandmother with love and affection, and the love that she has for her beautiful hotel radiates.
The hotel is has a European flair with a big Bavarian-themed mural outside the hotel and other artwork from Donna Hofsas' friend, an artist Maxine Albro. Most doors are built in the Dutch style, so you can just open the top part and look outside. Everything about the hotel reminds me of Greece, Italy or Paris, breathtaking.
Each room has its own unique flair, some of them have ocean views, balcony, fireplace and my favorite, the kitchen. As a mom having a microwave, sink, fridge, is a luxury at a hotel! Having access to a microwave to heat up kiddos food and or keeping it cool in the fridge is essential to keeping the little one happy. Here’s the best part, pets are welcome, this means all members of the family are welcome.
Hofsas Hotel has Wifi accessibility for all and continental breakfast every day (more on that in a bit). Our room was massive, the view was breathtaking, right out of a movie, green and dreamy, sky-punching mountains the climate was cool and the grass was lush and springy. It was truly a dream to be there, stunning view, we never wanted to leave. One of the great perks at staying Hofsas House is the continental breakfast, every morning in the lobby you’d meet your neighbors over coffee and danish. Or if you’d like to take it back to your room, you may pick up a tray and fill your basket to the brim including, a carafe of coffee.
Onto the activities, Hofsas House recommended us to have dinner in the neighboring town of Pacific Grove and it was lovely. We took 17-Mile Drive to the Beach House at Lovers Point, the drive back was glorious, with the sun setting, ocean waves crashing, it was unbelievable. Highway 1 is another route and it's just as lovely, it's everything you expect it to be and more.
I will say one of the BEST sandwiches I have ever had was from 5th Avenue Deli, it was crazy delicious. Even my picky eater ate his sandwich. It’s a deli that has charisma, yummy food and the kindest people working there. You have to stop at 5th Avenue Deli, to complete your stay at Hofsas house. Get your sandwiches, salad, drinks and go to Devendorf Park and enjoy your afternoon. Spread your blanket out, sit under the tree and watch the kids run. I felt right at home, it was glorious.
The next time you're on a road trip on the California coastline or driving on Highway 1, and looking for a place to stay, Hofsas is the only place to stay! Take a peak at all our adventures, you'll see what I'm talking about. Thank you Hofsas House for inviting us to your home, it was our home away from home and I’m still dreaming about our room and view.