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your heart level and get you past
some charming and architecturally
diverse homes, past trees with
Spanish moss hanging from them
like mini curtains to the sea.
packaged plastic pouch of
predetermined coffee that may
or may not suit your needs.
In-room massage is available,
from Monterey-based massage
practitioners, as well as free Wi-Fi,
Iphone docking stations and loofah
sponges. The evening wine and
cheese reception in the Terrace
Lounge, overlooking the Kashmir
blue of the Pacific, features three
main cheeses: Port Salut, goat
cheese and cambozola, along with
the ubiquitous cubed cheddar,
pepper Jack and Swiss. The wines
are predominately local, Chateau
Julien being a favorite here. Red,
white and rosé wines accompany
non-alcoholic sparkling cider, as
well as coffee and tea.
Couples meander in, select their
beverages and snacks, then huddle
together on the glassed-in deck,
urgently awaiting the sunset over
Yankee Point. There are intimate
conversations as the amber hues
of the setting sun paint their wine
glasses with the fading rays of
sunshine. “We try and achieve the
perfect property for a romantic
rendezvous,” says Gurries. The
lounge with its rustic wood chairs
and tables pulls in the suggestion
of the surrounding trees, and with
heaters mounted along the deck you
can linger awhile on cool evenings.
From there dinner can be had by
driving to Carmel about four miles
upcoast, since the Inn does not
have a restaurant. However, they
do offer full room service from the
neighboring Highlands Inn, some
100 feet away. After dinner you
may choose to utilize your spa tub,
should your room have one. If not,
there is the outdoor hot tub.
Basking in the water with the stars
splayed out above, you look straight
onto two cypress trees, the ocean
as a backdrop, the distant sounds
of the crashing surf a delicate
punctuation to quiet conversation.
caps, illuminating the rocks and
hillsides as the landscape comes
alive. Though you can take a stroll
along Highway 1, it’s really not
advisable as the traffic on the
narrow and winding road can be
lightening fast. Instead, you can get
a brisk walk and additional views if
you head further up Highlands Drive.
It’s not a steep incline but will raise
But the beauty of the Tickle Pink
Inn is that should you choose a
romantic weekend, you never have
to leave your room, what with the
views and everything brought to
you. It can be your retreat away
from the hectic pace of life. Yes,
it’s a small boutique hotel, and if
you’re into bold and modern this is
not for you. And this is the success
of the Tickle Pink. It’s not geared
for high-strung workahololics who
need a disturbingly cluttered
schedule. It is made for those who
have anchored down, the ideal spot
to isolate yourself, rejuvenate and
gain perspective. It is not about
being seen, but being unseen,
unavailable and unconcerned. And
after staying here you will feel
refreshed, emboldened and yes
you’ll be tickled...well, you know.
155 Highlands Dr., Carmel, 800635-4774, www.ticklepinkinn.com
In the morning breakfast is at your
disposal. It can be delivered to your
room, or you can head back to the
lounge and choose from yogurt and
granola, egg dishes, ham, blueberry
scones, assorted juices and coffee
and tea and enjoy the repast from
the decks.
The benefit to being up early is that
you can sit and watch the morning
sun slowly creep over the white
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