Highlands Inn, Carmel Highlands

Highlands Inn is a historic resort hotel located in Carmel Highlands, California. Constructed in 1917 by Frank Devendorf, one of the early co-founders of Carmel-by-the-Sea and a real estate developer, the inn was built on land acquired in 1906 from local ranchers, south of Point Lobos. This establishment is part of the Hyatt Hotels Corporation.

History


In 1906, Frank Devendorf, of the Carmel Development Company, acquired land from nearby ranchers. Devendorf developed the Carmel Highlands in 1915, located five miles to the south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Devendorf wanted a resort hotel to be the focal point for further development of the Carmel Highlands. He handpicked the granite rocks nearby for building the walls and stepping stones. Marine artist William Frederic Ritschel helped Devendorf plan sight lines for the best ocean views. Devendorf enlisted the services of building contractor Robert Gillett to construct the Highlands Inn. Its overall architectural style is from the turn-of-the century Arts and Crafts movement.

The Highlands Inn was completed in 1917, with an official opening taking place on July 28, 1917.

In 1922, Devendorf sold the Highlands Inn to Edward H. Tickle, later California State senator for Monterey. Devendorf undertook the development of the remaining Highlands area for residential purposes. In 1925, the articles of incorporation of the Highlands Inn Co., were filed in the County Clerk office.

The building of the Big Sur Coast Highway in the 1930s opened the area to more tourists. Point Lobos, which borders the Highlands on the north, became a state park in the mid 1930s.

The Highlands Inn was sold in 1981, to a group of investors. In 1984, the Highlands Inn won first place in the historical renovation category of the Project Design Award presented by the American Society of Interior Designers. The renovation of the Highlands Inn was completed in May 1985. Will Shaw won a Top Honor Award from the American Institute of Architecture for the design.

The Highlands Inn came under the ownership of Hyatt in 1995, and the company continues to operate the establishment as a hotel. In 1998, Condé Nast Traveler selected the Highlands Inn as one of the top 50 resorts in the U.S. for offering rooms with views. In 2011, Hyatt's Carmel Highlands was included in the Travel + Leisure list of the 500 Best Hotels in the World for that year.