Winter 2024

oversized cauldrons that protect the sand from heat, and guests can make s’mores, sip drinks on the beach, or simply gather around the fire.This is one of several top places to watch the sunset while on property. “We have a couple of areas that we call our ‘secret spots,’” says Hanner, whose favorite faces the Monterey coastline on the building’s fourth floor. “When the sun goes down, the peninsula sparkles with lights and it is so beautiful. That’s your best view.” The Monterey Beach Hotel is located at 2600 Sand Dunes Drive in Monterey. For more information, visit www.montereybeach.com or call 831/394-3321. C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 2 4 179 Tidewater, the hotel’s oceanfront restaurant, serves coastal cuisine in an outdoor setting with cozy firepits surrounded by comfortable seating. The restaurant’s food and beverage menus are crafted to highlight incredible local ingredients.