L'Auberge Carmel, Relais & Chateaux
L'Auberge Carmel is a 20-room luxury boutique hotel and Relais & Châteaux member in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, offering individually designed accommodations alongside the two Michelin star Aubergine restaurant for affluent travelers, food and wine enthusiasts, and special occasion celebrants. The property operates from a historic 1929 Bohemian-style building.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1929
- HeadquartersCarmel-by-the-Sea, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What L'Auberge Carmel, Relais & Chateaux does
L'Auberge Carmel is a 20-room luxury boutique hotel located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, operating from a historic 1929 Bohemian-style building designed by architect Albert Farr. The property is a member of Relais & Châteaux, an exclusive association of 580+ hotels and restaurants across 65 countries, and is the only Relais & Châteaux property in Carmel. Its core offering pairs individually designed guest accommodations (250-425 sq ft) with the two Michelin star and Forbes Five Star Aubergine restaurant, led by Executive Chef-Director Justin Cogley, a Relais & Châteaux Grand Chef.
The underlying product is built on a 1929 physical asset with coved plaster walls, French windows, antique doorknobs, and radiant floor heating, combined with modern amenities including Penhaligon's Quercus bath products, flat-screen TVs, and complimentary high-speed WiFi. The hotel operates without air conditioning, relying on natural ventilation in line with European design principles. Aubergine serves a daily-changing eight-course tasting menu at $285 per person five nights per week, supported by a 3,700-bottle wine cellar with 1,750 selections. The company has no proprietary software technology, no app, and no API-exposed systems; its technology stack is limited to standard reservation platforms (Tock for the restaurant, an external booking engine for rooms).
The business model is direct-to-consumer with five revenue streams: (1) hotel accommodations at nightly rates with a $40 resort fee and signature breakfast included; (2) restaurant dining at Aubergine with 22% service charge; (3) event and catering services; (4) gift certificates with no expiration; and (5) amenity enhancements with a 22% service fee. Distribution is primarily through the hotel's own website, the Relais & Châteaux network, Michelin/Forbes-earned media, and a 24/7 internal reservations team. Primary customer segments are luxury travelers and couples, food and wine enthusiasts, special occasion celebrants, and Monterey Peninsula visitors, with a secondary segment of pet-owning travelers served through three designated dog-friendly rooms. The property is privately held with no public financial disclosures, and Sorasea Hospitality appears to be involved in management based on email domain patterns ([email protected], [email protected]).
L'Auberge Carmel, Relais & Chateaux firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- L'Auberge Carmel, Relais & Chateaux
- Legal name
- L'Auberge Carmel
- Website
- https://laubergecarmel.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1929
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- L'Auberge Carmel is a 20-room luxury boutique hotel and Relais & Châteaux member in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, offering individually designed accommodations alongside the two Michelin star Aubergine restaurant for affluent travelers, food and wine enthusiasts, and special occasion celebrants. The property operates from a historic 1929 Bohemian-style building.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
L'Auberge Carmel, Relais & Chateaux industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Luxury Boutique Hospitality
- NAICS
- Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels (72111), Full-Service Restaurants (722511)
- SIC
- Hotels & Motels (7011), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Private House Hotels & Small Luxury Inns (THAGADAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Hotel & Resort Restaurants (THAFACAH), Beachfront & Coastal Full-Service Hotels (THAGAAAI)
Keywords
Where L'Auberge Carmel, Relais & Chateaux is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Carmel-by-the-Sea
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
L'Auberge Carmel, Relais & Chateaux business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hotel Accommodations: 20 individually designed guest rooms ranging from 250-425 sq ft. Room rates based on single/double occupancy including signature breakfast and $40 nightly resort fee. 100% non-smoking property with dog-friendly accommodations available.
- Fine Dining - Aubergine Restaurant: Two Michelin star restaurant serving seasonal tasting menu ($285 per person) five nights per week. 3,700-bottle wine cellar with 1,750 selections. Course-by-course wine pairings available for supplement. 22% service charge plus taxes added to each guest check.
- Event & Catering Services: Private dining experiences including wine cellar for parties of 4-10, special events, and catering services for off-site venues. Reservations required with credit card guarantee.
- Amenity Enhancements: Pre-arrival concierge services offering food, wines, and curated experiences available for order (22% service fee plus taxes)
- Gift Certificates: Gift certificates available in any denomination for overnight stays or dining at Aubergine. Never expire.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Nightly | Deluxe Queen - 275 sq ft |
| Subscription | Nightly | Standard Courtyard Queen - 250 sq ft |
| Subscription | Nightly | Standard Courtyard King - 325 sq ft |
| Subscription | Nightly | Deluxe Courtyard King - 350 sq ft |
| Subscription | Nightly | Deluxe Courtyard Queen - 275 sq ft |
| Subscription | Nightly | Courtyard Queen & Queen - 375 sq ft |
| Subscription | Nightly | Premium Deluxe Queen - 375 sq ft |
| Subscription | Nightly | Premium King - 300-425 sq ft |
| Subscription | Nightly | Premium Courtyard King - 425 sq ft |
| Subscription | Nightly | Superior Premium King - 400-425 sq ft |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Aubergine Tasting Menu |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
L'Auberge Carmel, Relais & Chateaux product offering
Product offeringCore offering
L'Auberge Carmel operates a 20-room luxury boutique hotel in Carmel-by-the-Sea offering individually designed European-style accommodations with signature breakfast, valet parking, concierge service, and twice-daily housekeeping. Anchored by the two Michelin star restaurant Aubergine, the property delivers an integrated hospitality experience enhanced by a 3,700-bottle wine cellar, private dining, off-site catering, and gift certificates. The hotel is the only Relais & Châteaux property in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Product overview
L'Auberge Carmel is a single-property luxury boutique hotel offering 20 individually designed guest rooms as its core accommodation product, complemented by the award-winning Aubergine two Michelin star restaurant. The property operates as a unified guest experience with all stays including signature breakfast, valet parking, house car service, concierge services, and twice-daily housekeeping. Additional revenue streams include gift certificates for stays or dining, spa services through a partner property, optional amenity upgrades, and off-site catering services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- L'Auberge Carmel Guest Rooms Twenty individually appointed guest rooms featuring European-style elegance with separate walk-in showers, flat-screen TVs, Penhaligon's Quercus bath toiletries, radiant floor heating in bathrooms, and natural ventilation. Rooms range from 250-425 square feet across categories including Superior Premium King, Premium King, Premium Courtyard King, Premium Deluxe Queen, Deluxe Courtyard King, Deluxe Courtyard Queen, Deluxe Queen, Standard Courtyard King, Courtyard Queen & Queen, and Standard Courtyard Queen. All stays include signature breakfast, valet parking, Volvo house car service, complimentary WiFi, room service (Wednesday-Sunday), concierge services, and twice-daily housekeeping.
- Aubergine Restaurant Two Michelin star and Forbes Five Star fine-dining restaurant serving an eight-course daily-changing tasting menu at $285 per person celebrating California's Central Coast ingredients. Led by Executive Chef-Director Justin Cogley (Relais & Châteaux Grand Chef), supported by a 3,700-bottle wine cellar with 1,750 selections. Operating five nights per week (Wednesday through Sunday). 22% service charge plus taxes added to each guest check. Course-by-course wine pairings available for supplemental charge.
- Concierge & Room Service Personalized concierge services for dining, activities, and local discoveries, with room service available Wednesday through Sunday and twice-daily housekeeping included with all guest stays.
- Gift Certificates Gift certificates available in any denomination for overnight stays or dining at Aubergine restaurant, with a never-expire policy.
- Spa Services Spa services available through Spa Adeline at the sister property Carmel Beach Hotel, allowing guests to access spa treatments during their stay.
- Enhance Your Stay Amenities Pre-arrival optional add-ons including premium food items, wine selections, and curated experiences available for order (22% service fee plus taxes).
- Special Events & Catering Off-site catering and private event services recreating Aubergine's cuisine and service for intimate dinners, strolling receptions, or large-scale events. Includes wine cellar private dining for parties of 4-10. Reservations required with credit card guarantee.
Quantifiable outcome
- Two Michelin Stars awarded in 2024 (earned first star in 2019)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use L'Auberge Carmel, Relais & Chateaux
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
L'Auberge Carmel, Relais & Chateaux technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
L'Auberge Carmel, Relais & Chateaux partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and minor.
- Relais & ChâteauxflagshipL'Auberge Carmel is a proud member of Relais & Châteaux, an exclusive association of 580+ of the finest hotels and gourmet restaurants across 65 countries. Founded in 1954, the association promotes unique art de vivre and exceptional hospitality standards. As a member, L'Auberge Carmel gains global marketing reach, distribution through the network, and association with prestigious international standards of luxury hospitality and culinary excellence.
- Spa Adeline at Carmel Beach HotelminorSpa services are available through Spa Adeline at the sister property Carmel Beach Hotel, allowing guests to access spa treatments during their stay. This relationship provides extended services beyond the boutique hotel's core offerings.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
L'Auberge Carmel, Relais & Chateaux competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Auberge du Soleil: Auberge Resorts Collection flagship in Napa Valley — a 50-room luxury boutique with Michelin-level dining, comparable intimate scale and culinary-driven luxury positioning in California wine country.
- Post Ranch Inn: Small luxury boutique hotel on the Big Sur coast (~30 miles south of Carmel) with comparable intimate scale, dramatic coastal setting, and high-end culinary program, targeting the same affluent leisure traveler.
- Ventana Big Sur: Luxury resort on the Big Sur coast within the same Monterey-Big Sur luxury corridor; comparable adult-oriented upscale positioning and amenities targeting affluent couples and culinary travelers.
- Meadowood Napa Valley: Luxury Relais & Châteaux property in Napa with 25 rooms and Michelin-starred dining — same association affiliation, comparable intimate scale, and luxury culinary positioning in California.
- The Carneros Inn: Plush boutique resort in Napa with 100 cottages, a high-end spa, and elevated dining, competing for the same Northern/Central California luxury traveler with similar amenity-rich positioning.
- Bernardus Lodge & Spa: Luxury lodge in Carmel Valley (~5 miles from Carmel-by-the-Sea) with on-site fine dining and a wine-country orientation, competing directly for the same Monterey Peninsula luxury traveler.
- Cavallo Point: Historic former military lodging turned luxury resort in Sausalito with Michelin-recognized dining — comparable historic architecture, intimate scale, and California coastal luxury positioning.
Broad incumbents
- Hotel Bel-Air: Dorchester Collection luxury hotel in Los Angeles with 12 acres and a Michelin-starred restaurant — broader portfolio incumbent competing for the same ultra-high-net-worth California leisure traveler.
- The Beverly Hills Hotel: Iconic Dorchester Collection luxury hotel — a large incumbent with historic cachet and multiple dining outlets that competes for the same luxury leisure and special-occasion segment in California.
- The Madeline Hotel & Residences (Auberge Resorts): Auberge Resorts Collection property in Telluride — comparable intimate luxury boutique format with elevated culinary program under the same California-rooted luxury hospitality umbrella.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
L'Auberge Carmel, Relais & Chateaux social profiles
Digital presenceL'Auberge Carmel, Relais & Chateaux financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
L'Auberge Carmel, Relais & Chateaux leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
L'Auberge Carmel, Relais & Chateaux funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
L'Auberge Carmel, Relais & Chateaux M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about L'Auberge Carmel, Relais & Chateaux
What does L'Auberge Carmel, Relais & Chateaux do?
L'Auberge Carmel operates a 20-room luxury boutique hotel in Carmel-by-the-Sea offering individually designed European-style accommodations with signature breakfast, valet parking, concierge service, and twice-daily housekeeping. Anchored by the two Michelin star restaurant Aubergine, the property delivers an integrated hospitality experience enhanced by a 3,700-bottle wine cellar, private dining, off-site catering, and gift certificates. The hotel is the only Relais & Châteaux property in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Is L'Auberge Carmel, Relais & Chateaux a public or private company?
L'Auberge Carmel, Relais & Chateaux is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was L'Auberge Carmel, Relais & Chateaux founded?
L'Auberge Carmel, Relais & Chateaux was founded in 1929. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is L'Auberge Carmel, Relais & Chateaux based?
L'Auberge Carmel, Relais & Chateaux is headquartered in Carmel-by-the-Sea, United States, in the North America region.
How does L'Auberge Carmel, Relais & Chateaux make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Hotel Accommodations are the primary driver. The others are fine Dining - Aubergine Restaurant, event & Catering Services, amenity Enhancements and gift Certificates.
Who are L'Auberge Carmel, Relais & Chateaux's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Auberge du Soleil, Post Ranch Inn, Ventana Big Sur, Meadowood Napa Valley, The Carneros Inn, Bernardus Lodge & Spa and Cavallo Point. Broad incumbents are Hotel Bel-Air, The Beverly Hills Hotel and The Madeline Hotel & Residences (Auberge Resorts).
Does L'Auberge Carmel, Relais & Chateaux have an API?
No public API is recorded for L'Auberge Carmel, Relais & Chateaux.
What industry is L'Auberge Carmel, Relais & Chateaux in?
L'Auberge Carmel, Relais & Chateaux's product category is Luxury Boutique Hospitality. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAGADAL, Private House Hotels & Small Luxury Inns, with a secondary code of THAFACAH, Hotel & Resort Restaurants. Its NAICS code is 72111 and its SIC code is 7011.