A copious breakfast is served each morning either to your
room or, if you prefer, in the sun-dappled courtyard. Our
breakfasts include fresh fruit, juices, hot beverage, cereals,
yogurts, eggs, French pastry, bagels and toast.
Wine and cheese served between 4 and 6 p.m. Savor the flavor
of local wines from Chateau Julian in Carmel Valley, while
enjoying a variety of cheeses and signature snacks.
Mingle with other guests in the beautiful courtyard or cozy
up to the inviting fireplace in the lobby.
Look through the basket of menus for all the local restaurants
and pick your dining pleasure.
The Vagabond’s House was built in the late
1920’s, and was known as a place where artists stayed
to be inspired in their work. 
Don Blanding, a famous poet of the South Seas, fell in love
with Carmel and would stay for months at a time, writing.
In the late 1920’s, he published his book with a poem
by the same name, Vagabond’s House. The book
became a best seller.
In 1941, the carpenter and then owner Charles F. Rider expanded
on the original building, and built what came to be called
Rider Carmel Apartments.
It was in 1947 that the guest apartments were renamed Vagabond’s
House Apartments, after Don Blanding’s poem.
The Vagabond’s House has a long history of distinction.
After changing hands several times, The Vagabond’s House,
in the early 60’s, had earned the praise, “One
of Carmel’s Best Motels. Old World Charm and Atmosphere
with 20th Century Comfort.” By the late 1960’s,
under the discerning direction of Lester and Leonie Erickson,
it had become one of only 4 inns that were accepted into the
prestigious book The Berkshire Traveller Almanack &
Journal, by Norm Simps
on.
Chuck and Patsy Watts bought The Vagabond’s House from
the Ericksons in 1974, and maintained its impeccable notoriety.
Fianlly, in 1978, Dennis LeVett, who then owned the Benbow
Inn in northern California (another of the famous 4 inns mentioned
above), fell in love with The Vagabond’s House, and
made it his own. And its reputation for excellence, charm
and distinction continues today.
Presently, The Vagabond’s House, as well as the other
Carmel Boutique Inns, is under the direction of Denny’s
daughter, Amanda LeVett… truly a family business!
Have you looked in our oak tree? What IS that? Named after
the man-eating potted plant in “Little Shop of Horrors”,
our
stag-horn fern Audrey III may be the largest in northern California!
Audrey was cloned in 1978, taking 2 leaves and wiring them
on a piece of moss to the tree. She is obviously thriving
here! Her sister lives in a greenhouse at the Stanford Inn
in Mendocino (but has not grown as Audrey has).
Some little known facts about Audrey (and other stag-horn
ferns):
• She mates for life (with the oak tree)
• She loves banana peels
• Please watch out for your Chihuahua…
