Dolphin resurfaces as Hotel Carmel

Formerly the Dolphin Hotel, the 27-room Hotel Carmel emerged from a six-month renovation in April with a polished new look and upscale amenities that take a page from its sister hotel, La Playa Carmel. Setting: A few blocks north of bustling Ocean Avenue and its many boutiques and restaurants, Hotel Carmel’s quieter locale among other inns is also uphill enough to have treetop-filtered ocean and sunset glimpses from the second floor. Brophy’s Tavern offers a “bites and bevs” menu amid an array of recently acquired beer and sports memorabilia. Hotel Carmel’s rooms now sport 42-inch flat-screen TVs with Smart TV and media streaming, original photography of Big Sur and Carmel, Nespresso machines, wood and wicker furnishings, and Lather products in bathrooms. Turquoise umbrellas and gas fire pits dot the newly paved terrace with its hot tub and fountain. Breakfast — a bagel bar with spreads from La Playa’s executive chef and Peerless coffee — is included.