Guest Reviews
★★★★★ 4.9 of 5 average
carmel
by Santa Rosa CA
★★★★★ 5 of 5
Overall Comment
My daughter and I rented this unit after my husband and I had rented the smaller unit a few years ago. This unit was much nicer and comfortable. Very enjoyable.
Submitted on Apr 25, 2025
Perfect location! OK accommodations.
by Kohler WI
★★★★★ 5 of 5
Overall Comment
We spent three nights here on a trip through California. Our family of five was comfortable with two people in the two queen beds and one on the pull out. The location was amazing...walk through a sushi restaurant outdoor seating and enjoy jasmine vining up a staircase. Quaint dutch door upon entry. I misinterpreted the picture - there is no balcony to sit outside, but restaurants are steps away. The inside was a little worn - wall scuffs/chips, worn flooring, old bathroom; but the location was unbeatable. We parked a few blocks away in neighborhood. No washer - this was marked two different ways in the listing. And, not the most well appointed kitchenette. Would have loved a toaster! A few reviews mentioned temperature. We were very comfortable with the inside temp. - the apt heated up significantly during the day and we used the dutch door to let out the heat we didn't need. Beach towels and chairs available and about a 10-15 min walk to the beach.
Submitted on Apr 10, 2025
Response from Sanctuary Vacation Rentals, Inc.
**Thank you for your kind review! We'll pass your feedback along to the homeowner. We look forward to your next visit!
Delightful in every way!
by anchorage AK
★★★★★ 5 of 5
Overall Comment
The Madden Suite was delightful in every way. We loved our stay. The location is great. The Suite was comfortable, clean and very nicely done. The small kitchen had everything we needed. Thank you for the complimentary wine and cheese. We will definitely book again.
Submitted on Apr 1, 2025
Response from Sanctuary Vacation Rentals, Inc.
Thank you for your lovely review! We look forward to your next visit!
Great place but no dresser or drw space
by NA NA
★★★★☆ 4 of 5
Overall Comment
This is a great place to stay; it has a great location, it's well-cared for, and the furniture is comfortable. The only issues are that there is no dresser or draw space for cloths, which is a problem if you are there for more than a day or two. The heating is also a small problem. However its a great base to hang on at.
Submitted on Feb 17, 2025
Response from Sanctuary Vacation Rentals, Inc.
Thank you for your kind review and important feedback! We'll let the homeowners know. We look forward to your next stay!
Great stay
by San Diego CA
★★★★★ 5 of 5
Overall Comment
We had a great time at this rental! It was very cute and well equipped. The best part is the location, we happened to be within a 2 minute walk of all of the places we had booked to eat at (stationary, cultura, hogs breath, Casanova), it was so convenient! The company was great to work with. Place was super clean.
Submitted on Jan 28, 2025
Response from Sanctuary Vacation Rentals, Inc.
Thank you for your lovely review! We look forward to your next visit!
Fabulous Central Location
by Palm Harbor FL
★★★★☆ 4 of 5
Overall Comment
Loved the ease of this location. Park and walk to everything! Carmel is very walkable. Great two bedroom- could use more storage space for clothes. Floors really need to be updated. But overall a great rental. Enjoyed the wine and cheese and crackers upon arrival.
Submitted on Oct 31, 2024
Response from Sanctuary Vacation Rentals, Inc.
Thank you for your kind review! We look forward to your return visit!
Daugher Birthday Celebration
by Daytona Beach FL
★★★★☆ 4 of 5
Overall Comment
Amazing location in the heart of everything in downtown Carmel
Submitted on Jul 29, 2024
Response from Sanctuary Vacation Rentals, Inc.
Thanks so much for your wonderful review! We're so glad you enjoyed your time here and look forward to your next stay!
The Madden Suite was sweet!
by NA NA
★★★★★ 5 of 5
Overall Comment
Outstanding experience! My wife, daughter and her trusty hound were very comfortable in the Madden Suite. Initially thought noise might be an issue from the courtyard below, but it was not a problem at all. If you like walking Carmel, the Madden Suite is in a perfect location. All the shops and restaurants are within easy range and the beach is a nice early morning trek that the dog and I enjoyed immensely. Highly recommend the Madden Suite!
Submitted on Jul 2, 2024
Response from Sanctuary Vacation Rentals, Inc.
Thank you very much for your lovely review! We are so pleased that you enjoyed your visit and look forward to having you stay with us again soon!
Fabulous apartment in Carmel
by Koloa HI
★★★★★ 5 of 5
Overall Comment
Excellent location in the heart of Carmel! Would highly recommend this quaint apartment.
Submitted on Apr 29, 2024
Response from Sanctuary Vacation Rentals, Inc.
Thank you for the lovely review, we are pleased you enjoyed your stay.
Very Nice
by Reno, NV
★★★★★ 5 of 5
Very nice and in the center of town.
Submitted on Oct 2, 2023
through VRBO
Would Stay There Again in a Heartbeat!
by Laguna Niguel, CA
★★★★★ 5 of 5
The team at Sanctuary was so nice and accommodating. They had an inspector fall ill, but were quickly able to help us get into the place regardless and sent two people to help us with anything we needed. The price was well worth the spot, I would stay there again in a heartbeat!
Submitted on Sep 26, 2023
through AirBnB
Really Enjoyed Staying At This Property
by Greensboro, NC
★★★★★ 5 of 5
We really enjoyed staying at this property. The location is within walking distance to shops, restaurants, and the beach.
Submitted on Sep 17, 2023
through VRBO
We Were So Happy Here
by West L.A., CA
★★★★★ 5 of 5
Beautiful and comfortable and peaceful. We were so happy here - every detail felt perfect to us and we had relaxing days. Smack bang in the middle of the idyllic town. The best!
Submitted on Sep 12, 2023
through AirBnB
Beautiful Suite in a Beautiful Town
by Laguna Niguel CA
★★★★★ 5 of 5
Overall Comment
Carmel is one of our favorite towns in America. It was great to explore this slice of paradise without having to drive anywhere. We parked our car for 3 days and walked to all of our favorite shops and the beach. Thank you for making our visit memorable. This suite was clean and had everything we needed. We highly recommend it to all.
Submitted on Sep 10, 2023
Response from Sanctuary Vacation Rentals, Inc.
Thank you for your wonderful review. We are so pleased you enjoyed your stay and the fabulous location of the Madden Suite. We look forward to your next visit.
Stayat Madden Suite
by Falmouth ME
★★★★☆ 4 of 5
Overall Comment
We had a nice return to the Madden Suite for a second year. It was clean, spacious, and a great central location. This year the hot water in the kitchentte was not working which made doing dishes difficult. The management company was professional and prompt, but the issue was never resolved during our stay. The WIFI then went out for a day unexpectedly, which was inconvenient, but ultimately resolved. Lastly, the kitchenette and all of the kitchen supplies are great, though the reality is that it's very hard to cook and clean in that area (no place for dishes to dry). There is very little counter space and inconsistent kitchen tools. Best to order in lunch and dinner.
Submitted on Aug 7, 2023
Response from Sanctuary Vacation Rentals, Inc.
Thank you for your review. We are pleased you enjoyed your stay overall, but apologize for the issues you had to deal with during your stay. We will be reviewing the kitchen tools in the home to allow our guests a better experience if wanting to cook for themselves. We look forward to your next visit.
One of Our Favorite Rentals So Far!
by Tampa, FL
★★★★★ 5 of 5
We stayed here for our elopement wedding. Very nice flat right in the heart of Carmel. One of our favorite rentals so far!
Submitted on Jul 3, 2023
through AirBnB
We Had a Grest Time
by Chapel Hill, NC
★★★★★ 5 of 5
This is really clean and convenient place. The whole family had a great time.
Submitted on Jun 28, 2023
through AirBnB
Beautiful Cottage
by I. Robertsson
★★★★★ 5 of 5
Beautiful cottage located in the heart of Carmel.
Submitted on Jun 20, 2023
through AIRBnB
Could Not Be Better
by Davis, CA
★★★★★ 5 of 5
Top location in Carmel. could not be better. It was easy to find overnight parking 2 blocks away. Everything is in good working order, condo is spacey and nice. There is an outdoors staircase to climb which was not a problem for us. One of the bedrooms is not sound isolated towards the living room but again not a problem for us. The kitchen is tiny and there are few utensils, no dishwasher or drying rack because there is no space for these.
Submitted on Jun 14, 2023
through AirBnB
The Property is Beautiful!
by San Jose, CA
★★★★★ 5 of 5
Beautiful cottage located in the heart of Carmel.
Submitted on Jun 14, 2023
through AirBnB
Great place in the heart of Carmel.
by Ann Arbor MI
★★★★★ 5 of 5
Overall Comment
We stayed in the Madden Suite and had a wonderful time. The suite is very comfortable and in a great location.
Submitted on May 10, 2023
Response from Sanctuary Vacation Rentals, Inc.
Thank you for your review. We are so pleased you enjoyed the home and the amazing location.
Clean and Comfortable
by Ann Arbor, MI
★★★★★ 5 of 5
This apartment is in a super convenient location right downtown Carmel, clean and comfortable.
Submitted on May 9, 2023
through AirBnB
This Place is Wonderful
by Boston, MA
★★★★★ 5 of 5
This unit was perfectly adequate for our stay in Carmel and we appreciated the property managers efforts to make us comfortable. If you want to stay in the bustle of Carmel, but still have a bit of quiet. This place is wonderful.
Submitted on May 1, 2023
through VRBO
We Loved Staying at Your Place!
by Holly Springs, NC
★★★★★ 5 of 5
Thank you Emily, we loved staying at your place!
Submitted on Apr 14, 2023
through VRBO
3796 The Madden Suite
by San Francisco CA
★★★★★ 5 of 5
Overall Comment
If you want to park the car and walk, this is the prefect Carmel experience. All the places we had made reservations for were 5 minutes away; all the brunch places were 5 minutes away and the beach was a 10-minute walk.
Fully stocked kitchen and the wine and cheese with crackers when we arrived was a nice touch. Bring a Duraflame if you wish, the fireplace is operational.
Next time we have out of state guests, we will definitely try to book this place.
Xtra Bonus Points: Go down the stairs, take a left, go through the passage and you will stumble upon a perfect pub.
Thank you for a great experience.
Submitted on Apr 13, 2023
Response from Sanctuary Vacation Rentals, Inc.
Thank you for the lovely review. We are so pleased you enjoyed your stay in the heart of Carmel. We look forward to your next visit to the area.
Romantic getaway in Carmel
by San Francisco CA
★★★★★ 5 of 5
Overall Comment
This place served as the perfect place to spend our engagement weekend in Carmel - conveniently located close to town and the beach, as well as very cozy and comfortable. Would definitely stay here again.
Submitted on Mar 21, 2023
Response from Sanctuary Vacation Rentals, Inc.
Thank you for your lovely review. We are so pleased you enjoyed the stay and the great location in downtown Carmel! Congratulations on the engagement - we look forward to your next visit to the area.
Center of town
by Fresno CA
★★★★★ 5 of 5
Overall Comment
Great location, clean with all the amenities.
Submitted on Mar 5, 2023
Response from Sanctuary Vacation Rentals, Inc.
Thanks for the review!
Great place to stay in Carmel!
by Wilmington NC
★★★★★ 5 of 5
Overall Comment
Our stay at the Madden Suite was great! Once we found it... tucked down the alley, behind the sushi place Toro, we were greeted by a cozy little apartment. The wood burning fireplace was wonderful, but didn't draft terribly well, which might require opening a window or door a bit to help it out. Although on a cold winter night, that's a tough double edged sword to play with. The beds were cozy and comfortable too, but the best feature, is that you're right in the middle of Carmel. If I were going back to Carmel, I'd stay there again though, and recommend it.
Submitted on Dec 27, 2022
Response from Sanctuary Vacation Rentals, Inc.
Thanks for your lovely review. We are so pleased you enjoyed the property and ideal location in the heart of Carmel. We look forward to your next visit.
Beautiful property, great location
by San Francisco CA
★★★★★ 5 of 5
Overall Comment
The flat is located in the perfect spot for exploring Carmel. We loved the cottage style, it was cute and cosy!
Submitted on Nov 19, 2022
Response from Sanctuary Vacation Rentals, Inc.
Thanks for your review, we look forward to your next visit to Carmel!
Perfection in Carmel
by Studio City CA
★★★★★ 5 of 5
Overall Comment
It was perfect in every way. Easy to deal with, better than expected, and just wonderful. Can't recommend it highly enough!
Submitted on Nov 2, 2022
Response from Sanctuary Vacation Rentals, Inc.
Thanks for the great review, we are pleased you enjoyed your stay.
Perfect location
by arlington TX
★★★★★ 5 of 5
Overall Comment
A very cute cozy 2 bedroom apt , perfect location to walk to all the great Carmel amenities!!!! Loved it ❤️��
Submitted on Sep 24, 2022
Response from Sanctuary Vacation Rentals, Inc.
Thanks for your lovely review, we are so pleased you enjoyed your stay!
Great Stay!
★★★★★ 5 of 5
Overall Comment
It was clean, comfy, and cozy. Thanks for a great stay!!
Submitted on Jul 27, 2022
Response from Sanctuary Vacation Rentals, Inc.
Thanks for your review, we are pleased you enjoyed your stay.
Great property, right in the heart of Carmel
by Houston TX
★★★★★ 5 of 5
Overall Comment
Great location, very nice property. I would absolutely stay here again.
Submitted on Jul 20, 2022
Response from Sanctuary Vacation Rentals, Inc.
Thanks for your review, we look forward to your next visit to Carmel!
Best location, Best staff!
by BELLEVUE WA
★★★★★ 5 of 5
Overall Comment
The property was exactly as described. Parking is much easier than you think! Two blocks away to 24 hour on street parking. Missing items were quickly attended to by the Sanctuary staff. The shower is a little wonky....leaks water. But the beds are incredibly comfortable...towels, robes, everything you could need for your stay are included!!
Submitted on Jun 22, 2022
Response from Sanctuary Vacation Rentals, Inc.
Thank you for your lovely review. We are happy you enjoyed your stay and we look forward to your next visit to Carmel by the Sea.
What a Wonderful Find!
by Franklin, TN
★★★★★ 5 of 5
What a wonderful find! This unit was perfect in every way. Great location, beautiful furnishings and amenities. The unit was clean and well stocked with essentials. It was quiet, restful, and packed with the charm of Carmel. And the secret entrance to The Hog's Breath was a fun find! Can't wait to return!
Submitted on Feb 15, 2022
through AIR BNB
Simply Incomparable - What a find!
★★★★★ 5 of 5
Overall Comment
Completely blown away by this amazing place smack in the center of town. Leaving the door open at night while ordering great sushi (from popular Toro restaurant below) perched from above with fire burning in a warm ambience was a highlight. Great beds and bedding too. We wish we could have stayed forever!
Submitted on Feb 9, 2022
Response from Sanctuary Vacation Rentals, Inc.
Thank you very much for your wonderful review. We agree that this home is in the perfect location to explore Carmel. We look forward to your next visit to the area.
Can’t Beat the Location.
by Benecia, CA
★★★★★ 5 of 5
Can’t beat the location. Wonderful Sushi restaurant below. Easy to find residential parking a couple blocks away. Just a great visit!
Submitted on Feb 3, 2022
through AIR BNB
Lots Of Character and Charm!
by Dallas, TX
★★★★★ 5 of 5
Great location to walk everywhere. Lots of character and charm. Great experience and loved working with Sanctuary Vacation Rentals!!
Submitted on Feb 1, 2022
through AIR BNB
Carmel Charmer in Perfect Location
by Baton Rouge LA
★★★★★ 5 of 5
Overall Comment
The Madden Suite is a Carmel Charmer in a Perfect Location. Beds are comfy. Kitchen is well appointed. Living area is spacious with a lovely working fireplace.
Submitted on Jan 3, 2022
Response from Sanctuary Vacation Rentals, Inc.
Thanks for the lovely review, we are so pleased you enjoyed your stay.
Perfect location, very cozy, great hosts!
by Mukilteo WA
★★★★★ 5 of 5
Overall Comment
My family of 4 (kids are 5 and 3) really enjoyed staying here! Great location for walking to beach, restaurant, shops. Appreciated the responsiveness of hosts and the welcome wine and cheese! Would definitely love to stay here again during our next visit to Carmel.
Submitted on Oct 30, 2021
Response from Sanctuary Vacation Rentals, Inc.
Thanks so much for the lovely review. We are glad your family enjoyed the stay and we look forward to your next visit to the area.
In the Heart of Carmel
by Lawndale CA
★★★★★ 5 of 5
Overall Comment
A wonderful experience, the apartment is located in the heart of Carmel, right in the middle of restaurants, tasting rooms, shops, cafes, everything. Beautiful space, tons of light, big fireplace. Would definitely recommend.
Submitted on Oct 26, 2021
Response from Sanctuary Vacation Rentals, Inc.
Thanks very much for your great review of your recent stay in Carmel. We agree, the location is amazing - we look forward to your next visit.
Charming, Comfortable Stay
by Stanford CA
★★★★★ 5 of 5
Overall Comment
The apartment is quintessential Carmel. The exterior is something out of a storybook with the courtyard entrance and half door. The beds were super comfy. The place was spotless. The kitchenette was tight so not much cooking could be done but great for breakfast and coffee in the morning. It can be a little loud in the morning so we kept the windows closed. My only complaint is the lack of response via text messages from the rental company. If they use text messaging, they should have someone ready to respond. My text messages were also during business hours so no excuse there. Overall, a very lovely stay. We will be back.
Submitted on Aug 11, 2021
Response from Sanctuary Vacation Rentals, Inc.
Thanks for your review of your recent stay in Carmel. We are pleased you enjoyed the property overall, but will be looking at our communication response or lack thereof on the text messaging. We look forward to your next visit to the area.
Family Fun in a Perfect Location
by Lake Forest CA
★★★★★ 5 of 5
Overall Comment
The Madden Suite was very comfortable for our family of four. (We were thrilled we could have our dog with us too!) The location is incredible with great restaurants so close — loved the secret passage to Hog’s
Breath and Toro has delicious sushi right downstairs! The kitchen is well-stocked, but we didn’t end up cooking much as the sink is tiny and there is no dishwasher. We were on vacation, so that was fine with us! The beds were comfortable and everything was very clean.
We found street parking pretty easily in the 2 hour spots. It worked out fine because we were out and about most days. We felt like locals exploring Carmel-by-the-Sea staying in this rental. Just what we were looking for!
Submitted on Jul 27, 2021
Response from Sanctuary Vacation Rentals, Inc.
Thanks for your lovely review of your recent stay in Carmel. We agree the location is ideal for wandering Carmel, walks to the beach and just enjoying the town. We look forward to your next visit.
Charming Apartment for Carmel Weekend
by Half Moon Bay CA
★★★★★ 5 of 5
Overall Comment
We had a great over I stay would have gladly stayed longer. The kitchen we surprisingly well stocked for its small size. Bedrooms were comfortable - these were the best beds I’ve experienced at a rental. It was a little difficult to get upstairs past outdoor diners (due to Covid) with our bags. But otherwise this was a perfect place right downtown.
Submitted on Jun 15, 2021
Response from Sanctuary Vacation Rentals, Inc.
Thanks for you wonderful review of your recent stay at The Madden Suite. We are pleased you enjoyed the home and it's amazing location. We look forward to your next visit when you can stay a little longer.
Great place in the middle of town
by San Francisco CA
★★★★★ 5 of 5
Overall Comment
We had a fantastic time visiting Carmel. The unit was very clean and a perfect size for a family.
Submitted on Feb 22, 2021
Response from Sanctuary Vacation Rentals, Inc.
Thanks for the review - yes the location is perfect!
Perfection
★★★★★ 5 of 5
Overall Comment
The unit is impeccable and it is obvious great thought was put into the needs of guests. The location is ideal as it is walking distance to town and the beach. The perfect place to get work done (wi-fi connection was fast and reliable) and also relax. It could not have been any more perfect.
Submitted on Jan 22, 2021
Response from Sanctuary Vacation Rentals, Inc.
Thank you for your review of your stay at The Madden Suite. We are pleased you enjoyed the great location as well as the setup of the home. See you on your next visit to the Carmel area.
Madden Suite Visit Jan '21
by Tiburon CA
★★★★★ 5 of 5
Overall Comment
A wonderful couple of days in Carmel. The Madden Suite is the perfect getaway location with an unbelievably good location in the center of Carmel, yet hidden away enough to be incredibly tranquil.The suite has been beautifully fitted out and the owners have done a fantastic job of utilising space. The apartment feels cozy but there are spaces to separate from your family as required! We will be back!
Submitted on Jan 18, 2021
Response from Sanctuary Vacation Rentals, Inc.
Thanks so much for your lovely review of the Madden Suite. We love the location as well with all the shops, cafes and restaurants right outside the door. We look forward to your next visit to the area!
Charming
by Redwood City CA
★★★★☆ 4 of 5
Overall Comment
Overall we had a good stay here. The property feels spacious and the location is unbeatable. The housekeeping staff does not wash the dishes between guests and instead relies on the previous guest to have washed their dishes thoroughly. In our case the previous guest had not washed the dishes well and there was dried food on most of the dishes. There is no dishwasher, as advertised, but the kitchen sink is TINY, it's the size of a wet bar sink. Don't plan on doing any major cooking here because the pans won't fit in the sink. The previous guest had also opened all the coffee packets, the kind that goes in a drip basket, and then realized there was no drip coffee maker, and put the packets back. I don't get the feeling that the cleaning staff looks very carefully at the kitchen area.
The rooms are all a good size and the beds are very comfortable. The water pressure in the shower is very low and the bathroom door doesn't close all the way (1" gap) but it has double sinks and is well equipped. There are small electric wall heaters in the living room and bedrooms. You really have to crank them up to get the whole house warm due to the high ceilings. The walls to the bedrooms don't go all the way up to the ceiling so the heaters are really just trying to heat one large space and they're not quite powerful enough if it's really cold.
Overall, it's a great place to stay, just don't plan on cooking anything and order takeout from one of the many restaurants nearby.
Submitted on Dec 3, 2020
Response from Sanctuary Vacation Rentals, Inc.
Thank you for your thoughtful and detailed review. The kitchen is indeed small in this apartment and the limitations are noted in our description - "A convenient kitchenette with refrigerator, small bar sink, oven and stove (no dishwasher) makes it easy to enjoy local take-out food or to prepare small meals and snacks". We do apologize for the error in having drip coffee packets placed in the home that does not require them and for the condition of the dishes upon your arrival. Our cleaning team has been made aware of your comments so that pay very close attention to these important details. Our team will look into available options that may assist with heating the apartment and repairing the bathroom door. Thank you again for your review, it is very much appreciated.