The Bench Restaurant Review:
This sleek restaurant with a casual vibe, eclectic menu and wallet-friendly prices is a boon to those traveling along the 17-Mile Drive. The view of the Carmel coastline gives diners a feast for the eyes. Meanwhile, the wood-burning stove is employed for many dishes, from the collection of crispy flatbreads with complex flavors and textures to steaks and salmon. We enjoy the blistered shishito...
View the entire 2011 Gold List of the world's best places to stay ›
Also appeared in the Gold List in 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005
Amenities: Beach, Golf, Pool, Spa, Tennis
For the combined cost of greens fees and a room here, you could easily create a professional putting green in your own backyard -- and still have money left over. But even if you're a dedicated hacker, you've got to play here at least once. Look on the bright side -- at least you can expect ultraplush rooms with every amenity, including wood-burning fireplaces. Most are in two-story cottage...