We are Hyatt Vacation Club owners at two other Hyatt properties and we have always been extremely pleased with the facilities and service that we receive. Highlands Inn is considered one of the top, and therefore hardest, vacation clubs to trade into. This year we were finally able to trade to make to the trip to Carmel, although they only had a one bedroom unit (we own two-bedroom units) available for our week of travel. We were incredibly excited!

When we checked in we were told at first that we would have a one bedroom townhouse, then she quickly corrected herself and said a suite, but still with great ocean views. We were shown to the room, which was on the lower level. The view was indeed wonderful, but we quickly found out that there is absolutely no soundproofing and we could hear the people above us walking, running, and jumping (because they had a small child) at all hours of the day and night! The room we were booked into (Room 436) was also a suite for a person with disabilities, which although nice I'm sure if you actually have a disability - was incredibly inconvenient for two 30 year olds 6ft tall and over! We had to stoop down to all of the sinks and counters and crouch underneath the showerhead, which had so little water pressure I could hardly wash the shampoo out of my hair! After one night, we went to the front desk and asked if we could be moved to a regular suite with no one above us (we live in a flat in central London, so we're used to people being above us, but the amount of noise was absolutely rediculous) and that had normal height facilities. They made a call to the Owner Liason since we were HVC owners, which one would think would mean that this staff person was there to accomodate ownwers needs, she, however, quickly said it was too much of a problem to move us and that if we had a problem with the people above us that we should call their room and ask them to be quiet!!

In addition to those issues, the suites do not have the same facilities as other vacation clubs, including microwaves, washer/dryers, or DVD players. Both of the properties we own at have top of the line appliances, counters, furniture, bathrooms - none of which was to be found at the Highlands Inn.

As for the other resort amenities, we found the staff at the California Market to be rude and as guests we seemed like we imposing by asking them to do their job! One morning we just walked out - although that did lead us to finding a great restaurant nearby the Black Bear Diner (at Rio Rd. and Hwy 1), which was fantastic and inexpensive. The exercise room consisted of four machines - two of which didn't work and when we reported it to a staff person they just shrugged their shoulders and walked away.

Although we enjoyed the week because we loved the area, we ended up spending most of our time away from the resort, because it was more pleasurable that way. The museums, golf, and shopping were great and we'd love to return to area, but we will definitley save our trade/points and go to another resort. Having had such great experiences at other Hyatt properties, this visit was a particular disappointment.