by Carole Ehrler
Denny LeVett had a passion for travel and wanted to add more magic to the scenic village of Carmel. From Palo Alto and a frequent visitor of Carmel, LeVett made his move to the Village, when he traded his Benbow Hotel in Humble County for the Vagabond’s House Inn on the corner of 4th Street and Delores in 1978. Today, LeVett has four boutique inns, Monte Verde Inn, Casa De Carmel, Lamp Lighter Inn and Vagabond’s House Inn. In addition, with a partner, Denny LeVett also has part ownership in the Cypress Inn. Each of these extraordinary and memorable inns offers a unique ambience in its own distinctive, intimate settings.
The Monte Verde Inn, located on Ocean and 7th Street, offers a European charm and evokes images of the South of France. Each room has its own special furnishings and personality. A lovely garden and patios compliment the inn. Each room includes a fireplace and, with it being just a few blocks from the beach, offers a view of the ocean. The Monte Verde Inn, as each of the other inns, provides off street parking and breakfast baskets served each morning and are pet friendly.
Casa De Carmel is across the street from the Monte Verde Inn on Ocean Avenue and 7th Street. With only seven rooms, Casa De Carmel offers a cozy, casual atmosphere with parking right outside your room. This, in itself, is an unusual benefit of its own, having safe off-street parking with no time limits. The inn is just a few short blocks from the beach and on the Village’s famed Ocean Avenue, making it the perfect location. Floral covered walls and hanging plants create your own private paradise, while still on Carmel’s main thoroughfare.
The Lamp Lighter Inn looks like the enchanted cottage for which every romantic searches. This storybook inn showcases a gazebo in its secluded blooming garden, just one block from the white sands of Carmel Beach. Located on the south-east corner of Ocean Avenue and Camino Real, the historical inn, proudly boasts of being one of the oldest inns in California but equipped with all the modern conveniences. All the rooms at the Lamp Lighter Inn provide a private entrance, private bath, refrigerator, coffee maker and cathedral ceilings. Most rooms have a wood, electric or gas fireplace, and some provide a peek at the ocean.
Denny has entrusted his family owned inns in the very capable hands of General Manager Bobby Richards for the past seven years. The innkeepers and many of the staff have been with the LeVett family since inception. You can see and genuinely sense the family camaraderie among the staff and return guests.  Julie Gardner, of Jan Gardner & Associates Interior Design, has assisted in expertly creating an essence of casual elegance and country cottage in many of the boutique hotels.
The Vagabond’s House Inn is reminiscent of an English Tudor enhanced by a captivating brick courtyard with brilliantly colored flowers, a graceful waterfall and an arbor-covered bridge. The Vagabond’s House Inn is the home to many repeat guests and LeVett’s private collections of the Little Big Book, lead British soldiers and guns.  All the elegant, very cozy and comfortably appointed rooms include their own kitchens and fireplaces. Many of the rooms provide peeks of the ocean, as well. You feel very special, indeed, with complimentary sherry, coffee and tea and evening wine and cheese service. A light breakfast is delivered to your room to begin your day that includes quaint, undisturbed pleasure
• Vagabond’s House Inn – The Tiffany Diamond of Country Inns –
4th & Delores, Carmel; (831) 624-7738,
www.vagabondshouseinn.com
• Casa De Carmel – Country-style inn, steps to the beach – Monte Verde between Ocean & 7th, Carmel; (831) 624-6046, www.casadecarmel.com
• Lamp Lighter Inn – Storybook country lodging – S.E. corner of Ocean Avenue & Camino Real, Carmel; (831) 624-6046, www.carmellamplight.com
• Monte Verde Inn, A charming Country French inn – Ocean & 7th, Carmel;  (831) 624-6046, www.carmelmonteverdeinn.com
• The Cypress Inn – Savor the ritual of afternoon tea during your stay at The Cypress Inn. Tea is served daily from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Lobby, Terry’s Lounge and Courtyard; corner of Lincoln & 7th, Carmel; (831) 624-3871, www.cypress-inn.com
Visit the LeVett Boutique Hotels, Inns and Properties website at  www.levettproperties.com.