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Tassajara Zen Mountain Center

39171 Tassajara Rd, Carmel Valley, CA 93924-9316
Hotel amenities
Tassajara Zen Mountain Center
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9 reviews from our community

    Trip type
Traveller rating
    7
    1
    1
    0
    0
Date Rating
San Jose, California
Top Contributor
209 reviews 209 reviews
90 hotel reviews
Reviews in 113 cities Reviews in 113 cities
143 helpful votes 143 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 5 August 2012

Can you handle days without cell phone reception? Without internet? Without room service? Neither of these are available at Tassajara, just a single landline, not even outlets in the room. Instead Kerosene lamps at night, gentle bells in the morning, sitting meditation services in the temple, lots of good vegetarian organic food, beautiful hikes in the area, the sound of... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 3
Central Coast of California
Contributor
15 reviews 15 reviews
8 hotel reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
13 helpful votes 13 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 5 January 2012

My wife and I (in our 60s) enjoyed an outstanding weekend guest retreat. We had a workshop on Clowning with a master clown and a Zen buddhist priest. The combination of meditation, movement, and expression created an engaging experience with many useful insights for both business and personal application. The food, redwood yurt-style cabin, and refreshing creek and baths made... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 3
San Francisco, CA
Senior Contributor
32 reviews 32 reviews
16 hotel reviews
Reviews in 22 cities Reviews in 22 cities
27 helpful votes 27 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 August 2011

How I wish this special place were not reviewed, which means my secret of over 40 years is out.... a place where I restore clarity of mind and heart... a place to indulge in culinary delights, a place where I can care for myself without distractions.... As one reviewer stated, this is not for everyone, but if one wishes to... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 3
Olympia, Washington
Contributor
11 reviews 11 reviews
8 hotel reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
15 helpful votes 15 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 28 July 2011

Nothing happening here. If you are a practitioner of Zen Buddhism you'll know what I mean. If not, know that the food is the best on the planet, the bath houses are like something out of a dream with hot spring fed outdoor soaking pools, and if you bring your own wine there is a refrigerator next to the dining... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 4
San Francisco, CA
Top Contributor
82 reviews 82 reviews
29 hotel reviews
Reviews in 48 cities Reviews in 48 cities
96 helpful votes 96 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 10 August 2009

I just returned from my fourth visit to this magical place and feel renewed and relaxed. Tassajara isn't for everyone, especially those who needs lots of activities and a steady stream of media (TV, internet, phones, etc.). But those who appreciate the splendor of nature, the taste of a locally-grown organic food, and richness of mindfulness activities like hiking or... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 13
California
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 June 2009

I didn't know what to expect when my partner invited me to Tassajara. I thought "oh my God" another spa-like place in Carmel Valley. Not that that is bad but I really didn't understand what Tassajara was til I got there. It is gorgeous, serene and the subtext of Zen students who quietly make the place run without a glich... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 2
Seattle, Washington
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 25 August 2008

I have been going to Tassajara from when I was 7 years old. I'm now 53. I lived in Jamesburg at one time and also in the mountains off the county road. I now live in Seattle, Washington and have returned after many years. I love Tassajara. My only complaint was the women working in the book store was rude... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
sherman oaks
1 review
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 April 2008

Nestled in the Carmel Valley mountains, very rustic, wonderful hotspings. Redwood cabins with woodburning stoves. There is a creek that runs through the property. Hiking, swimming in an olympic sized pool filled with mineral water from the mineral spings, and beautiful Japanese bathhouse with natural hotsprings. The food is vegetarian and GREAT! This is not a fancy 5 star resort.... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 3
California
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
5 hotel reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
14 helpful votes 14 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 24 July 2007

For years my wife and I had heard interesting reports of the Zen Center. We finally decided to stay a few nights and experience it for ourselves. We were independent guests and not part of a workshop or other organized event. Accommodations are very basic, but the food is good. Overall we found the experience boring and confining. The facility... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 4
Bernardus Lodge
Great value on a similar hotel
Carmel Valley, CA
4.5 of 5 stars 256 Reviews
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Additional Information about Tassajara Zen Mountain Center

Also Known As:
Tassajara Zen Mountain Hotel
Tassajara Zen Mountain Hotel Carmel Valley
Address: 39171 Tassajara Rd, Carmel Valley, CA 93924-9316
Region: United States > California > Carmel Valley
Amenities:
Free Parking Restaurant Swimming Pool
Hotel Style:
Ranked #2 of 2 hotels in Carmel Valley
Official Description (provided by the hotel):
A temple sanctuary by the beautiful boulders and waters of Tassajara Creek, a small mountain river flowing toward the sea. Long known as a place of healing, the hot springs of Tassajara were first used by the native Esselen people, who lived among the soaring ridges of the Santa Lucia Mountains for a thousand years or more, appreciating the hot springs for their restorative properties. Today,Tassajara offers a rare opportunity to step back from the busy demands and pressures of life. Find the rhythm of your own breath supported by the sounds of temple bell and creek-song. Feel the summer breeze, enjoy delicious food, immerse yourself in the water of the hot springs and relax in the shade of maples and sycamores. Since Zen Mountain Center’s inception, the Guest Season has been an integral part of this monastery's yearly cycle in these mountains. From April until September, focus turns from our primarily inward activity of “practice period” to the work of serving the community at large, sharing the experience of Zen practice and the joys of Tassajara. Like the proprietors of earlier times, we hope you will find this valley a place of delight and renewal. Please consider yourself a part of Tassajara, for it is your contributions which make it possible for us to continue to take care of this fragile ecosystem and provide a curative, healing environment. Accommodations include three gourmet vegetarian meals daily, with bag lunch available to allow for flexible day plans. Guest afternoon tea is served daily in the dining room. The courtyard coffee-tea area is always open. Personal beverages are welcome in the guest rooms and dining room. ... more   less 

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