Hofsas House, on San Carlos and 4th, in Carmel-by-the-Sea
I recognized seasoned hoteliers in the women at the front desk. While the more senior woman took care of my reservation, a younger woman handed me a key, kindly giving directions on how to get to my room. Both women worked with friendly efficiency, attentive to mine and everyone’s needs, making the incoming guests welcome at the Hofsas House Hotel, in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
After the five-hour drive from Los Angeles, I gathered with several other women in a two-bedroom, European style suite, the size of a one-bedroom apartment in LA, for after hour social. The suite easily accommodated the party lounging on the love seat and armchairs while our conversation filled the space.
In the morning, the entire group, a total of twelve, sat around a table in the hotel’s signature conference room. I didn’t allow them to brag about the ocean view in their rooms because mine had exactly what I need: a freestanding fireplace, by a comfortable armchair in which I sat to read poetry. Each room displays a unique decoration or feature.
My room featured a freestanding European style fireplace.
When it was time to express our goals for coming to this small conference, I didn’t know what to say. I looked out the window diving into the color blue of the pool outside, one of the unique features of this Bavarian-inspired hotel. The pool contrasted sharply against the marine layer covering Carmel-by-the-Sea.
At a crossroad, and in much need of direction, I’m searching for women’s stories to inspire the next chapter of my life. I stepped out of the hotel hoping to find one such tales.
I live by the ocean, so instead of heading to the seashore after the first meeting, I walked down San Carlos Street looking for the Mission Trail Park, a couple of miles away, near the Mission Carmel, one of the many points of interest in town. I stopped at every picturesque door noticing the quirky architectural details of the houses.
Carmel-by-the-Sea appeared to me as a high-end weekend gateway. On my way back from hiking, I decided against the wine bar, and slowly strolled back along the narrow sidewalk lined with art galleries and boutiques, stopping to try shoes imported from Turkey, and to grab a salad at CarmelBell. Although I didn’t encounter children in my path, I found plenty of people with dogs.
That evening, sitting by the fireplace in my room, I read the history of Hofsas House. Donna Hofsas came to Carmel-by-the-Sea in the late 40s and refused to fit the stereotype of a wealthy wife. Instead, she convinced her husband to use part of their property for income, renting out three cottages. Thus, she founded Hofsas House Hotel.
Donna later oversaw the expansion of the original cottages, adding 25 rooms and the swimming pool. She also commissioned artists to decorate the rooms and an architect to build her a new house. A savvy negotiator, she kept the hotel as part of her divorce settlement in a time when women had little chances of spousal support after separation. She expanded further, adding the north wing and a meeting room.
Two generations later, her granddaughter Carrie Theis continues the strong female legacy of hospitality management. Carrie is always looking for ways to stay at the top of her game in the highly competitive, boutique hotel business.
I don’t know what my next step will be. The only thing I have for sure is that it will redefine me. Maybe I will let Donna’s Hofsas’ story be the inspiration I need.
This is the first of a series of posts about the inspiring women I found in Carmel-by-the-Sea, where I went as part of a group organized by #llblognotaconf2107.
