The Kimpton Mirador Pacific Grove Feels Like Home, Inspired by the Monterey Peninsula

When booking a hotel, typically you’re looking for one of two things: escapism or comfort. Not many properties offer up a soft landing spot right in between. The Kimpton Mirador Pacific Grove not only nails it but also is a mirror of the breathtaking region it’s nestled in—if you’re sharp enough to notice the details. 

“It’s less about one overt gesture and more about a collection of subtle cues that give the project a sense of place and lineage,” explained Shannon Niehenke, founder of San Francisco–based Narrative Design Studio. For instance, material and color selection were grounded in serene, neutral tones to represent the Monterey Peninsula landscape, where coastal fog rolls in.

While some guests might take comfort in that gray overlay, vibrant accents and punctuations of chartreuse and berry hues give solace to those who might experience a touch of um, er…seasonal affective disorder, let’s say? But more importantly, the comforting, textured details and layered warmth of everyone’s ideal home will keep all visitors coming back for an annual refresh.

“We approached the 99 guest rooms more like bedrooms than standard hotel layouts,” Shannon says. Designers integrated curated headboard compositions; softer, more varied lighting (rather than a single overhead source); and double vanities and millwork with subtle curves and detailing. “Bespoke touches—like the plates by ceramicist Vanessa Cowdrey—bring in a sense of story and collectability that people naturally associate with residential spaces,” Shannon adds.

Local artists plucked from the galleries around Carmel and Pacific Grove build on that design narrative across a range of media, such as tapestries by Jessica Bovert and illustrations by Maria Schoettler.

“At its core, Kimpton is very design-forward but also deeply rooted in a sense of comfort and approachability,” Shannon says. “One of the key tenets we focused on was creating spaces that feel personal and distinctly local, rather than standardized.”

I’d say, job well done.

—AnnMarie Martin