• All suites have separate bedrooms and living rooms, outdoor space, and at least one fireplace. Many include kitchenettes and sleeper sofas.
• Some suites have been recently renovated, like the Carmel Two Bedroom Family Suite. If you're traveling with a baby, they'll set up your room with a crib, baby bathtub, and bottle warmer.
• A few families noted minor service hiccups (e.g. amenities missing, broken fridge).
• Parking is available right outside many rooms.
• If you need extra space there are several connecting options, including: Ranch Suite (King) + Ranch Suite (Double Beds), Vineyard Oak Studio (King + Outdoor Tub) connecting to same, or a 4-bedroom setup using 2 Vineyard Suites + 2 Vineyard Oak Studios

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• Kids won’t get bored here—there’s always something happening on the daily activity schedule.
• The kids club accepts kids as young as 2! That's hard to find in the US.
• Plan to spend a lot of time at River Ranch (family pool, splash pad and wading pool, tennis courts, lawn games, kids club). The pool can get quite crowded because it's open to local members as well as guests.‍
• As an alternative to kids club, you can sign your kids up for Ranch Hands (ages 6–12) is a summer-camp-style program with lasso lessons, ranch chores, and animal care.‍
• Farm animal encounters, beekeeping, and archery are guest favorites. The little ones look adorable in the beekeeper suit!
• Be prepared for lots of walking or driving—the property is very spread out. BOB and Mockingbird strollers are available to borrow as part of the complimentary “Munchkin Menu.”
• There's a free shuttle, but you sometimes have to wait a bit.

• Valley Kitchen’s kids’ menu is legit—think real meals, not just nuggets. A lot of the food is grown on property.
• Kids will be all-in for nightly s’mores by the fire.
• Staff is great with picky eaters, and they even offer a baby food (purée) menu.
• Families say breakfast is a little pricey (but if you book through us, it’s free!).
• While the River Ranch Café is under renovation (reopening spring 2025), the Carmel Valley Ranch Food Truck is open daily from 11am–6pm near the Family Pool.
• Filtered water stations are located throughout the resort - and they give you reusable water bottles.
• Want a unique dining experience? Kids loved the picnic with Percy & Paco, two mini donkeys who carry your lunch to a hilltop picnic spot—complete with apple snacks for the donkeys and plenty of laughs.