Hotel Website: The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay
Location: Google Maps
Book: Check availability
Room Type: Presidential Suite – 1 King, Bathrooms: 1.5, Mini fridge, 972sqft/87sqm, Living/sitting area, Dining area, Separate living room, Balcony
Review Score: Results of our review
Hotel Fact: Hotel Carmichael is named after James A. “Jimmy” Carmichael, a prominent resident of Carmel, Indiana, in the early 20th century. Jimmy Carmichael was a local businessman and banker, but more interestingly, he was known for his passion for collecting antique items and furniture. The hotel’s sophisticated interior design, which you noted in your review, is directly inspired by this local history and Jimmy Carmichael’s collecting spirit. Many of the antique furnishings, unique architectural details, and fine art pieces throughout the hotel are meant to reflect the unique and eclectic tastes of a passionate collector—making the hotel itself a beautifully curated collection of timeless design and style.

Our Highlights

Exceptional quality, sophistication, and intimate ambiance that feels like a secret European boutique.
Grand entrance and gorgeous lobby with Art Deco-inspired luxurious decor (rich velvet, dark wood, gleaming brass).
Phenomenal Presidential Suite upgrade experience, featuring a formal dining room and marble bathroom.
High-class on-site dining (Vivante) and entertainment (Feinstein’s Cabaret).
Prime location directly in the pedestrian-friendly Carmel City Center.

Things to Know

The hotel is an urban luxury property and does not feature a traditional swimming pool.
There is no dedicated full-service spa on site (guests must use nearby facilities).
Vivante and Feinstein’s have specific operating hours; check performance schedules for the cabaret.
The design is inspired by local collector James A. “Jimmy” Carmichael, reflecting an eclectic, curated elegance.

Amenities

🍸 Bar
🏋️ Gym
📋 Meeting rooms
🍽️ Restaurants

The Luxe Atlas Rating

Design: 8.9/10
Vibe: 9.5/10
Romantic: 9.2/10
Air Conditioning: 9.5/10
Room: 9/10
Food: 9.1/10
Location: 8/10
Gym/Fitness: 10/10
Cleanliness: 10/10
Wow Factor: 10/10
Overall Experience: 9.32/10

Luxury Stay: Hotel Carmichael Review – A Premier Autograph Collection Destination in Carmel, Indiana

Planning a luxury trip to the Indianapolis area? Look no further than the impressive Hotel Carmichael, an Autograph Collection property located in the heart of Carmel, Indiana. We were completely blown away by its quality, sophistication, and intimate boutique vibe, rivaling many established luxury properties in major metropolitan areas.

Arrival: A Grand Welcome

The Hotel Carmichael features a truly grand entrance and a gorgeous lobby that immediately impresses guests. Check-in was simple, aided by my Ambassador Elite status. The luxurious decor—rich velvet, dark wood, and gleaming brass accents—speaks to a deep Art Deco-inspired elegance. The central master staircase in the lobby is a signature architectural piece, symbolizing the hotel’s commitment to classic, sophisticated design and an uncompromising sense of tranquility and style.

Hotel Elegance and Atmosphere

The entire hotel embodies a distinct elegance. The master staircase in the lobby, which ascends to the second floor, is a beautiful expression of the hotel’s sophisticated character. The property is consistently well-decorated and meticulously cleaned. We could barely believe this magnificent place would be our luxurious home base for the next few days in such a neat and fun area of Carmel.

Hotel Room: The Presidential Suite Experience

We were in for an incredible treat when we were handed our room keys: we had been upgraded to the Presidential Suite for our entire stay! Upon entering the room, we were greeted with a long hallway, including an immediate, well-appointed half-bathroom on our right—perfect for guests.

Walking further in, we discovered a formal dining room complete with seating for eight and a separate, private balcony. As we continued into the suite, we were spoiled with an entire, luxurious living room, furnished with custom, plush seating that felt more like a private residence. The separate, full bedroom provided true tranquility, emphasizing comfort with premium linens and a sumptuous mattress. The Presidential Suite featured its own integrated wet bar, multiple balconies offering different views of the city center, multiple high-definition televisions seamlessly integrated into the decor, and a gorgeous main bathroom in addition to the half-bath. The main bathroom itself was a marble-clad sanctuary, complete with dual vanities, a deep soaking tub, high-end fixtures, and luxury bath products, truly turning a routine into a restorative ritual. If you have the chance to experience this property, I highly recommend trying to book the Presidential Suite—it is truly one of a kind!

Restaurants Onsite (Including Operating Hours)

The Hotel Carmichael hosts several highly distinguished and unique dining and entertainment venues:

Vivante: This is the hotel’s main dining restaurant. We enjoyed a fantastic, lovely dinner here, which put a nice cherry on top of our stay. Vivante generally serves dinner, with operating hours typically running from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM nightly.

Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael: We were thrilled to see entertainment legend Michael Feinstein! This venue is the hotel’s signature cabaret, an upscale entertainment spot offering live music, elevated menus, and a refined selection of bars and spirits. This venue operates primarily on show nights, with performance schedules and dining service varying.

Adagio Lounge: This is the perfect spot for evening cocktails. Centered around a grand piano and a beautiful wood-burning fireplace, this lobby bar creates a perfect, intimate atmosphere. With selections from the Great American Songbook providing the soundtrack, the Adagio Lounge is an exceptional place to mix, mingle, and imbibe. The lounge is typically open daily from mid-afternoon until late evening (e.g., 3:00 PM – 12:00 AM).

Shopping Onsite (Including Operating Hours)

The hotel itself does not have extensive internal retail shopping, focusing instead on its luxury amenities. However, its prime location is key. The Hotel Carmichael is surrounded by unique local shops right outside its doors in the heart of the Carmel City Center, making it easy to step out and explore local retail options.

Pools and Beach

The Hotel Carmichael is an urban luxury property and does not feature a traditional swimming pool or beach access.

Activities & Amenities

While you may choose not to leave the property, the hotel is perfectly situated for exploring. If you decide to venture out, you are definitely in the right place! We walked around the area right outside the hotel and experienced the local shopping. During the winter, we even took advantage of the igloo dining and cocktails at a nearby restaurant.

One strong recommendation for brunch is the Cake Bake Shop, which has raving local reviews and is a really cool place to eat.

As for on-site amenities, the fitness center is really nice and includes all the traditional, high-quality gym equipment you would expect from a luxury property.

The Spa

Oddly, for a property of this caliber, the Hotel Carmichael does not have a dedicated spa at this location. Spa services would need to be sourced from nearby facilities in the Carmel/Indianapolis area.

Final Closing

The Hotel Carmichael is a luxury property that you will undoubtedly enjoy, especially with the incredible surrounding area right outside your door. Whether you’re flying in for a few nights or looking for a special getaway, it’s absolutely worth a weekend minimum. The combination of the phenomenal Presidential Suite, the elevated dining at Vivante, and the high-class live entertainment at Feinstein’s ensures this hotel is a destination in itself—just remember to grab brunch at the Cake Bake Shop!