The 2010 Condé Nast Traveler Gold List makes it clear — the nation’s epicenter of top hotels and resorts is right here in Monterey County. There’s no other county in the United States that can claim it has eight hotels and resorts on the Gold List. In fact, Monterey County has more properties on the Gold List than 46 states!

The Inn at Spanish Bay by Vicki & Chuck Rogers

Only 31 states have hotels or resorts honored with a spot on the Condé Nast Gold List. 27 of them, including Colorado, Nevada, New York, and Texas, have fewer than the eight located in Monterey County.

Post Ranch Inn by rezlab

Monterey County’s 2010 Gold List hotels and resorts are Carmel-by-the-Sea’s L’Auberge Carmel, Carmel Valley’s Bernardus Lodge, and Carmel’s Highlands Inn, Big Sur’s Post Ranch Inn and Ventana Inn and Spa, and all three Pebble Beach resorts — The Inn at Spanish Bay, Casa Palmero, and the Lodge at Pebble Beach. Casa Palmero was also named one of the top North American resorts for rooms and service. These hotels and resorts truly set the global gold standard.