Creativity and Hospitality Collide at the Delightful Vagabond House Inn
Amanda LeVett and Thomas Rogers Share Their Journey: Crafting a Unique Experience at The Vagabond House Inn
by Heather Cassell
In the charming coastal town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, there's a gem that stands out among the picturesque landscapes and quaint streets. Tucked away on Dolores Street, The Vagabond’s House Inn exudes warmth and creativity, thanks to the dynamic duo behind its transformation: Amanda LeVett and Thomas Rogers.
Amanda, 41, who identifies as nonbinary and uses she/they pronouns, the visionary owner of The Vagabond’s House Inn, and Thomas, 62, the inn’s gay vice president of operations and general manager, are not your typical innkeepers. Their vibrant personalities and passion for hospitality have infused The Vagabond’s House Inn with a distinct character that sets it apart from the rest of Carmel’s charming boutique bed and breakfasts and inns, including Amanda’s father, Dennis LeVett’s famed inn, the Cypress Inn. Dennis co-owned the inn with the legendary late singer, actress, and animal rights activist Doris Day.
The Vagabond’s House Inn is one of five bed and breakfasts in Carmel that Amanda owns as director of inns at Carmel Boutique Inns.
Thomas oversees daily operations of The Vagabond’s House Inn and brings his extensive background in studio art, culinary arts, and journalism to the table. His creative touch can be seen in every corner of the inn, from the meticulously curated decor to the visually stunning picture setups in each room. Thomas's attention to detail and commitment to excellence create an atmosphere that leaves guests feeling pampered and inspired.
Amanda shares Thomas's passion for hospitality and creativity. The inn is both a nod to Amanda’s father’s influence on them and Thomas and their unique perspective and influence on the inn's aesthetic and ambiance and modernization while retaining the history and eco-conscious updates. Amanda’s entrepreneurial spirit, eye for architectural design, and hospitality learned from her father and mother, an art collector, as well as their desire to create a welcoming space have shaped The Vagabond’s House Inn into a haven for travelers seeking a memorable experience.
Some touches that echo their father’s influence, Amanda and Thomas papered the walls of the toilet room in each guestroom with the pages of Don Blanding’s “The Vagabond’s House” (the inn’s namesake), their father’s childhood copy of the book, and a bottle of cream sherry in every room. Yet, each room is unique.
Amanda and Thomas updated the rooms with minimalist beachy sophisticated weathered decor, sliding window coverings, and barn doors separating the bathroom from the main room. They also implement green building and hospitality practices wherever they can. The next greening of the inn will be installing solar panels.
“I need to emphasize he was very much trial by fire,” Amanda said about working with their father after they returned to Carmel-by-the-Sea after studying psychology at Pepperdine University and backpacking around the world. “He was very trusting when I worked for him. He was very like, ‘Here’s the job go figure it out.’ I think that there is a level of confidence that you obtain from just doing something for the first time and having that bit of adrenaline and fear associated with it.”
However, that’s not necessarily how Amanda and Thomas work together. Thomas said Amanda is mostly hands-off because “we see eye to eye.”
“She’s not a bossy boss. She’s not a micromanager. She trusts you,” he said.
Stepping into The Vagabond’s House Inn feels like entering a world where comfort meets artistic expression.
"We wanted to create a space where guests could truly feel at home and experience something special. Our focus on creativity and attention to detail sets us apart," said Amanda.
Their journey to Carmel-by-the-Sea is a tale of destiny and serendipity. Amanda grew up in Carmel. Drawn by the environment and Carmel’s community, when they were 22 years old, Amanda returned from college and their journey around the world and started working for their father. Work and surfing took over and they stayed rather than go to graduate school to study cognition and spirituality.
“Surfing is so much fun,” said the backpacker, hiker, and surfer. “I think anyone who grows up in Carmel is tremendously lucky. The environment is a very comfortable place. I’m one of the luckiest people in the world that I get to live [here].”
In a pinchable moment, Amanda gushed about going to work at the inn, “We’ve got our own little family going on there,” and being blocks away from Carmel Beach, a 10-to-20-minute drive to Big Sur, a five-minutes by car to 17-Mile Drive to Pebble Beach, and a 10-minute drive to Monterey, and so much more.
“It is really nature that draws me there,” they said.
However, it is Puerto Vallarta that bonded Thomas and Amanda together.
Amanda makes monthly pilgrimages during surf season to a town about a 25-minute drive outside of Puerto Vallarta to teach a surf class at Las Olas Surfing for Women. The women’s surf camp has existed since 1997.
After managing two different inns in the area with his husband of 40 years, Randal Gilbert, Thomas, and Amanda crossed paths. They immediately bonded over their shared experiences in Puerto Vallarta. Originally from Miami, Thomas graduated in one of the first classes at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in Napa Valley before the couple packed up for Mexico. The couple formerly owned a bed and breakfast for more than 12 years in the popular gay resort town before returning to the United States landing in Carmel-by-the-Sea. The stars aligned, and the opportunity arose for Randal, an accountant who is the inn’s front desk manager, and Thomas to take over the management of The Vagabond’s House Inn nearly 14 years ago. It was a match made in hospitality heaven.
“We just became friends immediately,” Thomas said. “We go camping together, [go on trips], and hang out.”
One of the standout features of The Vagabond’s House Inn is its commitment to eco-consciousness and resourcefulness in repurposing materials. While remodeling the 1930s English Tudor Style inn, Amanda and Thomas sought to create a space that honored the building's history while embracing a modern, mid-century aesthetic. The use of reclaimed wood, vintage pieces, and energy-efficient amenities not only adds character but also reduces the inn's environmental footprint.
“I get to exercise a lot of creativity,” Thomas said about the 13-room inn that also features a spa studio.
The renovation is not just about the building’s physical transformation. The Vagabond’s House Inn prides itself on creating a sense of community and family. Thomas's philosophy of treating employees like family resonates throughout the inn, fostering a positive and supportive work environment. The staff's genuine care for guests and their attention to detail ensure that each visitor receives exceptional service and feels like a cherished member of the Vagabond’s House Inn’s family.
“With the Vagabond’s House Inn, we’ve chosen to lead by example,” Amanda said. “We are trying to create this really accepting environment. We lead by example with our employees by creating this environment where we feel comfortable. I think it is working.”
When it comes to attracting LGBTQ travelers, The Vagabond’s House Inn has become a sought-after destination as the only queer-owned inn in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Its welcoming atmosphere and proximity to the Central California Coast and vineyards make it an ideal choice for queer travelers seeking a comfortable and inclusive experience. Monterey Bay’s LGBTQ life isn’t as vibrant as the San Francisco Bay Area, but Amanda and Thomas have their sights set on creating unique events that cater to and attract LGBTQ travelers to the beachside town, adding an extra layer of excitement to the inn's offerings.
“We’ve been talking a lot lately about how we might bring some of [the Bay Area has] here,” Thomas said.
“We need more LGBT travelers in Carmel to shake it up,” Amanda added. “It is the perfect destination. I would love to one day start doing retreats, something like Out in the Vineyards, or queer events.”
“It is funny. Carmel can be a little stuck in its ways but it’s a pretty open-minded place. It started as an artist retreat by the San Francisco Bohemian Club,” they said. “Frankly, we’ve had a lot of queer leadership in Carmel in the past.”
Currently, neighboring Monterey, elected its first out gay Black mayor, Tyller Williamson, and Monterey County voted its first lesbian and first Latina sheriff Tina Nieto in 2022, reported the Bay Area Reporter.
“How cool would it be to just rock Carmel and have this big drag party to go register your heels at City Hall?” Amanda asked talking about Carmel’s old law where women had to register their high heels at City Hall. “It’s the perfect little town for it.”
“If you stay in Carmel, it’s like this perfect little hub,” Amanda said. “You’ve got everything around you.”
“I always love being the host for people to come down to Carmel,” they continued. “I would just love to one day bring artists down to Carmel and bring that vibe back, do it queer style.”
Carmel-by-the-Sea is a perfect getaway for a few nights in a walkable town with great bars and restaurants, wine tasting rooms, art galleries, and boutiques, they said.
Thomas agreed: “The gay community looks for comfortable places, the fun places, the sunny places, but we just wanted to make sure that we appeal to that while appealing to the younger tech community as well.”
Whether you're seeking a peaceful getaway, a creative retreat, or a base to explore the natural wonders of the Monterey Peninsula, The Vagabond’s House Inn has it all. With Amanda's visionary leadership and Thomas's artistic flair, this hidden gem in Carmel-by-the-Sea invites you to immerse yourself in a world where hospitality and creativity collide. Prepare to be inspired, pampered, and captivated by the unique charm of The Vagabond’s House Inn.
Full Disclosure: This article was written with the assistance of artificial intelligence and a lot of human editing.
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