Our Philosophy

The Charles isn’t just a hotel—it’s a statement and a pledge. A celebration of inclusivity, classical design, and the art of hospitality. Every guest is celebrated with warmth, style, and an experience unlike any other.

After designing over 40 boutique hotels worldwide and being featured in renowned publications such as Architectural Digest, Interior Design Magazine, and Metropolitan Home, national award-winning designer Charles Gruwell has created two deeply personal properties: The Charles Napa Valley and The Charles Pacific Grove.

The philosophy behind The Charles brand was born from Gruwell's own experiences as an openly gay boutique hotel designer. After staying in hotels worldwide—from charming B&Bs to the grand luxury of St. Regis, Four Seasons, and Peninsula Hotels—he often found that while style was abundant, true inclusivity and warmth were rare. 

The Charles was created to bridge that gap. By combining timeless design, custom artworks, antiques, and elegant furnishings, Gruwell and his partners created an inclusive hospitality experience for all to enjoy.  

Our pledge of inclusive hospitality is simple: every guest, team member, and partner should be met with dignity, respect, and a genuine sense of belonging.

To bring this vision to life, Charles partnered with hospitality veterans Don and Jay Desai, brothers with 25 years of hotel management experience at dozens of hotels across the Bay Area, and with Ryan MacCarrigan, an entrepreneur and Design Thinking instructor at UC Berkeley with 15 years of product and service design expertise.

This collaboration of artistry, service design, and seasoned hotel operations has resulted in the creation of a new era in authentic and inclusive hospitality. 

The Charles Hotels: ​inclusive, stylish, and artfully designed.

The Charles Ethos

  • Inclusive means every guest is met with ease, dignity, and genuine respect, without assumptions, explanations, or exceptions, so that belonging is felt immediately, not performed or requested.

  • Stylish at The Charles is quiet confidence: spaces, service, and details that feel intentional and contemporary without excess, allowing guests to feel both relaxed and quietly elevated.

  • Artfully designed is more than just materials and textures. It reflects intentional decisions that honor place, people, and comfort—where sustainability and local authenticity quietly shape how the space feels.