Range Rover House has long been one of Monterey Car Week’s most coveted addresses, as it’s an invite-only escape typically tucked into a modern home or estate in prestigious destinations like Pebble Beach or Carmel Highlands, where owners and guests can step away from the noise of the week for spirits tastings, skincare treatments, wellness activations, and other brand partner-hosted experiences.
This year, Range Rover reimagined the concept entirely, introducing The Residence at Range Rover House, a first-of-its-kind guest experience built to give customers a true home base for Monterey Car Week 2026.
To do it, Range Rover took over the Stilwell Hotel, a fully renovated boutique hotel in the heart of downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea, and transformed it into a five-night residency running August 12 through 17.
The hotel’s existing architecture, stone walls, a waterfall feature along the back wall, fire pits and heat lamps tucked into cozy seating areas, and enough square footage to wander and find a quiet corner made it a natural fit for the brand’s hospitality style.
Guests spent the week discovering their own nooks and crannies throughout the property, whether posted up fireside with small bites and libations or drifting between activations at the VIP party.
The Residence Experience Packages were structured to put owners and enthusiasts at the center of Car Week’s most in-demand events without any of the usual logistics. Every package, regardless of room type, included chauffeured Range Rover airport transfers, private and group transportation throughout the week, a five-night stay at the Stilwell Hotel, curated culinary experiences including a welcome dinner and daily breakfast, VIP access to Range Rover House programming (including a late-night lounge), admission for two to The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance with hospitality, off-road driving at the Land Rover Experience Center at The Quail, and bespoke design and commissioning appointments.
The Range Rover Reveal party turned the entire property into a series of experiences rather than a single event. Guests could move at their own pace between a variety of brand partners’ activations:
- Garrard: The Stones Masterclass
- Augustinus Bader: Skin Mapping Consultations
- Remy Martin and Louis XIII: Spirit Tastings
- Shafer Vineyards: Wine Tasting
- Range Rover Boutique
- The Range Rover SV Electrostatic Sound Experience
- Range Rover Drive Experience
The highlight of the evening was the global debut of a one-of-one bespoke Range Rover SV finished in Pearl Luster, a unique, shimmering white-toned exterior developed to shift hues under changing light. The finish was inspired by California’s white abalone shells, and the SUV incorporated mother of pearl accents into its design alongside other high-end materials chosen to match the car’s coastal origin story.
The purpose of debuting this particular vehicle was to illustrate the high caliber of craftsmanship and individualistic design that Range Rover is offering to its valued customers who want something different and unique.
Range Rover also used the moment to announce that a donation from the sale of the car would go directly to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, supporting the preservation of coastal marine life and ecosystems along the California coastline, a fitting tie-in for a reveal built around a car inspired by the region’s own waters.
As the evening came to a climax, Grammy Award winner Anthony Ramos, known for his role in Hamilton, took the stage for a live musical performance, giving the courtyard one more reason for guests to linger (or dance, depending on their mood).
The evening drew a mix of VIP guests including automotive personality Supercar Blondie, notable entrepreneurs, executives, and Range Rover’s affluent customer base, all gathered inside a property that, for one week, functioned as an extension of the brand itself.
In speaking with Irene Kakooza (the North American Brand Director for Range Rover – pictured above) that evening, she explained that the intention behind The Residence at Range Rover House was a shift in how they cultivate deeper relationships with valued clients during Monterey Car Week, especially since Auto Week is often a fast-paced, hectic time for most auto executives and attendees.
Intimate, exclusive environments that feel relaxing and festive often create the best opportunities to connect with people. From discussions about the local history of the area to deeper conversations about personal backgrounds and beliefs, the setting made it conducive to talk about subjects that went far beyond the automotive realm. In these moments, relationships formed and grew. Conversations led to connections, and that, at its heart, is what these types of events are designed to do – to bring people together.
They wanted to create a conveniently located, welcoming atmosphere that acted as a tranquil refuge for their clients. While previous Range Rover House experiences during Car Week were set in Pebble Beach and Carmel Highlands, choosing a venue in the heart of downtown Carmel made it easier for everyone throughout the week, especially since there were so many events being held each day around the Monterey Peninsula.
While Range Rover is known for exclusivity, modern luxury, and understated elegance, this year’s setting created a warm, inviting ambiance that not only aligned with the brand’s sophisticated style, but also resulted in a celebratory, welcoming atmosphere that left customers and guests feeling like they were part of the JLR extended family.
As I’ve always said, “The party host sets the tone for the entire celebration”, and this year’s Range Rover House made it clear that their executive team wanted everyone in attendance to enjoy the thoughtfully designed experience, from beginning to end.
[Complimentary media access c/o JLR. Header image credit: Range Rover. All opinions are my own.]