Monterey Hotel Tips by Ewingjr98

Econo Lodge is the lowest-priced name brand hotel in the Monterey area. Their list price is around $59 on week nights, but if you reserve on their website and select "Internet Users Rate" the price is only $49! On weekends the price goes up to around $100-120 per night, but if you stay there during the previous week and into the weekend and get the internet rate, the rates are only around $80 instead!

The hotel is definitely nothing fancy and not in the historic area of town. The only things in the immediate area are the Monterey Fairgrounds and a bunch of other budget hotels like the Travelodge. This is a busy area only about 100 yards from the entrance ramp to Hwy 1 and under the flight path for the Monterey airport, just 1/2 mile from the business end of the runway. There are a few restaurants within walking distance including a Chinese buffet, a BBQ joint, and a classy place called Point Joe's. The Monterey coastal running and other beach attractions are also a little over a half mile away.

Free wireless in the rooms, but no power outlets to plug in your laptop, so you end up lying on the bathroom floor to use internet as that is the only free electric outlet in the room. It also seems there is no air conditioning here either--in a quiet neighborhood this is OK, but under the flight path and a tenth of a mile from the freeway makes this place a little noisy to leave the window open. Furthermore, no fan in the bathroom means even if you crack the window, the smoke alarm in the bedroom will probably still got off. Parking is adequate and there is a pool and free continental breakfast.

I stayed here again about a week later, and my second room (123) was much nicer than the first. It was larger with a refrigerator, microwave, and a view of the pool and the occasional sunset...best of all, the smoke alarm didn't go off when I showered!


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Address: 2042 Fremont St, Monterey, CA 93940

The cheapest Monterey hotel on any of the major travel websites (Travelocity, Expedia, Orbitz, Hotels.com), and the old adage holds true: you get what you pay for. For just $37 a night on Orbitz (though as much as $55 on the other sites), you can crash here. This place is certainly nothing special, but at least it's well lit with a friendly guy at the front desk, and it has free wireless internet! The rooms are small and in somewhat disrepair, with things like small, unpatched holes in the walls, ancient furniture that Jon Steinbeck might have used, and missing towel racks.

I got a big kick out of the sticker on the toilet tank that said "to be removed by occupant only..." Who is the occupant of the toilet tank, and why hasn't he removed this sticker yet?

The hotel is about 3 miles from Fisherman's Wharf, but is just about 1/2 mile from the beach and within easy walking distance of many restaurants on Fremont including the Black Bear Diner, a Mediterranean restaurant, and others.


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: US$20-40  » Currency Converter
Address: 2362 Fremont Street

I haven't stayed at any of these places, but I post them to give a rough idea of location, price, & amenities. These are all no more than 2-3 blocks from Cannery Row.

The InterContinental The Clement Monterey Hotel is the newest and fanciest hotel of the bunch. It has some 189 rooms and 19 suites, with fireplaces and ocean views in the vast majority of rooms. The also have the tasty, but expensive C Restaurant and an outdoor pool. Regular rooms range from $170 to about $500 a night and suites go for $900 to $1400 a night.

The Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa seems to be the cream of the crop along Cannery Row. Beautiful outdoor dining over the bay, easy access to the small beaches, a short walk to the restaurants and shops on Cannery Row. Room rates in the summer start around $200; for a bay view, expect to pay $150-$200 more a night!

The Spindrift Inn is right up there with the Monterey Plaza as a beautiful & expensive place on Cannery Row with all rooms overlooking the water. It's in the heart of Cannery Row's shops & restaurants. Rooms start at $170 on a weeknight in the summer; weekend rates begin around $270.

The Monterey Bay Inn is located next to the Monterey Plaza near San Carlos Beach. Though it's as expensive as the Plaza at about $200 per night in the summer, it doesn't offer the extra touches like outdoor dining over the bay.

The Victorian Inn is a few streets off the water in a 3-story Victorian mansion. Though it might sound like a B&B, it's actually a Best Western with 68 rooms, partly in a modern hotel. Summer rates are between $200 and $250.

The Holiday Inn Express Cannery Row is one of the cheapest hotels in the area ranging from $150 to $200 per night in the summer, but it is just a block from the water. This would be my pick along Cannery Row.

The Otter Inn & Cannery Row Inn are the two best bets for this area's so-called "budget accommodations." Summertime room rates start at about $150. They seem like decent hotels and they are still in the heart of Cannery Row. If you are worried about location and price, these places might be the best compromise.

Budget accommodations for world travelers saving every dime? Try the Monterey Hostel with rooms for just $20 a night for Hosteling International members & $23 a night for non members. Oops. Did I say rooms? Make that dormitory-style bunk beds in an open bay.


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Theme: Hotel

Address: Cannery Row Area
Directions: All of these hotels are located in a roughly 5 block by three block area between Cannery Row and Lighthouse Ave in New Monterey. The hostel is the furthest from the water, just off of Lighthouse, but still only 3 blocks away.

I have not stayed in downtown Monterey, but I spend a lot of time here. The downtown area ("Old Monterey") has just five hotels, all very close together, so location shouldn't be a factor if deciding between these accommodations. Furthermore, most of the cool things to see and do in Monterey are within walking distance from downtown (with the aquarium being farthest away at perhaps one mile).

The Hotel Pacific, on Pacific Street, is probably the best value of all downtown hotels. All rooms are suites, and the prices range from about $150 to $450 per night. This hotel is a little more secluded and quieter than the others, but just across the street from the Portolo Plaza Hotel. The Hotel pacific was built in 1985 and has just 105 rooms.

Portolo Plaza, formerly the Doubletree Hotel, has 369 rooms ranging in price from $230 to $400 per night. This hotel is located among the shops of Alvarado and within sight of Fisherman's Wharf. The Portolo Plaza boasts Monterey's only microbrewery: Peter B's. Built in 1975.

Monterey Marriott has 319 rooms on 10 floors from $220 to $375. It is located on Calle Principal, also just across the street from the Portolo Plaza, and has downtown's only true sports bar called Characters. On the same site once stood the San Carlos Hotel, built in the early 1920s, demolished in the 1980s, and the tallest building in town.

The Monterey Hotel is a historic building right along Alvarado Street, which is Monterey's main street. Constructed in 1904, it was renovated in the 1990s. Its 45 rooms range from $100 to less than $200 per night, an awesome deal for this prime location! In 2006 it was announced that the hotel would expand to the empty lot to the south, adding 25 rooms, new retail space, and other features to ensure the hotel lasts another 100 years!

Merritt House Inn has rooms ranging from $140 to $170 and is located right downtown across the street from the Marriott.


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Address: Alvarado, Calle Principal, and Pacific Streets
Directions: These hotels are all located within 2 blocks of Alvarado Street, within about 100 yards from each other.

Embassy Suites Monterey Bay-Seaside - This is the largest and nicest of the existing hotels on the Monterey/Seaside line near the beach. 225 rooms on 12 floors with a view over Roberts Lake to the Bay. Includes conference facilities, indoor pool, and on-site restaurants. Rates from $150-233 a night in the off season and some summer rates go as high as $300 to $460 on weekends.

Best Western Beach Resort Monterey - This is the only Monterey hotel directly on the nice, sandy Del Monte Beach.

La Quinta Inn Monterey - The newest of the hotels, it has just 49 rooms on three floors overlooking Roberts Lake. $165-185 in the off season and $180-$200 in the summer.

Holiday Inn Express at Monterey Bay - This 143-room, is one of the older hotels in this hotel cluster, and it has some of the cheapest rates at $120-150 a night in the off season and $200-$230 in the summer.

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New Hotels:
Plans were announced in summer 2007 for two new hotels in the same area. A group led by former MLB player and Monterey resident Reggie Jackson is building a hotel known as the Amador 44 project. Located across the street from the Embassy Suites, it will have 252 rooms and a conference center. A smaller family hotel is now under discussion for the site next to the Holiday Inn Express.

Unique Qualities: This area is practical for those wanting beach and trail access, nice hotels, a cheaper rate, and easy Highway 1 access, but no easy walking access to downtown or Cannery Row. Great for bikers or runners who will enjoy the trail that runs past each of these hotels. This area has a few small, local restaurants plus a Chili's, Roberts Lake Park and Laguna Grand Park, and is walking distance to Seaside City Hall.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$120-180  » Currency Converter
Address: Del Monte Ave

The Monterey Plaza on Cannery Row is Monterey's most expensive, scenic, and classiest hotel. Its location on the quieter end of Cannery Row is hard to beat: its own semi-private beach, a 15 minute walk to downtown Monterey, and a 10 minute walk to the aquarium. The hotel has great amenities including on-premises spa, several shops, pool overlooking the bay, two restaurants and a lounge, conference facilities, and an abundance of rooms overlooking the bay.

Room rates in the summer start around $200; for a bay view, expect to pay $150-$200 more a night!


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: most expensive
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: (800) 334-3999
Address: 400 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940
Website: http://www.montereyplazahotel.com/

he Monterey Hotel is in a historic building right along Alvarado Street, at the heart of downtown Monterey. Constructed in 1904, it was renovated in the 1990s. Its 45 rooms range from $100 to less than $200 per night, an awesome deal for this prime location! In 2006 it was announced that the hotel would expand to the empty lot to the south, adding 25 rooms, new retail space, and other features to ensure the hotel lasts another 100 years!

The inside of this hotel is decorated with a classy variety of antique furnishing, wooden shutters, cool mirrors, and wooden trim to create the atmosphere of an old European inn. This is certainly a one of a kind hotel in Monterey!


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$120-180  » Currency Converter
Phone: (800) 966-6490
Address: 406 Alvarado Street, Monterey, CA 93940
Website: http://www.montereyhotel.com/
Other Contact: E-mail info@MontereyHotel.com

The Portola Plaza is one of the best-locating lodging facilities in Monterey. Besides the location, the Plaza is blessed with easy access to the Monterey Conference Center, a short walk to the rec trail and Fishermans Wharf, and just a quick stroll to downtown Monterey. The hotel has its own parking garage, numerous shops on premises, several bars and restaurants including a microbrewery, and a swimming pool. Jack's Bar is a little too fancy for me, and the beer at Peter B's is a little too crappy for me, but this is a very nice hotel in a prime spot. Its 369 rooms range from $230 to $400 per night.


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Address: 2 Portola Plaza
Directions: At the end of Fishermans Wharf & Alvarado Street

The InterContinental The Clement Monterey Hotel is the newest and most expensive hotel on Cannery Row. It has 189 rooms and 19 suites, with fireplaces and ocean views in the vast majority of rooms. This $80 million project took some 25 years to complete, with most of that time spent as a big rain-filled hole on Cannery Row after the initial developer hit financial problems.

The hotel includes the C Restaurant and bar, an outdoor pool, a 350-car garage. For coastal access and preservation they included a public deck on the water side of the hotel with two large opening to allow light to the tidepools, as well as public viewing of these interesting areas. The hotel also offers two ballrooms with ocean views, a spa, fitness center, library, and perhaps a dozen new shops on both sides of Cannery Row.

Regular rooms range from $170 to about $500 a night and suites go for $900 to $1400 a night.


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: most expensive
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: 831-375-4500
Address: 750 CANNERY ROW • MONTEREY
Directions: Cannery Row near the Aquarium
Website: http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/intercontinental/en/gb/locations/mryha