Expensive, but good. and other Monterey, CA Hotel/Accommodation Reviews

We stayed at this hotel for a few days, during our US trip and were quite pleased with it.

The room was very large and modern with all the amenities you can want (I'm sure there are better, but who needs all that luxury anyway).

Location is great, but since Monterey is a small town, that is not of great importance anyway. It is just a short drive from the Airport and it is just a few minutes (1-2) from the Fisherman's wharf and about 10 minutes (walking) from the Aquarium.

Staff were nice and friendly and were even kind enough to accept some packages sent to us even before we arrived.

Monterey is expensive and this Hotel is one of the best ones here.


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: most expensive
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Address: 2 Portola Plaza
Website: http://www.portolaplazahotel.com

For part of our stay, we decided to go for a cheaper accommodation option, so that meant moving away from the Fisherman's wharf and the center.
As there was an event (I think it was the marathon), almost all hotels were full or grossly overcharging.
We found this place which was only 5 minutes away (walking) from Alvarado, which is downtown Monterey and about 10-15 minutes away from the Wharf.

The advantages of staying in this place were:
- Free parking
- Convenient supermarket open until 21.00 just 2-3 minutes away
- Much cheaper rate only 5 minutes away from downtown

Well, about the hotel... the rooms were OK in terms of size, beds were not too comfortable, TV was small, shower gel and shampoo were poor quality and breakfast was quite poor ("Danish" pastry, orange juice, coffee and tea).

However, this was a very nice experience. Why? Because of the owner. An older gentleman, who looked very serious and unfriendly, but would occasionally come up with a great smile when he saw us - that was worth it all. Sometime we would pick up breakfast late (you get it on a tray and eat in your room) and there would be very little left. He would call us up in the room saying there was more if we wanted.

I enjoyed my stay here more than the one in the Portola Plaza, which is luxurious, but very "impersonal". Here it was more "real".

We paid about $90 per night, which is very little considering the prices of other places in the area. Room rates are from $45 to $215. Check the "unique qualities" below more the extra goodies you get here.

Unique Qualities: Free wireless internet
Free local calls
Fireplaces in some rooms
Friendliness once you get to know the owner :)
Close to downtown

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Phone: (831)373-2921
Address: 900 Munras Avenue, California, 93940

We stayed at this hotel for one night only as we found the El Dorado Inn just a few meters down the road with a better rate (read my other tip).

The lady at the reception (I think she was the owner) was not very friendly and we were given a room on the second floor, which obviously had no elevator, so we had to carry our heavy suitcases up the stairs.

The room was large, but very old. Furniture must have been from the 70's and it was quite dark. Shampoo was awful and so was the soap. Hair Dryer was available on request...

Breakfast was also very poor. Only "Danish" pastry (seems to be very popular in Monterey), juice and coffee/tea. It is self-service and you have to take it to your room.

Room rate was $89 plus tax, total of $97.

Location is quite good, just 5 minutes walking distance from downtown Monterey and 10-15 minutes from the Fisherman's wharf.

I did not enjoy this stay, mainly due to the unfriendly nature of the owner. Although this place is clean and slightly better than the El Dorado Inn (two kinds of juice for breakfast, slightly larger rooms), I would really go for the 'Dorado anytime.

Unique Qualities: Free wireless internet
Close to the center

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Phone: 831 372 5409
Address: 936 Munras Ave, Monterey, CA 93940
Website: www.el-adobe-inn.com