I'm planning on spending 3 nights in the Monterey/Carmel area starting 9/2. Which area is the best to stay in? My only rqmts are that the price be below $200/night and there be an exercise facility. A few people I know have strongly recommended Carmel, but I haven't found a place with exercise facilities. Tx for your help!!!!

I really like the Hyatt Regency in Monterey. Rooms with view of beautiful Golf Course or pool area-
$ 175 --garden area ($139-AAA discount) Good food(2 resturants)beautiful lobby,
exercise room with lots of equipment
It is little east of freeway and is convenient to get downtown(Fisherman's Wharf) and south to Carmel. I found the staff extremely helpful. There is a Doubletree downtown but rooms started at $225 (no view)
I didn't even look in Carmel after my first 2 inquires--$ 275+
Good luck.....

We usually stay 2 nights in Monterey and 2 or 3 in Carmel. Going back in August and just staying in Carmel, our favorite of the two. We always stay at the Tickle Pink Inn. Farily reasonable (for Carmel) and sits on a bluff overlooking the Pacific. Really pretty.

Hyatt Regency Monterey often goes for $45 to $50/night on Priceline. Go to www.biddingfortravel.com to get info re how to bid.

Go to www.pacificgrove.org. That site will list all the hotels in the city of Pacific Grove. People that know this area prefer Pacific Grove for many reasons. We live there. It is next to Monterey and has great coastal beach walks....more than Monterey and Carmel combined. Many people think it is actually Monterey. Check out the web site.

www.carmelmissioninn.com

nice rooms and they have a modest but adequate fitness center