Monteray Area Accommodation
 

Hiya

I am looking to book a hotel/motel/b&b in the Monteray area for a 2 night stopover on the way down the coast. Ideally near to Fisherman's Wharf, Aquarium etc. I have been advised to avoid the Munras Ave places - but don't know why. Also if I stay away from the main strip where would I park for the Aquarium/Cannery Row etc, or do they have their own parking lots?

Many thanks.

I'm copying and pasting my reply on your other thread:

There is a strip of motels along Munras Ave. It's perfectly safe, just not particularly scenic. From here you'll need to drive to Cannery Row/Aquarium where there's street parking and several lots. There may be transit options too but I've never looked into it http://www.mst.org/

My personal preference is to stay near downtown Carmel because I like being able to walk to dinner, the beach, etc. but I don't know what the hotel cost difference is. We always stay longer and rent houses.

Carmel/Pacific Grove/Monterey is a pretty compact area so nothing is all that far from anything else.

<<<Carmel/Pacific Grove/Monterey is a pretty compact area so nothing is all that far from anything else>>>

In fact, technically the aquarium is partly in Monterey and partly in Pacific Grove.

When is this trip and what is your price range?

If you want to stay near the ocean/beach - and not pay a ton - check out the hotels just north of Monterrey - Seaside to Marina:

http://www.expedia.com/Marina-Monter...-Filter-Hotels

What price range?

July 30 and 31 and "reasonably" priced were stated in the other thread.

Check out the Gosby House on Lighthouse in Pacific Grove - super convenient to your sites. It's a Four Sisters property. They have a 2 night special where you'd get 30% off so the total cost for 2 nights range from $168 to $196 for the cheaper rooms a bit more for the spendy rooms.

http://www.gosbyhouseinn.com/index.htm

Sometimes you can get good discount deals at the Portola hotel. It's walking distance to FW.

I probably gave advice in the other thread too.

With Hotwire you can sometimes specify the number of beds. I've been able to occasionally get reasonably priced rooms that way. Especially for a weekday.

<<<With Hotwire you can sometimes specify the number of beds>>>

you can specifry the number of <i>people</i> in a room, I've never seen an option for specifying the number of beds. But if you put in 3 people, you'll get two beds.

try the Best Western Beach Dunes Inn in Marina... One exit from Monterey and right near Marina Dunes State Park on the Ocean...

I've stayed at the Best Western Beach Dunes Inn before. I like it because it's right on the beach. I know a few years ago, it really needed some renovation. I didn't have time to check tripadvisor to see if that's happened. You do have to drive into town from there.

Patty-some of us didn't see the other thread and the "reasonably priced" comments. That's a problem when you start a new thread. Also "reasonably priced" can mean a lot of different things. In Monterey, rooms can be expensive in the summer. I have stayed at the Portola a few times and like it for it's convenient location. Don't know about getting discounts for it, though.

<i>That's a problem when you start a new thread. Also "reasonably priced" can mean a lot of different things.</i>

I agree. That's why I put reasonably in quotes. Someone upthread asked about dates so I was transferring the relevant information over. It would be much better if the OP could give us a $ range.

Yes, price range would be helpful. Thanks for transferring the dates.

I also don't know why you've been advised to avoid the Munras strip of motels, one of the most heavily booked accomodation strips in the state. I've stayed at Casa Munras, and at a couple of smaller places there and they are fine. Just check the reviews as quality does vary up and down the strip and some are further away from the wharf than others.

<i>Munras is a bit hooker's row</i>

The above was posted in the other thread. I have a hard time picturing it but admit I've never stayed in the area.

I've stayed at the Casa Munras too, which was great - I would absolutely stay there again.

I haven't stayed at any of the stip of motels up Munras Ave, but I know others who have and no one has ever reported anything negative. I have no idea about any prostitution going on, but Monterey isn't exactly the type of town where you have hookers walking the streets picking up johns. I am sure prostitution goes on in Monterey - it goes on everywhere whether we realize it or not.

Lots of parking everywhere in Monterey, you may have to pay for it, but it is reasonable. Nothing wrong with Munras Ave places, they are older but most nice. Hookers??


Colton Inn, Portola Hotel, Embassy Suites in Seaside
July will be foggy, bring a jacket.

Back to say check out Casa Munras hotel, my friend stays there and likes it. Someone steered you wrong on Munras ave hotels, especially the Hookers! Monterey,Carmel,Pacific Grove all very nice, safe towns.

Thank you everyone - have booked the Casa Munras.

This is where my DW and I stayed on our only night we spent in Monterey. http://www.montereyhostel.org/
It is within walking distance of the aquarium and Cannery Row.
Parking is free in their lot. There is limited time free on street parking.
Being able to cook in their kitchen and eat in their large dining/commons room was nice.

You will enjoy you stay in Monterey and Carmel. I wished you were here now the weather is beautiful.
Del Monte shopping center is close to Casa Munras, you mentioned shopping in one of your posts.

Have fun.

THanks Nancy - hope the weather lasts.

For Casa Munras, request a room upstairs or facing the pool/garden area rather than facing the parking. The lay-out of this hotel is like an old-style motor lodge with 2-story buildings around the central pool/garden area and parking next to the buildings. The lay-out is nice and comfortable, but the drawback is that if your room is on the ground floor facing parking, and you have late arrivals or early departures, the car noise can be bothersome. It isn't a big deal, just nicer if your room doesn't face the parking.