Any recommendations on where to stay? Picks include The Lighthouse Lodge, Centrella or the Inn @ Seventeen Mile Dr. Can't be too pricey!!

Have you checked rates at Asilomar? I have seen the Lighthouse Lodge but never been in it or stayed there. It's not far from the beach. Think it has suites---it's actually two buildings. Green Gables or 7 Gables would be my first choice but I have not idea of the current rates. Don't think you'll do badly with any of your three listings. Good luck. It's a lovely place. Our fave budget hotel is actually in Monterey but close to Pacific Grove and walking distance to the aquarium and Cannery Row/ Fisherman's Wharf. It's called the Otter Inn and is an old converted cannery on Wave Street. It's basic, no a/c but includes parking underground which is a premium in Monterey. You won't need a/c for temp control but you have to be able to sleep with the barking of the seals and the calling of the seabirds. Pacific Grove is just next door.

I stayed at the Lighthouse Lodge the summer of '01 after their refurbishing. If you don't stay in their suites, which are closer to the ocean than the main building then you will be staying in a motor lodge not much up from a motel 6. All rooms have their windows on the west side of the building, presumably to face the ocean but it's so far away with lots of buildings in between I don't see how you'd ever have a view. Our view faced the parking lot and the building across. That would be the view of half of the rooms. The other side would have a view of a golf course maybe. The rooms though redone were still old and the room door was hollow and did not feel secure. We had reservations for 3 nights we stayed 1 night. I would have liked the suites. They are brand new and looked very nice when I peeked in.

Just stayed there last week.
I got a king suite with fireplace, jacuzzi in the bathroom and a great breakfast for $ 124/night. The room was spacious and new and very clean. I strongly recommend it. It is not in the beach front or has ocean view, but if you just going for a good night sleep I would take it. Enjoy!

Dennis did you stay in the Motor Lodge where the parking lot is between the two rows of rooms or did you stay in the nice area down the street which houses the suites and is new-looking?

Suzie: I stayed across the street where the new suites are. As I said no thrilling views, but a great room for the price and a nice area to walk or bike around with quiet streets.

Yes, I agree Dennis. I thought the suites were far superior to the rooms at the motor lodge part. I tried to get the desk guy to switch us and he was not at all helpful but never said words like "we're booked" so we checked out after 1 night. Don't they have afternoon wine and cheese there? We had a hot dog/hamburger bbq. Not exactly the same. : )

Suzie: The lodge was quite empty as summer has not begin yet. I was last week of may. Actually I drove to Pacific Grove from Yosemite arriving at 8 pm with no reservations, and looking for lodging, and I can tell you all B and B, hotels and lodges had vacancy signs. I got there by chance and my wife was getting tired and angry(lol).
About the afternoon wine we did not go because we were touring arround. Best regards.

Dennis,
I was quoted a rate of $169 for a "double-double" at the Lighthouse Lodge (not a suite) How did you get such a good rate?

Suzie, I kind of figured as much on the "bar-b-que" offering!

I wonder if I can get a better deal for the money elsewhere. I was hoping to stay near the golf course and lighthouse. Would Asilomar be a good second choice?

Winnie: As I said I got there by chance and went directly to the registration office and gave me that rate. By the way, apart from Monterey and Carmel attractions dont miss Point Lobos state park: Great ocean views with wildlife.
Enjoy!

Dennis that is so funny that you went from Yosemite to PG. That's exactly what we did! We were in Mammoth and Tahoe before Yosemite though.

Winnie: A double double is what we had in the non suite part of this place. Unless you're in a suite find somewhere else to stay. I think we paid a bunch for ours too!

If you just want a place to sleep, I have a recommendation. We stayed at the Monterey Hyatt for $45/night + tax + $5.95 booking charge through Priceline.

I stayed at the Monarch Cove Inn (PG). They have a web site. It is not a fancy hotel, but the price is right. It is in a grove of Euculyptus and you can see the ocean from many of the rooms and the front lawn area. If you can get the little cottage with a kitchen and a private hot tub and patio, it is memorable (and reasonable).

ttt
Thanks
Jan

The Marina Dunes, a few miles out from Monterey, has some great promotional rates available especially on June weeknights. $90 per night and up. Junior Suites with Jacuzzi for $105.

www.marinadunes.com

Hey Joe,
Is it as beautiful as it sounds?
Are you able to smoke there.
My book keeps coming up with no smoking in all hotels or is it just in some rooms or what is the story.
Thanks in advance
jan

Dennis and Winnie:
Just read your messages and would love to know how long it took you to drive from Tahoe to Yosemite and from Yosemite to Monterey. We are planning to do the same drive but we have no idea of driving time. What I wanted to do is leave South Tahoe early in the morning and drive through Yosemite and on to Seaside(near Monterey) in one day.
Is this totally nuts or what? I have no idea if this is doable or not. We do not have time to stay in Yosemite, as our hotel reservations are made, but we thought it would be nice just to drive through Yosemite to see a little of it. Your reply would really be appreciated

Dee: I'd say yes, it's kinda nuts, unless you'd enjoy leaving Tahoe at 6 in the morning and not getting to Monterey until about 8 at night. And that's if you don't stop to see anything in Yosemite!

Jan: Yes it's nice, and you can smoke out on the private patio, which every room has. This place is very quiet however, set off from everything else, not a good place if you like to be in the center of the action, walk to restaurants etc. More like a retreat.

In Carmel, Carmel Mission Inn has a great $89 rate on weeknight (bookable on their website), and this is a nice place in the center of Carmel Village. Walk to everything including the shore.