40 Best Hotels in The Monterey Bay Area, California

On bluffs across from Cowell Beach, this three-story, Italianate property, built in 1877, exudes classic California beach style. Color schemes hint at sun, sea, and sky, and all the rooms have a comfortable king bed, a fireplace, and a fancy marble-tile bathroom; some also have a private patio with a spa tub. 

The spacious guest rooms at this luxury spa resort have vaulted ceilings, French oak floors, featherbeds, fireplaces, patios, and bathrooms with heated-tile floors and soaking tubs for two. Before you even check in, the valet hands you a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. The Lucia Restaurant & Bar, open daily, has seasonal menus that highlight local meats, seafood, and produce. Reserve the chef's table in the main kitchen, and you can talk to the chef as he prepares your meal.

The activity options at this luxury ranch are so varied that the resort provides a program director to guide you through them. Swing from a tree, hike in the woods, meditate on a hilltop yoga platform, or play a round of golf on the 18-hole Peter Dye golf course. Harvest honey at the on-site apiary and lavender field, or splurge on massages in the full-service Spa Aiyana. The main lodge is a slick, contemporary haven with Brazilian walnut floors, custom woodwork, and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame stunning valley views. Rooms have cathedral ceilings, travertine fireplaces, and large decks.

This exclusive boutique hotel evokes a stately Mediterranean villa, where rooms are decorated with sumptuous fabrics and fine art. Each one has a wood-burning fireplace and heated flooring; some rooms have private outdoor patios with in-ground whirlpools. A European-style breakfast is served in-room, and complimentary cocktail service is offered each evening in the main hall and library. The adjacent Spa at Pebble Beach is state-of-the-art, and guests have the use of all facilities at the Lodge at Pebble Beach and the Inn at Spanish Bay.

Secluded on 300 hilltop acres of redwood and eucalyptus forest laced with hiking trails, this Mission-style complex also features a lovely terrace restaurant with expansive views of Monterey Bay. Guest rooms are furnished in an eclectic, bohemian style that pays homage to the artsy local community and the city's industrial past. Antique refrigerators conceal modern minibars, drums reclaimed from the historic tannery serve as bed tables, and headboards are made of authentic oversize abacuses you can play with.

A short stroll from the boardwalk and wharf, this full-service luxury hotel is the only lodging in Santa Cruz directly on the beach, and its rooms all have private balconies or patios overlooking Monterey Bay. Accommodations have contemporary furnishings, muted retro-chic colors, and upscale linens, but the main draw here is having the ocean at your doorstep. In the Jack O'Neill Restaurant and Lounge, named for the famous wet suit inventor and longtime Santa Cruz resident, you can view vintage photos and memorabilia while sipping surf-theme cocktails.

Stained-glass windows, ornate interior details, and sophisticated modern amenities (the inn completed a top-to-bottom remodel in early 2023) compete with spectacular ocean views at this Queen Anne–style mansion. Rooms in a carriage house perched on a hill out back are larger and afford more privacy.

Stepping through the doors of this elegant inn is like being transported to a little European village. The rooms are luxurious yet understated, with Italian sheets and huge, classic soaking tubs; sitting in the sun-soaked brick courtyard makes you feel like a movie star. The inn's intimate, nine-table restaurant, Aubergine, epitomizes farm-to-table gourmet dining.

This luxe collection of seven buildings and flower-filled gardens on a bluff overlooking Monterey Bay includes the main mansion, built in 1886, a carriage house, guesthouse, and beach house. Every room has ocean and garden views, sumptuous yet comfortable furnishings, and a full bath. Some have stained-glass windows and gas or electric fireplaces.

Set on 407 pastoral acres, the former estate of the Crocker banking family has been converted to a luxurious inn. The oak-paneled main chateau holds eight elegantly furnished rooms and suites, and a dining room for guests (nonguests can also dine here by reservation). The property's "cottages" are equally opulent, each with its own luxurious identity. The Hermes House, for instance, has four fireplaces and a 27-foot-high living-room ceiling. Fresh flowers, afternoon tea, and evening champagne are offered daily.

Though it's in the middle of Santa Cruz, this inn has lush gardens, a running stream, and tall trees that make you feel as if you're in a secluded wood. All rooms have fireplaces (a few are electric) and featherbeds; most have private patios. Complimentary wine, cheese, and freshly baked cookies are available in the afternoon.

Commune with nature and pamper yourself with upscale creature comforts at this green-certified complex in the heart of town. The historic, authentically restored Pacific Coast Steamship building has a parlor and four traditional B&B-style rooms with private baths. The Boathouse, built from scratch in 2003, overlooks a tidal channel filled with birds, seals, otters, and other wildlife. The building's six rooms have fireplaces, and the bed sets are crafted from retired boats. For the best views (binoculars are provided), ask to stay on the second floor.

A multimillion-dollar renovation completed in the early 2020s transformed this 1970s motel, conveniently located near the intersection of Highway 1 and Rio Road, into a hip haven that evokes the region’s natural environment (sand, sea, mountains, pines) and artsy past (mosaic floors, local art, vintage doors). Rooms reflect a mid-century modern vibe (earth tones with orange and blue accents); some have private balconies and pool or mountain views. This is a great place to relax before or after adventures: dine at Shearwater Tavern gastropub, hang out by the firepits in the entry courtyard, or soak in the pool.

This basic but comfy motel, decorated in bold, retro, seaside style and across the street from the boardwalk, is ideal for travelers who want easy access to the sand and the amusement park rides without spending a fortune. All rooms have 42-inch flat-screen TVs, microwaves, small refrigerators, private balconies or patios, and air-conditioning. Some rooms adjoin (great for families) and some have spa tubs and/or provide a peek at the ocean.

A cluster of Spanish-theme buildings in the heart of downtown, Casa Munras pays homage to Monterey's roots and the legacy of Spanish diplomat Don Estéban Munras, who built a residence on the site in 1824. All rooms have hardwood floors, custom-designed headboards, and granite bathrooms with oversize vanities; many have fireplaces.

This sparkling hotel, set in the heart of the tourist district and opened in fall 2022, is a warm, welcoming, haven filled with custom-designed furnishings and local art that reflects the beachy Santa Cruz vibe. Hang out on the sofas in the lobby, private booths in the café, outdoor patio with fire pits, or poolside. Rooms are unusually spacious, with ample amenities.

This luxurious inn has a fresh, Mediterranean ambience with Moroccan touches. Rooms have wrought-iron bed frames and rattan armchairs; some rooms have fireplaces, some spa tubs, and four have a sunny veranda with an ocean view. The in-town location makes walking to area attractions easy, and pet owners will be pleased that animal companions are always welcome, a legacy of dog lover and former co-owner, the late actress Doris Day.

This turreted Queen Anne Victorian was completely remodeled and updated in early 2023, and although rooms still have things like vintage armoires and headboards, they now also have a swanky, contemporary vibe and modern amenities. The two most private rooms, which have fireplaces, balconies, and whirlpool tubs, are in the rear carriage house. Homemade cookies, sodas, and evening wine and hors d'oeuvres are complimentary. A buffet breakfast is served in the parlor or garden.

About a mile from the ocean and two blocks from Pacific Avenue, this stylish, forest-theme complex (part of the Marriott Autograph Collection) is among the few full-service hotels in town. Public spaces and rooms are designed to bring nature indoors—the reception desk is cut from an 18-foot reclaimed eucalyptus log, lamps resemble birds' nests, sculpted squirrels cling to the walls, and tree stumps serve as poolside tables. Room options range from kings with river-rock showers and double queens with tubs to six suites.

High on a hill overlooking the Pacific, this place has superb views and accommodations that include king rooms with fireplaces, suites with personal whirlpool tubs, and full town houses with many perks. The excellent meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) at the inn's California Market at Pacific's Edge restaurant are made from local ingredients; many dishes are vegan and gluten-free. Even if you don't dine here, order a cocktail and appetizers in the ocean-view Sunset Lounge.

A 22-acre resort amid cypress forests on the Del Monte Golf Course, the Hyatt Regency Monterey is a good choice for business travelers and families (especially those with pets) seeking relatively affordable lodgings with numerous on-site services. Rooms and public spaces have a crisp, contemporary, seaside vibe and Monterey-themed art. The resort has two separate buildings next to an exclusive play zone for dogs and owners.

This inventively designed B&B in a former rail depot views itself as a link to the era of luxury train travel, and each double room or suite, complete with fireplace and featherbeds, is inspired by a different destination—Italy's Portofino, France's Côte d'Azur, Japan's Kyoto. One suite is decorated like a railroad baron's Pullman car. Some accommodations have private patios with hot tubs. This is a great place for an adults-only weekend.

This resort sprawls along a breathtaking stretch of shoreline and has plush, 600-square-foot rooms. Pèppoli restaurant, which serves Tuscan cuisine, overlooks the coast and the golf links; Roy's Restaurant serves more casual and innovative Hawaiian-Asian fare. Guests have privileges at The Lodge at Pebble Beach and the Spa at Pebble Beach, which are under the same management.

Spectacular bay views, upscale amenities, assiduous service, and a superb location next to the aquarium propelled this luxury hotel to immediate stardom. Its spacious rooms, in several Craftsman-style buildings on both sides of Cannery Row, have marble, natural wood, and glass elements that create a feeling of warmth and serenity. All rooms have baths with soaking tubs and walk-in showers, and many have fireplaces and balconies. Unusual artworks abound in the public spaces.

A historic complex of lush gardens and Mediterranean-style buildings, La Playa has light and airy interiors done in Carmel Bay beach-cottage style. Norwegian artist Christopher Jorgensen built this property's original structure in 1905 for his bride, a member of the Ghirardelli Chocolate clan. Some rooms are small but comfortable; some have views of gardens or the ocean. Rates include a daily champagne brunch and afternoon sangria.

Most rooms have wood-burning fireplaces, and many have wonderful ocean views at this circa-1919 resort, which includes the much newer, 38-room Fairway One complex. The golf course, tennis club, and equestrian center are posh. Overlooking the 18th green, the Stillwater Bar & Grill serves expertly prepared contemporary seafood. Downstairs, also overlooking the 18th hole, the Bench specializes in wood-fired pizzas. Guests here also have privileges at The Inn at Spanish Bay and The Spa at Pebble Beach.

The glassed-in parlor and many guest rooms at this 1899 Mediterranean-style villa have stunning ocean views. Thoughtful details such as robes and rocking chairs create an ambience of luxury and comfort. The inn is furnished with exquisite antiques, and the owner's collection of classic race cars is on display in the patio area. Lavish breakfasts—and winemaker dinners of up to 12 courses—are served on lace-clad tables set with china, crystal, and silver.

Movie star Clint Eastwood owns this sprawling property where accommodations include rooms in a converted barn and several cottages, some with fireplaces. The ranch is nicely decorated but low-key, with a 19th-century farmhouse as the central building, a sheep pasture, bird-filled wetlands, and a sweeping view of the ocean. Though the ranch belongs to Eastwood, relaxation, not celebrity, is the focus here.

Guests at this Cannery Row hotel can see frolicking sea otters from its wide outdoor patio and many room balconies. The architecture blends early California and Mediterranean styles and echoes elements of the old cannery design. Meticulously maintained, the property has both simple and luxurious accommodations. The top-floor spa offers a full array of treatments, perfect after a workout in the penthouse fitness center.

One of the area's best values, this hotel has a great waterfront location—2 miles north of Monterey, with views of the bay and the city skyline—and offers a surprising array of amenities. Rooms are modern getaways with platform beds and puffy duvets, flat-screen TVs, and fine linens. The grounds are pleasantly landscaped, and there's a large pool with a sunbathing area.