The Monterey Hotel
407 Calle Principal, Monterey, CA 93940-2705
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Avg. $185 /night, 12/6 - 12/7
$274
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per night
$119
per night
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About
3.5
#34 of 58 hotels in MontereyLocation
4.6
Rooms
3.7
Value
3.9
Cleanliness
4.2
Service
4.2
Sleep Quality
3.7
Our boutique hotel is tucked into the heart of downtown, moments from top area attractions like the Monterey Conference Center, the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Tuesday Farmer’s Market, which takes place right outside our doors. Behind our charming Victorian façade, our hotel offers 69 guest rooms and suites beautifully appointed for business stays, family vacations or romantic getaways. Some rooms are even pet-friendly.
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Property amenities
Valet parking
Paid private parking nearby
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Baggage storage
Non-smoking hotel
24-hour front desk
Wifi
Room features
Housekeeping
Telephone
Iron
Flatscreen TV
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Historic Hotel
Classic
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Location
407 Calle Principal, Monterey, CA 93940-2705
Getting there
Great for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 100 out of 100
100
Monterey Peninsula Airport
2.7 mi•
See all flights
Rental Cars
81 Restaurants
within 0.3 miles
Reviews
3.5
1,469 reviews
Reviews summary
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The Monterey Hotel captivates many with its historic charm and prime location for exploring downtown Monterey. While the rooms' quaint character receives praise, guests have called out the noise, a lack of air conditioning, and inconsistent room quality. Service is typically highlighted as friendly and accommodating, though not without occasional lapses.
Cleanliness is generally upheld, yet some visitors point out servicing shortfalls. The atmosphere's vintage appeal is a highlight, despite the noise issues linked to its bustling setting. Amenities garner mixed feelings, appreciated for the ambiance but critiqued for their simplicity.
Location
Central
Atmosphere
Historic
Rooms
Dated
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Mixed
Noise level
Noisy
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Limited
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Detailed Reviews
In general, this hotel is fine. It was clean, the room was small but comfortable enough. The location is excellent. Walking distance to a lot of shops and good restaurants. Close to the aquarium and other sights. However, the staff wasn't the most helpful or friendly in general. Our coffee station in the room was not properly stocked. The cleaning staff took all our washcloths (including clean/unused ones) and didn't replace them. The shampoo/conditioner containers in the showers barely worked and were mislabeled. Also, the climate control had not been installed in our room yet - so the only way to heat and cool the room was by using the fire place (which got hot & stuffy very quickly) or opening the window (it's quite chilly in Monterey in the winter). We were never informed about this issue. I didn't find out about it until I asked someone how to used the thermostat on the wall, at which point they said it hadn't been installed yet. Since I was traveling with a young child, this wasn't an ideal situation.
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Traveled with family
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Isabella Meraz, Marketing at The Monterey Hotel
Responded Feb 21, 2020
Hello, We're so happy that you took advantage of the location of our hotel as it is close to local attractions. Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback. We want all of our guests to feel at home during the stay and we will share your experience with staff with Hotel management. Best, Isabella
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The cleanliness of the room - 5. Hotel staff who were professional and kind - 5. Price and location 5.
But, coming through the entrance on Calle Principal my first impression was pretty bad. The red carpet was badly stained. I was immediately concerned about the condition of the rest of the hotel. Given the cleanliness of the room, I am pretty sure the carpet was clean, but I would suggest the carpet be replaced so as not to deter guests.
I am of AARP age, and was carrying a bag. I had to walk down 12 steps to the reception desk carrying my bag and was on the last, when an employee helped me. Of note, the guest also has to walk UP the stairs with the bag to reach the elevator. Once on your floor, there are other steps to navigate depending on the location of the room. There is an ad-lib elevator for use at the stairs, but I was told it was for people in wheelchairs. If there were other elevators, they were not obvious.
As others have noted, there is no air conditioning. Open windows provide ventilation. If the window treatments are shutters with slats, you are in luck. My room had a thick roman shade to be pulled down over the open windows for privacy, so the room tended to be hot and stuffy.
I did not notice any vending machines in the hotel; but I do not think they are necessary. There is a Walgreens 2 doors down, with water, snacks, etc. . .
There is a large variety of places to eat on the main street out the "front" door; with food for any appetite. There is a farmer's market I believe once a week, which is a must see and do.
There is no breakfast per se, but there is coffee, tea, etc and granola bars for a quick bite out the door. A coffee shop next door has more choices.
But, coming through the entrance on Calle Principal my first impression was pretty bad. The red carpet was badly stained. I was immediately concerned about the condition of the rest of the hotel. Given the cleanliness of the room, I am pretty sure the carpet was clean, but I would suggest the carpet be replaced so as not to deter guests.
I am of AARP age, and was carrying a bag. I had to walk down 12 steps to the reception desk carrying my bag and was on the last, when an employee helped me. Of note, the guest also has to walk UP the stairs with the bag to reach the elevator. Once on your floor, there are other steps to navigate depending on the location of the room. There is an ad-lib elevator for use at the stairs, but I was told it was for people in wheelchairs. If there were other elevators, they were not obvious.
As others have noted, there is no air conditioning. Open windows provide ventilation. If the window treatments are shutters with slats, you are in luck. My room had a thick roman shade to be pulled down over the open windows for privacy, so the room tended to be hot and stuffy.
I did not notice any vending machines in the hotel; but I do not think they are necessary. There is a Walgreens 2 doors down, with water, snacks, etc. . .
There is a large variety of places to eat on the main street out the "front" door; with food for any appetite. There is a farmer's market I believe once a week, which is a must see and do.
There is no breakfast per se, but there is coffee, tea, etc and granola bars for a quick bite out the door. A coffee shop next door has more choices.
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Traveled with friends
Value
Location
Room Tip: If possible enter on Alvarado St to avoid lugging your suitcase down stairs. At reception, ask...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Heather Collora, Marketing at The Monterey Hotel
Responded Oct 16, 2023
Thank you for providing your feedback. We appreciate your positive comments on the room cleanliness, staff service, price, and location. Regarding your concerns, we appreciate your feedback regarding the entrance carpet and the window treatments. Your insights are valuable, and we strive to make necessary adjustments to ensure a more comfortable stay for all our guests.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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My wife, dog & I had a pleasant stay at the Monterey Hotel & nice visit to Monterey itself. It was March so temps were cool, our room had windows on 2 sides so cross ventilation was good. Bed was comfortable and furnishing were interesting (if you like older wooden furniture).
Customer service team was cordial, helpful and friendly. While it is true that this urban location presented some challenges walking our dog, the Monterey was one of the few local properties who would accept our dog, so we were pleased to have a Monterey option.
Street noise may be an issue for rooms on the west side, if you like your window open choose the other side.
We would definitely return.
Customer service team was cordial, helpful and friendly. While it is true that this urban location presented some challenges walking our dog, the Monterey was one of the few local properties who would accept our dog, so we were pleased to have a Monterey option.
Street noise may be an issue for rooms on the west side, if you like your window open choose the other side.
We would definitely return.
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Date of stay: March 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Isabella M, Marketing at The Monterey Hotel
Responded Apr 6, 2022
Hi there, We're so happy to hear that you had a pleasant stay at our Hotel! We're glad that you were able to enjoy a getaway with your furry friend and we look forward to welcoming you again in the future. Best, Isabella
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The rooms are small, cramped and the carpet is worn thin. The picture of our room online showed a large window. Our actual room (room 410) had a tiny window and felt more like a basement. Very noisy throughout the night. I went to the "fitness center" (more like a tiny room in the basement) and could barely ride the elliptical machine because my head was so close to hitting the ceiling (and I'm not very tall). The water dispenser in the fitness center wasn't working so I went to the front desk and asked if she could fill my bottle. She said I could go to my room and use the bathroom sink or buy a bottle of water for $1. Most of the workers I encountered seemed bothered.
Overall, a disappointment.
Overall, a disappointment.
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Date of stay: January 2020
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Isabella Meraz, Marketing at The Monterey Hotel
Responded Feb 21, 2020
Hello, I apologize for your experience at our hotel. We highly value your feedback and we will share it with Hotel management. We apologize for the noise at night and your interactions with staff. We want all of our guests to feel at home and their behavior isn't acceptable. Best, Isabella
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Not sure if it's fortunate or unfortunate that we have to cut our trip short.
We had been coming to your hotel for a few years now and always looked forward to the quaintness. This time around we have lost some respect for the property. This time we paid a few dollars more to be in the new part of the hotel so we would not have to carry our luggage up the stairs to the old section. We got room 224, when we got in the windows were open and thought how nice that we would have some cool air! Unfortunately we found out that it was very noisy due to the location, right off Calle Principal, traffic and pedestrians and huge garage trucks, needless to say we only had a few hours of sleep each night. We tried to close the windows but found out the AC did not work and the room had no ceiling fan like in the old section. Ask the shower curtain in our bathroom smelled moldy.
We had no place to park as your valet is not in service yet the 2 hotels across from you do offer valet. We understand the Covid matter and have learned to accept this and make due with the circumstances but I believe the minor issues need to be addressed.
With this said I think a one star is pushing it.
We had been coming to your hotel for a few years now and always looked forward to the quaintness. This time around we have lost some respect for the property. This time we paid a few dollars more to be in the new part of the hotel so we would not have to carry our luggage up the stairs to the old section. We got room 224, when we got in the windows were open and thought how nice that we would have some cool air! Unfortunately we found out that it was very noisy due to the location, right off Calle Principal, traffic and pedestrians and huge garage trucks, needless to say we only had a few hours of sleep each night. We tried to close the windows but found out the AC did not work and the room had no ceiling fan like in the old section. Ask the shower curtain in our bathroom smelled moldy.
We had no place to park as your valet is not in service yet the 2 hotels across from you do offer valet. We understand the Covid matter and have learned to accept this and make due with the circumstances but I believe the minor issues need to be addressed.
With this said I think a one star is pushing it.
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Date of stay: September 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Let me start by saying that the location is very good. After that, things fall off. First, we went to our "historic room" and found it to be too small. When I say small, I mean small. Maybe 18 inches space around the bed. There would be no place for us to even set our suitcases without having to slide the bed against the wall and put the suitcases on the other side and we'd still have to step in them to get out of bed. Then, they charged us to change to a room where we could set two bags.
Wow. How could anyone call that first room quaint? If you are there for an afternoon quickie with your secret lover, maybe, but if you have any bags, find something else. Next, there is no AC. However, there is a thermostat on the wall, which says that there is no AC. There was no mention of this in the listing when we booked. I woke up in a dead sweat in the middle of the night. I opened the window, but that didn't work. The birds then sat outside and squawked The only thing that stopped them from squawking was when they were scared off by a car going by with an industrial stereo. Needless to say, the open window was not an option. When I inquired at the front desk, they gave me an electric fan to move the hot air around. They also told me that this "heat wave" never happens. What? I don't think its unreasonable for a room to be below 75 degrees. Are they telling me that it never goes below 75 degrees in Monterey and that I should be able to open my window? NO AC in California should be in giant letters on their home page. Bottom line is that we had to pay extra for a room that fit people AND luggage and if you cannot sleep well in a room over 85 degrees, do not book here.
Wow. How could anyone call that first room quaint? If you are there for an afternoon quickie with your secret lover, maybe, but if you have any bags, find something else. Next, there is no AC. However, there is a thermostat on the wall, which says that there is no AC. There was no mention of this in the listing when we booked. I woke up in a dead sweat in the middle of the night. I opened the window, but that didn't work. The birds then sat outside and squawked The only thing that stopped them from squawking was when they were scared off by a car going by with an industrial stereo. Needless to say, the open window was not an option. When I inquired at the front desk, they gave me an electric fan to move the hot air around. They also told me that this "heat wave" never happens. What? I don't think its unreasonable for a room to be below 75 degrees. Are they telling me that it never goes below 75 degrees in Monterey and that I should be able to open my window? NO AC in California should be in giant letters on their home page. Bottom line is that we had to pay extra for a room that fit people AND luggage and if you cannot sleep well in a room over 85 degrees, do not book here.
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Date of stay: September 2021
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Isabella M, Marketing at The Monterey Hotel
Responded Oct 20, 2021
Hi Aspen, Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback. Since we are a historic hotel, only our renovated Deluxe Wing features rooms with AC units. I have audited our website and third-party sites to make sure our listings don't mention AC in historic rooms. We want all guests to feel at home during their stay and we understand your frustrations. Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback - it is highly valued. Best, Isabella
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Wonderful room in new part of building. Fabulous breakfast room with fine food. Attentive staff including housekeepers, front desk person, and valets and breakfast staff. Would enjoy staying at the Monterey Hotel any time, but the weather was especially nice this time. Would recommend this hotel to friends and family.
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Date of stay: January 2020
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Isabella Meraz, Marketing at The Monterey Hotel
Responded Feb 21, 2020
Hi, It means a lot that you would recommend our Hotel to friends and family! It's great to hear that you found our staff friendly and enjoyed the room you stayed in. We look forward to your next visit. Best, Isabella
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
If you are going to a show at the Golden Gate theater or you want to relax and enjoy the many eating choices or bars this is right in the heart of the downtown action. Nice clean comfortable rooms with fireplaces and a cozy continental breakfast which makes you feel like your in England. Parking in the city garage 1 block away for $7.00 is the best deal or they will valet for $35.00. Easy walk to wharf too.
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Date of stay: March 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Before getting into what made the stay a nightmare, there are a few positives. The concierge was friendly, the price was lower than some other places nearby, and the location was convenient enough (although, again, there are other places nearby).
As for the negatives, after we checked in and got the room key, we got to the room only to find the door already open and a child inside. The room was small, cramped, humid, and there was not the faintest hint of soundproofing. Throughout the day, we could hear with perfect clarity any person in the hallway. And then throughout the whole night, whenever the person in the room above us so much as rolled over, the ceiling would creak loudly, keeping us awake. There was also a light outside our room that the old fashioned shutters were next to useless in blocking, but the front desk said they did not have any eye masks. Lastly, the alarm clock in our room went off at 5 a.m. without either myself or my fiancée setting it. I don’t know if it was the child who set it or the previous occupant, but it was a thoroughly unpleasant interruption to an already difficult sleep.
I thoroughly recommend trying elsewhere if you have the cash to spare.
As for the negatives, after we checked in and got the room key, we got to the room only to find the door already open and a child inside. The room was small, cramped, humid, and there was not the faintest hint of soundproofing. Throughout the day, we could hear with perfect clarity any person in the hallway. And then throughout the whole night, whenever the person in the room above us so much as rolled over, the ceiling would creak loudly, keeping us awake. There was also a light outside our room that the old fashioned shutters were next to useless in blocking, but the front desk said they did not have any eye masks. Lastly, the alarm clock in our room went off at 5 a.m. without either myself or my fiancée setting it. I don’t know if it was the child who set it or the previous occupant, but it was a thoroughly unpleasant interruption to an already difficult sleep.
I thoroughly recommend trying elsewhere if you have the cash to spare.
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Date of stay: March 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Isabella M, Marketing at The Monterey Hotel
Responded Apr 8, 2022
Hi there, We are sorry to hear about your recent stay at our hotel. I have shared your comments with the appropriate teams and we apologize for your experience. We want all guests to have an enjoyable, relaxing visit and we understand your frustrations. Best, Isabella
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Pros: friendly staff and excellent location. Bed was very comfy
Cons: ZERO soundproofing in the guest rooms. You can hear everything on the street (could literally hear word for word conversations even with windows closed), and the same goes for the other rooms. And the hotel is on a BUSY street. Literally did not sleep a wink for the two nights I was there. TV was from the 80’s and the remote didn’t even work. Hair dryer plug was cracked and wouldn’t work. The plumbing is strange so when the people in the room next door (or above, I couldn’t tell) took a shower it literally sounded like a freight train was coming through. The Wi-Fi also didn’t work well and would go in and out consistently.
Note to management - either replace your windows with newer, thicker panes or maybe provide ear plugs for your guests. Modernizing the limited amenities would also go a long way.
Cons: ZERO soundproofing in the guest rooms. You can hear everything on the street (could literally hear word for word conversations even with windows closed), and the same goes for the other rooms. And the hotel is on a BUSY street. Literally did not sleep a wink for the two nights I was there. TV was from the 80’s and the remote didn’t even work. Hair dryer plug was cracked and wouldn’t work. The plumbing is strange so when the people in the room next door (or above, I couldn’t tell) took a shower it literally sounded like a freight train was coming through. The Wi-Fi also didn’t work well and would go in and out consistently.
Note to management - either replace your windows with newer, thicker panes or maybe provide ear plugs for your guests. Modernizing the limited amenities would also go a long way.
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Date of stay: April 2022Trip type: Traveled on business
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Valet parking is $27 per day. Self parking is $7 per day.
For those (like me) who don't want to hassle with parking, The Monterey Hotel provides valet service for about $28 per night.
The Monterey conference center is less than a 5 minute walk away, 1-1/2 blocks from the Monterey Hotel.
I do not think the rooms have AC - The breeze from the ocean in my opinion do not make it necessary to have ac. My room was very comfortable.
The new Deluxe rooms do have microwaves and fridges, but the historic rooms do not. Hope that helps!
"Spend your money elsewhere. There are other, good boutique hotels in Monterey and the general vicinity."Read full review
"Walls are incredibly thin. You can hear everyone who walks down the hallway, the rooms above you, below you and beside you. No AC. Crap WIFI"Read full review
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PRICE RANGE
$114 - $185 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
United StatesCaliforniaMonterey CountyMonterey
NUMBER OF ROOMS
69
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect nightly room rates, including any mandatory fees. Taxes not included. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about The Monterey Hotel
Which popular attractions are close to The Monterey Hotel?
Nearby attractions include Old Fisherman's Wharf (0.3 miles), Monterey State Historic Park (0.2 miles), and Monterey Museum of Art (0.2 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at The Monterey Hotel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, baggage storage, and free instant coffee.
What food & drink options are available at The Monterey Hotel?
Guests can enjoy free instant coffee during their stay.
Is parking available at The Monterey Hotel?
Yes, paid private parking nearby, paid public parking nearby, and street parking are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to The Monterey Hotel?
Conveniently located restaurants include Paris Bakery Cafe, Montrio, and Old Monterey Cafe.
Is The Monterey Hotel located near the city center?
Yes, it is 0.2 miles away from the center of Monterey.
Are pets allowed at The Monterey Hotel?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at The Monterey Hotel?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Spanish.
Are there any historical sites close to The Monterey Hotel?
Many travelers enjoy visiting Tor House (4.5 miles), Cannery Row (1.2 miles), and Doc Rickett's Pacific Biological Laboratories (1.2 miles).
Is The Monterey Hotel accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access. For specific inquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.