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Accommodations in the Monterey area range from no-frills motels to luxurious hotels. Pacific Grove, amply endowed with ornate Victorian houses, is the region’s bed-and-breakfast capital; Carmel also has charming inns. Lavish resorts cluster in exclusive Pebble Beach and pastoral Carmel Valley.
High season runs from May through October. Rates in winter, especially at the larger hotels, may drop by 50% or more, and smaller inns often offer midweek specials. Whatever the month, some properties require a two-night stay on weekends. Many of the fancier accommodations aren’t suitable for children; if you’re traveling with kids, ask before you book.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
One of Monterey's largest hotels, and locally owned and operated for more than 40 years, the coastal-theme Portola anchors a prime city block between Custom House Plaza and the Monterey Conference Center. A lofty lobby atrium with live trees evokes the essence of Monterey Bay and welcomes you to its popular farm-to-table restaurant, Jacks Monterey, and adjacent Peter B's, a brewpub. The hotel's Spa on the Plaza is the largest day spa in Monterey County.
A sprawling collection of ranch-style buildings on 850 acres of meadows, fairways, and lakes, Quail Lodge offers luxury rooms and outdoor activities at surprisingly affordable rates. The resort is a casual, family-friendly enclave with swimming pools, a boccie court, a 9-hole putting green, 18-hole golf course, nature trails, and conference rooms for business presentations, movie nights, and special events. Rooms are decorated with natural fabrics, wooden furnishings, and Spanish accents. All rooms have decks or patios, smart TVs, and spacious bathrooms with deep soaking tubs and separate showers. All suites and some guest rooms have fireplaces. Dine at Edgar's at the golf clubhouse around the corner or in the Covey Grill.
Walk to the sand from spacious, luxurious bungalows furnished in contemporary, ocean-theme style at this 19-acre, wellness-centered resort next to Marina Dunes Preserve and a secluded stretch of Marina State Beach. Each room has a private patio or deck, a fireplace, binoculars for spotting whales and other wildlife, and at least a partial ocean view; some have living rooms with sleeper sofas and panoramic ocean views. It’s about 10 miles north of Monterey, but the on-site Salt Wood Kitchen and Oysterette restaurant, where meals center on fresh local fare, and the many activities—from nightly bonfires and wine-and-cheese tastings to weekend beach yoga sessions—make it easy to just hang out and enjoy the resort.
Families and business travelers like this 6-acre property near Seacliff State Beach that's more resort than hotel. Six two-story lodge buildings encircle a large pool and lush gardens with a koi pond and waterfall—ask for a room in a building away from the busy restaurant and bar, which can get noisy at night. The decent-size rooms have a fresh contemporary look.
