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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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
It's easy to unwind at this full-fledged resort on a bluff overlooking Monterey Bay. The spacious suites sleep from two to eight people. Each has a kitchenette and a fireplace, and many have ocean-view patios with barbecue grills. Treat yourself to an in-room manicure, facial, or massage, or a bonfire with s'mores on the beach.
