Hilton Garden Inn Monterey

Parking was our one frustration. A winter storm was going on, and there wasn't enough covered parking. Apart from that, we were happy with our stay. Hilton Garden Inn met Hilton standards: it was quiet, clean, and well kept, with a central location within 30 minutes of everything we had planned.

The staff's call about a supposed party was the last straw. We got back from dinner around 10:30 p.m. with tired kids, then settled in hoping to watch a movie and relax with wine. The front desk called to ask if we were having a party. I explained we'd only been in the room about 20 minutes and weren't. When she asked if we could hear the noise, I said no, and she ended the call. Staff could have checked the area first to find where it was coming from instead of calling and accusing a guest. If a room beside us had complained about our one-year-old screaming for two seconds when we arrived and woke him up hungry, that isn't a party. That came after a frustrating parking situation. Parking costs $20 per vehicle per day, and when we got in around 10:30 at night, the covered garage beneath the rooms was full. It's the only way to reach the elevators, which we needed for our stroller and luggage. I had to move the car to the lot behind the hotel. There's no direct way to that lot: you have to take an elevator inside to the P level, walk around the garage, and reach the only exit in its middle. Our room was at the far end of a wing, so I made that walk twice during our one-night stay. I wouldn't have minded as much if parking hadn't cost $20 a night. The place looks nice at first, but it's dated and needs work. The room was just okay, and the TV had no casting option. The towels were so rough they nearly scratched, the mattress was rock hard, and the pillows sank without support. There was even a dirty stain on the toilet lever. Between the aging property, uncomfortable bed and pillows, parking hassle, and that unprofessional call, I don't want to stay at this Hilton again.

The hotel's right off the highway, so getting on the road was easy, and we were close to all the places we visited in Monterey and Carmel. There's a college campus next door that's a lovely place to walk your dog, just a stone's throw away. My dog was comfortable here too. The hotel is nicely updated, my room was great, and I really enjoyed the stay. My only complaint is that the bathroom lighting was a bit dim.

Arturo, the cook, and Jose, our server, made breakfast feel special. They were so welcoming and went out of their way to make our mornings enjoyable. Hilton didn't have gluten-free bread at first, but the next morning they surprised us with fresh GF bread, and they also made meals to suit our needs each day. They shared helpful local recommendations that added to our two-week trip in America. Their kindness and attention to detail stood out. My friend and I spent two nights at the Hilton Garden Inn Monterey and had a fantastic stay. The concierge staff helped us with a few small issues and were very accommodating. I'd especially recommend it for the hospitality from the breakfast team.