Monterey Beach Hotel, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel

Sheevani at the front desk was quick and very helpful, and the service and views here are really good. The restaurant was good too, served our food at the right time, and accommodated my wife’s allergies. One thing to know is that the ocean-view rooms have no privacy if you open the shades, because the walkway is directly in front of the window. They also charge $9 for water in the room, so bring your own.

We came from Southern California for our first trip to Monterey, and this stay made it special enough that we’re already planning another visit with friends. The hotel is directly on the beach with easy access, but feels peaceful and tucked away from the crowds. Downtown, the restaurants, and the wharf are only a few minutes away, and Carmel is a quick drive. Our dog had a great time too. The staff treated her like a VIP, which is rare at a place that truly welcomes dogs rather than merely allowing them. The concierge text service made questions and requests easy, and we loved the automated wine bar and daily wine vouchers. Sitting in the ocean-view lounge with a glass of wine and the sound of the waves became one of our favorite parts of the trip. The rooms are beautiful and comfortable, making the stay feel both elevated and relaxing. One small thing we wished for was an outdoor rinse station for sandy dogs. The handheld shower sprayer worked well enough for cleanup after the beach, though. We can’t say enough good things about this California coast gem and can’t wait to return.

I stayed over Christmas and was extremely unhappy. The hotel is advertised as four-star and has amenities such as a pool and hot tub, but there’s a $25 daily resort fee, and the desk never explained what it covered. I only found out by asking another guest on day two. The internet was down during my stay, and the jacuzzi was broken. I understand that things happen, but nobody explained the situation or tried to resolve it. Parking cost $56, which the front desk didn’t mention until checkout. There’s convenient, safe street parking close by, so I don’t know who would want to pay that fee. After I checked out and left a review, the manager emailed about settling something. I replied, but never heard back. One sentence to describe it: a luxury motel with $56 parking fees.

The location is absolutely beautiful, and the nightly s’mores were a great little treat. The staff were very accommodating: they let me check in early and check out late, then extended checkout again when my whale-watching tour ran late. They also gave us four glasses of wine on the house for my birthday. The amenities were great, and I had a wonderful stay at Monterey Beach Hotel. Parking at $56 a night is a bit pricey, but after the rest of the experience, I didn’t mind paying it. I’d definitely recommend the hotel and stay again.