The Stevenson Monterey

It’s a real bargain for the price, with a clean, well-kept property and staff who were friendly and helpful. The bed was excellent, though it may feel too soft to some. Downtown is right there, and Fisherman Wharf and the convention center are close by. The aquarium takes a bit of a walk along the bay to reach. It was very quiet, and there’s a small pool.

The staff were so helpful and welcoming, especially the manager who greeted me after my rough three-plus-hour drive from SFO through rush-hour traffic. My room was clean, updated, and quiet, and I slept well both nights. Having a coffee maker in the room and easy parking was great. I came for the Monterey Bay half marathon in November, and the motel worked perfectly: it’s central, with a short walk to packet pickup, the start, and the finish. I could have coffee and walk to the start on race morning without dealing with traffic or parking. I’d stay here again if I come back to Monterey.

My wife and I booked three nights here months ahead for a marriage conference in Monterey in late November and paid about $400 in full. When circumstances forced me to travel out of state to see my 76-year-old dad, I tried to cancel around three weeks before the stay, not at the last minute. They refused to refund us. I wouldn’t recommend staying here if you don’t want to lose your money.

The location suited us well, about a seven-minute walk through downtown’s commercial area to the conference center. The staff were great, and the underground garage was very convenient. The rooms have been refurbished, though the hotel as a whole still feels quite old.