The Monarch Hotel

The desk staff member was very nice, and it’s worth remembering that this is a very old building. The room was spacious, with comfortable beds and plenty of hot water, and the location was handy for restaurants and boutiques. But there was a drop of at least a foot between the bathroom and living area, and the bathroom door was half of something. Nails were left on the carpet, and it surprised me no one had fallen and been seriously hurt. There was lots of molding missing and the whole room could use an update. There’s no elevator, either, and plenty of stairs if mobility is a concern.

We spent two nights and had a very different room each night. Room 10 was probably the cheapest in the hotel: a queen bed, a bathroom with a toilet and tiny shower, and a sink in the bedroom with no mirror. There were no bedside lamps, and only one chair, which I used for my suitcase. The heater wouldn’t turn off, so we had to leave the windows open. It was noisy, and we alternated between blasts of hot and cold air all night. I told the front desk I couldn’t do another night there, and we moved to room 9. That may be the best room: a king bed, large bathroom with a full-size shower, toilet and sink, plus a sitting room with a microwave, fridge, coffee and tea station, lots of extra seating, and one suitcase stand.

The bed was comfortable and I slept well, and the hotel sits right in the middle of the downtown area. This classic late-19th-century hotel has huge proportions and a deep sense of history throughout. I arrived at the last minute in the middle of the night, and the staff were cheerful, helpful, and kind.

We came for one night on a whirlwind weekend trip to the peninsula and ended up staying for two. I won’t reveal our room because I’d rather keep this place a secret. It was beautiful, luxurious, private, and just what we needed to relax and recharge. Mary at the front desk was lovely, and the beds were clean and comfortable. We’ll be back. Just know what you’re getting with an old hotel: the building dates to the late 1800s, has loads of charm, and may once have been a brothel. We guessed that because one room had windows facing the interior stairwell. It’s drafty despite the gas fireplace heating well, and on our first morning the wind whistled through the room. The stairwell is a bit crooked after more than a hundred years of settling, the overhead lights are somewhat glaring, and the skylights in our rooms made a real difference. If you’re after pristine accommodations or have high expectations, this may not be the place for you. It suited us just right.