Upon arrival at the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa, you instantly know you’ll stay at a very special place. After all, it’s set along historic Cannery Row and offers commanding views of the Monterey Bay. What’s more, as the only Forbes 4-Star Hotel, it’s without question the best hotel in the historic city of Monterey. Coupled with gourmet dining, nicely appointed accommodations, and world-class hospitality, it should come as no surprise that it’s also TripAdvisor’s top local hotel.
Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa
400 Cannery Row
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 920-6710
www.montereyplazahotel.com
The Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa opened in 1985 and recently underwent an extensive renovation. However, the land it rests upon has a history that stretches much further. In fact, the original 1901 structure, Casa De Las Olas, was built as a summer home – well before this area was known as Cannery Row. While this mansion was meant to be the proverbial anchor of a California Riviera, it was eventually demolished in 1944 to make way for a fish cannery. Today, the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa is the premier hotel in Monterey and the preferred destination for travelers worldwide. The Plaza is a member of the Woodside Hospitality Group led by President and CEO Greg Alden. The Woodside Collection includes many of the finest hotel properties in Northern California. This consists of The Lodge at Bodega Bay, Harvest Inn, Hotel Disco Pacific Heights, and Napa Valley Lodge.
Accommodations
The Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa offers 285 exquisite guest rooms and suites uniquely spread across three landmark buildings. Two buildings are bayside, with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. As for the other inland-side building, it sits across the street from the main complex. While you can cross the street to the inland building, two elevated walkways connect to the main building. These unique features are a tribute to the historic elevated bridges you can see further up Cannery Row. During those landmark times when canneries were still operating, these bridges transported canned fish from one production facility to another.
Guest Room and Suites
Each guest room category has 400 square feet of living space, about half equipped with a balcony and ocean views. You can choose between a single king bed or a double queen bed. Suite sizes range from 700 square feet for the Spa Terrace Suite to the luxurious 2,100 square foot Presidential Suite.
Modern Amenities
Each of the rooms and suites comes with an array of premium amenities. For example, you’ll have an HDTV, laptop-compatible safe, complimentary Wi-Fi- and a Nespresso machine. Inside your room, you’ll find stylish wood furnishings, fine linens, bedding, and impressive artwork adorning the walls. Of course, there are many other fine amenities, like plush bathrobes, marble countertops and shower walls, and premium bath products. You’ll have mini-fridges in some rooms and suites, while in select suites, you’ll have a cozy fireplace and outdoor whirlpool spa.
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Accessibility
Like your king and double queen rooms, you also have accessible guest rooms with 400 square feet of living space. However, with this option, you’ll also have a roll-n-shower with a folding bench and toilet grab bars among its amenities. Additional features you will find convenient are extended curtain rods, phone flashers, ADA-height features, and lowered beds.
Current Hotel Offers and Packages
You can enjoy additional savings by booking your reservations directly rather than with a third party. The hotel offers you the Best Rate Guarantee by booking online or calling. In other words, you won’t find a better nightly rate than directly with the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa. Among the current offers are a Stay Longer & Save savings of up to 15 percent and Adventures by the Sea, with two kayak passes.
Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa Accessibility
As Monterey’s top-rated hotel, the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa has several accessible features. For instance, you can utilize valet-accessible parking, accessible lobby entrances, and accessible elevators. In addition, the exercise facility is accessible, as are meeting rooms and the hotel restaurant and bar. Equally essential features are the accessible registration desk and accessible pathways to accessible rooms. In like manner, there are even more features like accessible routes to the spa and accessible hot tubs with an optional pool hoist. If you travel with a service animal, you’ll be pleased to know that they’re always welcome.
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Hotel Services
In addition to your exceptional room amenities, you have many other hotel amenities and services. Not only do you have valet service with a friendly valet staff, but you also have access to electric charging stations. Your valet service for a daily $35 gives you efficient service and in-and-out privileges. Of course, the lobby staff is equally friendly and hospitable, and there’s an adjacent gift shop. However, the quality of service goes beyond the valet and front desk staff. Indeed, you can expect a similar level of stellar service from both the housekeeping and restaurant/bar staff. Other amenities include complimentary newspapers in the lobby, same-day dry cleaning, complimentary bicycles, and Land Rover shuttle service.
Insider Tip: The Monterey Trolley
If you visit during the summer, there is a free and convenient way to get around. The Monterey Trolley is free, provided by Monterey Salinas Transit, and stops at many local attractions. For example, this free trolley has stops at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Old Fisherman’s Wharf, and Monterey Conference Center. This convenient, electric-powered trolley runs every 10-15 minutes and operates between 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Labor Day. However, the most critical aspect of the trolley is that there are stops on both sides of the street at the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa. Yet another insider tip, especially if you’re a John Steinbeck fan, is to visit the Doc Ricketts Memorial. This local attraction is just beyond the Plaza’s trolley stops at the corner of Wave Street and Drake Avenue. Further up Cannery Row, you’ll find Doc Rickett’s Lab near the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Related: Best Monterey Whale Watching with Princess Monterey
Dining
The Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa features not one but two signature dining experiences with bayside views. For one, you have Schooners Monterey open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you prefer a more lavish culinary experience, try the Coastal Kitchen’s tasting menu, led by Executive Chef Michael Rotondo. Each restaurant offers fresh local produce and many seafood items caught in the Monterey Bay. As for menu recommendations, consider the Belgium waffle ($17) or huevos rancheros ($18). For dinner, you may like the Monterey cioppino pot ($39) and roasted Pacific salmon ($41) at Schooners. While Chef Rotondo’s tasting menu changes seasonally, current items include sashimi of Monterey halibut and 48-braised beef short rib. Coastal Kitchen is listed in the California Michelin Guide.
Additional Dining Options
Complementing the hotel’s signature restaurants is Tidal Coffee and the Lobby Lounge. You can find Tidal Coffee adjacent to the hotel’s Plaza de Monterey, offering gourmet coffee and food. This stylish coffee shop has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, and food items are made in-house daily. You can order panini sandwiches, breakfast burritos, salads, and an assortment of tasty sweets. The Lobby Lounge is a prime spot for crafted cocktails, artisanal bar bits, and simply relaxing by the lobby fireplace. The Lounge is open daily, with extended hours on weekends.
Fitness Center & Spa
As a guest of the elegant Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa, you have access to the fitness center, locker rooms, and hot tubs. Located on the top floor of the second bayside building, you can access that building’s elevator on the plaza level. Alternatively, on the lower level of the main building, walk past Schooners and Coastal Kitchen for another set of elevators. Once you reach the top level, you’ll be greeted by friendly staff who can assist you with spa appointments or retail sales. You’ll find the fitness room equipped with Life Fitness cardio machines, free weights, and weight machines in one section. That’s to say nothing about the Peloton stationary bikes, complimentary water, and spacious locker room facilities.
Outdoor Spa Tubs at the Terrace
Adjacent to the front desk and retail store, you’ll find the Terrace outdoor sundeck and spa tubs. With its top-level location, you can enjoy a soothing tub while admiring panoramic ocean views and the surrounding area. In addition to the hot tubs, you’ll find lounge chairs and a fireplace to keep warm on those cool evenings.
Vista Blue Spa
One of the premier options at the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa is its award-winning Vista Blue Spa. Adjacent to the fitness center and sundeck, Vista Blue Spa is ranked among America’s best spas by Conde Nast and Travel + Leisure. At this luxurious spa facility, you have a full menu of spa treatments, including massages, facials, manicures, and waxing. For the ultimate spa experience, you will love the Private Spa Suite with a private deck. The options for the Private Spa Suite are chocolate-covered strawberries and a bottle of champagne.
Retail Shopping
Yet another reason why the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa is Monterey’s best hotel is its array of upscale retail stores. Located in the Plaza de Monterey and the inland side, you’ll find boutiques like Alchemy beauty salon and the Wine Experience tasting room. At the Wine Experience, you can enjoy fine wines from California appellations like Alexander Valley, Paso Robles, and Monterey. Also on the inland side are a Thomas Kinkade Gallery and Magnolia Monterey Bridal. One last store that may interest you is the Mad Dogs & Englishmen bike shop. Alongside Tidal Coffee, Mad Dogs & Englishmen sells high-quality bikes and e-bikes, including a carbon e-road bike. The shop, named after a classic rock live album by Joe Cocker, also sells bike clothing and accessories and offers bike rentals and tours.
Conference/Event Space
With over 30,000 square feet of event space, the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa offers one of the finest conference facilities on the Monterey Peninsula. This includes the outdoor plaza, with its captivating ocean views, and Cypress Ballroom, with a theater capacity of 500 guests. The Dolphins and smaller rooms for seminars, business meetings, and more are among the other options. As Monterey’s finest hotel, the Plaza is also a trendy wedding venue, and you can make all your arrangements online. The hotel has a promotion through September 30 for groups arriving through December 31, 2024.
Related: Top Attractions to Visit Along the Monterey Peninsula
About the Author
Randy Yagi is an award-winning freelance writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS from 2012 to 2019. More than 900 stories still appear in syndication across over 20 CBS websites, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, Randy had a digital audience reach of 489 million and 5.5 million monthly visitors. Additionally, his stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS News, CBS Radio, Engadget, NBC.com, NJ.com, and Radio.com. He earned a Media Fellowship from Stanford University in 2012.