Escape to Monterey's Coastal Paradise: Best Western Inn & Suites Awaits!
Escape to Monterey: My Coastal Paradise Found (…Mostly) at the Best Western Inn & Suites… A Review That's Probably Too Long!
Okay, so I just got back from Monterey, and let me tell you, it was a whirlwind. Fog, seals barking like grumpy old men, that smell… you know, ocean-y… and the whole reason for the trip: a little R&R, a chance to finally finish that darn novel. And the home base for this adventure? The Best Western Inn & Suites – or, as I'm now calling it, "The Best Western, Monterey Edition."
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First Impressions: The Good, the Fog, and the "Oh, Honey, That's a Bit… Dated"
Driving up, the Best Western looked… well, like a Best Western. You know the drill. Clean lines, expected facade, not exactly shouting "luxury," but hey, Monterey ain't about glitz. It's about the vibe, right? The salty air. The chances of seeing a whale.
Accessibility – My Biggest Worry, and Mostly, It Passed!
Now, I’m the kind of person who appreciates a ramp. I'm also the kind of person who appreciates a well-placed grab bar. And thankfully, this Best Western, at least in terms of accessibility, mostly delivered. Wheelchair accessible rooms were available, and the common areas, like the lobby and the restaurants, seemed pretty navigable. I'm not an accessibility expert, but I found it easy enough to get around. The elevator was a lifesaver. Facilities for disabled guests were clearly considered a priority. The only thing I found a tiny bit annoying? Some doors were a touch stiff, requiring a bit of a shove. Not a dealbreaker, but worth noting.
Rooms: Clean, Cozy, and… Let's Talk about the Décor
Okay, here's where the "mostly" comes in. The rooms, thankfully, were pretty dang clean. Huge relief! We are talking daily housekeeping, which was wonderful. The anti-viral cleaning products made me feel safer than I have in a long time (especially after dealing with all crowds). The rooms [are] sanitized between stays, which is HUGE. The room sanitization opt-out available – hey, your choice, but I wanted them zapped! The towels, too, were fluffy and plentiful. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! – major win!
The furniture? Ah, the furniture. Let’s just say it leaned heavily into the "classic Best Western" aesthetic: beige, neutral, and… well, kind of plain. The carpeting, while clean, felt a little… dated. But the blackout curtains were a godsend! Perfect for sleeping off that jet lag. Extra points for the extra long bed that was actually extra long. I’m tall, and I hate dangling feet!
Also: Air conditioning, air conditioning in public area: big thumbs up! And a refrigerator! Hello, leftover clam chowder from Fisherman's Wharf! (Pro-tip: get the sourdough bread bowl. You’re welcome.)
Internet: Yes, It Exists!
Free Wi-Fi! Yep, Internet itself worked pretty darn well. I needed it to finish my book, and it did the job. I didn't need Internet [LAN], but it was there (Internet services). Good signal in the room, though occasionally it hiccuped. Totally acceptable. Good enough for me.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Ups and Downs of Chowder and Cocktails
Alright, let's delve into the sustenance situation. The hotel boasted several options, which always makes me happy—gotta love a place with restaurants!
- Breakfast Buffet: The Breakfast [buffet] was included, which is always a bonus. Buffet in restaurant: Yes, it was! Asian breakfast – I think I saw some, but it wasn't the focus. Western breakfast – well, let's say it was… adequate. Eggs, bacon, toast, the usual suspects. But, and this is a but, the coffee… was sadly lacking. Needed a serious jolt! Thankfully, there's a coffee/tea maker in the room itself!
- Restaurants: There were a couple of restaurants on site (the standard desserts in restaurant selection was actually pretty decent). The bar looked inviting, there was Happy hour!
- Room Service: Room service [24-hour] – a godsend at 2:00 AM when a craving for a burger hits!
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Dreams… and Reality
Here’s where the review takes a slightly more… wistful turn. I had visions of myself, relaxed, pampered, utterly Californian. And the Best Western kind of delivered, but not quite.
- The Pool: The Swimming pool [outdoor] was lovely! Clean, and the pool with view was a definite highlight. Sunsets over the water? Absolutely stunning. The water felt nice and refreshing.
- Spa? Now, here's where my dreams got a little… deflated. There wasn't a full-blown spa. No Body Wraps, no Body Scrubs. No fancy spa treatments. There was some mention of a very, very basic fitness center, but no Sauna, Spa/Sauna, or Steamroom. Just the pool. My inner spa diva whimpered.
- Fitness Center: The Fitness center existed, but it was small. Very small. I'm not judging, but if you are a fitness enthusiast, you'll be doing calisthenics in your room.
- Things to relax: The hotel does provide the perfect environment to relax. They are non-smoking rooms, your can enjoy the terraces and the balcony for the best view – nothing better than going out of your room and enjoying the weather and the view.
Cleanliness & Safety: Feeling Secure (Most of the Time)
In the wake of all the post-pandemic anxieties, Cleanliness and safety is paramount! Okay, so I'm a bit of a clean freak. The good news? The Best Western seemed to take it seriously. The daily disinfection in common areas was reassuring. They used professional-grade sanitizing services. They used Hand sanitizer, which was everywhere. Staff trained in safety protocol, and they were friendly! Also, the hotel is a hotel chain – big plus! However, I never saw any Sterilizing equipment.
I did feel relatively safe. The CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Smoke alarms, Fire extinguisher: all good. The front desk [24-hour] was always manned.
Services and Conveniences: From Luggage Storage to… a Souvenir Shop (Maybe?)
Plenty of helpful things, and some less exciting things.
- The Concierge was friendly and helpful.
- Daily housekeeping was efficient.
- Dry cleaning – always a plus.
- Food delivery service!
- Laundry Service – saved my life.
- Luggage storage was provided.
- Safe deposit boxes available.
But – and this is a small gripe – I searched long and hard for the Gift/souvenir shop and couldn't find it.
Getting Around: Easy Peasy… if You Have a Car
- Car park [free of charge]: Parking was plentiful and free! Score!
- Airport Transfer: Never took advantage of this.
- Taxi service: Existed.
- Car park [on-site]: Good.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly-ish
I didn't bring any kids, but I did observe the following: Family/child friendly: Yes. From what I saw the hotel is family-friendly.
The Quirks, Imperfections, and Honest Truths!
Okay, so here's the truth: This isn't the perfect hotel. It's not the Four Seasons. It's a solid, dependable, and in many ways, very pleasant place to stay.
One little thing that kept happening? The elevator? Sometimes, it got a little… stuck. Not for long, but enough to make me clutch my pearls once or twice. Also, one of the staff members kept calling me "Ma'am" – a little irritating as I am in my late
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Okay, strap in, because this is NOT a perfectly polished travel itinerary. This is a goddamn experience, the kind that leaves you slightly bewildered and occasionally, profoundly, happily exhausted. This is Monterey, baby, from the perspective of someone who needs a nap really bad after writing all this. And it’s ALL about the Best Western. Because, well, life happens.
Monterey Muddy Madness: A Best Western Rhapsody (and Really Bad Coffee)
Day 1: Arrival and the Awkward Embrace of the Best Western
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at Monterey-Salinas Airport (MRY). Let's be honest, that airport is charming in a "small town dentist's office" kind of way. Grab my rental, pray it's not a lemon. (It was a slightly used, but working, Ford Focus named Gertrude).
- 1:45 PM: Check into Best Western The Inn and Suites Pacific Grove Monterey. Okay, first thoughts? The lobby smells vaguely of chlorine and regret. But hey, free continental breakfast! Score. (More on that later, much, much later). The check-in lady, bless her heart, seemed to be simultaneously wrestling a dial-up modem and a toddler. It's endearing, really.
- 2:30 PM: Unpack. Realize I forgot my favorite travel-sized shampoo. Panic. Contemplate showering with hand soap. Decide against it. This sets the tone. Already.
- 3:00 PM: A stroll around Pacific Grove. The town is postcard-perfect, which makes me suspicious. You know? TOO perfect. The houses are quaint, the ocean is aggressively blue, and everyone seems to be walking a dog. I feel like I'm in a Wes Anderson movie…which, truthfully, always puts me on edge.
- 4:00 PM: The Quest for Caffeine. Seriously. My internal coffee alarm is SCREAMING. Find a local cafe, "Cafe Albatross" (I think, something with a bird, anyway). Ordering… ordering… and BAM. Burnt. Bitter. The caffeine that keeps me alive. "But," I whisper to Gertrude, "how can you live without?"
- 5:00 PM: Head back to the Best Western. Settle in. The room? Decent. The view? Of a parking lot. Fine. I'm not here for the parking lot. (But there's the potential for a nice sunset. Maybe I'll watch it…)
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a local seafood place, The Fish Hopper. Okay, it was the most obvious choice, I know, but I'm starving. The fish was good. The seagulls were aggressive. I almost lost my fries. It was all very 'Monterey'.
- 8:00 PM: Attempt to watch TV. Remote control battle. I give up.
- 9:00 PM: SLEEP. (Or try to. The motel has thin walls, I can hear the couple next door arguing and I am really tired)
Day 2: The Ocean's Charms (and the Breakfast Debacle)
- 7:00 AM: "Continental Breakfast" at Best Western. OH. My. God. Do NOT get me started. The coffee tasted like it had been filtered through a gym sock. The muffins were… what were those? Dry, strangely sweet, and of a shade of beige that defies explanation. The yogurt? Questionable. The whole setup felt… wrong. Like a cruel joke played on weary travelers. I manage to choke down a sad banana. The highlight was probably the pre-packaged mini-waffles.
- (The Breakfast Debacle deserves its own mini-section because, frankly, it defines the experience.)
- I tried to get a second coffee, braced myself, and poured. The taste was the same. I tried mixing it with the orange juice. Still bad. I gave up, defeated. I looked around the room, the other guests staring blankly into their breakfast as well. We were all victims. We were united in our shared, bitter misery. It was beautiful.
- I watched the people and saw a man with a beard the size of a small yak, devouring the muffins with the gusto of a Viking. I admired him. What was his strength? What secret ingredient was he using to overcome the blandness?
- I have a theory: The hotel is playing a long-con on its guests. They serve such terrible breakfast that you’re FORCED to explore the town for good food. Smart, really.
- I should have asked for my money back.
- (The Breakfast Debacle deserves its own mini-section because, frankly, it defines the experience.)
- 8:00 AM: Drive the iconic 17-Mile Drive. The views ARE breathtaking. But it's also full of tourists, which is a mild buzzkill. The golf courses are ridiculously green.
- 10:00 AM: Visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It IS amazing. Seriously. The jellyfish are mesmerizing. The otters are adorable. I could spend all day there. (I almost did.)
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at a casual spot, maybe in Cannery Row. Try to avoid the tourist traps. (Easier said than done.) Looked for some good seafood.
- 2:30 PM: Return to the room. Rest. I'm starting to realize that the Best Western is actually…kind of comfortable. The air conditioning works. The bed, while not luxurious, is surprisingly good (compared to the breakfast, at least). I manage to get a nap in.
- 4:00 PM: Explore the local shops. Get some souvenirs. Maybe a quirky postcard.
- 6:00 PM: Drive along the coast. Sunset. Take photos. Feel the wind in my hair and the soul of the ocean. So amazing I think I want to cry. (But the day feels like a day of freedom!)
- 7:30 PM: Dinner somewhere low-key, maybe a pizza place.
- 9:00 PM: Bed. More peaceful, but it's an adventure.
Day 3: Back to Reality (and a More Resolute Breakfast)
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast. Okay. I know what to expect. Pre-emptive strike: brought my own granola bars (and a thermos of REAL coffee from that cafe I found). I manage to tolerate the muffins, this time just picking at them. Progress!
- 8:00 AM: A final walk along the beach. Meditate. Try to absorb all the nature. Feel the sand. I try to take it with me.
- 9:00 AM: Check-out. Say a fond, if slightly sarcastic, farewell to the Best Western. Make my way to the airport.
- 10:00 AM: One last glimpse of ocean views as I drive. (And wonder if I can fit the memory of the breakfast in my carry-on baggage.)
- 11:00 AM: Depart Monterey.
- (Final Thoughts and Ramblings)
- Monterey is beautiful. The ocean is incredible.
- The Best Western? It's a Best Western. It's not fancy. It's not perfect. But it's clean, accessible, and has decent internet, which these days is as good as gold. And the terrible breakfast? Well, it made me appreciate the good things in life, like a decent cup of coffee and a quiet moment.
- I'd go back. I think I'm actually missing the place already.
- And next time, I'm bringing my own coffee maker.
- And maybe a travel-sized bag of sanity.
- (Final Thoughts and Ramblings)
- 1:00 PM: Arrive home. Unpack. Miss Monterey. (But also, secretly, glad to be home.)
This is just a framework. It's all about how Monterey and the Best Western become ingrained in your brain; a place where the ordinary is replaced with odd, the touristy with the unusual, and the predictable by experience. Have fun!
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Escape to Monterey's Coastal Paradise: Best Western Inn & Suites Awaits! (Or Does It?) - FAQs, Honestly.
Okay, so the website *says* "Coastal Paradise"... Is it, like, actually pretty? I'm picturing... you know, Instagram-worthy?
Speaking of rooms, what are they like? Is it a 'dated but charming' situation or a 'needs a serious refresh' situation?
The breakfast…is it the usual "continental" disappointment? Or is there hope?
What's the parking situation? Because I've heard Monterey parking is a nightmare.
Is it a good location for exploring Monterey and the surrounding area?
Are there any hidden costs I should be aware of?
Okay, the pool… Is it worth bothering with?
Anything else I should know? Any deal-breakers?
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