Monterey Hotel (Alvarado St) - Old Monterey
by Ewingjr98
he Monterey Hotel is in a historic building right along Alvarado Street, at the heart of downtown Monterey. Constructed in 1904, it was renovated in the 1990s. Its 45 rooms range from $100 to less than $200 per night, an awesome deal for this prime location! In 2006 it was announced that the hotel would expand to the empty lot to the south, adding 25 rooms, new retail space, and other features to ensure the hotel lasts another 100 years!
The inside of this hotel is decorated with a classy variety of antique furnishing, wooden shutters, cool mirrors, and wooden trim to create the atmosphere of an old European inn. This is certainly a one of a kind hotel in Monterey!
Peter B's Brewpub (Fisherman's Wharf Area)
by Ewingjr98
I'm never overly optimistic when I go to a bar that's part of a hotel (see my reviews of Monterey's hotel sports bars, Knuckles and Characters, for examples). They are often stale, boring, lacking locals, and decorated with a tacky attempt to feel like its been here forever, even though it was probably just renovated last year. I had to try Peter B's, since it is the only microbrewery in town, and I love a good, fresh beer. I stopped by in late December to celebrate the end of my Christmas shopping for another year.
The entrance is kind of hidden as its located around the back of the Portola Plaza Hotel just 75 yards off of Custom House Plaza, maybe 200 yards from Fishermans Wharf. As you approach you are greeted with a neat little green sign announcing the brewery, a small waterfall with a stream, and a bridge leading to the outdoor seating area and the main entrance. Inside the dining area is spacious, modern, and bright. The bar is to the left of the entrance and has seating for perhaps 10 people.
During my visit they had maybe 6 beers on taps (but they were getting ready to close for a week), mainly your standard amber, hefeweizen, porter, stout, and a winter beer....but no pilsner, lager, IPA, brown ale or other favorites of mine. I decided to try the winter beer, hoping it would be something like Sam Adams Winter Lager (my favorite beer of all time!), but it really wasn't that great. But for just $4 you can't complain too much, as this is one of the cheapest beers I ever had in Monterey. I only had one beer then I had to head home.
The bar area was very full on a Monday afternoon around 3:30 pm about two hours before Monday Night Football. Most of the guys there were locals and knew each other and the bar staff by first name. They obviously like it here, though since some of them were drinking Miller Lite, they like must like the company more than the microbrewskis.
Photos
Montrio from the Monterey Hotel
Forum Posts
Monterey hotel location
by karen_mo
Hallooo, just a quick query, anyone who knows Monterey.... I was looking at booking the Best Western Monterey Inn for 3 nights over Memorial weekend. We wanted to stay near where we could walk out to bars in the evening but don't mind driving to the sights in the day. Is downtown a better place to be staying for the nightlife (less touristy) and is that hotel okay, they all seem a bit pricey round there.
Many thanks, Karen
RE: Monterey hotel location
by yvr
I believe that it is located on motel row, just outside of downtown. Would be somewhat of a walk. don't think there is much right downtown. Lived in Monterey back in the early 70's and there was nothing then.
yvr
RE: RE: Monterey hotel location
by CalifGal
That Best Western will be good. Calle Principal, Pacific Street and Alvarado Streets are where most of the "downtown area" is. There are several little restaurants, bars and pubs there. It's a bit of a walk to Cannery Row (about 1-2 miles). Cannery Row and Fisherman's Wharf are a lot of fun. But be advised, Monterey will most likely be foggy and cold during Memorial Day Weekend, although you might luck out. Best time to visit is late-late summer, early fall and mid-spring.
Check out the local weather 1 week before going:
http://www.theksbwchannel.com/weather/index.html
RE: Monterey hotel location
by joesorce
Check out casamunras-hotel.com
RE: RE: Monterey hotel location
by karen_mo
thanks all, we were looking at booking the Monterey Bay Lodge, unfortunately we can't shift the dates so will have to put up with whatever weather Mother Nature throws at us!! The hotel looks quite a good location near the beach and downtown, does anyone have any experience of this hotel?
Thanks, karen
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