Monterey has three types of lodgings: lace-and-flower B&Bs, large corporate hotels, or run-of-the-mill motels. Consider where you'd like to be and how much you want to spend, then check out the options below or contact Resort 2 Me (tel. 800/757-5646; www.resort2me.com), a local reservations service that offers free recommendations of Monterey Bay-area hotels in all price ranges.
Expensive -- Two chain hotels are popular with business travelers and conventioneers, near Fisherman's Wharf: The Monterey Marriott, 350 Calle Principal, at Del Monte Boulevard (tel. 888/236-2427 or 831/649-4234; www.marriott.com), offers some rooms with bay views, an outdoor pool, health club, Jacuzzi, and saunas. Less central but great for families and golfers, the Hyatt Regency Monterey resort, 1 Old Golf Course Rd. (tel. 800/233-1234 or 831/372-1234; www.hyatt.com) adjoins the Del Monte Golf Course, with three pools, two Jacuzzis, a gym, tennis courts, and two restaurants.
Moderate -- Munras Avenue and northern Fremont Avenue are lined with moderate and inexpensive family-style motels, some independently owned and some chains. They're not as central as the downtown options, and atmosphere is seriously lacking on Fremont, but if transportation isn't an issue, you can save a bundle by staying in one of these areas. If the following places are full, try calling the Cypress Gardens Inn, 1150 Munras Ave. (tel. 877/922-1150 or 831/373-2761; www.cypressgardensinn.com), with a pool, Jacuzzi, free movie channels, and continental breakfast (dogs are welcome); the Monterey Fireside Lodge, 1131 10th St. (tel. 800/722-2624 or 831/373-4172; www.firesidemonterey.com) near Fisherman's Wharf and downtown; or the El Adobe Inn, 936 Munras Ave. (tel. 831/372-5409; www.el-adobe-inn.com), a 26-room motor lodge close to downtown with distant bay views from several rooms.
Inexpensive -- If you're still having trouble finding an inexpensive vacancy, try calling Monterey's chain gang: Motel 6 (tel. 800/4-MOTEL-6; www.motel6.com), Comfort Inn (tel. 877/424-6423; www.choicehotels.com), Travelodge (tel. 800/578-7878; www.travelodge.com), or Super 8 (tel. 800/800-8000; www.super8.com).
