Monterey Beach Hotel Review: A Rare Oceanfront Stay on California’s Central Coast
Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea are two iconic, must-visit destinations in California. Although often used as a gateway to Big Sur, they’re well worth visiting in their own right.
The coast is the main attraction here, though it’s rare to actually stay on the beach — which is one reason the newly renovated Monterey Beach Hotel is such an exciting addition to the area’s hotel scene.
Last fall, I spent a night here to see what the property was like. Here’s my honest review of Monterey Beach Hotel and what it’s like to stay here.
At a Glance: Monterey Beach Hotel
LOCATION: 5 minutes from downtown Monterey [see on Google Maps]
VIBE: Retro, coastal hotel with modern amenities
HIGHLIGHTS: Ocean views, rooftop restaurant, and beachside location
ROOMS: 192 rooms
DOG-FRIENDLY: Yes! 🐶 for an additional fee
BOOK NOW: Hotel website | Expedia | Hotels.com | Booking.com
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An Iconic 1960s Property, Now Updated With Spacious, Coastal Rooms
Premium King Room at Monterey Beach Hotel
Monterey Beach Hotel first opened in 1967 and has had several lives over the course of its operation. Recently, it was added it to Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio, completing a $60 million renovation that breathes new life into the hotel.
The result is modern, comfortable rooms that embrace the oceanfront location while still preserving much of the architecture’s original retro charm. The décor is coastal yet contemporary, with cozy touches like fireplaces in the social spaces and window-side lounge areas in the rooms that center around enjoying the nature just outside.
I stayed in a Premium King room with ocean views and loved how spacious the bedroom area felt. The shower and toilet area was a bit small, though still well-appointed with luxury bath amenities and a rain shower. In any case, the generous vanity area more than made up for it and made getting ready in the morning easy and comfortable.
Rooms also come with TVs, an espresso maker, and binoculars — perfect for bird- or whale-watching from the comfort of your room. However, although I enjoyed having front-row access to the ocean views and seagull shenanigans, the exterior corridors did compromise privacy when I had the blinds open.
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Location: Beachside and Minutes from Town
The location is one of the top reasons to book a stay at Monterey Beach Hotel. Due to California’s strict coastal regulations and permitting process, new properties this close to the ocean are rare, making Monterey Beach Hotel’s oceanfront setting a rarity in a region that’s all about enjoying the stunning coastline.
I loved being able to grab a coffee and step right onto Monterey State Beach for a morning walk. Since I visited in late November, the weather was a bit cold and windy, so I didn’t spend much time on the outdoor patio. However, I found the firepits and ocean-facing lounge areas inviting and would gladly sit there to enjoy an evening drink or morning coffee on warmer days. Fortunately, the property also has a cozy lobby bar with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the gorgeous ocean views and comfortable seating — perfect for colder days.
That said, the hotel is about a five-minute drive from downtown Monterey, in the neighboring town of Seaside, so it’s not particularly walkable. However, it’s right off the bike path and easy to get to and from town on two wheels.
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Lobby Bar and A Rooftop Restaurant
Monterey Beach Hotel has two options for food and drink: a lounge and bar in the first-floor lobby and a rooftop restaurant called The Lantern Room. During my stay, I tried both.
The lobby bar seemed to be a popular happy hour spot, made all the more fun by its self-serve wine wall featuring proprietary bottles. With plush chairs facing the windows and a roaring fireplace, it’s a comfortable place to watch the waves.
Although I usually skip hotel restaurants, I was pleasantly surprised by The Lantern Room. It’s worth arriving just before sunset since — if you’re catching a theme here — it’s designed for maximum view enjoyment. But the appeal doesn’t stop there. The service was genuinely friendly, and the food was delicious. Using ingredients from local partners like Ad Astra Bread and Sea Harvest Fish Market, the menu is seasonal and seafood-forward. I ordered the grilled branzino with sweet corn and enjoyed every bite. Save room for dessert, though — the bread pudding is generous and very good.
The restaurant is also open for breakfast, with a range of American classics like buttermilk pancakes and a mushroom omelet featuring Big Sur chanterelles.
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On-Site Pool and Sauna
In addition to the plentiful spaces to lounge — both indoors and out — Monterey Beach Hotel also has an outdoor pool and a cozy garden area with steam saunas. The weather in this area can be a bit unpredictable, so it’s nice to know there’s a way to indulge and unwind whether you luck out with a warm, sunny day (hello, pool) or are greeted with that quintessential California fog (warm sauna, it is).
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Overall + Price
BOOK NOW: Hotel website | Expedia | Hotels.com | Booking.com
Generally speaking, hotels in the Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and Big Sur area can get pricey — and fast. Especially on weekends and during peak travel seasons, it can be hard to find something decent under $500 per night. Admittedly, this hotel can sometimes reach that price point, but I’ve also seen rates as low as $300 per night, depending on the season, which feels reasonable for what you get. That said, it’s also a Marriott property, making it a solid option for redeeming points.
Overall, I’d recommend this hotel if you’re looking for a quiet yet still centrally located place to stay near Monterey, with easy beach and bike path access, oceanfront views, ample public lounge space, friendly staff, and comfortable beds. It may not be the right fit if you want to be within walking distance of downtown Monterey.
