Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa**** 400 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940

Perched on stilts over the waters of Monterey Bay, the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa sits right on Steinbeck's legendary "Cannery Row". The "wow factor" is evident in the understated wood-paneled entrance and public rooms, the graciously appointed rooms & suites, especially those looking out over the lapping waves with glimpses of seals at play, sea otters and fishing boats chugging to and from their harvest. One of the best hotels in the area with over 290 deluxe guest-rooms. A perfect place to just unwind or use as a base to explore Monterey and Carmel.

Linda and Peter D'Aprix 2010

The elegant European interior style architecture of the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa adds a touch of glamour to the Monterey Peninsula and Cannery Row. The service is warm and gracious. The rooms and suites are very well appointed. Without doubt, the rooms with ocean-view micro-balconies are the most fun as they look out over the sea and provide endlessly changing ocean views, sights and sounds of the seals, otter and dolphins at play, the rising sun, the fishing boats, the visitors paddling along the coast line in their colorful rental canoes not to mention the soothing music of the waves breaking on the rocks below and the salt ladened breezes that drift into your room.

To see web album of more photos, click here Peter D'Aprix © 2010

Our room was one of those with the balcony and view and sea breezes. Peter spent most of his time just enjoying breathing in the aromas of the sea and becoming mesmerized by watching the waves crash on the rocks below - almost as good as the spa - almost. The room was spacious with the sea side wall as sliding glass doors and plate glass floor to ceiling windows that provide access to the balcony and unlimited views to the watery horizon. The large beds are very comfortable, a ceiling fan above it for those of use who hate air-conditioning plus air-conditioning for those of us who don't.

The room was decorated with classic Biedermeier-style furniture, decorator fabrics, European duvet bed coverings not to mention WiFi, a "make up" nook for the women of the party, and a bathroom with all the expected amenities but decorated with both charming as well as functional items. The sound proofing is good, so despite being surrounded by hundreds of other guests, you would really never know it as you relax on the bed and look out at the soothing view of the bay, the birds and the sound of the surf.

If you are coming to wind down, the hotel's "Vista Blue Spa" is perfect. With its roof-top location, the Vista Blue Spa provides both comfort and relaxed refinement with treatments geared toward rejuvenating the body, renewing the spirit and reviving the senses. With everything from massages, facials, body wraps, and "signature" treatments such as the Monterey Bay Salt Glo treatment, you will feel stress flowing away.

There are three eateries: a cafe/coffee shoop "La Strada" serving Peets coffee, pastries and salads "to go" that is more of the "lounge" style of today's coffee bistro with seating both inside and out; "Schooners Bistro on the Bay" suspended over the waters of Monterey Bay is an informal, fun restaurant. Schooners offers fresh fare in a unique indoor/outdoor dining environment. The heated outdoor terrace invites al fresco dining year round, while the classic sailing vessel design makes indoor seating fun and appealing in all weather conditions. Schooners' menu highlights fresh seafood with your choice of several different preparations. The menu also includes pastas, hot appetizers, unique salads, soups and hearty sandwiches. This is a presentable hotel restaurant with food that is good although not outstanding. Its main merit is its location and fabulous views. Lastly, there is "The Duck Club Grill" also offering panoramic views of Monterey Bay. The Grill offers a more sophisticated cuisine in a more formal setting. The menu features the freshest local produce, sustainable seafood and oak-broiled steaks. Wood-roasted specialties, such as Steinbeck's Duck and Colorado Lamb Chops, are prepared in the Italian wood-burning oven.

Once rested, massaged and sustained, the next step is to enjoy the famous region that surrounds the hotel. Step out the door and you are on Cannery Row. This makes it easy to enjoy the area's many attractions and activities, including the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium just three blocks away. Fisherman's Wharf, the Maritime Museum and old town Monterey are within walking distance, or you can rent bicycles and/or four person "surreys". The old railway cutting has been converted to a bike and walking path that avoids the main auto drag. The charming Carmel-by-the-Sea, filled with art galleries, restaurants and shopping, is a short car trip around the bay. Sure, Cannery Row itself has been converted from its original bleak, bone weary, back breaking canneries, (the remains of which can still be seen rotting of exposure and neglect in the salt and sun of the bay) to a glitzy row of tourist attractions. But if you accept it for what it is, it can be fun for both kids and parents alike. The side streets that step up the hillside away from the beach, are filled with little restaurants (many ethnic), galleries and stores as well as determined surviving houses of the time of Steinbeck, some looking as though a paint brush has not been in evidence since.

From the hotel, there are many activities to enjoy. Launch a kayak from the Hotel's beach, play a round of golf at one of 19 local championship courses, go sailing, whale watch or scuba dive in the protected marine sanctuary of Monterey Bay. Head a bit inland and visit wineries, see artists at work, drive along the coast to the south and experience the heady vistas of Big Sur. There is no end of things to do.

Please note: For all of our European friends and visitors, the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa is all non-smoking.

Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa
400 Cannery Row,
Monterey, CA 93940, USA
Tel.: +1-831.646-1700
Toll Free: (800) 334-3999
Web Site: www.montereyplazahotel.com
Email: reservations@montereyplazahotel.com

Monterey Plaza Hotel Directions Directions from San Francisco Driving time from San Francisco to Monterey is approximately two hours. Take Highway 101 South (toward Los Angeles). Remain on Highway 101 South and exit at the Monterey Peninsula Exit - Highway 156. Highway 156 will become Highway 1. Drive South on Highway 1 approximately 20 miles to Pacific Grove/Del Monte exit. Travel on Del Monte for 2 miles. Proceed through the tunnel, and Del Monte will become Lighthouse Avenue. Take the first right (veer) after the tunnel, off Lighthouse Avenue onto Foam Street. At the second stop light, turn right on Reeside Avenue. Go to the end of the street and turn left on Cannery Row. The Hotel is located on the right side of the street, at 400 Cannery Row. Directions From The South Take Hwy 101 North to Salinas and take Hwy 68/Monterey Peninsula exit. Turn left on Blanco Rd. to Hwy 68. Turn left on Hwy 68. Follow Hwy 68 West until you reach Hwy 1. Follow Hwy 1 South/Monterey exit to the Monterey/Fisherman's Wharf exit. Turn right on Camino Aguajito and follow to Del Monte Ave. Turn left onto Del Monte Ave. Follow Del Monte through the tunnel, bearing right, which turns into Lighthouse Ave. Veer right after the tunnel off Lighthouse Ave. onto Foam St. At the 2nd light turn right on Reeside Ave. Go to the end of the street and turn left onto Cannery Row. The Hotel is located at the end of the block at 400 Cannery Row. From Monterey Peninsula Airport With over 80 daily flights, the Monterey Peninsula Airport (MRY) is a quick 10-minute drive from the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa. There are direct flights from Denver, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, San Diego and San Francisco and it is serviced by American/American Eagle, Delta/Delta Connection, United/United Express and US Airways (formerly America West). From San Francisco International Airport/ San Jose International Airport San Francisco International Airport is 100 miles north of Monterey, with a driving time of approximately two hours. San Jose International Airport is 75 miles north of Monterey, with a driving time of approximately 1.5 hours. Ground service is available from both San Francisco and San Jose Airports to the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa.