We love Monterey, CA. Pat and I got married in Monterey, 10 years ago. Once a year we plan a trip back to Monterey to celebrate our anniversary. This year we had to postpone our trip and ended up celebrating in November instead of June. It ended up being a perfect weekend reminiscing on our wedding day. We stayed at The Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay, the same hotel we stayed in for our wedding weekend. The hotel was everything we remembered and we couldn’t have been luckier with the amazing weather. Obviously, this hotel holds a special place in my heart, as well as the Old Monterey area.
Aside from the fact we have amazing memories from our wedding at The Portola Hotel & Spa here are some more reasons we love staying here.
Why We Love Staying at Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay
Convenient & Central Location
Location is the most important thing to me while booking a hotel. Being able to walk to eat and do activities makes things so much easier. The Portola Hotel is in the perfect location, minutes from Old Fishermans Wharf, dining, shopping, and plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained. You can park your car for the duration of your stay and won’t need to drive until you head out of town. There is so much to do in Monterey Bay. This is one of the main reasons we planned our wedding in this area years back and it’s a huge benefit while traveling now with two kids and a small dog in tow. Yep, The Portola Hotel is dog-friendly!
Pet-Friendly
The Portola Hotel is pet-friendly! Pete, our rescue dog, got to come along with us on our trip. They even have bark bowls, a meal prepared just for dogs, at most of the restaurants nearby. Pete only eats dog food, but I love that they have this option. Monterey is a very dog-friendly city.
I don’t think we’ve ever had so many compliments about how cute our dog is then on this mini-vacation.
Amazing Amenities
I always book hotels that have pools, it’s a requirement. We don’t always get the time to go to the pool, but I love having the option. The pool at The Portola Hotel is tucked away between palm trees and a tropical garden with cabanas and comfy lawn chairs. The best part is it opens at 7 am. My kids always wake up early when we’re on vacation, actually, who am I kidding? They always wake up early. Heading to the hot tub and pool is the best way to start the day with kids! Grab a coffee from next door and enjoy a soak while the kids have fun swimming.
The ambiance at The Portola Hotel is magical.
The lobby is straight out of a fairy tale with live trees growing straight out of the floor. There is such attention to detail in each inch of this hotel providing so much inspiration. Even the walls leading up to the back of the hotel at the entrance are living art pieces.
They have choices when it comes to dining. Peter B’s Brewpub and Jacks Monterey are both yummy restaurant options attached to the hotel. They both have bars for those of you interested in a good cocktail or beer. Jacks Monterey serves California Coastal cuisine and Peter B’s Brewpub, pub food.
Beautifully Designed Rooms
The coastal-inspired rooms are newly renovated, spacious, have multiple flat-screen TVs. Plus all the standard amenities; an in-room safe, refrigerator, coffee and tea for the morning, robes, extra pillows, and blankets, even a dog bed can be requested.
The five of us were very comfortable in our Courtyard Room with two queen beds. The Courtyard Rooms have a patio where you can enjoy the fresh coastal air and views. After the kids go to bed it’s the perfect place to sit and talk.
Including bounce-approved beds by Piper and Kenzie.
If you are planning a trip to Monterey, I highly recommend staying at the Portola Hotel and Spa at Monterey Bay. You won’t be disappointed. We’ve stayed here several times and will be back!
Book your stay here for the best deal!
Looking for fun things to do in Monterey, CA, with the kids? Check this out!
Thank you, Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay, for hosting us!
