I visited Monterey last May whilst on a trip touring California. I had read all about the area in various guidebooks and decided it was worth going out of our way to stay there for a few nights. I reasearched the hotels myself on the internet and found the Monterey Bay Inn being one of the most popular so booked ahead. Be warned it is expensive but OH so lovely. More about the hotel below.
We had been staying in san francisco for 4 nights before picking up our hire car and setting off along the coast for monterey. The drive alone was well worth it as there was stunning views around every bend.
We arrived at the hotel (Monterey Bay Inn) at 4pm just in time for them to be bringing out the cookies and coffee provided free of charge to guests. I had booked the coastline view rather than the park view (the cheapest) or the full bay view (the dearest) as I had been told the full bay view was not worth the extra as you could only see sea. It turned out to be absolutly true and I was so glad we had booked the coastline room as it gave us a much more varied lookout of the harbour, sea, and park area.
The rooms are very large and spacious with a seriously soft feather king size bed (you will never forget sleeping on one of these), sofa bed, balcony with table and chairs, binoculars to explore the view from the balcony, TV, phone, video, bath robes and cd player. Breakfast is also included in the price and is delivered to your room (the hotel doesnt have a restaurant). There is an open roof top jacuzzi as well as another jaccuzzi on the second floor. The roof top one has stunning views around the bay from the relaxed comfort of the spa. Rooms cost approx $200 per night per room for the ocean harbour view, $20 less for the park view and $60 more for the full ocean view.
We went out to explore the area in the evening and had a meal in a nearby restaurant (forgot the name sorry!) and they do a seafood buffet. Again a bit on the pricey side ($30 each) but you could eat as much as you like and included a pudding and everything was delicous. There was very little else going on in the evening so we planned a full tour the following day. We went to the world renowned aquarium in the morning and found it okay but nothing as good as it made out to be. I certainly didnt find that it would occupy a day or even a full morning.
For the afternoon, we decided to go on the 17 mile drive. Well worth it! There is a charge to go around the private road and is best to start from monterey and you work your way back in a circular route. It takes in varied scenery including bird rock (lots of birds, sea otters, etc) and the lone cypress. I could have easily spent a full day along there as there was so much to do and explore.
Overall, I would thoroughly recommend a visit to monterey and a stay in the monterey bay inn. It was a little out of our way (we headed to yosemite afterwards) but I would make a point to return here again if I was to be in california again. A quiet and peaceful place where luxury is uppermost.