We just got back from our stay at BW Beach Resort Monterey. Resort is an overstatement for this pricey hotel. First off we were given an ocean facing room where the construction was in progress with all the noise and dust and construction workers walking by your room! The hotel shouldn't even have rented those rooms in the first place. To compensate for all the noise & dust we were given breakfast vouchers which was a joke! There was a long line for the breakfast at the cafe on 4th floor. We had to wait atleast 30 mins to be seated. After that we found out that the voucher was valid only for one type of breakfast on the menu and if you had to order another type, guess what, you had to pay for it. Totally worthless. The hotel is pricey even after we booked thru AAA. We paid $160 per day for ocean facing room) + almost $40 additional per day (parking, energy surcharge, tax etc). Overall I feel its not work the money. Hotel staff was OK. The only positive is the room was facing the ocean view.

I have been staying at this property for business and pleasure for over 30 years, dating back to when it was a Holiday Inn. Over the years, I have see the quality of the facility and the staff support go through several ups and downs, and I am happy to report that it is definitely on the upswing. I have put up with surly and unhelpful staff, a pedestrian restaurant, and weather and time-worn rooms and furniture so that I could enjoy the one thing no other Monterey hotel offers - a direct view of the ocean, and the opportunity to fall asleep to the sound of waves. I am happy to report that the place is under new management, and it shows. Everyone from the front desk staff to Sophie with Housekeeping made me feel welcome and valued. Many efforts have been made to upgrade the accomodations, and many improvements - including the one-way see-through shades are a big hit. The food is still only so-so, but not bad. The parking is a little less convenient, what with the need for a key-card acquired upon check-in (and it used to be free!), but I understand part of the problem is with the need to keep folks out who have no business at the hotel (there is public access to the beach). Yes, the hotel has a "motel" feel to it (after all, it WAS a Holiday Inn!), but the advantages absolutely outweigh the disadvantages - and that is an opinion from an otherwise picky traveler!

I would not stay at this hotel. The room we were given is the worst most depressing room I have ever stayed in, it was like a dungeon - round the front in the basement with no window!! more like a prison than a hotel room. Also the service at the restauarant was terrible, they tried to serve us our starter at the same time as our main course. The hotel is ugly. Only good thing is views of the ocean but you would need to make sure you got a room with a sea view as other wise you're overlooking the main road. Personally I would stay either in central Monterey or in nearby Carmel which is beautiful but definitely not in this hotel.

We stayed there this past week on a Monday night. I booked two rooms via their web-site and under the comment section of each room added "adjoining rooms please". Several days prior to our arrival, I called directly to the hotel and confirmed our reservation and our request. The day of our arrival, I called in the morning and spoke to the front desk and was told that we had adjoining rooms and a "hold" was placed on our rooms. Well, you guessed it! On our arrival just a couple of hours later, we did not have adjoining rooms!!!!! We were not told this at check in, just handed our two room keys and sent off! When we realized the situation, I returned to the front desk and was told "the adjoining rooms are occupied". The clerk could have cared less. I explained that I had called the hotel twice and gave the name of the clerk I had spoke to that very morning, but the supervisor could have cared less and gave me no explanation as to what happened!!! Very bad first impression. While I know that a "request" is not guaranteed, I find it very odd that just hours earlier we were told our request would be honored. I think someone checked in prior to our arrival and was given our rooms. The clerk's attitude did not help the situation. Beyond that, there is a $10 charge for parking! What for??? Threre are no other options available--there are no other buildings and businesses nearby---there is only the hotel parking lot. Why not just add $10 to the room charge and not call it a "parking fee". Other things: one of the room keys did not work upon our initial try -had to go back to front desk and stand in line. Also, we were given a 1pm check out, but after 12 noon our keys didn't work, so that required another trip to the front desk and standing in line!!!! The room itself was ok..One room smelled damp. The other room did not. The mattresses were good. The bathroom was updated. We appreciated having a safe. The hotel was quiet, we heard no outside noise. There were three computers with free internet access and printing in the lobby area.. The beach has a sign posted "warning--no swimming--something about unexpected waves, etc." That did not seem to stop people. Also, around 10pm there was so much mist and fog you could not really see much of the ocean and the lights of Monterey we could see earlier were now lost in the fog. So, if you are considering getting a water front room, keep that in mind! Also, people can walk right in front of your window all day and night, so at night, you must keep your blind down or else everyone can see in! The hotel lobby and grounds were well kept. You could tell they really try to keep the place nice. The pool area was nice also. We did not use the restaurant. There was a nice fireplace and chairs and sofa's in the lobby. The bar is in an open area of the lobby. There are many teak lounge chairs around the property. It seems like this hotel is hit and miss. I would probably try something different if I ever go back to Monterey.