Monterey Getaway: Ocean Views & Seaside Charm at SureStay Hotel!
Monterey Getaway: SureStay’s Seaside Charm – My Verdict (and Some Rambling)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from a stay at the SureStay Hotel in Monterey, California, and I have opinions. Lots of them. This isn't one of those sterile, corporate-speak reviews – this is the raw, unfiltered truth, sprinkled with a healthy dose of "I'm still unpacking and processing."
First Impressions & That Ocean View… Woah! (Emotional Reaction: Major Yay!)
Let's be honest, the name "Monterey Getaway" is a bit…generic. But the reality? Absolutely delivers. I’m a sucker for any ocean view, and this place almost makes you forget about all your troubles. Almost. The views were, chef’s kiss, spectacular. Seriously, I spent way too much time just staring out the window. The location is key, you know? Close enough to the action in Monterey, but far enough to feel like you're actually escaping.
Accessibility & The Fine Print - (Messiness alert!)
I'm not using a wheelchair but always pay close attention to this because I know how important it is. I saw some good things. Elevator? Check. While I didn’t personally experience it, they do have facilities for disabled guests. The website promised a list of rooms that are wheelchair accessible. But you'd better call ahead to confirm because sometimes these things don't perfectly align. I’m guessing if you need super-specific accessibility information, you'll definitely want to call and chat with them directly. Don't rely on my rambling.
Rooms: Comfort & Imperfections (and a bit of a rant…)
Okay, my room? It was…fine. Cleanliness? Generally good. But here’s the thing – the bathroom light flickered. Like, full-on, old-movie-theater flickering. It gave me the creeps at night. They did have smoke detectors, though. So, I guess you win some, you lose some. Air conditioning worked GREAT (thank god, because California sun). I definitely appreciated the blackout curtains. You want a good night's sleep, you are going to love those blackout curtains – saved my bacon. I also loved the fact that they had a scale. Because vacation is definitely the time to weigh myself daily, right? (Just kidding… mostly). The Room – The Good:
- Seating Area – a nice touch for chilling out.
- Complimentary Tea – always a win.
- Free Wi-Fi – essential for any modern traveler.
- Coffee/Tea Maker, Refrigerator – practical and welcome.
- In-room safe box – good peace of mind.
The Room – The Annoying:
- Flickering Light (seriously, fix it!)
- The hair dryer was one of those wall mounted things that only mildly dries your hair.
Dining, Drinking, & Snacking: A Mixed Bag (with hungry-person opinions!)
Breakfast? They did offer it. A buffet, I think, or maybe it was a breakfast takeaway service option during the height of the pandemic. Honestly, my memory is a little hazy from all the walking around and staring at the sea. I recall some kind of Asian breakfast. The website talks about a coffee shop and restaurants, but I didn't actually try any of this on-site. I was all about exploring the town's culinary scene. I am the adventurous type! I loved all the options near Monterey!
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: More Than Meets the Eye! (but not that much…)
Swimming Pool? Yes, there's an outdoor swimming pool. Don't expect Olympic-sized, but it looked perfectly pleasant for a quick dip. It wasn't the pool with a view of the ocean I was hoping for. Fitness center? Yep… or should I say, "gym/fitness" - whatever that means. I did not check it out because I was too busy enjoying the ocean. I am a beach bum at heart.
Spa? Sauna? Steamroom? Nope. This isn't a luxury resort, people. But the ocean is a spa, and it's free (mostly). The terrace was nice – good for a sunset drink.
Cleanliness & Safety: Good, but… (a moment of seriousness)
I was impressed with the efforts. The website says they used anti-viral cleaning products, had daily disinfection in common areas. They talked about sanitized kitchen and tableware items. I hope they're following all the COVID protocols because it's still out there. Staff trained in safety protocol – okay, that's reassuring. They had hand sanitizer everywhere. Cashless payment service – good. But I don't usually trust any hotel on this, you should see for yourself, and take precautions. Room sanitization opt-out available – good for the environmentally conscious.
Services & Conveniences: The Usual Stuff (but did they have free parking?)
The usual suspects were there: Daily housekeeping, laundry service, dry cleaning, elevator, 24-hour front desk, luggage storage. They offered concierge service, but I didn't use it. Free parking in the car park [on-site] – HUGE win! Parking in Monterey can be a NIGHTMARE. Okay, maybe not free, now that I think about it, they had valet parking as well, but I’m pretty sure that's extra. I think maybe they had some kind of car park [free of charge] too.
Getting Around: Easy Breezy (mostly) They had airport transfer, but I didn't need it. Taxi service was available, but I rented a car. Bicycle parking was available.
For the Kids: Family Friendly but not that wild They say they're family/child friendly. They had babysitting service offered. There probably weren't a ton of kids facilities though.
The Bottom Line (Finally!)
The Good:
- That View! Seriously, the ocean view is worth the price of admission.
- Location, Location, Location! Close to everything, but still feels like a getaway.
- Free Parking! (Mostly) Saved me a ton of headaches.
The Okay:
- Room amenities were pretty standard. Nothing really wowed me, but nothing was awful.
- Dining: Not a huge draw, but a breakfast buffet is always helpful.
The Not-So-Good:
- Bathroom light flicker. Please fix it!
- Didn't get to experience all the on-site stuff.
Would I go back?
Absolutely. Especially if I could get a room with that amazing view again. It’s not perfect, but it has a special kind of charm. This Monterey Getaway is a solid choice if you're looking for a comfortable, well-located hotel with breathtaking ocean views. Just call about the accessibility if you need it. Don't expect the Ritz-Carlton – but hey, you're there for the ocean, right? And that? That's pure gold.
Eureka's BEST Kept Secret: Days Inn Review & Hidden Gems!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to get REAL about a trip to Monterey, California, specifically using the SureStay Hotel by Best Western. Prepare for a rollercoaster, because this isn't your average, sterile itinerary. Consider this more of a… therapy session… framed by a hotel stay.
The Monterey Mess-Around: A Stream of Consciousness Itinerary (with a Heavy Dose of Mayhem)
Day 1: Arrival and the "Oh God, What Have I Done?" Feeling
- 1:00 PM: Land at Monterey Regional Airport (MRY). First impressions? Tiny. Like, "could-I-walk-to-the-hotel?" tiny. Okay, deep breaths. Thank god for pre-booked airport transfers (or Uber, whatever you're into). I'm picturing a crisp, clean car, a friendly driver, and then… BAM! I'm at the SureStay.
- 1:45 PM: Check-in at SureStay. Okay, it's… quaint. Let’s just say it’s got “character.” The woman at the desk is genuinely lovely, which is a GOOD start! They're probably used to dealing with the inevitable check-in chaos that descends upon the hotel. "Welcome to Monterey! Are you happy to be here? Are you sure?" she might as well have asked.
- 2:30 PM: Room Reconnaissance. Okay, the room. Clean-ish. The bed looks inviting. The view… well, it's not the ocean, let's put it that way. I see a parking lot! That’s fine! I’ll take it! I feel all the tension from the travel just melting away, and all i need is a nap.
- 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Nap Time (Embrace the Chaos). Okay so I needed a nap. Travel is exhausting. I woke up once, thought i was still asleep, then actually fell back asleep. I woke up with a throbbing headache, and a faint sense of joy! Victory!
- 5:30 PM: Stumble towards Cannery Row. Ugh, still feeling the travel vibes. I figured since I’m here, why not? This is a must do! Sigh. It is a little cheesier than I remember. I swear I saw a guy dressed as a giant sardine. I really did see that. That’s not a joke.
- 6:30 PM: Dinner at a random place on Cannery Row. Seafood, of course. Overpriced, expected. Tastes like freedom. Now, for the real confession. The food was good, but the people watching, the people, was better! I watched a toddler aggressively eat a fish stick. I watched a couple having an argument. The whole scene was beautiful!
- 8:00 PM: Regret the food. And just… all the food. Maybe I should have gotten a salad? No! No regrets!
- 9:00 PM: Back to the SureStay. The bed! The sweet, sweet bed! Time to sleep.
Day 2: Sea Lions, Spills, and Existential Dread
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast at the SureStay. Free continental breakfast? Okay… not bad. Waffles, bless them! The coffee, however, tastes vaguely of disappointment. I loaded up on carbs, which is good.
- 8:00 AM: 17-Mile Drive. Oh. My. God. This is why I’m here. This is beautiful. I just sat in my car, crying a bit. Okay, a lot. (The Lone Cypress is a beast). I took like, 100 pictures of just the trees. Sorry, world.
- 10:00 AM: Back to the hotel so I could change my clothes. I definitely fell in my car. Very stylish exit.
- 11:00 AM: Fisherman's Wharf! More sea lions! Holy moly those are noisy! I didn't even know noise could be so loud. The air just vibrates with it. I watched, like, 20 minutes, just because they were so entertaining. I could have watched for hours.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Fish and chips, again (I’m a cliché, I know). But this time, more people watching! I think I’m becoming one of those people. The guy in the tourist shop looked like he hated everyone, and I was like, I GET IT.
- 1:00 PM: Monterey Bay Aquarium. Okay, okay, this is also amazing. The jellyfish! The penguins! The otters! I spent a solid hour just watching the otters. Watching them eat. Watching them play. Watching them be themselves… and feeling a deep, overwhelming sense of… I want to be an otter.
- 4:00 PM: The inevitable aquarium shops! I found this, giant, really cool, rainbow fish. I was going to buy it. I looked at the price tag. I decided I didn't need a rainbow fish. I bought a sticker instead.
- 5:00 PM: Back to the hotel for a very important break. The day had been long and full. I needed some time to be alone. I sat on the bed and stared at the wall, and I watched TV.
- 6:30 PM: Dinner somewhere. A Mexican restaurant! Because… burritos exist!
- 8:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Lights out! Tomorrow it's home!
Day 3: Farewell, Monterey, You Weird, Wonderful Place
- 8:00 AM: Final breakfast at the SureStay. Try to be thankful for the waffles. They are, after all, waffles.
- 9:00 AM: Pack. Actually, I can just leave it as is. Less messy!
- 10:00 AM: Check-out. Seriously, the hotel staff is ridiculously pleasant. How?!
- 10:30 AM: Last-minute Monterey souvenir shopping. Okay, now for the real, real confession. I bought a t-shirt that just says "Monterey." I might wear it. I'm going to wear it a lot.
- 11:00 AM: Head to the airport. Goodbye, Monterey!
- 12:00 AM: Board the plane.
- 12:45 AM: Take off, in the air, home.
- 1:00 AM: Still thinking about the otters.
Final Thoughts:
The SureStay? Okay. It was a place to sleep. A place to get wet waffles. Monterey? Absolutely freaking incredible. Every corner of that place made me laugh, made me cry and everything in between.
Disclaimer: This is a highly subjective and possibly slightly exaggerated account of a trip. Your experience may vary. You might prefer the ocean view room. You might not cry about trees. That's okay. Just embrace the mess! And the sea lions. Always embrace the sea lions.
Coeur d'Alene Getaway: Unbeatable Baymont Wyndham Deals!
Okay, seriously, what's the VIEW like? "Ocean Views & Seaside Charm," huh? Don't be lying to me!
Alright, alright, let's get REAL about the ocean views. Here’s the deal: they're… well, some rooms? SPOT ON. Like, "grab your camera, Instagram the heck out of this" amazing. I heard this couple, bless their hearts, got a room *facing* the water and they spent a solid hour just staring. Seriously, just... staring. They were probably planning their escape from reality, which is kind of the point, right?
Now, others? Let's just say you might see a *hint* of ocean. Maybe a sliver if you lean *juuust* right past the... uh... the parking lot. Okay, let's be honest, some rooms probably have better views of the… well, you know. BUT! even the "lesser" views still felt… airy? Open? Like, you're *near* the ocean, and that counts, right? Don't expect a postcard from every window, but the *vibe*... oh, the vibe is definitely seaside. Take the good with the maybe-not-so-good, and grab one of those rooms that *does* get the prime view – book early, trust me.
The "Seaside Charm" – is it… charming? Or just… old? Be honest!
Okay, charm. Let's talk charm. This isn’t the Ritz, okay? It's not trying to be. It’s got that classic, slightly-worn-but-loved seaside vibe. Think… maybe a slightly weathered sea captain’s cabin, but like, the captain’s on a budget. There’s character, definitely character. You'll probably find a few things that are *perfectly* fine, and another few that are maybe showing their age. A little creak in the floorboards? A slightly wonky door handle? Consider it part of the experience! It's not sterile, it’s not pretentious, it's... real. I prefer real. I've stayed in places that look spotless but feel like they're silently judging you for breathing. These… feel friendlier.
I saw a guy in the elevator with a fishing hat who looked like he'd been coming here for 20 years. Twenty! That says something, right? If someone's been coming back that long, there's something good going on. Maybe the charm is catching up, maybe it isn't. But I choose to indulge in it and be charmed and have the time of my life.
What about the rooms themselves? Are they clean? Am I gonna find, like, a rogue sea slug?
Cleanliness? Okay, *deep breath*. Generally, yes. Generally CLEAN. I am a total germaphobe, I'm not gonna lie. I looked for *anything*. I spent an unhealthy amount of time scrutinizing the corners. Things were… GOOD. There was nothing *unacceptable*. Listen, it's not a hospital operating room (thank god!), but I felt comfortable. The bed was clean, the bathroom was clean, the towels were fluffy-ish. But for the love of all things clean, don't go looking for a rogue sea slug. Seriously, just... don't. You'll start seeing them everywhere! (And no, I didn't find one. But the thought… the *thought*…)
Let's talk breakfast. I NEED breakfast. What's the deal? Free? Continental? Bland? Tell me everything!
Breakfast. Ah, the most important meal of the day (especially after a night of who-knows-what after that long drive, if you're anything like *me*). It's the standard continental, alright? Expect your usual suspects: bagels (toasted!), muffins, cereal, yogurt, fruit (some of which looks a *little* sad, but hey, free fruit!), and coffee, coffee, coffee. The coffee is… adequate. It'll get you going, but don't expect a barista experience.
Here's a pro tip: get there EARLY. Because, and this is crucial, the muffins… they go FAST. Seriously, people. They're like, a flock of seagulls on a discarded french fry, dive on them. Once the muffins are gone, the world ends. Maybe not the world, but definitely your morning happiness if you are a muffin lover like me. I, in fact, missed the muffins by approximately 6 minutes on the first morning, and I was devastated. Devastated! The next day? I was there. I got my muffin. It was a good day. A *very* good day.
Is there a pool? Because I’m always thinking about the pool.
Yes! There IS a pool! And… it's… okay. It's not Olympic-sized. It's not a resort-style paradise. It’s a perfectly functional pool. Cleanish. I saw people using it. Kids splashing. Parents trying (and failing) to relax. It’s not the star of the show, but it's there. So, if you're a pool person, you'll be fine. If the pool is your entire vacation, maybe temper your expectations.
I, personally, spent more time staring at the ocean, so I can't give you a super in-depth review of the pool's chlorine levels or anything. But it looked… inviting enough? It was a little chilly, but hey, it's Monterey! It's not always sunshine and rainbows (or comfortable swimming temperatures).
Location, location, location! How close am I to… you know… the *stuff*? Aquarium? Cannery Row? All the good stuff?
The location? Good. Solid. Not *perfect*, but GOOD. You're not *right* on Cannery Row. You'll probably have to drive a bit, or if you're feeling feisty, walk, but it's doable. A brisk walk! (Or a slow one, depending on your mood. And how many muffins you had.) Monterey Bay Aquarium? Not in your backyard, but close enough to make it easy.
The best part? You're close to everything, but you’re not *in* the absolute thick of it. You know? All the hustle and bustle. You can escape. It’s just far enough away that you can actually RELAX when you get back to the hotel. That's important. THAT is very important if you ask me. I saw some hotels RIGHT on the main drag, and I just imagined the sheer noise… *shudders*. SureStay? You get a little peace. Score!
Parking? Always a nightmare! What's the deal at this place?
Parking. Oh, parking. This is where things get… well, they get Monterey-ish! There's parking, yes. But it can be… tight. Spaces are not exactly roomy. Plan ahead, especially if you're arriving late. I saw a couple of people doing the circling thing, looking forCheap Hotel Search
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