Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay

The rooms are hit and miss. I've stayed here multiple times for conferences and each time something is wrong with the room. My last trip maintenance had to be called 3 times. First, the deadbolt on my door wouldn't lock. Second, when I went back to my room, the electronic lock was not working and I was locked out. The third was the refrigerator didn't work. Although they did come and fix all of it, it took a lot of time for them to show up and take care of it. At check out, nothing was said, no discount, nothing. Very disappointing. The staff are very nice, but be aware that room isn't available, and you will have to call to request room cleaning. The location is great however, epically if at a conference. However next time I will stay somewhere else. The Marriott is a good option.

Positive: The location to the pier/wharf. Negative: Check in was not smooth and a little upsetting. Also, while we loved our rooms they were really far from the lobby/pool for my 80 year old Mother.

My fiancé and I wanted to trial the Portola as a prospective place for our wedding block in June. Upon arriving we were met with great hospitality, the valet service was amazing and the front desk was warm and accommodating even providing extra toothbrushes for my fiancé who forgot hers at home. We were put on the second floor of the rooms apart from the actual hotel and also placed directly next to the elevator. The room itself was beautiful and cozy for the stay. The issue didn't occur until the night when a wedding party woke us up at 11:30pm. We could hear them shouting, laughing and running up and down the hall. My fiancé called the front desk and was met by the night guest services receptionist (Marcy) who without concern educated my fiancé that wedding blocks were separate from our hotel and that a wedding party shouldn't be where we are. We let he know there is one here anyway and to please send up security. 30 minutes pass and I call guest services (Marcy) and let her know that if she could tell security that the wedding party moved to the parking lot attached to the second floor directly across from our hotel room continued to be loud. Again (Marcy) just said uh-huh and ended the conversation another 20 minutes passed with no security the wedding party proceeded to be loud and kept us up almost to 1am. I personally had to go out to tell the party to stop being loud 3 times on my own until they finally said yes at 1am. I feel like if you're going to spend money to stay somewhere to sleep then the sleeping part should be guaranteed or at least met with some kind of empathy by "guest services". My fiancé and I don't want our guests to go through the same experience and we will be taking our business elsewhere.

I recently had the pleasure of staying at the Portola Hotel and Spa at Monterey Bay, and it was truly an incredible experience. From the moment we arrived, the staff's kindness and attentiveness shone through, making us feel incredibly welcome and valued. One standout moment that truly impressed us was when the staff went out of their way to assist us with our lowered car. Navigating standard parking garages can sometimes be tricky, but the team was quick to offer help. They graciously guided us through the staff exit, ensuring that our car exited safely without any hassle. This level of accommodation and understanding is rare and was greatly appreciated. Beyond this, the entire hotel exudes comfort and luxury, from the well-appointed rooms to the relaxing spa facilities. The location is perfect for exploring Monterey Bay, offering beautiful views and easy access to local attractions. Overall, our stay was nothing short of fantastic, and the exceptional service provided by the staff played a big part in that. I highly recommend the Portola Hotel and Spa to anyone visiting Monterey Bay—you're guaranteed a memorable stay with a team that genuinely cares about your experience.

I selected this hotel for a special mother-daughter trip, as it was our first solo getaway together. I chose the property based on its location and positive reviews, with plans to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium and enjoy the nearby ice skating rink.||||Check-in was a highlight of our stay. The front desk associate was genuinely friendly and welcoming, and she went out of her way to make my 5-year-old feel special by giving her a dessert coin, which was a very thoughtful and appreciated gesture.||||Unfortunately, the remainder of the experience fell short. The room we were assigned was located outside of the main building, requiring us to walk through an exterior area. With a young child and heavy rain, this setup was not ideal and made me feel uneasy being so far from the main hotel. The room itself also had a constant, very loud HVAC-type noise that was noticeable even with the television on.||||The most disruptive issue occurred at 5:00 a.m. when a fire alarm sounded, abruptly waking us. It was unclear whether this was an emergency or a drill. I contacted the front desk and was told the fire department was onsite and evacuation was not necessary. After the alarm stopped, flashing emergency lights remained visible through the windows, making it difficult to return to sleep. Roughly 20–30 minutes later, an announcement stated it was a false alarm. There was no follow-up or acknowledgment from staff afterward.||||Due to the disruption, we packed up early and decided to leave, skipping breakfast that I had originally looked forward to enjoying in the lobby. I also noticed roof leaks in the property with buckets placed to catch water.||||While the staff showed kindness and good intentions, especially toward my daughter, the overall stay was stressful and disappointing for what was meant to be a memorable trip. I would consider returning in the future under different circumstances, but this particular visit did not meet expectations.

Rooms are nice, service is excellent. There arent microwaves in the room, the front desk delivered one to us which was great. Only downside which is no fault of the hotel is because of the location many planes fly over which can be loud. Another recommended action id ask for is complimentary charging for hotel guests for EV vehicles as an incentive. Charging is available but at a higher that normal cost. Overall it was great and I'd stay again

While there were definitely some highlights, a few drawbacks kept the experience from being truly great. Check-in was surprisingly antiquated. Guests are required to queue and speak with a front desk attendant, which led to long lines and unnecessary wait times. For a modern, high-traffic property, an online or mobile check-in option would make a world of difference. The location, however, is fantastic. You’re just steps from Downtown Monterey and Old Fisherman’s Wharf, making it incredibly convenient for sightseeing, dining, and exploring the area. The hotel itself has a calm, peaceful atmosphere. It’s not directly waterfront, but many areas offer lovely views of the bay, and it feels like a relaxing retreat away from the bustle. The room was clean and well-appointed with nice amenities, but unfortunately the bed was extremely uncomfortable for me. I barely slept during my stay, and this alone would make me consider a different nearby property next time. It’s disappointing because the location and overall vibe are hard to beat. Overall, the hotel has a lot going for it, but improvements to the check-in process and—most importantly—the beds would make the stay much more enjoyable.

Nice rooms but a bit of price gouging going on. The king room was on the smaller side but well appointed and clean. Location was close to beach and walking distance to good restaurants. Add $50 bucks to your stay if you want a water, cup of coffee and to park. For a room that cost $300 per night at a higher end hotel, I would expect these things to be included in the stay so felt they were gouging us a bit, but if you just factor it in your expectations will be set properly.

We did the Anza Ballroom Thanksgiving day buffet and it did not disappoint at all. It was an amazing feast and was so beautiful. Our server Cheryl Enea was absolutely the best, attentive, friendly, and full of enthusiasm. She made our dinner so much more fun! We will be back to this buffet next year and hopefully lucky to be seated at her table! Thank you so much for a lovely dinner Portola!

We returned again for our anniversary and enjoyed our stay. My honey was able to score a great deal which included champagne upon arrival, bottomless mimosas and brunch at Jack's Monterey (their restaurant in the hotel). We had a cute king sized room with a terrace. The bed is comfy! The water pressure of the shower works great though! We had some minor issues in the past and it was unfortunate to experience a couple of hiccups during this stay also. We didn't get housekeeping as requested. We were told it was because we left our "Do not disturb" sign on the door. Our bad! The room TV was having intermittent issues. We requested for assistance for the TV but no one came. They kindly waived our parking fees given the issues we experienced. We love our memories we've made here. It's conveniently located near the wharf and downtown! I hope they work on improvements to keep their facilities updated.

I recently called the Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey to get help with my reservation for this weekend. I first spoke with a very kind and professional representative named Maddie, who then transferred me to her manager, Andrea. From the moment Andrea got on the phone, her attitude was shockingly rude and unprofessional. She started the conversation with, "First of all..." in a condescending tone, repeatedly talked over me, raised her voice, and eventually hung up on me. When I called back, Andrea answered again. When I asked who I was speaking with, she responded rudely with, "Who am I speaking with?"--completely uncalled for. When I confirmed her name and asked why she hung up, she became argumentative and even called me a "bitch" before refusing to help further. Thankfully, when I called back again, I was able to speak with Troy, the Director of Operations, who was extremely professional, helpful, and resolved my issue right away. Andrea's behavior was completely unacceptable for anyone in customer service--let alone a manager at such a highly regarded hotel. She should be ashamed of how she treats guests. The Portola Hotel & Spa is a beautiful property, but Andrea's conduct does not reflect the level of professionalism this establishment is known for.

I stayed here a few years ago and at the time I didn't think it was exceptional until I compared it to a smaller hotel I stayed at. It's pricey though which is why we decided to stay somewhere else this time. Very beautiful property. A Carmel Bakery is right next door with delicious coffee and pretzels. They give delicious complimentary cookies on arrival. The room is clean and comfortable. I also like the amenities like the gym right across the way. Also location near fisherman's wharf and little shops and very close to downtown Monterey. I am tempted next year to splurge and stay here again.

Last night we had a wonderful time on Jacks Terrace in Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey listening to the Jazz trio of Paul Contos, Bob Basa, and their guest artist singer. Paul Contos is a professor at UCSC and talented and eclectic jazz musician who played multiple saxophones and the flute, Bob Basa is a guitar virtuoso, and the singer accompanied the beautiful jazz music with her lyrical voice. It was quite a performance. We totally enjoyed our time drinking a glass of wine and talking to the other patrons and talking with our helpful waiter, Antonio. Jacks Terrace is dog friendly and within walking distance of both the wharf and downtown Monterey. Outside the Terrace are fire pits and inside are majestic looking, real lighted trees that give a magical feel to the ambiance. Be sure to check out their venue on Friday nights for live music and a fun time! -Susan in Santa Cruz

We stayed here for 3 nights for end-of-summer vacation, right before start of school. I must say, Portola is probably my favorite hotel in Monterey, and I will probably try to stay here in the future. Its great for kids and dogs, and super convenient walk to both downtown and the Old Fisherman's Wharf. Its also located in Custom House Plaza, a historical landmark since it was California's first government building. The hotel is named after Captain Portola, California's first governor and son of Junipero Serra. Likes: * The hotel is spread across multiple buildings - most rooms are in one central building, the gym and spa are in separate buildings, and the parking garage is easily accessible. * Easy walk to downtown and Fisherman's Wharf, and there are crepe and coffee cafes right outside the plaza * Free Elkay filtered water stations everywhere. * Large rooms with comfy beds and good AC. * The lobby is gorgeous with lots of natural light and real trees. Plenty of places to sit, although during Car Week they had to remove the sears and put in stages. * Smart elevator system Minor Areas of Improvement: * The gym is 90% cardio machines and it would be nice to have an extra bench or some more weight machines perhaps in the Yoga room. A set of kettlebells can also do wonders here. * The ceiling fans in the room can be a bit noisy - so use with caution.

TLDR; Pretty hotel, good overall experience, but worst beds/ pillows/ sleep. Stayed at Portola Hotel & Spa during car week. Centrally located, so it was buzzzing with excitement, especially with the Sotheby's auction cars all around. Beautiful lobby with natural light shining through. Restaurant and bar were great for a nightcap. Check-in was at 4pm, checkout at 12pm. Since it was car week, parking was valet only. They gave us oatmeal chocolate chip cookies with our card keys. Our room was on the 4th floor. Double beds and balcony. I liked that it had the wooden slats instead of the typical curtains over the windows. Loved the dimmable lighting on the headboard. Shower pressure was nice and strong. A/C blew cold, but loud. As for the beds.. I have some words to say! The mattresses felt so old, with no support whatsoever. Same goes for the lumpy (oddly shaped) pillows and pilling bed sheets. Both of us had the worst sleep in a long time. Woke up with stiff necks and backs. Couldn't wait to leave which was disappointing considering the price point of one night.

For purchasing an extra room, spending hundreds of dollars on the Christmas brunch, and dinner, im quite disgusted at the way they treat their colored guests. I was locked out for over 30 minutes as their workers pretend they didn't see me. I realized quickly they assumed I didn't belong at the hotel. It was not until I began making calls at the valet stand someone rudely asked what I was doing on the property and I finally was allowed back in and got a new key. To the night crew: sometimes your keys don't work and pretending customers don't exist because your doors are locked is not the solution.

This is one of the best hotels in Monterey. High end ut worth it. Lucky don't have to pay for the great food. Overall just what you expect from high end resort and spa hotel.

We booked a 4 day stay here and couldn't have been any happier! We arrived in Monterey around 3 pm with checkin listed for 4 pm. Upon walking inside, I loved the beautiful layout with real trees nestled throughout the hotel lobby. Although check in was not for another hour, we tried asking the front desk if we could check in early and they were able to accommodate our request. We were staying on the fifth floor which offers great view of the bay and the wharf. We booked their Portola room which we felt was a good size for two adults. The room wasn't fitted with an air conditioner but instead had a fan. To be honest, Monterey gets pretty chilly so not having an AC didn't really bother us. Room service comes around each day, however on Sundays you need to make a request for them to stop by. The Portola Hotel was in close proximity to a lot of good eateries, the wharf and a short driving distance from Cannery Row. I had no idea how close we were to a lot of the places we had listed to check out. We ended up walking to a lot of places which was nice. Checkout is listed at 12 pm and you have access to the parking lot until 3 pm. Definitely will consider staying here again once we come back to the area.

Located in the Historic Downtown of Monterey, North of Cannery Row, is the Portola. This hotel is situated next to a lot of restaurants, bars, shopping and the Old Fisherman's Wharf! The employees were all very friendly and professional. The inside has a beautiful atrium, entry and great barn restaurant. The rooms could've used a little spruce up, but was still nice. The pool area was a little small, but did the trick. They have many outside areas to sit, unless you'd like a cigar, then it's just in the entry of the hotel, next to the statue(So everyone who comes in to check in, gets to see and are greeted with smoke, instead of taking the furthest away fire pit in the back!) *Overall, Portola is a beautiful hotel in a great location! The rooms need to be spruced up and they should think about making the smoking area the last fire pit in the back of the hotel*

We stayed at Portola Hotel & Spa for a quick, 1-night stay and it was a nice experience for the most part. Customer service was pleasant, although surprisingly, the valet staff did not appear to greet/welcome us or even speak to us when we drove up to the front entrance. I showed up to the check in desk just after 4pm and had to wait about 15 minutes in line before I could check in and get room keys. Self-parking costs $25 per night, and there are in and out privileges. The hotel itself is spacious and slightly modern. However, the room was on the smaller side, and the bathroom was updated, but seems worn down. The building is in need of some renovations, as it was not as up-to-date as I expected. For example: the bathroom fixtures seem outdated and the hallway carpet seems a bit worn down. The elevators were pretty fast and convenient, and the pool area is on the smaller side. The main positive is the central location and the number of restaurants and stores within walking distance. I'm not sure if I would stay here again, but it's an adequate, hotel option for a night or two in Monterey.

This was our first time staying at this hotel, and my family (with my boys) loved it so much! The location is perfect and very convenient. The hotel itself is very clean, the restaurant is gorgeous, and the beds were comfortable. The bathroom was spotless cleanliness is a must for me, and this place definitely delivered. The entire staff was professional and friendly. Special shoutout to our waitress, Plu he was super friendly and gave us excellent service. Our breakfast was delicious!!! Overall, we had a wonderful stay and would definitely come back

Needed a change of scenery and planned this short getaway earlier this week. I usually stay on Cannery Row but opted for a different place. I remembered a friend recomm this hotel years ago and thought I'd give it a try. So glad I did. This place is closer to downtown Monterey. Loved the location as it's walking distance to great restaurants, a SB , Walgreens, and my all time favorite bakery (Alta Bakery), a 10 min walk away. Driveway is spacious as well as the lobby, so inviting the most you walk in. We chose the Portola Room which had 2 spacious queen sized beds vs double beds in other hotels. Room and decor was open and airy. Bathroom had a nice high pressure shower and spacious counter top. Being that they have an insight spa, robes were available in the rooms. Lots of toilets to enjoy in room. The only thing was a bit disappointing was that water was $5 ea in the room. Walgreens down the street solved our thirst. Keurig coffee and tea in the room with a small fridge. They have a restaurant that serves breakfast 6:30 until 10 am. We woke up too late and missed it. Garage self parking and valet available. The staff were courteous upon arrival and we got a text if we needed any further assistance during our stay. I'd definitely stay here again for a weekend getaway.

The elevators are very strange, punch in your floor before you get on. This would be fine if the touch panels they use worked properly. Sometimes nothing is registered other times the entire wrong floor is registered. Most of the time it works fine. The panel closest to the lobby is significantly more unresponsive than the further one - so walk past it to the second one. The rooms have no drawers in sight. Nightstands on either side of the bed nor the desk have drawers. No drawers in the closet, but there is a 3 story shelf. It is nice that the fridge is useable and not full of expensive mini bar items. It's a bit cumbersome that it is hidden behind a large wooden door that really serves no purpose. I love the hotel's location. Everything is walking distance. We will be here 4 more nights so I will update more later. The rooms don't have bathtubs, just showers. Supposedly that's all of Monterey but what does it say that my wife and I were able to book a private bathtub in the spa.... Is that a commentary on class and wealth? Or something less benign? TV (apparently satellite) is out for the entire hotel. Front desk said they would send someone when I called this morning. Instead they did nothing and when I called back later that afternoon that is when they informed me it is the entire hotel. Oddly it has killed streaming to the google chrome cast as well... Front desk said no eta on a fix nor would they give a call back when it is fixed. Satellite was fixed after about 5 or 6 hours. I just had to keep trying.

Visiting with my 17 year old Autistic son and we had the room cleaned today. One of my son's special interests is collecting little shooter alcohol bottles. We walk for miles looking for them and he's got an impressive collection at home. We travel with no more than 6 at a time and he even likes to sleep with them. The house keeping staff decided they were handbag (even though they were not anywhere near the garbage or recycling bin). He flipped out when we realized they'd been thrown out. I spent several minutes on the phone with Oscar trying to get in touch with the person that cleaned our room only to finally learn that they had been already dropped in the dumpster. When I met with Ruben and Oscar in person they were so sweet and so understanding that they took me across the street to the candy/liquor shop and let me pick out 6 replacement bottles. Ruben was so sweet and understanding. Amazing customer service. Above and beyond for Special Needs!!!

I give this place 4.5 stars. I would have been 5 but the cleaning lady for the main bathroom had a bad attitude before we checked out on Saturday afternoon and told me to use another bathroom. We both got there at the same time. I'm glad I wasn't about to have an accident cause she would've just had to move. Whatever put her in this mood wasn't my fault. She gave my husband the same attitude at the men's restroom. As my husband turned he could hear a male co-worker talking to her saying don't have a bad attitude about that. I guess trying to get her straight. Besides this lady everything else was nice. The candy store, the bakery, spa, gym, Jacks restaurant and everyone's friendly and helpful vibe were great. The view was beautiful. Walking distance to the wharf and other restaurants. About .25 mile to the bus stop I toured the city a little bit. My husband had to teach a class and I came along to have fun. The room was nice, we had a courtyard view. There was tiny patio. I love when hotels have windows and doors that open so you can get fresh air. The place is pricey so if you are going with friends it may not be that bad split 2-4 ways.

We continue to love the Portola. The location is impossible to beat. The ambience of the lobby/restaurant area and the greater indoor atrium is just fantastic. This place is simply amazing. We love it and return regularly.

We had such a great stay at Portola Hotel and Spa last May! It's super pet-friendly--my dogs loved it just as much as we did. The staff was so kind and welcoming, and I really appreciated their online concierge service. It was super convenient being able to text them anytime I had a question. Our King Courtyard room was beautiful and comfy, and the location couldn't be better. We were able to walk everywhere--from Old Fisherman's Wharf to cute spots for crepes. If you're looking for a place that treats both you and your pups like VIPs, Portola is definitely worth checking out!

We love staying here, right in the middle of everything. Walk to the beach, restaurants and anything else you could want. Always very clean with an amazing staff. Hot tub gets crowded and the pool is only 3ft but they did make it so there is very little wind getting in that area. Parking garage is close and fair price for a weekend stay. There is a restaurant inside with a bar. I will just say it, it is my favorite hotel.

Reviewed several options (Airbnb, Vrbo, hotels) for this family trip, but once I saw picture of Portola's lobby, I was sold. The lobby had natural lighting, open concept and the feeling of outside while inside. The staff were friendly, but could have been more informative on local events, activities or just general information of the surrounding area. The hotel was located within walking distance of several establishments. Our room was great. It was clean, modern and spacious enough. We loved the little balcony that overlooked a courtyard. It afforded us the calming ocean breeze along with the sounds of seagulls. The blinds that covered the doors looked great, but wasn't the best at blocking out light; there went sleeping in. The pool area was quaint, but we took full advantage and enjoyed it. The one thing we always wish, despite many hotels no longer offering, is in room dining service. For the most part, food is delivered as an uber eats situation where everything is packed and bagged whereas, prepared and served on a dining cart. Overall, we loved the hotel and definitely would stay again. We paid $1,298.19 for 3 nights stay.

Beautiful lobby and attached to the adjacent Monterey Convention Center. One of the best things about the hotel is its location. Very close to downtown Monterey, Fisherman's Wharf and about 25min walk along the water to Cannary Row/Aquarium or to the large Denace the Menace playground. We had a 2 queen bed room, which was comfortable with plenty of space for a family of 4. There's a mini-fridge and a small patio. I do wish that there was a tub in the room. The pool and jacuzzi seems like an after thought as it's put to the side of the hotel without much of a scenic environment. The fitness studio has your standard cardio and weights. There's also a yoga studio. There is parking with Tesla EV chargers (hotel has non-Tesla adapters), but it is on the pricier side ($0.65/kWh). Parking can also be very crowded at night so keep that in mind if you plan on taking your car out for dinner. Overall, a solid hotel if you plan on exploring all that Monterey has to offer with the minimal use of the car.

We love this hotel and try to stay here whenever we are in Monterey. Love the nice exterior and interior and how well-maintained the place and rooms are. Ocean themed artwork and the place is inviting. Comfortable rooms. We like the location as it's downtown Monterey and also right next to the Old Customs House & Fisherman's Wharf and walking path along the ocean to Cannery Row. They have a bar & restaurant in the lobby which is a good option and there are many excellent restaurants & cafes nearby to eat at. They have a parking garage which is convenient. The Monterey Conference Center is part of the hotel which is convenient if you are attending a conference and also still nice if you are not part of a conference as they do a good job of keeping that area separate from the rest of the hotel.

Loved, Loved Loved our 2 night stay at the Portola. Smack in the center of the little town/wharf area. Although you can still sit in the lobby, enjoy the restaurant and pub, it was nice to be a part of it all. We left on NY Eve, should have stayed and enjoyed the festivities. We chose the patio courtyard room, a bit odd that we had to walk out doors to get from one wing to the next, i had not read about that. But it was not a problem, the weather was decent enough to walk through, but it was too cool & foggy to sit out on the patio. Next time I would simply book a regular room. Although there is a huge garage to park in at 22 $ daily, there is plenty of parking on the street after 4 pm (you can park for only 2 hours until 6 pm, so after 4 you are set until the following morning at like 11am. We would absolutely stay here again. Jacks was great, we dined there one night and had cocktails both nights. Room was clean, spacious. Great stay all around.

A nice hotel that is both family-friendly and pet-friendly. It is located in the heart of downtown and perfect walking by distance to Old Fisherman's Wharf, eateries, and shops. The hotel features sit down dining at Jack's and quick bites at Carmel Bakery. The interior lobby is both a welcoming centerpiece with trees and lights as well as a comfortable area to sit and relax with wine of coffee. You can't go wrong when choosing to stay at Portola Hotel.

Room was a little small but it was clean. The lobby area is beautiful and a good place to relax. I like the water fountain in the front of the building. It's close to the pier but far from Cannery Row.

Nice hotel right next to Alvarado st and fisherman's wharf. Beautiful lobby. We reserved a king suite with partial view of the harbor. The room was nice and roomy. The bathroom was updated and beautiful. The bed, uncomfortable!! We had two regular pillows and 3 square thick pillows. They were so awkward and thick you couldn't sleep with them. The bed was worn down and flat. That was a bummer. I really enjoyed the bench at the window I was able to sit and look out at the harbor. We had reservations for a couples massage at the spa. It was more convenient to book at the same place. You do have to walk out the hotel and across the walkway to the spa. The pool and jacuzzi were also located in that area. It was located next to the busy street that was the entrance and exit of the tunnel. It was VERY LOUD!! There was a pretty large wall, but it did not block out the noise. Overall, it was a great location.

Had such a great time at this hotel. It's clean and staff is friendly. I like that they have multiple restaurants on site and the brewery has a good happy hour. The pool is also heated and they have complimentary towels. I would definitely come back.

Booked a 3 night stay here and i must say it did not disappoint . Location was ideal. If you're the type that chooses to explore by walking oppose to driving then you can't go wrong staying here . When checking in I must say the front desk was courtesy and very friendly . Got the vibe that they were happy we chose to stay there than someplace else. Thank you Troy for making us feel welcomed . Room was nice and spacious with views of the wharf and harbor . I have to admit the bed was more comfortable than mine at home . Like sleeping on a cloud. Just want to say thank you to Christina Martinez for suggesting places to eat as well as activities to do . From breakfast at old Monterey Cafe to Farmers market on Alvarado St and of course the cool hike in the redwoods at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park . So overall we're definitely coming back Hopefully the weather will be warmer but that didn't damper our vacation at all . Had so much fun!

I enjoyed my 4 day stay here! The hotel room was clean and spacious! The front desk if you have a dog will give a treat bag, water and food bowls delivered to your room, dog bed for a large dog and a pet scarf (large dog size). Guest services was really great at getting me a dental kit and grooming kit! I will say room service slacked on removing the cart with dirty plates and old food from outside of our rooms for some reason. What was strange is that security was on multiple floors as there must have been something happening as a police car showed up later that night.

Stayed at the Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey recently for a conference. Overall experience was excellent. Perfect location. Restaurant, bar, and catering for meal events was were very good. The hotel is in close proximity to a variety of other dining options, as well. On departure from the hotel inadvertently left behind a shoe bag with three pairs of shoes. I called a few days later when I realized that I didn't have my shoes and spoke with Orville Dooland, Security Officer who handles lost and found items. He had the items and very courteously, efficiently, and to my pleasure successfully had my shoes returned to me via UPS. He gets 5 stars for excellent customer service with no run around or let me check and get back to you. He solved my problem on the spot and I very much appreciated his cheerful customer service.

Location location location. This one was perfect as it was within a short walk to Fisherman's wharf, Crepes of Brittany out the door, Carmel bakery attached as well as right in the heart of downtown. Loved the walkability of this place. The indoor lobby was beautiful with the trees and we enjoyed the rooms. Would stay here again in the future. Wish they had a tea or coffee station downstairs. The Portola pirates program for young kids was a nice touch and kept our little ones occupied.

Let's talk elevating the holidays or a vacation stay, warm chocolate chip cookies and stuffed otters sharks and octopus too. The concierge can help with tickets to the Monterey Bay Aquarium or the spa for a time out. The breakfast amazing with applewood bacon French toast. In the early evening wander with seals ,sea lions on Fisherman's Wharf 2 with gifts , souvenirs hold hands to whisper I love you search to entice the soul a treasured experience . Find your peace to catch your breathe a weekend a holiday to light up can't be beat embrace the meet and greet.

We stayed here for a couple nights for my birthday. It was a surprise. LOCATION: 5/5 You're within walking distance of the wharf ( less than a 5 min walk). There's a nice walking trail along the water. Hubby and I would walk after breakfast :) and within 20-25 min walk further, you can be at Cannery Row (per the valet), I didn't walk it though. You're so close to the main Alvarado St. with lots of restaurants you can walk to. VALET: 5/5 We opted for the valet option and the guys we interacted with were kind and friendly. ROOM: 4/5 We had a room w/a view of the wharf and the water. It was beautiful! We could see folks walking in the morning from our window. We opened the window to let some fresh air in, but it wouldn't open all the way as there was a piece of hardware installed on the track to prevent a full open. Perhaps it's a safety thing. complimentary waters are replenished. A set of 6 wine glasses provided. We brought our own wine with us so it was nice to use a fresh glass every night. Although I wish housekeeping would've taken our used glasses from the night before when they cleaned our room. Not sure why they didn't take them and replenish the glasses. I saw nice robes in the closet, but we didn't use them. Usually some slippers are provided along w/a robe but when I called the front desk, I was told no slippers are provided. Not sure why. Thankfully I brought back-up slippers for us so we could walk in the room. Our king bed was comfy. The pillows were quite large though and thick, so it was hard to lay my head comfortably w/o my neck hurting. SPA: (1/5) Hubby tried to book us some time at the spa, I later found out b/c he was trying to surprise me. He emailed the spa a couple weeks before our stay, but received no reply. As the date got closer to our stay, hubby received a text from the concierge where they said, looking forward to your stay, if there's anything you need, don't hesitate to reach out. Hubby let him/her know that he had reached out to the spa but had not gotten a response. They said they would pass along his contact info to the spa, but the spa never reached out to him. We're now at the hotel for our stay, and hubby asked the front desk about booking a service for us at the spa, explained the concierge thing, the email, the concierge text etc. But the guy said the spa was separate and that they (the front desk) doesn't do spa stuff and that we would have to go directly to the spa and ask. We got lost trying to find the spa outside the hotel. We found it, asked if we could book something and the receptionist then *Happily* told us they were fully booked, like it gave her pleasure in telling us that. Hubby then explained we were hotel guests and the story to the receptionist. She confirmed they did receive his email, but then she said they responded, and didn't hear from him. We were both like, what? That's very weird b/c I'm sure my husband would've replied. Otherwise, he wouldn't have needed to reach out to the concierge for assistance in reaching the spa. He informed her that he had not received anything from them, and still checked his phone and couldn't find anything from them. And also, the concierge passed along his contact info to the spa prior to our stay, so, why didn't the spa reach out. So, she said (happily), they were full that day but could squeeze us in the next day, but only 1 of us at noon. Hubby said I should take it, but I didn't want to b/c the whole point was for us to do a couple's thing. Then she said, there was also something at 5PM, but again, for 1 of us only. We declined because we didn't want to be separated, and then we were checking out the next day and would've had to have stayed until 5pm, and we still had a drive home and we both worked the next day. The whole spa booking process was a total mess. Right now the only way to book the spa is to email or call. I think they could also add a booking system for the spa like the hotel has for booking a room. It's a shame because the spa lobby looked nice and seemed peaceful when we walked in.

Beautiful hotel in Monterey! Nice clean rooms and friendly staff. Enjoyed our stay and the hotel is close to downtown.

Could have stood for a crisper toast for my club sandwich at the bar. Fitz type 5 instead of 4 might have done the trick.

Check in was a breeze. Nice clean room with all the amenities. Room 527 has a partial ocean/marina view. There was a situation that was handled within a timely manner by security and management. Someone left there dog alone in their room and it barked for hours from early am on.

Stayed here for my birthday weekend, got a great deal on a room. Very nice hotel, clean and well maintained. Great pool and hot tub. Several restaurants on sight and literally walking distance to the pier. They charge $25 bucks a day to park in the garage and there are plenty of electric vehicle charges too.

Location is always key for me when booking a hotel and I loved how Portola was conveniently located between the Old Fisherman's Wharf and downtown. I loved that we didn't have to drive much cause everything was walking distance, which made life easier especially with a toddler. Downside, our trash was never taken out and they never replaced our towels.

Wonderful experience! My husband and I love Monterey Bay, we've actually been coming up once a year for hiking, dining and just relaxing. My mother-in-law wanted to spend her 70th birthday in Monterey Bay and after reading all the reviews we opted to stay here. We booked several Habor View and one Partial Harbor View rooms, weren't really impressed with most of the Harbor Views - looked more partial (since we had rooms to compare with). Aside from this, our rooms were comfortable, nice cold fridge and I enjoyed watching sunrise from my balcony every morning. Hotel staff was extremely attentive from valet, restaurant/bar staff to front desk. Gloria working front desk went above and beyond providing excellent service. She always greeted us with a smile - eye contact and a smile goes a long way. Hotel is my favorite in the area so far - we've stayed in several. Portola is situated in the perfect location for those that of us who like to walk around town. The Wharf was a 5 minute walk, church 12 min walk and coffee,restaurants/bars,etc across on the street. Restaurant pretty good food. We also enjoy a few drinks and appetizers in the bar. Overall we had a great experience and feel out 4 day stay wasn't enough needless to say we plan to return in the near future.

High end hotel for reasonable price. Had a great stay here and Alexis at the front desk was very helpful with finding parking for our oversized vehicle and allowing for an early check in. The interior design of this hotel is gorgeous, using a mid century modern and nature inspired design you are definitely transported to somewhere unique and luxurious. Small details such as lighting, storage, and color schemes make this place a step above any ordinary hotel. The atrium in the lobby is so fun and is walking distance to so many great places including fisherman's wharf. Don't miss out on staying here if you are visiting Monterey.

When I called to book an extra day. Sam was very helpful. She listened well and asked the manager to offer us the best rate for a great room. Excellent service from the onsite staff as well. Very attentive!

To be honest, this stop was supposed to be an amazing part of our US road trip. We stayed at this Hotel as I was playing golf at PB. I first want to start with the positives, the valets are excellent, work really hard and deserve a lot of credit. Secondly, all the servers were great, but Plu really stood out. He was attentive, polite and even took some photos of our group for us. Another great credit to the hotel. The downside was the fact the hotel, who was hosting a conference at the time of our stay allowed a family (us) to be checked into a room next to conference visitors. Ordinarily this shouldn't have been an issue. However on both nights our neighbours hosted an after party, even posting directional signage outside of their room. The first night, we put down to an error, but when it happened again it was not acceptable. When we called to complain about the noise, the hotel (on the 2nd night) didn't seem to be that bothered, in fact they made us feel responsible. In short, good staff, poorly managed room allocation leading to tired and grumpy wife and kids for the next leg of our journey

You are paying a high price because of the location not because of the quality. I expected top of the line on everything but was disappointed upon checkin. I told the front desk agent I have a newborn and that it was our first time staying with them. No consideration was given for parking! He put us in the 600 rooms located what i felt was a mile away from the parking garage with no view. Even though we checked in on a Tuesday! We had to pay for parking at 22 dollars a day plus a 50 dollar dog fee. So on top of your normal nightly fee you have to pay resort style fees.. again location location location. This hotel is located downtown across from the main street in monterey.

Lovely place and very friendly and attentive staff. Had Plu serving my breakfast twice and he was super polite and friendly.

Location is fantastic! Right in the center of Fisherman's Wharf and downtown Monterey. Starbucks is right across the street as well with a ton of restaurant options in the area. The hotel itself is clean, bright and the staff is accommodating. Our room was spacious enough, although walls were a bit thin. Only negative feedback is the shower. It's one of the walk in ones with no door and water got everywhere on the floor. It's $22 to self park in the garage with in and out access and I believe it was $27 to valet. Self parking was easy enough although coming back in to find a spot on Saturday evening was a challenge. We parked in the Chase banking spot which was ok since they were closed but we would have had to valet it since there were no open spots left if it had been during banking hours. They have a nice pool and fitness center, both of which I didn't use but was nice to have as an amenity. I definitely will stay here again in the future. Location alone is worth it. They also have a restaurant on site called Jacks. Will need to check it out next time too. Lobby is gorgeous too.

Love this hotel. You cannot beat the location. And love that it's pet friendly. Visited in September with a foster dog who seemed to enjoy the luxury. If you have the opportunity, it is also beautiful to visit at holiday time. The decorations are just beautiful.

We stay here anytime we are in Monterey. Close to everything. Great shopping nearby and even more restaurants and clubs down the street. Clean, nice staff. Great "beertenders." The wharf is out the back doors. Can't beat that. All the amenities you need are here. Valet parking. Pool and hot tub. This is our 7th time staying here. Don't forget to leave the cleaning people a tip. They deserve it "because those rooms are immaculate." T$ $$$$$

I came here for my birthday weekend with some girlfriends. It really is a lovely location and hotel with a couple drawbacks in our room specifically. Hopefully not all rooms are like that. There was some dirty rust colored mess in the bathroom floor and the bathroom door was insanely loud to open and close- so bad that it woke up the entire room each time. Such a bummer, it would've been a definite 5 star otherwise.