Portola Hotel & Spa

Hotels
8.5 (2982 reviews)
Two Portola Plaza , Monterey , US

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Paid
Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Fitness center
Swimming pool
24-hour front desk
Restaurant
Heating
Terrace
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Review Highlights

Pros:
Excellent location near Fisherman’s Wharf and main attractions
Lovely lobby and atmosphere
Comfortable beds and generally clean rooms
Family friendly options (connecting rooms)
Friendly, accommodating staff (majority of reports)
Cons:
Pricey — expensive breakfast and additional parking fees
Rooms can be small with limited views
Variable staff experiences at check-in for some guests
Room maintenance issues (A/C, pillows, worn carpet, lint on sheets)
Pool small/located across the street and sometimes unclean

Categories

Cleanliness
7.4
Generally reported as clean in many rooms (comfortable beds, clean bathrooms) but several guests noted worn/old carpets, lint on sheets, an unclean pool and occasional odors — mixed cleanliness impressions.
Service
9.2
Mostly praised: numerous comments about friendly, accommodating staff and helpful guest services, though a few reports of unfriendly check-in experiences and curt staff at times.
Location
9.8
Consistently highlighted as excellent — walking distance to Fisherman’s Wharf, aquarium and many restaurants/shops; repeatedly described as a prime, convenient location.
Room Quality
8.1
Rooms often described as comfortable with good beds and nice bathrooms, but several guests noted small rooms, limited views, A/C or ventilation issues, flat pillows and other maintenance concerns.
Amenities
7.6
Lobby and public spaces much liked, but amenities had drawbacks: small or across-the-street pool, limited bar hours, no elevator in some cases and parking fees — amenities are decent but constrained.
Value for Money
7
Multiple mentions that the hotel feels pricey: expensive breakfast, additional parking charges and a general sense that some rooms/amenities don’t fully justify the cost.
Food and Beverage
9
Food generally got positive notes (nice restaurant, tasty breakfast) though some guests complained about high prices and isolated issues (bar smell/cleanliness).
Overall Experience
9.9
Overall very positive: many guests call it a lovely hotel with a great atmosphere and enjoyable stays, with the strong location and service outweighing intermittent negatives.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-08-11 13:19

Property Description

Luxurious Accommodations
Experience comfort and style at the Portola Hotel & Spa, just steps away from Fisherman's Wharf. Unwind in guest rooms equipped with modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, refrigerators, and eco-friendly bath products.

Scenic Views and Relaxation
Indulge in breathtaking views of the harbour from select rooms, offering a tranquil escape from the bustling city life. Rejuvenate your senses at the on-site spa, ensuring a truly relaxing stay.

Prime Location
Located only 1.6 km from the iconic Cannery Row, our hotel provides easy access to the area's historic attractions and vibrant atmosphere. Book now for an unforgettable stay at the Portola Hotel & Spa.

Important information:

Guests may make reservations for a maximum of 9 rooms. 10 or more rooms is considered a group and needs to be booked directly through the sales department.

Please note that digital credit cards are not accepted at check-in. A physical credit card with the guest's name must be presented at check-in.

Pool Closure: Please note that the pool and hot tub will be closed November 30 through December 31, 2025, for maintenance. The pool at the Monterey Sports Center, near the Portola Hotel, is open to the public.
Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
Guests under the age of 18 can only check in with a parent or official guardian.
Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 12:00 PM
Airport code: MRY

Location

Guest Reviews

8.5
Based on 2982 reviews
Cleanliness: 7.4
Service: 9.2
Location: 9.8
Room Quality: 8.1
Amenities: 7.6
Value for Money: 7
Food and Beverage: 9
Overall Experience: 9.9
Z
Zoe • couple • us
9
2026-09-19 • via Nuitee
C
Caroline • solo_traveller • gb
8
2026-09-19 • via Nuitee
D
Deborah • solo_traveller • gb
8
Pros:

The size of the room was great. Very clean. Staff friendly

Cons:

Couldn't check in until 5pm as they said they were running behind. The check-in time on the booking said 4pm. The room had only facilities for two people even though we had 3 adults booked in the room. When raised with the staff, we did get more coffee, and towels, however still only had two cups and two of everything else.
The room didn't get tidied on second day which meant we didn't get the coffee replenished, nor did the toilet roll get restocked.
The water from the shower wet the floor by the side of the toilet and floor, which was extremely slippery.

2026-09-18 • via Nuitee
M
Meir Dadon • solo_traveller • il
8
2026-09-17 • via Nuitee
M
Mary • couple • us
10
Pros:

location

2026-09-17 • via Nuitee
D
Darren • couple • gb
6
2026-09-15 • via Nuitee
R
Rebecca • solo_traveller • gb
10
2026-09-15 • via Nuitee
R
Rebekka • solo_traveller • de
7
Pros:

Tolle Lage und die Zimmer waren schön eingerichtet

Cons:

Das Personal hätte freundlicher sein können.
Wir fanden den Eigangsbereich und die Lobby sehr laut

2026-09-14 • via Nuitee
M
Monika • family_with_children • at
10
2026-09-08 • via Nuitee
J
Jayakumar • family_with_children • us
10
2026-09-08 • via Nuitee
S
Sabine • family_with_children • lu
9
2026-09-05 • via Nuitee
D
Denise • couple • us
9
Stres q m
Pros:

Great location.

Cons:

The elevator system was confusing

2026-09-05 • via Nuitee
C
Cara • couple • gb
7
Pros:

It was in a good location easy to walk to many places

Cons:

The rooms had a lot of sounds from surrounding rooms / cleaning cupboards. The room and pool were outdated

2026-09-04 • via Nuitee
M
Miyuki • extended_group • us
8
2026-09-02 • via Nuitee
D
Denis • family_with_children • us
7
2026-09-02 • via Nuitee
V
Victoria • family_with_children • fr
8
Pros:

confort des chambres et propreté.
accessibilité immediate au parking et au port.
le restaurant

Cons:

Nous étions en amont d'un évènement dans l'hotel et la ville donc beaucoup de monde dans l'enceinte de l'établissement

2026-08-31 • via Nuitee
P
Patrick • family_with_children • at
10
2026-08-31 • via Nuitee
K
Kerri • family_with_children • us
10
2026-08-31 • via Nuitee
C
Claudia • family_with_children • it
10
2026-08-31 • via Nuitee
S
stefano • family_with_children • ae
6
Decent place but nothing special
Pros:

Gym was ok

Cons:

Smell in the entrance

2026-08-30 • via Nuitee