Monterey Inn Hotel

Hotels
•
Independent
5.2 (120 reviews)
233 N. Avalon Blvd, Wilmington, California, 90744 , Wilmington , US

Facilities

Hiking/biking trails nearby
Scooter/moped rentals nearby
Multilingual staff
Front desk (limited hours)
Express check-out
Mountain biking nearby
Skydiving nearby
Segway rental/tour nearby
Cave exploring/spelunking nearby
Casino nearby
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly/helpful staff (multiple mentions, including specific staff named)
Inexpensive/budget rates
Complimentary/basic breakfast with snacks, fruit and boiled eggs
Outside seating area and some rooms with stove
Close to the cruise terminal (convenient for some guests)
Some guests reported clean, cozy stays
Cons:
Dirty rooms, trash, reports of bed bugs and cockroaches
Safety concerns / seedy neighborhood / unsafe parking
No staff on-site after 8pm, long waits or abandoned feeling
Broken heating and TV, uncomfortable beds
Property reportedly used as homeless shelter / misleading listing
Strong odors in rooms (cat poop reported)
Lack of laundry facilities/coin machine and limited amenities
Rooms and hotel appearance do not match online photos

Categories

Cleanliness
2.5
Consistently poor: multiple reports of dirty rooms, trash, suspected bed bugs, cockroaches and strong odors (cat poop). Several guests explicitly described unclean rooms and hallways.
Service
8.5
Mixed but in many cases helpful: several reviewers praised friendly and helpful staff (front desk, Ruby) and prompt contact about check-in procedures; however there are also complaints about no one on site after 8pm and long waits.
Location
3.5
Generally negative: reviewers report a seedy, unsafe neighborhood, misleading location claims (not as advertised), and concerns about parking and safety after dark.
Room Quality
3.5
Below standard: reports of broken heat, non-working TV, extremely uncomfortable beds, old facility, and rooms not matching photos; one guest found it cozy but most cite poor room conditions.
Amenities
7
Mixed but some positives: basic complimentary breakfast (snacks, instant oatmeal, fresh fruit, boiled eggs) and an outside seating area and occasional in-room stove; lacks laundry change/coin machines and exercise facilities.
Value for Money
6.5
Mixed: several guests note low price and proximity to cruise terminal, while others feel the poor condition and service make it poor value; overall perceived as budget lodging with trade-offs.
Food and Beverage
7.5
Generally positive for limited offerings: breakfast items and snacks were appreciated by multiple guests; outside options are limited (one complaint about nearby pizza).
Overall Experience
2.6
Overall negative: many guests describe stressful, unsafe or scamming experiences (some claim the property functions as a homeless shelter or is abandoned); a few positive stays exist but the dominant sentiment is poor.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-11-05 14:41

Property Description

Stunning Views and Convenient Amenities
Take advantage of the terrace, garden, and complimentary wireless internet at Monterey Inn Hotel. The hotel also offers concierge services and barbecue grills for a delightful stay.

Comfortable Guestrooms with Entertainment Options
Stay in one of the 24 guestrooms with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and cable programming. Enjoy showers with designer toiletries and other conveniences like desks and ceiling fans.

Convenient Location near Local Attractions
Explore nearby attractions such as The Banning Museum and World Cruise Center, both just a short drive away. With the airport conveniently located within reach, Monterey Inn Hotel is the perfect choice for your stay in Wilmington.

Important information:

  • This property's policy is to refuse certain bookings for the purpose of group events or parties, including pre-wedding stag/bachelor and hen/bachelorette parties.
  • Children 10 years old and younger stay free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding.
  • Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms.

A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: LAX

Property Policies

  • Pets

    Pets not allowed

  • Sustainability Certifications

    Property confirms they are implementing guest safety measures

  • Children and extra beds

    No rollaway/extra beds available

  • Guest type

    Essential workers only - NO

  • Accessibility

    No elevators

See all policies

Location

Guest Reviews

5.2
Based on 120 reviews
Cleanliness: 2.5
Service: 8.5
Location: 3.5
Room Quality: 3.5
Amenities: 7
Value for Money: 6.5
Food and Beverage: 7.5
Overall Experience: 2.6
P
Pamela
2
Monterrey Inn
Pros:

This was a half way house with no rooms available.

2025-02-10 • via Nuitee
V
Veronica
2
Pros:

The property is now a homeless shelter still listed on Expedia. We were sent an email by Expedia and the property for our stay and got there to be told it’s a homeless shelter.

2024-01-15 • via Nuitee
E
Eliot • partner
2
Pros:

Arrived, nobody there. Called, waited, called again and waited and waited. Place looked abandoned. A neighbour suggested the place was a refuge for the homeless. Looking at how grimey the exterior was, and that nobody was answering the phone, nor at the door, we left. I’m sure I’m not the first to be scammed.

2023-03-06 • via Nuitee
M
michael • partner
2
Pros:

Heat did not work- 50 degrees. Tv did not work. No place to eat- crappy pizza 3 blocks away. Worst hotel I've been in in 50 years!

2023-02-28 • via Nuitee
S
Stacie
10
Pros:

The lady that helped me check in was friendly and help out a lot. Made sure we understood rules and where things where.

2023-02-27 • via Nuitee
I
Irina • family_with_children
10
Pros:

It's a cheap motel, but really clean and nice for the price. No bad smells or so. The outside seating area is nice and cosy. I was surprised by the breakfast - it had snacks, instant oatmeal, even fresh fruit and boiled eggs!

2023-02-21 • via Nuitee
D
Dawn • family_with_children
2
Pros:

DO NOT STAY HERE!!! This was the absolute WORST hotel my family has ever stayed in! The beds were like trying to sleep on a bag of rocks. The room was so dirty and trashy we were genuinely afraid we would get bed bugs.
The neighborhood was so seedy that we didn’t dare leave the hotel. Absolutely worst hotel!!!!

2023-02-18 • via Nuitee
C
Cindy
2
Pros:

I stay at many hotels and have never experienced a hotel in such a terrible state.
I appreciated being contacted by the front desk staff to be alerted to the fact there is no-one at the from desk after 8pm and that my door key would be in a lock box on the front door.
Unfortunately, everything else was terrible:
*No chain lock on my door (only the simple in-handle lock)
*The heater was broken and only a light blanket on bed
* Room and hallways were unclean
* Parking my brand new car on the dark, warehouse-laden street was not safe as my car stuck out like a sore thumb

It was late (10pm) and I called several hotels before being able to find an alternative place to stay.

This hotel does not warrant a 6.3 rating.
My guess is Bots are rating it.

It was a very stressful experience for me, a single, professional, 65 year old woman, after a long days work.

2023-01-27 • via Nuitee
D
Danielle • partner
10
Pros:

My boyfriend and I wanted to get away for the holiday and we booked last minute and we found this gem Ruby was amazing so helpful the place was cozy and charming and it had a stove to cook !! I'll definitely be back thanks Ruby & The Monterey staff!!

2023-01-02 • via Nuitee
H
Helena • family
6
Pros:

Inexpensive lodging close to the cruise terminal.

2022-11-26 • via Nuitee
N
Nina • family
4
Pros:

There where crockroaches in the room.The hotel is very old.

2022-11-13 • via Nuitee
M
Masahiro
10
Pros:

Hotel staffs were so nice. Quiet place, inside is so safe, I highly recommend my friend to stay here!

2022-11-12 • via Nuitee
T
Tyler
8
Pros:

The room smelt like cat poop

2022-11-11 • via Nuitee
V
Verified traveler
6
Safety
Pros:

Safety is an issue at this place
Not a good area to stay at

2022-10-30 • via Nuitee
V
Verified traveler
2
Pros:

i had a six day stay no one swept. offered me a linen change, dumped garbage. did not ftnd out till day 5 i was on my own. I complained about the bugs on day 2. He sprayed but it did no good. He lied about his location I had to lyft every time I needed to go to the convention center. I was promised a 15-20 min walk. I was isolated from all tthe resources for a decent vacation. I needed to do laundry on sat. no quarer machine & he did not keep at desk. I was on my own. Wait is all I heard.. The place did noty look like the pictures. no where near exercise equipment.. I still got no confirm mation about the $100.00 room deposit he did or did not take off my card.. no signs in laudry about cost of dryer or to wash. Do noty use this resource.

2022-10-25 • via Nuitee
K
Karina • partner
8
Pros:

I enjoyed my stay. Everyone was warm and welcoming and were quick to address any concerns.

2022-10-12 • via Nuitee
D
Dalia
2
Pros:

Everything was terrible

2022-10-12 • via Nuitee
M
Martha • pet
6
Pros:

The gentleman upon check in was super nice!
The place looked clean but very old stove and there were spider webs in the restroom and hiding stains that needs to be clean out!
There was no hot or cold water to shower.
The area were the motel is very quiet
There is no elevator

2022-10-09 • via Nuitee
S
Shirlee • family
10
Pros:

The history of the building and the affordability of the rooms is the reason we chose to stay here. The host, Queen, made our stay even better than we anticipated because she was amazingly accommodating, communicative and so warm and friendly. Even though the building is in a predominantly industrial area we were glad we stayed there because it was quiet and provided a great night's rest.

2022-08-22 • via Nuitee
N
Nathalie
10
Love it!!!
Pros:

Very impressed, well maintained,excellent staff and spacious room. Is definitely a place that I will come back.

2022-08-20 • via Nuitee